a. Borrowing
Reference materials, current periodicals, and vertical file materials do not circulate.
Bunker Hill Community College issues ID cards to all students, faculty and staff. This ID card serves as each person’s library card once an official library patron barcode has been affixed to the back of the card. A valid Massachusetts driver’s license with a current address may be used as identification for the purpose of using library materials for community patrons.
All borrowers who present valid identification and are registered in the library’s computer database are allowed to check out library books or backdated periodicals up to a limit of five books and/or periodicals at any one time.
All circulating materials are checked out for a period of 14 days, and may be renewed for up to six weeks. The renewal option may be denied in the event another patron has submitted a request for the material.
b. Faculty Privileges
Circulating materials borrowed by faculty members are subject to the same lending criteria as all patrons.
Faculty members are asked to observe the following courtesies:
- Promptly return materials no longer being used.
- Return or renew materials in keeping with the general borrowing policy.
- Promptly return books that are requested for use by other library patrons.
c. Interlibrary Loan
Books will be borrowed for faculty, staff or student use as the general terms of the Interlibrary Loan Code and the generosity of other libraries will permit. They must be used in accordance with the regulations of the lending library.
Requests are made to BHCC Library staff. A first attempt will be made to locate the book in the database of BHCC’s library network, the North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE). If Library staff are unable to locate the requested material in the NOBLE database, further searching in regional or national databases will be undertaken on request, in consultation with a Librarian. All applicable costs for document delivery and/or photo duplication will be charged to the borrowing patron.
d. Renewals of Borrowed Materials
Borrowed library materials may be renewed twice if necessary. Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan are renewable in accordance with the policies of the lending library.
Borrowers may renew materials by bringing them to the circulation desk, where a materials status check will be performed. If any materials are overdue at the time of renewal, the applicable fine must be paid in full before materials may be renewed. Telephone renewals are permitted.
e. Overdue/Delinquent Borrowed Materials
A notice of delinquency is sent to students informing them of overdue materials if necessary. Fines are assessed at the rate of ten cents per book, per day up to a maximum of $25.00 per book. Fines do not accrue on days when the library is closed.
If a student does not respond to a delinquincy notice by returning overdue materials in a timely manner, the student's name will be placed on the library "bursar hold" list. A student placed on "bursar hold" status may not register for classes or receive financial aid monies. The student's name will remain on this list until the account has been cleared by the business office.
f. Lost Materials
If it is determined that library materials have been lost by the borrower, the borrower will be billed for the purchase price of the book, as determined by the latest edition of Books in Print. If the book is no longer in print, or if its cost cannot be determined, a flat fee of $25.00 will be assessed.
If borrowed material is not returned after 90 days, the material is considered lost and the borrower is billed accordingly. If the material is later found and payment has been made, a refund of 75% of the cost will be made to the borrower.
All monies received by the Circulation Department for payment of fines and lost book fees are forwarded to the Business Office and deposited in the General College Trust Fund.