Public Service Policies

Library Strategic Plan 2022-2025

I.            Patron Confidentiality

In order to protect the privacy of users and their right to consult and borrow Library material without prejudice, it is the policy of the UVI Libraries that information by which individual users can be identified is not released to any person, institution, association, or agency for any reason without the knowledge of the Director of Libraries.

II.            Eligible Borrowers

Registered full-time or part-time students, faculty, and staff members of the University of the Virgin Islands are eligible to borrow materials.  Summer program participants must be sponsored by an academic or administrative department to obtain library privileges.

• Students must produce a valid UVI ID card.
• New faculty and staff must produce a valid UVI ID.
• University Bound must produce a valid UVI ID/library card.
• Preferred User Program must produce a valid library card.
• If a user’s primary role at the University is a staff role, for loan purposes their staff status takes priority over their student role.

 III.            Summer Programs and Technology Fees

A fee of $20.00 per student will be charged to each summer program for access to Library and Technology Services.

Summer program participants will have the following:

• User login
• Library privileges
• Picture ID
• $5.00 deposit for wireless printing
• Wireless network access
• Use of the computer labs during library hours 

Summer program participants do not have the following access:

• 24/7 lab after library hours
• Checkout of library equipment
• Checkout of more than three books at a time

Each program will be required to submit an interdepartmental requisition to ITS. All services will be activated within three business days.

IV.            Preferred User Program  (PUP)

      (Library Services for the Virgin Islands Community)

Annual membership requirements:

• Membership fee of $30
• Valid identification (e.g. Driver’s license or voters ID)
• Proof of mailing address (e.g. WAPA bill, printed check, or current mailbox rental receipt)

Short-term access

• One day pass for $10 includes printing 30 black and white copies
• Guest account for internet access
• Search online library catalog and databases

UVI Alumni

• $15 per year for Association members
• Borrowing & Internet usage
• Personal domain account

V.            K-12 Students

The UVI Libraries recognize the occasional need for high school students to use the library for resources which may not be available in their own school library or any other library they may have access to. Consequently, library passes are sent to high schools.  To use UVI libraries students must first consult with their school librarian.

• Local high school students must obtain a pass from their school library attesting to the fact that the resources needed by the student are not available in their school library or the public library. Passes must be dated and signed by their high school librarian, and are valid for one project (visit) only.

Note: Students in elementary and junior high school should not use the UVI Library. Material in the UVI collection is not suitable for these students, while the material students need is available in their school library or the public library.

VI.            Reference Service

Reference Service facilitates access to information and is provided by trained staff during regular library hours.

Staff will not provide the following kinds of assistance, which are deemed to be beyond the scope of the

Libraries’ service responsibilities:

• Interpretation or advice in any area other than the use of library resources.
• Critiquing or editing patron documents.
• Completing or assisting patrons in completing paper and/or online forms.

VII.            Circulation

There is no limit to the number of General Collection books students, faculty, or staff may have in circulation at one time.

a.       Loan Periods

• Some materials cannot be checked out (e.g. the most current issue of periodicals, Reference material, etc.)
• Reserve materials circulate to all borrowers for 2 hours, 4 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours, or 7 days (as specified by the UVI Faculty/Instructor). 
• Special Collection books are 4 hour loan.

Loan periods for most other types of library material are shown below:

For detailed policies, call the Service Desk at your respective campus.

b.      Fines and Fees

VII.            Collection Development

Donations:

• The Library welcomes the donation of relevant books and materials in good physical condition.
• We do not accept back runs of periodicals except for Caribbean titles.
• We reserve the right to dispose of unsuitable material.

Potential donors should contact the Librarian regarding gifts, before delivering gift materials to the Library.  The Library does not assess book values for donor tax purposes. The letter of acknowledgement can include the number of items donated, if the donor so requests.

Recommended Library Purchases

• Users may recommend the purchase of books and periodicals not owned by the Library.
• Faculty members should submit recommendations to their library liaison.

IX.            Interlibrary Loan

Registered students, both full- and part-time, faculty, and staff of the University of the Virgin Islands are eligible to request books and/or periodical articles via Interlibrary Loan.

X.            Patron Behavior

• Food and the use of tobacco products are prohibited in the library.
• Beverages in spill-proof containers are allowed in the library.
• Only Service Animals are allowed in the library.
• Audio devices must be used with earpieces.
• Loud talking and other disturbances will not be tolerated. Patrons who persist in disruptive behavior will be asked to leave the Library
• Alcohol usage on campus is prohibited by law. Violators will be referred to Campus Security.
• Public access to the Staff area is restricted.
• Cell phones must be set to silent.

XI.            Lost and Found Items

Lost and found items are kept at the Service Desk for one semester.

XII.            Office Supplies

The Library does not provide office supplies to Library users. These include pens, pencils, tape, paper, etc. Users should come prepared with all necessary supplies.

XIII.            Telephone Use

Library telephones are for Library employee use only.

XIV.            Paging Library Users

The Library does not have facilities for paging Library users.

XV.            Study Areas

Study carrels and tables are freely available to all Library users. No carrels, tables, or chairs may be reserved for the use of one person or group.

All carrels and tables will be checked routinely by Library staff for unattended material.

Study rooms are available to all Library users.  Students will be given priority in all rooms.  Groups will be given priority in group study rooms.  Rooms may be reserved and checked out at the Service Desk.

XVI.            Photocopier and Fax Service

• The Libraries offer a self-service photocopier for paper materials. The cost of photocopying is $0.10 per page.
• UVI faculty/staff with their departmental codes, in St. Croix, can make copies in the library, room 601, and room 801 and in St. Thomas in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).

XVII.            Digitized Newspapers

• Digital copies of local newspapers are located under Reference Resources on thelibrary's website.

XVIII.            Library Computer Usage

• Computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Students are given priority.
  • Login Credentials should not be shared with others.
  • Children are not allowed to use the library computers.

XIX.            Children

• Library staff is not responsible for the supervision of children left unattended.  If a child (12 or younger) is left unattended in the library, Staff will notify security.

ALA Code of Professional Ethics

The Library subscribes to the ALA Code of Professional Ethics.