About Maxwell Library

Library Policies

• Campus Community Guides
• Children in the Library
• Educational Resource Center (ERC) Test Use
• Gifts/Donations to the Library
• Intellectual Freedom Policy and Procedure
• Library Instruction Room Use
• Library Lost & Found
• Library Services for Massachusetts Residents
• Library Users' Rights and Responsibilities
• MAX Video Streaming Service
• Maxwell Library Mobile Phone Policy 
• Quiet Study Zone
• Rules regarding borrowing
• Security Gate
• Selection of Books and Audiovisual Materials
• Group Study Room Policy 

Campus Community Guides Policy

Purpose:

Campus Community Guides are an online publication platform through which interested faculty and staff can share and promote BSU campus-related communities and events. This publishing service is provided by the Maxwell Library.

Policy Statement:

Campus Community Guides are open to faculty to promote and share information about BSU initiatives, departments, programs, groups, communities of interest, and events.

Goals:

• Utilize the MaxGuides publication platform (LibGuides CMS, published by Springshare) for online delivery of information not directly related to Maxwell Library resources and services.
• Provide an online publication platform to facilitate communication among BSU communities of interest.
• Improve communication and interaction between BSU service providers and their constituents.

Responsible Use:

Campus Community Guide content must adhere to Bridgewater State University’s Responsible Use of Information Technology policy and to best practices.

Policies

• Content must be related to BSU events, programs, centers, initiatives, departments, student groups, or outreach.
• Faculty/Staff should contact the Campus Community Guide administrator to set up a Campus Community Guide. One or more faculty/staff may be assigned editing permissions to the same Guide.
• Liaison librarians and the Campus Community Guides administrator will provide training, support and consultation to Guide content providers.
• Course-specific related material, as a rule, should be placed in MaxGuides Course Guides. However, Campus Community Guides can be used for course-specific material that is not library-related. Faculty are urged to consult with a Maxwell Library Reference specialist when publishing course-specific material.
• The LibGuides CMS platform provides cloud storage space for images that appear within the Guides. Neither the LibGuides CMS server platform, nor the Maxwell Library, provides server space for downloadable content such as PDFs, Word documents, or audio files.
• The underlying software platform that supports the Campus Community Guides requires some mediated actions and services provided by a system administrator. While the Library is committed to providing as open an online publication option as possible to the BSU community, Campus Community Guides content providers cannot act in total independence of Maxwell Library staff.
• While the underlying software platform allows for some customizations and user interactivity, Campus Community Guides do not and cannot provide a “blank-slate” web publication opportunity. The Campus Community Guides administrator will work with content providers as needed to optimize their Guides, with the underlying understanding of the platform limitations.
• As a rule, students will not be allowed content-provider accounts. However, the Maxwell Library MaxGuides system administrator will consider, on a case-by-case basis, allowing student’s access when there is a documented need provided by the BSU faculty/staff member responsible for the Campus Community Guide.
• When “friendly” URLs are assigned to Campus Community Guides or pages within the Campus Community Guides, users are asked to include “campus/” as part of the URL string (e.g. http:/library.bridgew.edu/guides/campus/guidename).

Maxwell Library Policy on Children in the Library

Policy Statement: While Maxwell Library welcomes patrons of all ages, visitors with children should be aware that the library is housed in a busy, multi-use facility. Classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, as well as various service units can all be found in the building. Multiple entries and exits points are located across the site.

Because the library’s primary constituency is the students, faculty and staff of the university, along with visiting researchers from other institutions, we provide a wide range of materials—books, DVDs, journals and other resources—that express a variety of perspectives. Some content and illustrations may be inappropriate for use by children.

Concern for the safety and well-being of children, recognition of the needs of the BSU community, as well as proper stewardship of library resources prompts the following:

• A child is defined as anyone under the age of sixteen who is not registered as a BSU student.
• A responsible adult (i.e., parent, guardian, teacher, etc.) must accompany children in the library at all times. Unaccompanied children will be reported to Campus Police.
• A child who is disruptive, uses library resources inappropriately, or damages library materials or equipment will be reported to Campus Police.
• Maxwell Library computers are intended primarily for the use of Bridgewater State University students, faculty, and staff. The computers do not have content filters. If children are given access to computers, the accompanying adult is responsible for the children’s use and viewing. (Separate, stand-alone computers provide access to just the library catalog.)

Please note that the University’s Responsible Use of Information Technology policy applies to BSU students, faculty, staff and all other users. View the University’s Responsible Use of Information Technology policy.

Library staff members are not expected to act as police officers nor are they expected to search for accompanying adults or determine the ages of children. Any problems we encounter will be reported to Campus Police.

Education Resource Center (ERC) Test Use Policy

This policy was written in accord with copyright laws, the requirements of test publishers, and AERA-APA-NCME standards (see Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, Cur Lib Ref LB 3051/A693/1999).

Test access in the Educational Resource Center of Maxwell Library is restricted. All test borrowers must present a valid photo ID and must sign our test use policy agreement.

Eligible Users

Tests may be viewed by qualified persons only. A qualified person is one who is participating in a BSU assessment or assessment-related class (education, counseling, or psychology). BSU students may be asked to show a current syllabus to demonstrate that they are in such a class. BSU students doing independent research should bring a note from their advisor. Area educators and others who believe they have a valid reason to view the tests should discuss their situation with a member of the ERC staff. In all cases, non-BSU affiliates will need to bring documentation from their employer or school that demonstrates their need and qualifications.

Restrictions on Use

1. Tests may not leave the ERC.
2. Tests may be borrowed for 2 hours (renewable).*
3. No portion of any test, or its accompanying materials, may be photocopied or scanned.
4. Tests may be viewed for evaluation purposes only. Tests owned by the ERC may not be administered.

* An exception is made for BSU faculty only. BSU faculty members who wish to do an in-class demonstration of a test may arrange in advance to borrow a test overnight or for a limited period of time, as agreed.

Gifts/Donations to the Library

The Maxwell Library is grateful for the support of alumnae/i and friends. Your monetary and in-kind gifts help the Library meet the needs of our students, faculty, and community.

Monetary Gifts

Your unrestricted, current-use gifts to the Maxwell Library enable the Dean of the Library to focus your generosity where it can have the greatest impact. For more information about making a gift, please contact the BSU Alumni & Development Office. Advancement staff can answer your questions and explain the powerful impact your gifts can have.

If you already have the information you need, you can easily make your gift online now by going to https://alumni.bridgew.edu/BSUFund. Please select “Library Development Fund” for your fund designation.

In-Kind Gifts (Books, Journals, and Other Library Materials)

We appreciate your gifts of books, journals, and other Library materials that are appropriate for the Library's collection and curricular-support needs.

In most cases, the Library will accept gifts of books and periodicals only if they fill gaps in already existing collections. Upon receipt, all gift materials become the property of Bridgewater State University and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Those items added to the collection will be processed according to the Library's standard collection management practices.

Gifts offered with conditions related to their acceptance, access, circulation, or use may be accepted only at the discretion of the Dean of the Library in consultation with the Librarians.

The Library cannot provide an itemized list or appraisal of gift material; however, the Library can provide a letter to the donor acknowledging receipt of the gift.

If you are considering an in-kind gift, please contact the Interim Library Dean, Cynthia Svoboda, at csvoboda@bridgew.edu, or 508-531-1740.

Gifts to the University Archives & Special Collections

Donations to the BSU Archives & Special Collections are welcome and considered on a case-by-case basis. Of special interest are materials related to the history of Bridgewater State University, the Town of Bridgewater, the state of Massachusetts, and the New England region. Gifts of documents, personal papers, photographs, books, manuscripts, and more are often valuable contributions to Archives & Special Collections. For more information, or to discuss donating rare or unique materials, please contact Orson Kingsley, Head of Archives & Special Collections, at 508-531-1389 or okingsley@bridgew.edu.

Policy Adopted: August 2022

Intellectual Freedom Policy and Procedure

I. Intellectual Freedom Policy

Intellectual freedom is essential for the development of library collections and services offering diverse perspectives to meet the educational and research needs of the Bridgewater State University academic community. Maxwell Library endorses the intellectual freedom guidelines expressed in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and the Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries as adopted by the Association of College and Research Libraries. These documents provide the basis for the principles listed below.

1. The library acquires materials in support of Bridgewater State University’s instruction and research programs reflecting a wide variety of viewpoints on subjects that may be considered controversial. The material will not be excluded from the collection because of the political, moral, religious, sexual, social, economic, or scientific views expressed.
2. The library’s preservation and replacement efforts will attempt to ensure that balance in library materials is maintained and controversial materials are not removed from the collections through theft, loss, mutilation, or wear.
3. The library offers open and unfiltered access to the Internet to the Bridgewater State University academic community for uses in compliance with the University’s Responsible Use of Information Technology policy to further research and learning through exposure to the broadest possible range of ideas and information.
4. The library affords equal access to information for all in the Bridgewater State University academic community with no discrimination on the basis of race, values, gender, sexual orientation, cultural or ethnic background, physical or learning disability, economic status, religious beliefs, or views.
5. The library has an established procedure to ensure due process for requests for removal or addition of library resources or exhibits. The library will not remove any challenged material until a formal review mandates such action. Challenged materials that meet the criteria for selection should not be removed under any legal or extra-legal procedure.

II. Review of Challenged Resources Procedure

1. Individuals or organizations within or outside of Bridgewater State University who challenge materials should be given copies of the library’s Intellectual Freedom Policy and Procedure and should complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form. Copies of both documents are available at all library public service desks and in the Library Director’s office. Completed forms should be forwarded to the Director’s office as soon as possible.
2. Librarians or the Library Director will provide a more detailed explanation of the intellectual freedom policy if needed.
3. The Library Director, in consultation with the librarians, will review the completed form and respond promptly in writing to the challenge.
4. The Library Director will keep records of all requests for reconsideration.
5. The Library Director will submit a completed form detailing the challenged material to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom for inclusion in their confidential database on challenged materials.

Policy Adopted: May 2006

Use of the Ratna Chandrasekhar Information Literacy Center (RCILC) – Library Room L112

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to delineate the use of The Ratna Chandrasekhar Information Literacy Center (RCILC) in Maxwell Library at Bridgewater State University. The RCILC Room was designed for use by librarians to offer classroom instruction in library (or bibliographic) instruction, library orientation, research support, or information literacy. It is not intended to be an open-access lab, general-purpose classroom, or meeting room.

Policy Statement

The RCILC enables librarians to teach information literacy to groups within the physical library environment, to have ready access to research materials, and to encourage users to become familiar with the wide variety of information resources.

Applies to:

This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff of Bridgewater State University and to all other users who are authorized to access information technology at Bridgewater State University.

Responsibilities

1. Faculty members may choose to schedule a library instruction session in their regular classrooms or in L112. Faculty members who wish to schedule a library instruction session may do so by completing an online request form, by calling the Reference Services at (508) 531-1394, or by stopping by the Reference desk on the first floor of the library. Library instruction sessions for College of Education courses may be scheduled by contacting the Educational Resource Center (ERC) directly at (508) 531-1304. The RCILC is available only during the library’s hours of operation.
2. Once a class has met with a librarian for a session, the course instructor may request the use of the RCILC one additional time in the semester so students may continue their library research. The faculty member must remain with the class during the session. The room must be reserved no more than one week in advance.
3. The RCILC may only be used for library orientation and research purposes and cannot be reserved for any other purpose, except as outlined in points 4-6 below. These exceptions are generally only made during non-peak instruction times.
4. Other library departments may reserve the room for training and/or demonstrations. Such requests will be routed through a Reference librarian who will check the availability of the room.
5. All other requests for using or reserving the room will be reviewed by librarians. The requester generally will be notified within 24 hours if the room is available for the intended use. (The room may be reserved no more than one week in advance.)
6. The room may be opened at the discretion of the Reference Librarian on duty for use as an open-access lab, primarily during final examinations week.

Library Lost and Found

Found items may be turned in to the Library Services Desk on the first floor of the Library. Items considered a potential health risk will be discarded.

At the end of each semester, unclaimed articles of clothing will be discarded or donated to charity, and all print or paper items will be recycled or destroyed.

The owners of mobile phones, laptops, wallets, and other valuable items will be contacted if the owner's name can be determined. At the end of each semester, all lost items such as wallets, BSU ID cards, keys, mobile phones, and other valuable electronics will be turned in to BSU Campus Police.

If you have lost an item and want to see if it has been turned in, please call (508) 531-1392 to speak with a staff member.

Please Note: If you believe you have lost an item elsewhere on campus, you can check with University Police to see if your item has been turned in. Contact the BSU Police Department at 508- 531-1212.

Policy Adopted: December 2024

Maxwell Library Services for Non-BSU affiliated Users

As an academic library, Maxwell Library’s primary clientele are the students, faculty, and staff of the University. The Library also allows individual members of the community to register to borrow books and to use online databases in person in the Library.

Borrowing Registration:

Individuals, 16 years and older, may register for a borrower's card with proper identification, such as a driver's license or other form of state photo ID with current address. All borrowers must register in person. The Library does not allow organizations or groups to register. Once registered, the borrower’s card is valid for one year from the issue date.

Borrowing privileges:

Visitors with a borrower’s card are welcome to check out up to 6 (six) items from the library’s circulating collections at one time. This includes books, DVDs, videos, and audio compact discs and cassettes.

• The loan period for books, music scores and children’s books is 30 days.
• The loan period for DVDs, videos, and audio CDs and cassettes is 7 days.

Visitors are free to browse and use on-site newspapers, periodicals, reference materials and all other non-circulating items.

Electronic Services and e-Resources:

To use the library’s online databases, e-books, and online periodicals, visitors must request a temporary guest account (username and password) at the Service Desk by presenting a valid picture ID.

The guest account is valid for the day that it is issued and expires when the Library closes. Guest accounts are available for request 15 minutes after the Library opens and up to 30 minutes before closing. Guest accounts allow visitors to print up to 15 pages free of charge.

There are no Internet filters on any public computer, and all users of university computers must abide by the University’s Acceptable Use policy.

Reference Services:

Librarians and staff teach users how to develop research strategies and conduct research inquiries; we guide users into becoming independent researchers and life-long learners. Community visitors who need help with research projects may use the library’s online chat, contact Reference Services (508.531.1394) or the Educational Resource Center (508.531.1304).

Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery Services, and Commonwealth Catalog Services are not available to non-BSU affiliates but may be requested through local public libraries.

Space:

At this time, the University cannot accommodate requests for meeting spaces.

Policy Adopted: August 2022

Library Users' Rights and Responsibilities

The Maxwell Library is committed to creating a safe, welcoming space where mutual respect, intellectual collaboration, and active learning find a home on the BSU campus. All library users, librarians and staff share responsibility for maintaining a scholarly environment.

As a library user, you have the right to:

• A welcoming, inclusive study space
• A clean, comfortable and safe building
• Courteous assistance from librarians and staff
• Access to library resources, regardless of one’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or age
• Ask others to refrain from behavior that is not conducive to study and research
• Request assistance from librarians and staff to maintain an appropriate scholarly environment.

 As a library user, you have the responsibility to:

• Interact respectfully with other users, librarians and staff
• Carry your Connect card at all times when in the Library and present it to Library staff upon request
• Refrain from disruptive behavior that hinders others’ access to an environment supportive of study, research and collaborative scholarship. This includes:
  • Behavior that contributes to excessive noise levels
  • Threatening, intimidating or harassing behavior
  • Behavior that is potentially unsafe (running, throwing objects, etc.)
• Maintain a quiet atmosphere in designated quiet study areas
• Help preserve library resources by refraining from marking, defacing or damaging library materials and equipment
• Return borrowed items in a timely manner and in good condition (see Borrowing).
• Comply with directions and requests from librarians and staff.

Library users may request assistance from librarians and staff at any time to address disruptive behavior. Library staff will identify themselves as staff members and request that users comply with Library rules.  Failure to comply with requests to cease inappropriate behavior or to comply with library policies may result in the staff member asking to see a student ID, asking the user to leave the Library, or removal from the premises or other disciplinary sanctions. University Police may be called to assist if circumstances warrant.  Multiple infractions may result in loss of some or all library privileges.

If you have questions or comments about these rights and responsibilities, please contact the Maxwell Library administration (508-531-1255).

MAX Video Streaming

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to establish standard practices that support classroom instruction and adhere to intellectual property rights outlined in US Copyright Code, especially the TEACH Act and the DMCA.

Policy Statement:

Where we can obtain the rights to do so, Maxwell Library will stream media required for use in classrooms, for online courses, and as an iterative tool to augment course instruction. Media material that is not required for course content can be placed on Reserves. Streamed content is intended only for students enrolled in courses that instructors have requested such materials. Streamed content can only be made available for student use through an approved University learning management system such as Blackboard. All requests to stream audio and video material will be reviewed on a title‐by‐title basis for copyright compliance.

The Library complies with U.S. Copyright Code (17 USC §1-et.seq.) and other related laws including but not limited to the Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH Act) 116 Stat. 1758 § 13301and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). 112 Stat. 2860

Available to:

The streaming media service is available to all Bridgewater State University classroom instructors, both full‐time and part‐time.

Viewing Rights:

When purchasing videos or DVDs for instructional support, Maxwell Library attempts to purchase “educational use” viewing rights or their equivalent. “Educational use” is defined or described by the film distributor, vendor, or individual copyright holder and is usually limited to use only in the classroom and only for instructional purposes. Items purchased with “Educational use” cannot be shown in venues outside of the classroom unless the instructor receives express written permission granted by the copyright holder to do so. The library cannot stream videos and DVDs that are protected by digital encryption or Digital Rights Management (DRM) protocols.

NOTE: There is no single standard for viewing rights. To view the specific rights for any visual media materials owned by the Library, consult the individual bibliographic record in the Library’s online catalog.

VIEWING RIGHTS OUTSIDE OF THE US: Videos are released and encrypted with different viewing rights and playback standards in different regions of the world. Videos that stream in the US may not be viewable by students in other parts of the world. Faculty of students studying abroad should be advised that it may be necessary for students in other countries to obtain a copy of the material that is encrypted for the region in which they reside.

What if a DVD cannot be streamed to my class?

DVDs for which we cannot obtain educational viewing rights may be played in part or in whole in the classroom once per course, provided the classroom is equipped with a DVD player. DVDs that cannot be streamed can also be placed on a 2-hour reserve for student use at the request of the faculty member. Students may check out and view the DVD in room L-123.

Guidelines:

1. The use of Videos and DVDs in the classroom is governed by U.S. Intellectual Property Laws, specifically:
   1. The TEACH ACT 6 Stat. 1758 § 13301
   2. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act 112 Stat. 2860
   3. U.S. Copyright Law 17 USC §1-et.seq.
2. Maxwell Library attempts to purchase all videos and DVDs with performance level viewing rights
   • ◦ The content of videos owned by the library can only be streamed if the viewing rights are expressly granted by law, or agreement with the copyright holder, film distributor, or vendor. The library cannot stream videos and DVDs that are protected by digital encryption or Digital Rights Management (DRM) protocols.
   • The content of items owned by the library, and for which we have educational viewing rights can be made available for student use for the length of the course or for shorter, more specific timeframes.
   • The streamed content can be used simultaneously by an instructor for more than one class per semester and by more than one instructor for classes per semester.
3. An instructor’s personal copy of a video or DVD can be streamed only once and only for one ten‐day period during the semester. The ten-day timeframe is determined by the instructor. Personal copies of DVDs can be placed on reserve at the request of the instructor. NOTE: If an instructor is the copyright holder, the Library must receive permission in writing to stream the content for more than ten days.
   • Instructors are encouraged to submit requests to the Library to purchase video and DVD titles used for courses taught more than one time.

4. VIEWING RIGHTS OUTSIDE OF THE US: Videos are released and encrypted with different viewing rights and playback standards in different regions of the world. Videos that stream in the US may not be viewable by students in other parts of the world. Faculty of students studying abroad should be advised that it may be necessary for students in other countries to obtain a copy of the material that is encrypted for the region in which they reside.

5. A video or DVD purchased by another department, program, or office may not have been purchased with educational viewing rights. For items that have not been purchased with the appropriate viewing rights, the Library will stream the content only once for one ten‐day period of time.
   • Departments are encouraged to submit requests to the Library to purchase video and DVD titles used for classroom instruction.
6. Maxwell Library will not stream the content of items rented from a commercial provider such as Blockbuster or Netflix, items owned by other libraries, or when the level of viewing rights cannot be determined.

Procedures:

1. Please use the Max Video Streaming Request Form when requesting this service.
   NOTE: Please allow two weeks for each request. All video and DVD items are streamed (digitized) in real-time. That is, it takes 45 minutes to digitize a title with a running time of 45 minutes. If an instructor requests multiple titles, each is converted one at a time. Be aware, this is a popular service.
2. Please review the guidelines BEFORE requesting this service.
3. Once a title has been streamed, the instructor will be sent the corresponding URL for that title via email.
4. The instructor is responsible for posting the URL to the class’s Blackboard site.
   NOTE: Maxwell Library does not approve nor condone the distribution of streaming media links via email or posting of links in any format other than a password-protected Blackboard site.
5. Instructors must apprise students of copyright restrictions applicable to specific films, including but not limited to restrictions on capturing streamed content and distributing streamed content.
6. All links to streamed content will be removed at the end of each semester or at the end of a specified period of time during the semester.

Last revision: September 2021

Maxwell Library Mobile Phone Policy

Please respect other library users’ need for quiet and keep the use of mobile phones, tablets, and similar communication devices in the Maxwell Library to a minimum. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Please set ringers and other tones to silent mode.
• When using a communication device while you are in the Library, please choose one of the following general locations for your conversation.
  • Ground Floor.
  • First-Floor lobby area between the main doors.
  • Second-floor seating area adjacent to the group study room (room 223).
• Please respect others by keeping conversations at low levels.
• We thank you for not receiving or making calls while at any of the Library service desks.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping to create an environment that is conducive to study and research.

Policy Adopted: August 2022

Quiet Study Zone Policy

In response to students’ requests, the Maxwell Library created designated Quiet Zones on the second and third floors of the library.

In Quiet Zones:

• Please be considerate of others by helping to maintain a quiet atmosphere.
• Turn off cell phone/pager ringers.
• Personal devices such as radios and music devices should be used with headphones that are not audible to others.
• No loud or disruptive talking, please.
• Please hold only brief conversations in low tones.

Suggestions:

1. The quietest area in the building is usually near the 6 individual study tables that are available along the back wall on the west side of the third floor.
2. Group study rooms are available for student use. https://library.bridgew.edu/about/policies#s-lg-box-wrapper-17155768
3. Groups are encouraged to use group study rooms or to work on the first floor of the library.

Policy Adopted: August 2022

Rules regarding borrowing

Borrowers:

• Full & part-time students, faculty, staff may check items out with their Connect Cards
• BSU alumni & MA residents (age 16+ with a photo ID) may obtain a Maxwell Library card for one year

Lending Rules:

Renewals:

Books, CDs, and DVDs will automatically renew one time if there is no hold pending.

Some other materials may be renewed upon request.

Holds:

You can place a hold on print books, DVDs, and CDs:

• Online: login to your Library Account
• In-person at the Library Services desk (1st floor)
• By calling 508-531-1392
• By emailing circlib@bridgew.edu

Fees:

• Maxwell Library does not charge late fees, we do, however, charge replacement fees for long overdue, damaged, or lost items
• Long overdue items will be declared lost at the point of the third overdue notice. At this point, library users will be sent a bill for the replacement price.
• Borrowers may not check out additional materials and students will receive a transcript hold until long overdue items are returned, or the bill is paid.
• We accept replacement copies for print books in the general collection only (the replacement copy must be the same edition as the lost copy). We do not accept replacement copies for any other items in our collections.
• If a library user returns an undamaged long overdue/lost item within 30 days of paying a replacement fee, the fee will be refunded.
• Payments must be made through Marketplace.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us regarding long overdue or lost items. We are here to help you figure out how best to manage the situation. Drop by the Library Services desk on the 1st floor, call 508-531-1392 or email circlib@bridew.edu.

Recalls:

Maxwell Library staff reserve the right to recall books. When an item is recalled, an email notice is sent informing the borrower of the new due date.

Traces: 

A patron may request a TRACE be placed on material designated as available in the online catalog but not found in the stacks.

Security Gate Policy

Each of the exits from the first floor of the Maxwell Library has a security system to ensure that library materials are properly charged out when they leave the building. When an item is charged out at Circulation Services, it is desensitized, which allows the materials to pass through the alarmed gates without sounding. Occasionally, an item may fail to desensitize or a non-library item might activate the alarm.

If the Security Gate alarm sounds while you are exiting, please return to the Library Services Desk so that Library staff can verify that all library materials are checked out and desensitized. Occasionally, an item may fail to desensitize, or a non-library item might activate the alarm. We will gladly desensitize non-library materials that might have set off the alarm.

Please note: under Massachusetts General Law, c266, s.99 &100, it is a criminal offense to damage or fail to return library property. A library may take legal action against any person who does not return or pay the replacement cost of lost or damaged library materials.

Policy Adopted: August 2022

Selection Policy for Books and Audiovisual Materials

Maxwell Library encourages a partnership between faculty and librarians to develop its collections of books, CDs, videos and DVDs. Library staff members appointed as liaisons collaborate with faculty in specific academic departments to make recommendations for purchase in their respective disciplines. The Collection Development Librarian coordinates this selection process, ensuring balance of the total collection.

Selection Guidelines

• The library’s first priority is to provide appropriate materials for students and faculty in sufficient quantity and depth to support teaching and basic research in the subject areas of the curriculum.
• Materials are acquired in greater depth in areas with graduate programs.
• General interest books and visual materials may be purchased if related to course offerings.
• Priority is given to current materials of lasting and scholarly value over older materials.
• Classics in disciplines included in the curriculum should be acquired to fill gaps in the collection.
• The library primarily acquires English language materials. Items in other languages are selected to support the foreign language curriculum.
• Textbooks are not normally acquired unless they offer a significant contribution to a field not available in other sources.
• Materials for collections outside the library’s jurisdiction and materials needed in campus offices and classrooms are not purchased with library funds.
• Ongoing withdrawal of outdated and damaged materials contributes to the maintenance of an up-to-date and balanced collection.

The following factors are considered in selection:

• Relevance to the curriculum
• Support for research needs of students
• Support for faculty course preparation
• Relationship to existing holdings
• Accuracy and objectivity
• Reputation of the author, publisher, or producer

Sources for selection:

• CHOICE reviews
• Reviews in scholarly journals
• Reviews in library and book trade journals such as Library Journal
• Published bibliographies
• Lists of recommended readings for the University’s courses
• Publishers’ catalogs

Intellectual Freedom

The Library supports the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and the Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries as adopted by the Association of College and Research Libraries.

Submitting Requests

Faculty may submit requests for purchase to their library liaison using CHOICE cards, the Online Acquisitions Request Form, or book request slips, available by calling x6016. The library also accepts e-mail, lists, brochures, and publishers’ catalogs that provide adequate bibliographic information for verifying requests. The library online catalog should be checked before submitting a request to verify that the item is not already held by the library.

Rush and reserve requests may also be submitted directly to Stephen Weiter, Interim Library Director.

Status of Orders

Records for on-order materials appear in the library's online catalog. When placing order requests, faculty may ask for notification. If notification is requested, the Circulation Department will contact the requester when the item has been received and hold it at the Circulation desk.

For additional information about the selection process, please contact Stephen Weiter at 508.531.1255.

Policy Adopted: March 2004

Group Study Room Policy 

The Maxwell Library provides 8 dedicated group study rooms that can be reserved by BSU students, faculty, and staff. Many of the rooms contain video monitors to accommodate screen casting and collaboration.

Guidelines for Usage of Study Rooms:

•    Reservations may be made online up to two weeks in advance. An email confirmation will be sent to the person reserving the group study room.

•    The maximum time per reservation is 2 hours. Back-to-back reservations are prohibited.

•    If there are no other reservations for the room at the time the initial reservation ends, users may visit the Library Service Desk to request an extension of up to two additional hours.

•    Maximum weekly use of group study rooms is restricted to eight hours.

•    To access the study room, please visit the Library Service Desk to check out the key and any accessories to use the technology in the room. A valid BSU ID Card is required to check out the key and accessories.

•    If the group reserving the study room is more than 15 minutes late, the study room will be available for other groups on a first-come, first-served basis.

•    The individual who checks out the room accepts full responsibility for any damage incurred while the room is in their custody.

•    The individual who checks out the room key and accessories is responsible for returning the them to the Library Services Desk at the end of the reservation. If the key and/or accessories are lost, a $50 replacement fee will be charged.

•    Study rooms may not be reserved for semester-long recurring bookings, such as for a class meeting place. If you are faculty and need to find classroom space for your course, please contact the Registrar.

Please be considerate of others:

1. Keep audio volume low.
2. Leave some time to clean up and pack your belongings.
3. Be prepared to vacate the room before the start of the next reservation.
4. Cancel your booking if your plans change, to free up the room for others.

If you have study room needs that fall outside of these policies and guidelines, contact the Library Services Desk (email circlib@bridgew.edu or call 508-531-1392) and we will work with you to try to find a solution.

Library staff reserve the right to cancel any reservations they deem to be in violation of these policies and guidelines.

Addendum: Individual students may request walk-in use of unreserved rooms on a first-come, first-serve basis. Advance registration is limited to groups.

Policy Adopted: August 2022