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Library Policies

Instructions for renewing items >>

Circulation Policies
Overdue Materials Policy
Reserve Collection
Non-Circulating Materials
Special Collections Room
Use of the Buena Vista University Library by the Public
School Group Visits to Buena Vista University Library
Mission Statement of the Buena Vista University Library

Circulation Policies

	Number of Items*	Books	Media	Journals	Reference
BVU Undergraduate Students	50	30 days	14 days	N/A	N/A
BVU Graduate Students	50	60 days	14 days	N/A	N/A
BVU Faculty/Staff	100	90 days	14 days	7 days	24 hours
BVU Employee Family Members	50	30 days	14 days	N/A	N/A
Iowa Central CC Students/Faculty/Staff	50	30 days	14 days	N/A	N/A
Community Guest Card Members	10	30 days	14 days	N/A	N/A

* number of items that may be checked out at one time.

Instructions for renewing items >>

Overdue Material Policy

The Buena Vista University Library does not charge overdue fines for materials that are returned past the due date. However, overdue materials that are seriously past due and reach a status of "Lost" will be assessed a non-refundable $5.00 processing fee per item along with the replacement cost of "Lost" status item(s). Replacement charges will be refunded or waived if the overdue item(s) are returned and undamaged. The $5.00 processing fee will NOT be refunded or waived and must be paid for the patron to remain in good standing.

Reserve Collection

Professors may place library materials or items from their own personal libraries on reserve for their students' use. Items placed on reserve are available to BVU students, faculty and staff only. The checkout length for reserve materials varies at the discretion of the professor. The reserve collection is available at the Library Circulation Desk.

Closed reserve (in-house use only), 5 items may be checked out at a time.

24-hour status, a maximum of 2 items may be checked out at a time.

72-hour status, a maximum of 5 items may be checked out at a time.

Non-Circulating Materials

The following item types do not circulate (except as noted above): Reference Materials, Journals, Microforms, Special Collections.

Copies of pertinent pages can be made, but the item itself cannot be checked out. Change is available at the Circulation Desk for the library copiers. A scanner is also available.

Special Collections Room

Items housed in the Special Collections Room are important Buena Vista University artifacts or materials deemed too rare and fragile for normal use. Materials housed in this room may be accessed if you notify the library staff in advance.

Use of the Buena Vista University Library by the Public

Any person aged 16 or older is welcome to use the BVU Library collections and computers. Library users younger than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Please stop at the Circulation Desk and sign the Community Guest register to receive a guest password that will allow access to our computers. Print outs can be made at a cost of five cents per printed page. Prints sent by patrons logged in with the guest password may be picked up at the library Circulation Desk.

Members of the public interested in checking out material from the BVU Library should inquire at the Circulation Desk about the purchase of a "Community Guest" library card. The card costs $15.00 annually and allows the holder to check out materials from the BVU Library (see the Circulation Policy for more information on Community Guest card members). Community Guest card holders may also use the BVU Interlibrary Loan service to request materials from other libraries.

Because of licensing restrictions, Community Guest card holders do not have off-campus access to the BVU Library databases. Members of the public may only use the databases when they are physically in the library.

Patrons wanting simply to use a computer or library materials in-house need not purchase a community guest card.

School Group Visits to the Buena Vista University Library

Teachers from area high schools may arrange a "research day" for their students. We are able to accommodate groups of up to 25 students. Students should have a specific project requiring research assigned to them. A reference librarian will work with the class showing them the resources the library has to offer. The students will then work independently gathering resources for the remainder of their time here. Visiting students may check out library materials during their research day if their teacher and local high school librarian agree to be responsible for returning the materials.

Students should come prepared with pens or pencils, paper or note cards, and money to pay for printing or copying.

Visiting student groups may arrange to eat on campus, but please notify our food service staff in advance.

Because of the nature of the collections in the Buena Vista University Library, visits by student groups younger than 9th grade are not recommended.

High school students who use the BVU Library individually or in small groups outside of a school-sanctioned "research day" will have the same privileges as other public visitors.

Contact the Buena Vista University Library Reference staff toll-free at 877.288.2240 or 712.749.2203 to arrange a date for a class visit.

Mission Statement

The mission of the university library is to provide information and support for members of the Buena Vista University community in their pursuit of excellence. The library seeks to nurture the developing scholar and to instill confidence in dealing with increasing amounts of information in an ever-changing array of formats. Utilizing the latest in technological opportunities, the library provides access to collections and resources and offers instruction in their analysis and application.