Inside of library with students at tables and bookshelves

Policies and Procedures

Borrowing Materials

A Lourdes ID card enables a student to borrow all circulating materials. Books may be checked out for three weeks and renewed up to six times, as long as another user does not request the book. Students may borrow up to FIFTY items at a time. A few days before materials are due, patrons receive an email reminder. Renewals can be done on-line or at the circulation desk.

Graduates of Lourdes may use their alumni card to receive a free library card. Likewise guests in the local community are welcome to use the collection with a guest courtesy card ($10.00) valid for one year at a time. The Sisters of St. Francis (Sylvania) are guests without a fee charged. Lost library cards should be reported to the library to prevent unauthorized use.

The barcode on the Lourdes University ID card is used to request items through the OPAL/OhioLINK catalog. Also, by policy, anyone working at or attending an OPAL/OhioLINK institution may borrow materials from Lourdes University.

Students, staff, guests or alumni who owe fines or overdue items to the library may not check out materials until the issue is cleared.

Student Library Record

On the OPAL screen of Lourdes Library, the personal library record of the patron can be displayed through “My Account” giving information of items checked out or requested, overdue items, current fines, etc. Books can be renewed on this same screen if there are no barriers present at the time.

The library personnel will not disclose names of any borrowers nor divulge any information regarding items loaned to individuals. This is in compliance with the principles and policies outlined in the publications prepared by the Ohio Library Association.

Returning Library Materials

Materials are returned to the Help Desk in the library during regular hours of service. When the library is closed, returns are to be placed in the BOOK RETURN near the library’s entrance. The final possible date due for all student materials is at the end of the semester which is considered the last day of exam week.

Overdue Notices

As a courtesy when an item is one week overdue a notice for overdue material is sent via email. A patron who does not receive a notice still is liable for any fines or replacement. A total of three overdue notices are sent and after that the items are considered lost and need to be paid for according to the policy described below.

Fines, Overdue and Lost Books

Fines for Lourdes library materials returned late are 10 cents per day per item. Charges for Lourdes’ items are calculated as follows:

  • A patron will be billed $75.00 after an item is 30 days overdue. Library borrowing privileges will be suspended until paid.
  • If an item is returned, then a credit of $70.00 will be given. The balance of $5.00 (processing fee) is due in order to clear a patron’s record.
  • The cost of a lost book will be refunded if an item is returned (within one year) after payment has already been made. Please return payment receipt with returned book.

Late fines for OPAL/OhioLINK materials are 50 cents per day per item. Charges for OPAL/OhioLINK items are calculated as follows:

  • A patron will be billed $125.00 after if an item is not returned in 30 days. Library borrowing privileges will be suspended until paid.
  • If an item is returned, then a credit of $75.00 will be given. The balance of $50.00 is due in order to clear a patron’s record.
  • The cost of a lost book will be refunded if an item is returned (within one year) after payment has already been made. Please return payment receipt with returned book.

Academic Records Held

Library obligations will result in a hold being placed on a student’s record in the Registrar’s Office. Further action is placed on transcripts and denied release to other colleges and universities until paid in full to the library.

Group Study Rooms

Study rooms are available for group work and cubicles are available for individual work. In the library three study rooms with a computer and wall monitor each seat a maximum of 6 students; a fourth room seats a maximum of 5. SCH146 has 4 cubicles each with a PC that can be used by 1 or 2 people.

Reservations will be accepted on a week-by-week basis for up to 3 hour periods for SCH146 cubicles and group study rooms. Individuals may use the study rooms when they are unoccupied. If a group has not occupied the room within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, the reservation will be canceled. Reservations are made by calling the library (419-824-3761) or signing in at the help desk.

As a courtesy to others, please keep in mind that these rooms are not soundproof. Also, books on the shelves in these rooms could be needed by others who may enter the room.

Collection Development

This is a guideline for acquiring and maintaining materials for the library collection basic for the undergraduate and master’s programs. The goal of the collection should be quality over quantity, which supports the curriculum. Increase in costs of publishing and the demand of information in different formats, shape careful selection in making the best use of financial resources.

The decision of what is appropriate to the library’s size and the management of the collection rests with the library director. Journals, books, and audio-visual are major materials that comprise the collection. The faculty contributes to the vitality of the collection among disciplines defined by academic departments. Faculty members are encouraged to be attentive to students’ requests and suggest new book titles and publications from their professional reading and reviews along with citations from “Choice” and “Library Journal”. Forms for purchase requests are found on the Intranet.

Funds are maintained for use at the discretion of the library director. Consideration is also given when implementing new programs or courses, with an awareness of an additional cost when planning the budget. A significant amount is set-aside in the Fall and the Spring semester for purchase of A-V materials especially instructional videos. It is preferable to have various books on a subject, therefore only single copies will be purchased. Textbooks are not normally purchased (i.e. exceptions for nursing department).

Regular weeding is conducted to keep the collection current and manageable. Upon consultation with or upon recommendation of faculty members, the materials in question will be withdrawn or discarded. Some material, however, even though considered dated is not discarded.

When selecting new titles to purchase, the library should consider local needs versus availability of other copies in the OhioLINK central catalog.

Requests for new journals can be submitted on the form for library purchase request on the Intranet. Re-evaluation of journal subscriptions is an on-going practice and weighed against the availability of articles searchable through the electronic databases. Since the age of technology is providing so much, it has been policy to assess whatever seems easily available in full text on the databases, and thus eliminating duplication of print/hard copy editions.

Donations of books are accepted with the understanding that the library disposes of or adds them to the collection at the librarian’s discretion with no strings attached. The decision to add items follows the guidelines outlined and using the criteria for purchasing.

Other Policies

Printer/copy machine is located in the library across from the circulation desk. The first 20 pages are free, then there is a $.10 /page charge.

Food is not allowed in the library. There are tables outside the library for that use. Drinks in covered containers may be used with coasters provided in the library. Tobacco is not permitted in the library.

Cell phone usage in the library is prohibited. Set cell phone to silent or vibrate mode when in the library and leave immediately to outside areas of the library to answer.

Elementary, middle school, and small children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult who respects the quiet needed for study and research. Anyone using threatening, disorderly, indecent, offensive or lewd conduct, including the use of the Internet will be asked to leave.

Library computers are primarily for academic research of Lourdes students, faculty and staff. Visitors may be denied access or shall be advised to apply for a guest courtesy card. Library staff is not responsible for personal items left unattended in the library.

Laptop Lending Policies

Loan Policies

  • Only currently enrolled Lourdes University students can check out laptops. Faculty, staff, and alumni are ineligible. Students will need their student ID to check out a laptop.
  • Laptops can be checked out from the Academic Success Center (formerly WIN Center), Library, Center for
  • Professional Studies, Flask Nursing Center, and the Center for Nursing Scholarship. Please return the laptop to the same place it was checked out.
  • Laptops are on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Laptop kits include: the laptop and case (if requested). Flash drives, software, discs, headphones, etc. cannot be provided.
  • Laptops need to remain on the main campus. Please do not take laptops to the residence halls.
  • Laptop lending is a program to provide additional computer availability to Lourdes students. Please do not sit at a computer workstation while using a laptop.

Loan Periods

  • Laptops may be checked out for daily use. No overnight loans are permitted.
  • Laptops must be returned no later than 1 hour before closing regardless of check out time.
  • Laptops are not able to be checked out 1 hour before closing.

Returning Late or Damaged Laptops

  • In the unlikely event a laptop is damaged during use, the borrower will be responsible for replacement parts costs. The Lourdes University IT Department will have the authority in determining this charge and students will be notified.
  • Laptops that are not returned on the day they are checked out will accrue a fine of $100.
    If the laptop is not returned within 48 hours of check out time, the laptop will be considered lost or stolen and the borrower will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
  • Late fines may be paid by cash or personal check at the time of check in.
    If a fine is not paid at check in, a hold will be placed on the student’s account until the fine is paid.
  • Students will not be permitted to borrow a laptop until fines are paid. (Please note: library borrowing privileges will be suspended until all fines are paid, including the use of OhioLINK).

Borrower Responsibilities

  • Laptops should always be attended and returned promptly.
  • Work should be saved on a flash drive, email, or other space. Documents on the laptop are erased at each shut down.
  • Borrowers are expected to follow the Technology Acceptable Use Policies.

Lourdes University reserves the right to decline usage to any student at any time.