Library Policies

In order to maintain a clean and quiet atmosphere:

• No smoking, chewing tobacco, or eating.
• No children under the age of 12 left unattended.
• No cellular telephone conversations.
• Pagers should be set to non-audible alert.
• Headphone volume must be low enough to prevent others from hearing the sound.

Patrons who do not adhere to these policies will be asked to leave the library. The library staff will make every effort to be equitable in the treatment of all patrons. The library staff is available to help those in need of library assistance because of disabilities.

Circulation Policies
To check out Stafford Library materials, students, faculty and staff must be in good standing*. You must present a valid ID card from Columbia College or a participating MOBIUS institution.

Most circulating books may be checked out for one month. Compact discs, videos, vertical files, phonograph records and other non-book items may be checked out for one week. Some items are non-circulating and are for library use only. Faculty and staff have longer borrowing privileges.

* You are responsible for returning or renewing materials on or before the due date indicated on each item. Patrons with overdue items will be notified and are are not allowed borrowing privileges until items are returned.

Renewals
Non-overdue items may be renewed unless a hold request has been placed on them. Renewals may be done by bringing the materials to the library, by calling the circulation desk (573-875-7381), or by using the library catalog on the Web. It is necessary for you to have your ID card when you renew by any of these options.

Recalls
A recall means that the patron is instructed by library staff to return an item before its due date. No item will be recalled during the initial checkout period unless an instructor requires it to be placed on reserve for a class. All item(s) that are overdue are subject to immediate recall. Students who fail to return recalled items within the stated period of time are charged a $25.00 penalty fee.

Overdues
The library staff mails you an overdue notice if items are not returned by the due date. This notice reminds you to return or renew the materials immediately in order to avoid a charge to your account at the Business Office. At the time the overdue notice generates, your borrowing privileges at Columbia College and throughout the MOBIUS consortium are suspended. You must bring the materials to the library to renew them since it is no longer possible to renew the materials using the online catalog or over the phone. Seven days after the date on the notice, the computer system charges your library record the replacement cost of the material (an average of $70 per item) and a non-refundable billing fee of $5.00 per item. A billing notice is mailed to you, and if the item is returned in good condition a credit will be allowed for the replacement cost, but not for the billing fee.

Addresses
Because these notices are mailed to your local address as recorded in the College's database, it is important to keep your address and phone number current with the Registration Office. Check your record in the online catalog to verify that your address and phone number listed there are correct.