The St. Augustine Library was established to enrich the teaching and research activities of the Magdalen College community. The library acquires, organizes, preserves, and makes readily available collections of scholarly materials that support the program of studies and the philosophy of education of the college. The library provides a quiet, welcoming, environment for reading, reflection, and, in collaboration with faculty, promoting the achievement of literacy in all areas of the curriculum.
Current students, faculty, and staff may use the library and its resources; they have borrowing privileges and may participate in our state and national interlibrary loan systems. Exceptions to this must be made in consultation with the Librarian, in order that the focus of library resources and services be on our primary audience, the college community.
The library is open seven days a week during the school year. Hours are posted at the beginning of each semester.
Reference assistance is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm; requests for information may be submitted via email at any time.
Books and AV Materials may be borrowed for one month and are renewable in-person or via phone.
In special circumstances, library staff my override the monthly due date and allow for extended borrowing periods.
Periodicals and Reference Books do not circulate.
Limits—patrons may borrow up 20 items; exceptions may be made for special research needs.
The privacy of all users is respected in compliance with state and federal laws; library staff maintain the confidentiality of circulation and interlibrary loan records, except to the extent permitted or required by law.
Food and uncovered drinks are not allowed in the library. This helps us protect the
equipment and collections for current and future users.
Use of cell phones is prohibited in the library.
Skype and other forms of social networking via computer are not allowed in the library.
Library computers, whether public workstations or private laptops, are to be used for assignments and for research. Other uses, such as participation in chat rooms, game-playing, video streaming, and the like are prohibited.
Under the guidance of Student Life staff, movies and television may be watched in the Student Lounge or other designated places on campus.
Computers will not be used for any activity that violates federal, state, or local laws, or to access illegal materials. All college policies pertain to student behavior when accessing information online.
The library is a member of the New Hampshire Automated Information System (NHAIS) and the Online Computer Library System (OCLC). NHAIS allows us to borrow items, free of charge, from any public library in New Hampshire. These items are delivered via a State Library van once a week. OCLC provides WorldShare, an international database of library holdings, through which we have access to books, media, articles, and documents for the purposes of interlibrary loan. We are governed by the policies of each lender library in terms of our access to their collections. Loans are usually for one month; photocopied materials we may keep and are subject to copyright law.
The library is a place for quiet study. Other gathering places, such as the student lounge or dining room, are appropriate places for socializing. Therefore, students who show a lack of respect for those seeking to work and study in the library will be asked to leave.
No personal belongings are to be left in the library. Study carrels and tables will be cleared at closing. This is to assure that other students have adequate study space.
While there are no charges for overdue items, monthly overdue notices are sent to those who have not returned items on the date due. After 30 days overdue, items are considered “lost” and the borrower will be billed a replacement fee plus processing fee. If recall notices have been ignored, or if library materials have been lost or damaged, library privileges will be revoked, and a final bill sent to the patron.
The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Library Director will assist with questions regarding the “fair use” of copyrighted materials for classes and research purposes. In general:
Under certain conditions specified in law, libraries are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction.
The photocopy or reproduction should be used for private study, for research purposes, or for classroom use. Using material for other purposes may put one in violation of copyright law.