Mission Statement

2.14.1.1 Vision Statement

We believe that the Libraries of Southside Virginia Community College are the intellectual crossroads   for the community college. Therefore, it is the vision of the college Libraries to provide a comprehensive array of information services in a friendly, down-home atmosphere. Through the cooperation and teamwork of faculty, staff, students and the community, our goal of success for all will be realized.

2.14.2 Description

The SVCC LRS supports college instruction and the learning community with a skilled and professional staff that:

• provides materials (books, videos, digital information, computers, etc.) which enhance and enrich coursework and help students gain core competencies;

• promotes effective use of information resources and instructional technology;

• cooperates and collaborates with groups inside and outside of SVCC to maximize access to instructional resources for students, staff and community patrons.

Governance

While the LRS staff makes day-to-day decisions, other concerns shall be referred to the Library Advisory Committee. This is a standing committee, appointed by the President's Staff, consisting of one administrator (the Director of the LRS), two faculty members, and two staff members. The committee meets quarterly unless other meetings are necessary.

2.14.4 Circulation Policies

2.14.4.1 General

All patrons must have an SVCC library card or student ID with library barcode attached. Library cards are free, but the LRS charges $1.00 to replace a lost community card. Student Support Services charges $5.00 to replace a lost Student ID/Library Card. All LRS materials must be checked out before removal from the library. Patrons must have their library card to check out or renew items. Patrons may have up to twenty-five items checked out at any time. Patrons are responsible for all items checked out on their card. Patrons with overdue items or fines cannot check out items until their account is cleared. In House Use Reserve materials, periodicals and newspapers cannot be checked out.

2.14.4.2    Patron Definition

The LRS primarily serves SVCC students. All SVCC students (full-time, part-time, and dual enrolled) are eligible for a library card. All others must be residents of Virginia who are at least sixteen years old and have a social security number. The LRS serves the following patron categories: SVCC student, SVCC faculty/staff, Governor's School student, Old Dominion University student, High School Summer School student, Summer Youth, and community member. Each category has unique library privileges.

2.14.4.3 Borrowing Privileges  

SVCC students, ODU students, Governor's School students, and community patrons have the following loan periods:

• Circulating books: 4weeks
• Audios/Videos: 1 week 
• Reference books: overnight
• Reserves: overnight, 3 days or 7 days

One renewal is allowed for Circulating and Reference books and one renewal is allowed for audiovisual items.

SVCC faculty/staff have the following loan periods:

• Circulating books: 8 weeks
• Bestseller books: 2 weeks
• Audios/Videos: 1 week
• Reference books: overnight

SVCC faculty/staff may renew items with no limit. Exceptions to the above loan periods can be made for special circumstances.

2.14.4.3.1 Inmate Borrowing Privileges

It is the policy of the Libraries of Southside Virginia Community College not to extend ILL (Inter Library Loan) and circulation privileges to inmates incarcerated in a Virginia Department of Corrections facility; nor that of any other state. However; the Southside Virginia Community College faculty member may, at his or her discretion, check out materials to be used in class for currently enrolled students at Southside Virginia Community College. The faculty member would be responsible for the safe return of any materials. Under no circumstances should inmates be allowed to take library materials to his or her cell. The library material  must be used in the classroom.

2.14.4.4 Fines

The libraries at Southside Virginia Community College no longer charge fines for overdue materials; however you will be charged a $50.00 replacement fee if  the overdue item is not returned after three overdue  notices. If you lost part of a set of books or part of a set of audiovisual materials, you are responsible for the replacement cost of the entire set. InterLibrary Loan materials borrowed from other institutions are subject to the fine policies of that institution. SVCC students may have their academic records encumbered until items are returned or the replacement fee is paid in full. In addition, the Virginia Tax Loss Act requires the LRS to report replacement fees not paid to the state. Patrons put on the tax loss list will have the amount owed taken out of their state taxes or lottery winnings until all fines are paid.
 

2.14.5Reserve Materials

Books or audio/visual materials may be placed on reserve at either campus library by a faculty member for a class. Faculty should submit all reserve requests at least one week before students need to use them. Reserve requests should include the following information: name of instructor, the course number and name, the begin and end date the item should be on reserve for, and how long the instructor wants students to be able to check them out. Check out options include: library use only, overnight, two days, and seven days. Reserve materials are requested on a semester-by-semester basis. Any materials on reserve at the end of the semester will be removed from reserve and integrated back into the collection. All reserve materials must be entered into the library's automated system, barcoded and labeled.

2.14.6 Audio/Visual Equipment
The LRS is responsible for maintaining audio/visual equipment sufficient for classroom use at all times. In addition, listening stations are provided in the libraries for audio and video media. Some equipment may be checked out to students, faculty and staff on a case-by-case basis. Borrowers are responsible for lost or broken equipment.

2.14.7 Interlibrary Loan

2.14.7.1 Purpose

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that enables a library to borrow and lend materials to other libraries. The LRS provides ILL services to patrons who have a valid library card and are in good standing with the library. ILL materials can be requested by completing the ILL request form available at the circulation desk, or through the LRS web site. The LRS' ILL policies are based on the American Library Association's National ILL Code for the United States.

2.14.7.2 Borrowing Policies

Materials requested through ILL must not be available at either campus library or through any of the LRS electronic databases. ILL requests for textbooks or for faculty reserve materials will not be honored. ILL materials usually arrive within a week to four weeks, depending on many uncontrollable circumstances. The loan period and fees for lost or damaged items are set by the lending library. The cost to obtain ILL materials is usually free. In some cases the lending institution may charge a fee. It is the responsibility of the patron to indicate the amount that they are willing to pay (if any) for the item on the ILL request form. When the requested material arrives, the patron will be notified and must pay any fees at that time. Borrowed ILL materials must be returned on time to the circulation desk. The LRS charges $1.00 per day for overdue ILL materials. It is the policy of the SVCC Libraries to not purchase, catalog or distribute text books whether for SVCC classes or classes from another college. The Libraries will not fill requests for the InterLibrary loan of textbooks from other sources as well.

2.14.7.3 Copyright Compliance

All materials lent and borrowed through ILL are subject to Copyright Law, Title 17 of the United States Code.

2.14.7.4 Lending Policies

The LRS usually does not lend reference books, reserve materials, or new acquisitions. The LRS does lend audio/visual materials. The lending period is eight weeks. Renewals will be considered. Borrowing libraries that lose or damage ILL materials lent from the LRS will be charged a $50.00 replacement fee. The LRS never charges borrowing libraries for ILL services. The LRS lends to fellow Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) members according to VIVA's Interlibrary Loan Guidelines.

2.14.8 Electronic Resources Policy

The LRS provides full access to the Internet without filtering its content for academic and research purposes. Children under sixteen are not permitted to access the Internet without parental supervision. No child can be left unsupervised by a parent or guardian in the library. The LRS does not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Patrons are encouraged to critically evaluate information found on the Internet. At times when Internet usage is heavy, the LRS reserves the right to limit the time a patron may take for a single session. The LRS may also close the computer labs for bibliographic instruction, equipment failure, or other reasons without notice.

Patrons must comply with SVCC's Computer Ethics Guidelines as found in the College Catalog. In addition, the LRS prohibits:

• Recreational pursuits including chatting, playing games, and other interactive activities

• Downloading of software including instant messenger services

• Distributing unsolicited advertising

• Damaging hardware of software including propagating viruses

• Violating another person's privacy including slandering or harassing

• Violating copyright

• Any illegal activity

2.14.9 Collection Development Policy

2.14.9.1 Purpose

The purpose of a collection development policy is to state the guidelines under which selecting, maintaining, and deselecting library materials are to proceed. Collection development is the process of meeting the information needs of a service community. The policy will insure consistency among library staff responsible for the collection, and will communicate the guidelines to faculty, administrators, and patrons. The collection development policy will be reviewed annually and will be updated as changes occur within the College or the service community.

2.14.9.2 Responsibility

The Christanna Campus Library Supervisor is responsible for making collection-related decisions for the LRS. Teaching faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to recommend materials in their subject area. Due to the small size of the College, the Library does not have faculty liaisons. The Library Supervisor is responsible for communicating and corresponding with faculty and staff members on both campuses.

2.14.9.3 Service Community

Southside Virginia Community College serves ten counties and one city, with a total service area of 4,200 square miles. The service area includes the city of Emporia, and the counties of Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward. The College is made up of two campuses: the Christanna Campus in Alberta, and the Daniel campus in Keysville. In addition, the College has several centers throughout the service community such as the Campus Without Walls in Emporia, and many others. The Learning Resources Services is composed of two libraries: the Julian M. Howell Library in Alberta, and the John H. Daniel Campus Library in Keysville. The LRS primarily serves SVCC students. SVCC has approximately 8,000 students including a large proportion of African American students, female students, and adult learners. SVCC students take courses in general education, occupational-technical education, apprenticeship training, continuing education, and special regional and community services. The LRS also serves SVCC faculty and staff, Governor's School students, High School Summer School students, Summer Youth students, Old Dominion University students, and community patrons who live in our service area.

2.14.9.4 Intellectual Freedom Statement

The LRS fully supports the American Library Association's Code of Ethics, Library Bill of Rights, and Freedom to Read statement. It is the responsibility of the Library Supervisor to include materials representing all points of view in the collection. The LRS does not necessarily endorse the ideas found in the collection. Patrons may request the Library consider a material for withdrawal from the collection by completing a request form. The Library staff will promptly review any requests. If the staff cannot reach a resolution, the Library Advisory Committee will meet to reach a decision. The LRS follows the procedure of the Virginia Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Manual.

2.14.9.5 Collection Overview

The LRS collects introductory materials in most academic fields, and more advanced, specific materials in the fields of art, business, education, history, literature, mathematics, medicine, physical and life sciences, philosophy and religion, social sciences, library science, and others. Each library has a general circulating collection, reference collection, and bestseller collection. The LRS collects the following formats: books, periodicals, newspapers, and most forms of audiovisual materials. The LRS generally does not collect: microforms, maps, pamphlets, musical scores, computer software, government publications, textbooks, dissertations, theses, children's literature, or art work. The LRS collects some materials about the College such as Master Plans, Faculty/Staff Handbook, and yearbooks but does not attempt to serve as a comprehensive archive for the College. The LRS generally does not purchase duplicate copies except for some reference works and materials that circulate frequently. The LRS purchases contracts or rights to electronic materials that include those received as a member of Library of Virginia.

2.14.9.6 Collection Levels

A collection level is established for each item purchased for the LRS by the Library Supervisor. The LRS has adopted the following levels, and percentages of the annual budget each level will receive. These definitions and ratios pertain to all formats collected, including periodicals. The Library Supervisor maintains the amount spent on each level in a spreadsheet so that these allocations will not be exceeded.

Minimal (1) - This level includes recreational materials that do not directly support the curriculum of the College. 15%

Basic (2) - This level encompasses standard, introductory works containing general information or overviews of a topic. 25%