Library Policies

Archives

Revised 5/19

College Archives

The primary purpose of the Mesa Community College Archives collection is to acquire, preserve and facilitate access to materials that document the origin and history of the College and to provide on-going evidence of the College's development and activities.

The Archives collection is on the second floor of the Paul A. Elsner Library in LB220. Materials housed in Archives may be unique and are often irreplaceable, therefore they do not circulate nor may they be taken from the area. Requestors can view the materials at the table in the Archives area. Upon request, materials may be photocopied provided they are not confidential, restricted, nor will be damaged during the photocopying. A special loan for archives materials must have the permission of the MCC Collection Development Librarian or the Library Director.

The library has one part-time archivist and one part-time intern working on digitizing the many documents, photographs, slides, negatives, and film resources and creating metadata. The ultimate goal is to produce a finding tool to make these resources readily available online.

The Mesa Community College history archive can be found here: MCC History

Borrowing Guidelines

Revised 6/17

Please refer to Maricopa Libraries Borrowing Guidelines for information on checkout periods, renewals, and related information.

Confidentiality of Borrower Records

MCC Library adheres to Arizona Statute 41-151.22 that provides for the privacy of library user records and the American Library Association’s Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records.

Per these stipulations, it is the MCC Library's policy to maintain the confidentiality of borrowers' records. As such, Library staff will not disclose library user identities. However, Arizona Statute 41-151.22 subsection B.1. can be invoked when an individual abuses the borrowing privileges regarding Reserve Materials thereby infringing on the needs of other community college members. In these cases, the Library Director alone may report the name of the user to MCC administration or faculty.

Returning Books

Books may be returned at the circulation desks or in book drops located in the libraries.

When the libraries are closed, books can be returned in the book drops outside:

  • The S&D Library book drop is on the Northeast corner of the LB building (between the LB and AS buildings).
  • The RM Library book drop is on the sidewalk by the parking lot east of the Saguaro building.

Calculators

Revised 11/14

The Mesa Community College Libraries have graphing and scientific calculators available for circulation on a first come, first served basis. Maricopa Community College students, faculty and staff may check out the calculators at the services/circulation desk with a valid student or employee ID card. Some calcuators have a 4-hour check out period for in-library use only (students may use them in class as long as they are returned to the library within the 4 hour window). Late fines are $0.50/hr. Other calculators have a semester long check out period. There is a non-refundable replacement charge for a damaged or lost calculator plus a $10.00 non-refundable processing fee.

Children

Revised 10/17

Children (younger than 18) are not allowed in the library unless enrolled in an MCC course, participating in an authorized college program, or under the supervision of an adult per MCCCD Administrative Regulations.

As with all library patrons, children are expected to adhere to the Library Conduct policies. The supervising adult is responsible for inappropriate or disruptive behavior of children in their care.

Closing

Revised 4/17

Closing procedures begin 15 minutes before the stated closing time. For example, if the library closes at 8:00 pm, then closing procedures begin at 7:45. At that time lights will be momentarily dimmed. The dimming of lights may be repeated to signify to library users that the library is closing.

Because clocks may vary throughout the building, the clock behind the Access Services Desk is designated as the "official" clock, unless malfunctioning.

Computer usage, including printing, must be completed 5 minutes prior to the stated closing time of the library.

Campus Public Safety is responsible for closing the library building at the designated closing time.

Hours may vary during holidays, intercessions, and summer semester.

COVID-19

Revised 9/23

The MCC Libraries is aligned with policies and practices found on the MCCCD COVID-19 Information webpage. If you have any questions, please contact the MCC Libraries or Risk Management at dl-dssc-risk-management@domail.maricopa.edu.

Displays

Revised 10/23

The MCC Libraries support displays and installations that reflect the educational, cultural, and civic values held within our mission as well as the diverse voices of our students, faculty, staff, and community users. These efforts increase awareness and engagement along with the use of the resources, services, and programs in the Libraries, College, and MCCCD District thereby contributing to a rich campus experience.

The MCC Libraries welcome proposals from MCC students, staff, and faculty to create displays in library spaces at the Southern & Dobson and Red Mountain campuses. All displays are subject to approval by the library faculty who will determine the display location in coordination with the requesting organization. The number of displays arranged by any one group is typically limited to one per semester.

To schedule a display in the MCC Libraries, please fill out the Display Request Form. Individuals or organizations requesting a display must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Advance Notice: Submit display requests at least 4 weeks in advance before the desired display period. This allows the library staff to assess feasibility and allocate space accordingly. MCC Libraries-produced displays have priority.
  • Relevance to Community: Displays should align with the library's and college’s missions and cater to the diverse interests of the community. Preference will be given to displays that contribute to the educational, cultural, and social enrichment of library users.
  • Duration and Maintenance: Display periods are typically 1-4 weeks long. Participants are expected to set up and dismantle displays within the agreed-upon timeframe and maintain the exhibit's relevance and appearance throughout the scheduled period. The Libraries reserve the right to alter or remove any display and assume no responsibility for theft, loss, damage, or destruction of display items.
  • Compliance with Policies: All displays must adhere to the library's policies, including those related to accessibility, inclusivity, and the protection of intellectual freedom.

The MCC Libraries support academic freedom and the free expression of opinion and will not exercise any censorship of display materials such as books, images, and promotional literature that do not violate local, state, or federal laws. The MCC Libraries support the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights as it applies to displays:

  • “Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.” (Article I)
  • “Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.” (Article I)
  • “Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” (Article II)

If you have a concern about a library display, please email libraries@mesacc.edu. Clearly explain why you are concerned with the display and how it violates library policies. Including specific details that will help the library understand your perspective.

Food and Drink

Revised 3/13

Snacks and drinks are allowed in the Mesa Community College Libraries (excluding classrooms, Reflection Room, and Silent Study Room)

  • Drinks are welcomed in covered containers.
  • Please be mindful of others and avoid food with strong odors, messy foods and noisy snacks (i.e., fish, pizza, corn nuts, etc). These types of snacks may be consumed in the corridor/breezeway outside of the library.
  • Please dispose of any leftovers or trash in trash cans and recycle whenever possible.
  • Remember to report spills immediately at the nearest service desk for easy clean-up.
  • Be mindful and considerate of other library users. This is your library; please help to keep it clean and comfortable.

Group Study Rooms

Revised 12/23

Study rooms are available in the Library at Southern & Dobson and Red Mountain Library to enable small and medium sized groups to confer and study together in an enclosed environment so as not to disturb others in the Library.

Reservations are required for all study rooms.

Only currently enrolled Mesa Community College students may reserve the study rooms.

Reservations are made and cancelled via ThunderDibs (reservation system) with your MEID and password. You may reserve a room from your mobile device or online at tinyurl.com/MCCstudyrooms

A limited number of study rooms are available for single use in addition to group use.

Rooms are not to be used for functions such as committee meetings, classes, seminars or lectures as other facilities are available for these activities.

The study rooms are only available for non-commercial scholarly use.

All currently enrolled Mesa Community College students may reserve the study rooms.

Reservations can be made up to three weeks in advance and for a total of 16 hours per week.

Students must check in within 15 minutes of the start time of a reservation. Reservations are automatically canceled after 15 minutes of the start time and the room will be open and available for others to make reservations.

Placing a backpack or other items in the room does not hold or reserve the room for you.

Rooms are not sound proof; conversations and discussions should be held at acceptable levels.

The libraries reserve the right to inspect study rooms at any time and to remove unauthorized materials or prohibited items.

The Library assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of any personal property left in a study room.

Personal belongings left unattended may be removed and taken to Public Safety. Items can be claimed by the owner at Public Safety.

Windows may not be obstructed and doors must be accessible at all times.

All equipment, periodicals, reference books, and other library materials should be removed from the study room after use.

Other applicable library and campus policies apply to the group study rooms.

Intra-district Loan (IDL) / Interlibrary Loans (ILL)

Revised 5/17

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) students, faculty, and staff in good standing may request print resources from local, regional, and national library collections.

Patrons have the responsibility of keeping themselves informed of the status of their requests. IDL and ILL requests may not be filled due to owning library restrictions.

Intra-district Loan (IDL)

Intra-district Loan is the process of obtaining library materials from other MCCCD Libraries. Please refer to Maricopa Libraries Borrowing Guidelines.

  • Use the library catalog to request items from other MCCCD libraries.

  • Plan on 2-4 working days to transfer materials between libraries.

  • Items are returned to the lending library if not picked up within 10 days of arrival.

  • Renewal requests should be made prior to the date due. The lending library may or may not grant the request.

  • If material obtained through IDL is overdue, the patron's borrowing privileges may be suspended from the lending library.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Interlibrary Loan is the process by which one library system requests material from another library system. Please refer to Maricopa Libraries Borrowing Guidelines.

  • Use ILLiad to request books and copies of articles that the MCCCD libraries don’t hold.
  • ILL requests are verified by library staff. Partial or incorrect citations may result in ILL request cancellation.
  • The time period from request to delivery is measured in weeks.
  • The lending library may impose a service charge or a photocopying fee.
  • Items are returned to the lending library if not picked up within 10 days of arrival. The requestor remains responsible for all charges.
  • If you need any assistance setting up your ILLiad account, please contact the Library.

Lactation Room

Revised 12/2022

The Mesa Community College Library is committed to meeting the needs of MCC students and employees by ensuring the availability of a clean, private lactation room to express breast milk for a nursing child. This policy is in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that amended Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Location: Room LB204 on the 2nd floor of the Southern & Dobson Library in the Administration area. This room contains a lockable door, electrical outlets, chair, table, sink and cleaning materials. You must provide your own pump, adapter, and accessories. Refrigeration/storage is not provided, so you will need to identify an alternative location or bring your own cooler or insulated bag.

Cleaning & Sanitizing: Parents are responsible for cleaning up after each use out of respect for the next user and to prevent contamination and illness transmission. You should clean breast milk spills and dispose of trash properly. Cleaning wipes and paper towels are provided in each room. Please note that these products should never be used to sanitize your personal equipment.

Availability: The lactation room is available on a first come, first served basis during Library business hours. Please indicate “In Use" on the sign on the door and change it to "Available" when you are done.

Library Conduct

Revised 9/17

The Library is a shared area for study, research, learning assistance, and computer use. Please treat staff and fellow users with respect and courtesy. Ensuring a pleasant and productive environment for all users requires that each user of the facility follow these guidelines:

  • Work areas (behind the Circulation and Reference desks, offices, etc.) are designated as Library Employee only unless otherwise invited. Library supplies, equipment and other resources may be shared with the college community, upon request, at the discretion of Library Employees.

  • Student academic work takes precedence over all other use of these facilities.

  • As a courtesy to others, please turn cell phones off or to vibrate. If you receive or place a call, please complete it in a study room or stairwell.

  • No animals are allowed except service animals.

  • Disruptive behavior or behavior that can be interpreted as creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment will not be tolerated.

  • When listening to audio, please use headphones and keep the volume at a moderate level at which others cannot hear it.

  • Please do not sit on tables or put feet on furniture.

  • Mutilating library materials by marking, removing pages, removing binding, removing electronic theft devices or in any way injuring or defacing materials is not allowed. (ARS 13-1602)

  • Patrons must wear shoes, shirts, and attire appropriate for a public place.

  • Library areas may not be used for prolonged sleeping (beyond the usual short nap) or as living quarters. (A.R.S 13-2905 Loitering)

Library users are responsible for personal belongings and should not leave textbooks, electronic devices, backpacks, and other valuable items unattended. Lost and found items may be claimed at Public Safety.

Uncooperative violators of these policies, MCC Student Responsibilities, or MCCCD Administrative Regulations will be asked to leave the Library. If deemed necessary, College Safety Officers will be called for assistance. Library staff members are authorized to interpret and apply these rules of patron behavior as the situation warrants.

The conduct of students, employees, and visitors at MCC is governed by the District's Administrative Regulations. For a full listing of Maricopa Community College District administrative regulations please see: Library Users

Revised 6/17

The students, faculty, staff and alumni of the Maricopa Community Colleges (MCCCD) are eligible for library borrower privileges. Residents of Maricopa County who are 18 years or older may request community borrower privileges.

In order to borrow materials from the library, a library user must present a valid MCCCD photo ID, government issued photo ID, school photo ID, or credit card photo ID.

For students, MCC Student ID cards serve as your library card. MCC Student ID cards are available in the Library, Building 11, at the Southern and Dobson campus, or at the Mesquite building inside Enrollment Services at the Red Mountain campus. Student ID cards from other MCCCD colleges are also accepted by the MCC Libraries for borrowing library materials.

Residents of Maricopa County who are 18 years or older may register as community borrowers by obtaining an MEID (Maricopa Enterprise ID) at the Enrollment Center, building 39, at the Southern and Dobson campus, or at the Mesquite building inside Enrollment Services at the Red Mountain campus. A community borrower account will be created upon presentation of an MEID at the Library.

Students no longer enrolled at a Maricopa Community College are eligible for alumni borrowing privileges. An alumni account can be set up at the Library.

MCC faculty, staff, and students may check out books from other MCCCD Libraries by presenting their MCC ID card at those Libraries. In all cases, the library user must abide by the guidelines and procedures of the lending library.

Library User Responsibilities

Users must keep their email address and telephone number up-to-date to receive library notices. Student contact information can be updated using the Student Center app at https://www.maricopa.edu/students. Faculty, staff, alumni and community borrowers can notify the Library of any changes.

Users are responsible for all borrowed materials. It is the user’s responsibility to keep track of library materials borrowed. Library cards and borrowed materials should never be loaned to others.

Notices are e-mailed only as a courtesy reminder. The Library is not responsible for notices that do not reach the addressee. Failure to receive notices does not absolve borrowers of their responsibilities.

Materials must be returned to the Library in the same physical condition as when they were checked out.

Media

Revised 4/17

DVDs and other curriculum supporting media are located behind the access services counter. Media items may be checked out for 7 days to current students, staff, faculty and community borrowers with valid MCCCD photo ID, other photo ID, or community borrower card.

Faculty requests for media purchases can be submitted via the Material Request Form. Both DVD and streaming video formats are an option, based on availability. Purchase requests will be reviewed against current library collection development policy selection criteria.

Film screenings for cultural programs or entertainment, whether a fee is charged or not, is copyright infringement and will not be allowed unless a public performance license is acquired from the copyright owner. Faculty may use DVDs in class, but may not stream DVDs unless a streaming or digital rights license is in place. Please consult a librarian to determine DVD licensing status. Streaming video collections, Kanopy Films, Films on Demand, and Filmmakers Library Online have public performance rights for MCC students, staff, and faculty provided no admission or other fees are charged for public viewing.

Library Patio Guidelines

Posted 5/09

This policy applies to the south facing patio on the 3rd floor of the library. The Library patio is available for use all the hours the library is open. The patio is designated as a student space and is not available for special events or available for reservation. The patio furniture is permanent and cannot be moved to another area of the library or to the other patio. Inquiries may be made to the President´s Office for reserving the President´s north facing patio. The same general rules of behavior for the library also apply to the patio area.

No smoking is permitted in this area.

Print Periodical Use

Revised 1/17

In addition to subscribing to online databases, the MCC Library subscribes to a print collection of about 250 magazines, journals and newspapers. Alphabetical and subject listings of MCC periodical titles are available using the Journal Finder on the Library eResources webpage. Articles from periodicals not available at MCC can be requested through Interlibrary Loan Services.

Damaged Periodicals

The unauthorized removal, mutilation or abuse of library materials is prohibited by law. Violators will be charged for the cost of the material plus a processing fee and library privileges will be suspended.

Printing

Revised 1/19

Send print requests from anywhere. Use a browser-enabled desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, to send your files(s) at PrintMe.com and receive a document ID. Enter the document ID at the library PrintMe printer stations to print your document. You can also print directly from a USB drive at the PrintMe printer station.

Printing in the MCC Libraries is pay as you go, using credit or debit cards only. At this time, PrintMe accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Please go to the Copy Center for cash printing.

Please preview your documents before authorizing the print job. The library is not responsible for extra or unwanted pages. Printing instructions and a full price menu are located near the printer stations.

Pricing

Type

Cost

Black & White, single-sided page

$0.10

Black & White, double-sided page

$0.15

Color, single-sided page

$0.50

Reflection Room

Revised 3/22

The Mesa Community College Library is committed to meeting the needs of students and employees. This includes ensuring the availability of a reflection space for quiet contemplation, meditation, reflection, or prayer located in room LB247. The room is available first-come, first-served without reservations. Different individuals and groups may occupy the room at the same time. Please refrain from any activities that could potentially distract from the serenity of this environment, including:

  • food and drink
  • conversation
  • studying and electronic devices

Reserve Materials

Revised 6/15

Materials placed on reserve in the Library are those items identified by faculty as being essential or important to the needs of courses they are teaching. Also on reserve are those materials requested by an official college organization or those identified by library faculty for general reserve. This collection is maintained as a service to students and faculty. Checkout periods for items on reserve will vary as they are designated by the faculty placing the item on reserve.

The Access Services staff organizes and maintains the reserve collection as a service to students and faculty. The intent is to make the often limited number of needed materials available to an entire class. Items for the reserve collection may be library or non-library materials. The Reserve collection includes the following types of materials:

  • Textbooks (occasionally)
  • Required and/or supplementary reading materials
  • Past exams
  • Non-course related materials

These items are placed on reserve by written request of faculty only. The faculty member designates the circulation period (1 hour, 2 hours, 3 day, etc.) for each item.

Click here for information about fines and overdue reserve items.

Mesa Community College Libraries Reserve Materials Form

Silent Study Room

Revised 2/16

The silent study room is a designated quiet zone for individual study.

There are other spaces in the library for:

  • Group Study - Group study rooms are available on the 2nd and 3rd floors via the DiBs reservation system.
  • Snacking – Food is permitted anywhere in the library except the silent study room, reflection room, and classrooms.
  • Phones - Set phones to silent or vibrate. Take conversations outside the silent study room.

Technology Resources in MCC Libraries

Revised 12/14

Mesa Community College libraries provides students, employees and community members with access to technology resources consisting of computer software, workstations and peripherals, and local and wide area networks which include access to the Internet and electronic communications systems such as audio and video capability. The statements in this policy are all-inclusive and extend to all forms of technology resources available within the Libraries.

The primary use of electronic technology in the MCC Libraries is to access resources available in the Libraries’ electronic databases and through the Internet to perform research for academic purposes.

The MCC Libraries are not responsible for the materials found in the provided electronic resources, especially on the Internet, nor for the occurrence of information that might be considered offensive. The user is responsible for determining that the accessed information is acceptable, reliable, and suitable for their needs and complies with the policies and the guidelines established in this document.

Guidelines for Computer Use

The MCC Libraries endorses the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statement of the American Library Association and, in doing so, does not practice censorship.

The MCC Libraries adhere to the MCCCD Technology Resource Standards, which have been established for computers at all MCCCD campuses.

The following Arizona Statutes are applicable to the above Conditions of Use:

ARS 13-2316

Damaging, destroying, or altering any computer or electronic equipment, software or data belonging to the Libraries, other persons or organizations, without authorization.

ARS 13-3501, 13-3506, 13-3507

Using the Libraries' electronic information resources for the public display of explicit sexual materials, or to view, access, download or copy items that are obscene or "harmful to minors."

Guidelines for Internet Use

No Internet sites are intentionally blocked. Users should be aware that the Internet is an unregulated information source. The MCC Libraries do not monitor and have no control over the information accessed and cannot be held responsible for the content, quality or accuracy of the information retrieved.

It is not acceptable to use the Internet access at MCC Libraries for business, illegal or abusive purposes, including, but not limited to:

  • Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected materials in any format.
  • Transmission of threatening, obscene, or harassing materials.
  • Transmission of computer viruses.
  • Unauthorized access to local and remote computer systems.
  • Online games and/or chat.
  • Violation of software license agreements.
  • Conducting personal business activities.

Conditions of Use

Use of MCC's Libraries' technology resources signifies that the user understands this policy and will comply with it in all aspects. Violations of these "Conditions of Use" may result in loss of library use and/or computer access privileges. Serious violations will be handled in accordance with appropriate disciplinary codes, laws and regulations.

Users are expected to use the computer resources in an appropriate, ethical and legal manner. Any activity that violates local, state or federal laws, including copyright laws, is prohibited.

Each user is entirely responsible for anything done through his/her account.

Users are allowed to use only one computer at a time.

Users must not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Libraries' network, computer systems or to any other network.

Users must use earphones when accessing audio files. The user is responsible for providing their own, as the Libraries do not supply earphones.

Users will not change or modify hardware, software configurations, or install software on the computers.

Users must take all reasonable precautions, including responsible password maintenance and file access protection measures to prevent use by unauthorized persons.

Users are prohibited from accessing any chat sessions, including instant messaging or playing online games.

Users may not send, receive, or display inappropriate materials that may reasonably be defined as obscene.

Users may download or send data via email, if it is not deemed obscene. All data must be downloaded to a storage media. (Anything saved to the computer hard drive, including bookmarks, will be deleted.)

Users are not allowed to upload any programs to the Libraries' computers.

Community borrowers may use community use computers up to 3 hours per day with valid community borrower card.