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Hester Memorial Library Policy Manual: Library Services

This manual of library policies including job descriptions, is helpful for general knowledge and for persons responsible for college and departmental accreditation documents.

Public Services

PUBLIC SERVICES

Reference Services
Reference assistance is available to students, faculty, staff and area residents during all hours of operation. Additionally, students, faculty and staff may submit questions after hours via the “ask-a-librarian” link on the Library’s webpage. Services provided include instruction in the use of this Library and its materials and locating materials available in other libraries. The level of service provided will vary depending on the need of the patron. Faculty may request that minimal help be given to students completing certain assignments.

Library Instruction and Information Literacy
Instruction in the use of the Library and its materials is an important and necessary part of the educational program. All Library Instruction sessions will include various aspects of Information Literacy.  Several levels of instruction are available.

  • All FYE classes schedule an introductory instruction session that also includes a tour of the facilities.
  • During each semester, faculty may schedule one or more class periods in the Library for instruction. This may include basic instruction on how to use the online catalog and databases as well as more specialized instruction in the use of library materials. Librarians also offer instruction that is customized to fit the research needs of specific disciplines or classes.
  • Individual instruction is available by request.
  • Other instructional aids include pathfinders and informative handouts.

Database Instruction
Instruction in the use of the Library databases can be scheduled for individuals and classes. Faculty and students may request a general database instruction session or a session that is tailored to a specific discipline, topic, or database.

Interlibrary Loans
Faculty and students may request library materials not available in the Library. Requests should be made through the library discovery layer, PRIMO. If you cannot find what you need in PRIMO, or you need assistance, contact the library.

Requests for materials or locations of materials will be made mainly through PASCAL, the South Carolina Library Network, or through the SC Foundation of Independent Colleges. Colleges and universities throughout the state have entered into a formal reciprocal interlibrary loan agreement.

Requests which are unable to be filled by any of the PASCAL member institutions will be mailed to other institutions outside of the state at the patron’s request. The patron will be responsible for costs incurred by out of state requests. Requests for photocopies will comply with the Copyright Law and Guidelines. Photocopy expenses may be charged.

FACILITIES USE POLICIES AND SCHEDULING
General Guidelines
The Library has a conference room seating 10 people. This room can be reserved by faculty and staff.  When not reserved, students may use it for group study on a first come, first serve basis.  The Library has three small learning/ listening rooms that are available on a first come, first serve basis.  These small rooms may not be reserved except under rare circumstances.

Priorities for use of the building are:

  • Student use of the main library
  • Faculty/Administrative use for meetings
  • Outside group use

Scheduling
Use of rooms in the Library should be scheduled with the Circulation Assistant.

Study halls are no longer held in the library.  Study halls are now arranged through the Office of Student Success.