Hurst Library Policies

Animals

Due to potential issues involved, the general policy is that no animals are allowed in the public areas of the Library, with the exception of service/guide animals.

Borrowing Materials

A current student identification card is required to check out library materials.

The library is open to the public on a walk-in basis. Persons unaffiliated with the university may purchase a community borrower card that will enable them to borrow materials from the library.

Loan Periods

Renewing Materials

Books and other materials may be renewed online, by email (library@northwestu.edu) or by phone (425-889-5266). Materials cannot be renewed if there is a hold or recall on them.

Holds & Recalls

Holds can be placed through the library catalog. If there is an immediate need for a specific item, library staff can place a recall which will require the current borrower to return the item after a shorter loan period. Recalled items must be returned promptly to avoid fines at a higher rate (see below).

Fines

Fines for library materials are as follows:

You will not be allowed to check out materials if your fines total over $30.00. Please speak with the Circulation Staff if you have a question or concern about your fine. Fines may be paid either by cash or check in the library or by requesting that the charge be placed on your NU student account. Fines not paid will be charged to your NU student account.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WHETHER YOU RECEIVE AN OVERDUE NOTICE OR NOT, YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR RETURNING ON TIME ALL MATERIALS THAT HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT ON YOUR IDENTIFICATION CARD.

Cell Phone / Noise Policy

In the Library, we request that cell phone users set their phones to silent-mode or "off" so as not to disturb their fellow library users. Additionally, we ask that cell phone or other conversations judged to be disruptive to others be made in the Library foyer area or outside. For Library employees, we ask the same consideration, and that personal phone conversations be restricted to break times and made in a private place, unless special circumstances are warranted on a case-by-case basis.

In general, the entry floor of the Library allows low conversational-level communication, but the Library is zoned for quiet on the top floor, and users are asked to conform. (The exception is closed-door study rooms where normal conversation is allowed.)

Computers

Library patrons accessing the University network through the library.guest account must abide by the policies set forth in the Network and Computer Resource "Acceptable Use" Policy located in the Student Handbook. Additionally, video games are allowed on library computers only when the computers are not needed for other purposes.

Consortium Resource Sharing

The members of the Puget Sound Academic Independent Libraries (PSAIL) Consortium have entered into a joint agreement of interlibrary cooperation to lend materials to member library patrons.

Eligible for these services are students and faculty from Pacific Lutheran University, St. Martin's College, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University and the University of Puget Sound. Patrons must adhere to Northwest University procedures and regulations when borrowing materials.

Eligibility

Regulations

Patrons must present a CURRENT identification card from their college or university. A driver's license is not acceptable identification.

Patrons must complete a Northwest University Library Consortium application the first time they check out materials. Information requested must be supplied, including address, phone numbers and student ID number. A borrower's card will not be issued to Consortium patrons.

A maximum of ten books may be checked out at one time.

Loan periods are for four weeks with one renewal period of four more weeks. Materials may be borrowed from the Main, Pacific Rim Center (PRC) and Children's collections.

Materials are subject to recall after two weeks of use. Patron will be notified by E-mail or phone. The patron is responsible for returning the materials within 48 hours of recall. Overdue charges will apply to materials not returned on time.

Materials borrowed from Hurst Library must be returned directly to the Hurst library.

Fines for overdue, damaged or lost materials

Overdue fines will be billed to the patron's library and the library will be responsible for charges.

Overdue rates are $.25 per day per item. After 30 days the material will be considered lost and patron's library will be billed for the lost item.

Borrowing privileges will be suspended if there are overdue books, outstanding fines and lost or damaged book charges.

Other Services

Self-service photocopy and microfiche machines are available.

Limited reference service.

Display Areas

The display areas of the Library are the responsibility of the Library Director. All use of the display areas in the Library will be under the purview and at the discretion of the Library Director.

The Library welcomes all petitions for use of the display areas. Any individual or group may request use of one or all of the display areas, including display cases, under the following conditions:

Interlibrary Loan

All library use is a privilege reserved for not only membership in a group (such as the Northwest University community) but also for those exhibiting acceptable behavior. One such required behavior is the return of the materials borrowed. InterLibrary Loan borrowing, even more so than the borrowing of materials from the Hurst Library, requires responsible borrowing behaviors, insomuch as it involves our institutional reputation and our standing in the community of academic libraries.

Therefore, if a borrower fails to return ILL materials by the due date, and if the borrower fails to communicate with the Hurst Library within a reasonable time period (as determined by the Circulation Department) after overdue notice as been served, that borrower's circulation privileges are to be suspended until such time as the Library Director shall see fit to restore them. The fines and fees for ILL borrowing violations are determined by the lending institution, and Hurst Library will enforce them.

Lost Book Replacement Cost

At any lending library, there is the possibility of materials being lost or damaged beyond repair. Due to the increasing cost of materials the Library must attempt to recover the costs of replacement from those responsible for the loss. As a general policy, the Library will charge a standard uniform per title cost, periodically reviewed for appropriate current price levels. Faculty and students will not be charged the additional costs involved in ordering and processing the title for replacement.

If the patron wishes to obtain a replacement copy and donate that in lieu of paying replacement costs, suitability and acceptability of such a copy (condition, publication date, edition, etc.) will be determined by the Library.

If a replacement cannot be obtained fines will be determined by the Library Director based on scarcity, perceived value to the collection, etc., not to exceed $120.

Non-University Minors in the library

In support of the mission of Northwest University, the purpose of Hurst Library is to provide access to information resources to the University community. Subsidiary to this primary purpose, the Library also opens its doors and its resources to the local community. "Walk-in" patrons are welcomed, and although borrowing privileges are not granted without payment, on-site perusal of resources is encouraged. This includes the privilege of a "guest" log-in to our computer-based resources and our internet access. However, the Library staff does not have the ability to monitor non-student minors, nor act as "gatekeepers" to the resources, including internet access. Internet access is filtered, but beyond that the Library will not be responsible to monitor the use of computer resources.

Non-University Use of the Library

The Hurst Library exists primarily for the community of students, faculty and staff of Northwest University, and in support of the University's curriculum. Library use by others is allowed as a courtesy, or as contracted by other institutions. Nevertheless, as part of the Kirkland community, and in recognition of the positive role Northwest University plays in its physical setting, and in pursuit of the Library's goal to further lifelong learning, we seek to be accessible to those outside of the University community. Therefore, we ask a fee of $40 annually to any would-be borrower for the privilege of Library material lending. Northwest University alumni and credentialed ministers and missionaries are excepted from such fees.

Proctoring Tests from Distance Institutions

Study Carrel Assignment Policy

Study Carrels can be assigned to those wishing them. The assignment of study carrels is a privilege afforded to these following select groups to encourage and support their use of the Hurst Library. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis under the following defined priorities: First priority would be adjunct professors, then graduate students in the Psych MA or MBA programs; then Senior undergraduates, then Junior undergraduates.

The names of the carrel-holders will be placed on the carrels, and while the carrels are not forbidden to non-carrel-holders, the named carrel-holder will have priority use privileges, and all other users can be asked to find another study area by the carrel-holder or library staff.

Assignments are made on an annual basis at the start of the traditional fall semester, and current carrel-holders will receive automatic renewal of their carrel if requested by them and if they are still employed/enrolled. If NOT currently employed/enrolled, the carrel immediately becomes open and can be assigned to another. Specific carrels can be requested, but are on a first-come basis.

"Waiting" lists for the carrels will be maintained as required. The Administrative Student Assistant to the Library Director will maintain the assignments of the carrels and waiting lists, if any. Any questions re: assignments can be referred to the Library Director.

There is no way to secure materials left in the carrels, and doing so is done solely at the risk of the carrel-holder. Library materials must be checked-out before being shelved in the carrel. Non-circulating materials cannot be kept in a carrel. The Library maintains the right to remove any materials from a carrel, although personal items removed by the Library will be kept at the circulation counter for a period of time before being put in the campus Lost And Found. Carrels can be used only during regular Library operating hours.

Study Rooms

There are six group study rooms in the Hurst Library which are available for various uses: four in the Library Conference Center on the main floor and two on the upper floor.

Reserve a study room