Library Policies

The library, housed in the Kenneth W. Schuler Learning Resources Center (LRC) is an integral part of the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology’s educational mission. Our primary goals are to provide students with the information they need to complete their training programs and to provide faculty and staff with resources to help students succeed. We are also committed to maintaining collections of supplemental and recreational materials for use by anyone in the College community. 

The library includes the LRC computer lab, which is for the use of students, faculty, staff, and approved guests. The library is not open to the public. 

Circulation 

The library has a wide range of materials available for students, faculty, and staff—circulation differs according to the nature of the item: 

• Books can be checked out and are renewable.
• DVDs can be checked out and are renewable. 
• Headphones, webcams, DVD players, reader pens, chargers) are checked out either four hours/in library use only (students) or 30 days (faculty/staff). 
• Laptops are checked out for two weeks and are renewable if other units are still available.

Students can also request approval for semester-long checkout. 

• Calculators are checked out for two weeks and are renewable.
• Reserve materials are checked out for four hours (in-library use only).

ID Cards

Library materials are available to anyone holding a valid College ID card or approved guest credentials. ID showing name, picture, and number must be presented for all transactions. 

Behavior

The library has designated quiet areas. In all other spaces, noise should be kept to a minimum but is not restricted. Library users should not use speakers that broadcast sound, and go outside for phone calls. No tobacco products or weapons are allowed in the library, and we ask that users be respectful of other users and cooperative with library staff. Eating is allowed, but please dispose of trash and wipe the table afterward. 

Printing/Scanning 

There are two black and white printers in the computer lab—these can be accessed only through the lab stations (i.e., you cannot print to them from your own device). There is no charge for printing.  

Double-sided printing is not available at the library; color printing is possible but is done at the discretion of the library staff. A copier/scanner near the front desk is available free to library users. Please ask the staff for assistance using this device.

Collection Development 

The library staff aims to maintain a collection relevant to the educational and recreational interests of the College community. Our goals are:  

1. To assemble, organize, preserve, and make available materials necessary to fulfill the academic and vocational needs of the students, faculty, and staff of the College. 
2. To provide adequate and comfortable facilities that will encourage use of LRC materials and to maintain an atmosphere conducive to study and academic work. 
3. To provide professional instruction and programming to support College curricula and the educational goals of the College. 

Standards 

The library endorses the principles in the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read and Library Bill of Rights statements. Standards for community, junior, and technical college programs, as prepared by the Association of the College and Research Libraries and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, are accepted as measurements for ensuring excellence. 

Material Selection

It is the responsibility of the professionally trained library staff to acquire materials necessary to meet the informational needs of the College community. The collection supports post-secondary, two-year technical degree programs and is designed to develop academic proficiency and personal growth of students, faculty and staff. 

Because the programs at the College require resources which represent contemporary industrial, technical, and construction methods employed by practicing technicians and professionals, the collection aims to provide material that satisfies requirements of that academic curriculum. The library also aims to provide some non-technical publications that (1) allow the students to discover and experience the universe beyond technical knowledge, and (2) contribute to their lifelong learning. 

Though decisions about acquisition for library materials is the ultimate responsibility of the Library Director, input from faculty, staff, and students at the College is solicited and welcomed. The following criteria are used for selection of materials:  

• Materials shall support and be consistent with the curriculum and educational goals of the College. 
• Materials shall be appropriate for the subject area and ability level of the students at the College. 
• Materials shall provide up-to-date content (some items fulfill this requirement even though they carry old copyrights).
• Materials shall contribute to the academic/personal growth of users or be of appropriate recreational quality. 

In selecting materials, the library staff evaluates existing holdings and consults other sources, including: 

• Reputable, professionally prepared selection aids. 
• Specialists from departments and disciplines in the College. 
• Recommendations submitted by students, faculty, advisory committees, administrators, staff, and alumni. 

NOTE: The library does not purchase copies of required textbooks for College courses; however, some of those textbooks are on reserve and can be checked out for in-library use. 

Donations of Materials 

All material donations to the library must be processed through the office of the Director—an inquiry is encouraged. Donated materials become the property of the College upon donation, and their disposition is at the sole discretion of the Library Director. Any donated material not chosen for the collection will be donated to a registered charity (i.e., it will not be sold or otherwise distributed) unless the donor has requested that the items be returned. 

The library does not accept financial donations—potential financial donors are encouraged to work with the College Foundation. 

Removal of Materials

Library materials are regularly removed from display and from the catalog in a process called “weeding.” This step is important in maintaining a useful, relevant collection. The Library Director has the final say about removal of materials. In general, items are removed because they are: 

• Out-of-date (content has become obsolete, inaccurate, or misleading). 
• Superseded by new or revised editions.
• Duplicates of titles are no longer in heavy demand. 
• Damaged beyond simple repair.

When materials are discarded, markings of College ownership are removed or covered. Materials are then discarded according to guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 

Library Security 

Users are encouraged to be respectful of other library visitors and the staff, and to remember the following: 

• Staff members reserve the right to ask anyone creating a disruption to leave the LRC and to call Security if problematic behavior warrants that step. 
• Users may not leave unattended bags or laptops anywhere in the library for any length of time. The staff reserves to right to remove any such items from the general-use areas of the library and keep them locked up until they are claimed.