The Library provides two Circulation Desks; The 3rd floor Main Circulation Desk and the 2nd floor Circulation Desk. Questions about circulation services can be directed to the Main Circulation Desk at (417) 625-9362 or to the Library Operations Specialist at (417) 625-9310.
The staff at the Circulation desks can check Library material in and out; provide assistance with online journals and databases, MOBIUS/ILL material, and provide the use of basic office supplies such as staplers and hole-punches.
The Main Circulation Desk also creates new Library accounts, receives donated material, provides assistance in locating Library material, manages course reserve material, standardized test guides, writing guides and MOBIUS/ILL orders, and provides study room keys. Library fines can only be paid at the Main Circulation desk.
Items may be returned to any of the following locations:
A. Main Circulation Desk, 3rd floor
B. Secondary Circulation Desk, 2nd floor.
C. Outside the 3rd floor entrance, on the wall of the Library
D. Outside the 1st floor entrance, near the handicap parking. This drop-off is drive-up accessible.
Faculty, staff, and students must provide their valid MSSU identification card to borrow material. A valid driver’s license is a reasonable substitution.
Graduate students, cooperative undergraduates, and other area students must show valid ID from their institution. Community borrowers must provide valid photo ID and the community card issued to them.
Items can be renewed:
• In-person at the Circulation desks
• By phoning the Main Circulation Desk
• Through your online library account.
The following items cannot be renewed:
• Items with holds
• Reserve items
• Study Room Keys
• Loaner Devices
• Library of Things Items
|
Patron |
Books |
Periodicals, DVDs, CDs, and Curriculum |
DVD |
MOBIUS |
Reserve |
|
MSSU Faculty |
Semester |
4 weeks |
10 days |
28 days |
Checkout differs – no renewal |
|
MSSU Staff / Student |
|
|
|
|
Checkout differs – no renewal |
|
|
|
1 week |
|
|
|
|
Area Faculty/Staff/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Graduate Students |
|
1 week Periodicals – |
|
28 days |
|
|
MSSU Emeritus, Long-term Retiree, and VIP |
Semester |
Periodicals – |
10 days |
28 days |
|
Library accounts for MSSU faculty, staff, and students are active until the end of the current MSSU semester. Community members can purchase Library cards, and all purchased Library cards are valid for one year from the last day of the month that the account was purchased.
Library Card Costs:
Library cards are available at no cost for the following patron type(s):
• Alumnus
• Faculty/Staff Spouse or Children
• MSSU Emeritus, Long-term Retiree, and/or VIP (Verification required)
• Carthage Residents (Must provide Valid ID with Carthage Address)
Library Cards are available for $10.00 for the following patron type(s):
• High school students*
• *Students 15 years or younger must have parent’s signature
Library Cards are available for $15.00 for the following patron type(s):
• Community borrower
Spiva Library patrons are responsible for returning materials on-time and in good condition. The library will send courtesy reminders and overdue notices for borrowed items to a patron’s email account and failure to receive or acknowledge these notices does not absolve the user from the responsibility of returning materials, overdue charges and/or replacement costs.
Accounts will be encumbered for these reasons:
A. Item or items 14 days or more overdue
B. Reserve material four hours or more overdue
C. Aggregate fine of $2.00 or more
D. Material that is lost or damaged
E. Late return of Loaner Laptop kit or Hotspot
Students
A Library encumbrance will prevent a student from utilizing Library services. Library charges will be transferred to the student’s Bursar’s Office account. Holds preventing registration, grades, etc. will be placed on the balance of the aggregate student account balance in accordance with University hold policies.
Faculty and Staff Employees
Overdue fines, unreturned fines and/or damaged materials are the responsibility of the individual who borrowed them and not the responsibility of the department to whom the individual is a member. At its sole discretion, when it has not received payment for unpaid fines and/or the return and payment of lost materials, the Library may visit employees at their departments and offices, and may contact an employee’s supervisor/department chair.
A Library encumbrance will prevent staff and faculty members from utilizing Library services.
Library encumbrances that are not resolved pursuant to these procedures will be deducted from the staff’s or faculty member’s wages or salary. Prior to wage or salary deduction, the Library will contact a staff or faculty member with a final standardized notice, sent to his or her MSSU email account, to request the return of lost materials and/or the payment of fines/material replacement charges, and to stipulate the next step to reach a resolution is wage or salary deduction. If non-compliant, the Human Resources Department and Library will collaborate to ensure the deduction of wages or salary. At the request of the Library, Human Resources will deduct ten percent per month until the fines and/or lost material charges are fully paid. The deduction of wages or salary is a last resort. The timeline for this process is as follows:
1. An overdue notice is sent to a staff or faculty member’s MSSU email account – up to four overdue notices – or one per week – are sent over the course of 35 days.
2. A “billed” notice is sent to the staff or faculty member’s campus office or residence.
3. If the staff or faculty member has not returned the material and paid the fine/material replacement charges 28 days after the billed notice was sent, the Circulation & Resource Sharing Specialist will visit the staff or faculty member at his or her campus office or work space.
4. The Circulation & Resource Sharing Specialist will contact the staff or faculty member’s department chair or supervisor.
5. The Library will send a final notice to the staff or faculty member’s MSSU email account.
6. Human Resources and the Library will collaborate to implement wage or salary deduction.
7. When full payment is not made, the Library will notify the Bursar’s Office to request enforcement through the Library’s tax intercept program, which the Bursar’s Office administers.
The Library and Bursar’s Office will collaborate to ensure fines and lost materials are paid by students and employees who owe them. The Bursar’s Office will administer the Library’s tax intercept program.
Replacement cost for lost or damaged material will be determined by the Library. Any billed item that is returned in an unsatisfactory condition, will not be accepted back by the Library, and patrons will face full replacement cost for the item. After 90 days, any billed item will not be accepted back by the Library. Patrons who have paid the replacement cost for a billed item and later locate and return the missing item during the 90 day window may receive a refund up to 30 days after the bill was paid. Items returned after the 90 day window are not eligible for a refund. All decisions referenced above are up to Library staff.
The Library determines if Library materials are considered damaged. The Library considers items – books, curriculum kits, Library of Things items, loaner devices, et cetera – that are checked-out and returned with missing pieces to be damaged. The cost of the damaged Library materials will be assessed by the Library. Patrons will pay the replacement costs of each damaged material and a processing fee, as outlined below:
MOBIUS/ILL fines are non-refundable and non-negotiable. A hold will be placed on MSSU patrons’ accounts, as well as prevent them from receiving any more material until the matter is resolved.
Standard library material overdue/replacement costs:
All borrowers have the right to appeal Library charges and encumbrances by following this process:
1. Compose an email in which you provide your name, S number (if an MSSU student or employee), a phone number, and a summary of what materials are overdue, lost, or were fined because they were returned late, and why you believe the Library charges should be waived and/or the encumbrances should be lifted or removed.
Send the email to the Library Operations Specialist Clark-M@mssu.edu or MSSULibrary@mssu.edu
2. The Library Operations Specialist will have seven business days from the date the email was received to reply to it with a decision and explanation to accept or deny the appeal.
3. If you do not agree with the decision of the Library Operations Specialist, you may appeal the decision to the Library Director. To do so, forward the email conversation to Capeci-J@mssu.edu. The Library Director will have seven business days from the date the email was received to reply to it with a final decision.
Loaner technology devices (Laptops and Hotspots) check out for the entire semester, and cannot be renewed. Loaner devices must be returned at the end of each semester, by the last day of finals, with no exception. Loaner devices must be re-requested by a full time MSSU Staff or Faculty member on the student’s behalf for the upcoming semester, including the summer term, using the online MSSU Device Loan Program form.
To ensure that students across campus have access to this program, each MSSU Staff or Faculty member is limited to no more than three laptop or hotspot requests total per semester. After three requests have been submitted in a semester, any additional requests made by that staff/faculty member will not be processed and they will be notified that they have exceeded the request limit.
Please note that students who live in the dorms on campus are unable to have loaner hotspots requested or have the mobile internet (sim card) turned on in loaner laptops, as WIFI internet is available on campus. As these resources are quite limited, requests for hotspots and mobile internet will remain exclusive for students that live off campus. Students who live on-campus are able to borrow loaner laptops, which will all come with WIFI capabilities by default.
There are two checkout and return methods that the library will utilize for loaner devices checkout: Standard and Adjusted.
The Standard method will comprise of the following steps:
When the loaner device is ready for pick-up, the student will receive an email from library staff notifying them that the item is ready to be checked out. The checkout process will take place at the Main Circulation desk, during the library's hours of operation, with the library employee staffing the desk handling the checkout process.
The Adjusted method of pick-up:
This method will involve the student being contacted by the library director to arrange a pick-up time that will occur during the library's hours of operation, during a time that the director is available. An agreed-upon meeting time must be arranged prior to pick-up. The pick-up will take place in the library director's office with the director handling the check-out process with the student, which will follow the same steps as the Standard method.
After the item is checked out to the student, they will be responsible for any damages noted by the IT department upon inspection at the end of the semester or any fees that occur for late returns or damages. The student will be always responsible for ensuring that the item is returned to the library on-time, which is on or before the last day of the semester.
The Standard method of return will involve the student returning the item to the library during the hours of operation, at the Main Circulation desk, but no later than 30 minutes prior to close. This is to allow sufficient time for the library staff member to process the return and complete the preliminary inspection.
The Adjusted method of return requires the student to arrange a designated time to drop off the device with the library director. This will take place during the library's hours of operation and based on the director's availability, which required a designated meeting time to be agreed upon prior to return.
Regardless of the method, it is still the student's responsibility to ensure that the item is returned on time to avoid overdue charges and replacement fees, which will be applied to loaner devices as dictated by policy.
All pick-ups will be Standard unless the student is notified via email that the Adjusted method will be applied. It is fully up to the library's discretion to decide if the Adjusted method will need to be implemented at any point in the check-out or return process. If the Adjusted method of pick-up and drop-off is required, the student will receive an email with dedicated instructions listing the appropriate steps. Its use may be based on documented behavior that has impacted interactions with library staff or disrupted previous check-out processes – not on subjective impressions or isolated incidents. Repeated instances of non-compliance or disruption may result in loss of eligibility for the Loaner Device program. Additionally, the Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator will be notified by the Library in cases where a student’s behavior has been formally documented and the Library recommends use of the alternate pick-up and drop-off method.
During the initial pick up of the loaner Laptop or Hotspot, the student must note if there is any prior damage to the device or any part of the loaner device kit. They must document this damage, with specific details, on the Loaner Device Agreement form. This must also include their initials and the date this damage was noted, as well as the initials of the staff member assisting them. This student inspection and notation must occur during the checkout process, before the loaner device has been officially loaned to the student. Once the loaner device is checked out to the student, no additional notes can be made regarding physical damage to any part of the loaner device kit. Any damage found upon return will be the responsibility of the student.
Loaner Laptops and Hotspots must be returned by the last day of the current semester, regardless of when they were checked out, no exception, and must be returned to the Main Circulation desk of Spiva Library by the borrowing student. All loaner devices must be returned to the Main Circulation desk at Spiva Library no later than 30 minutes prior to closing to give library staff sufficient time to inspect the returned item and to process the return.
If a student wants to borrow the same loaner hotspot or loaner laptop for the next consecutive semester, the following must occur:
1) A request for loaner laptop/hotspot the must be submitted by a full-time MSSU staff or Faculty member on the student’s behalf via the Loaner Device Request Form
2) If applicable, all late fees and repair costs for loaner devices must be paid off.
The above must occur no later than 1 week from the start of the semester, otherwise the loaner device will be wiped and prepared for the next student on the list to check out for the semester. Submitted requests will be added to the loaner device waitlist in the order received.
Loaner Laptop kits and/or Hotspots will not be removed from the patron’s account until after all of the items have undergone an inspection by the MSSU I.T. department and been approved for check-in. Any damage found upon inspection by I.T. after the laptop was returned, that was not previously noted by the student during the initial checkout, will be the student's responsibility.
Any unnoted damage found upon inspection by I.T. after the laptop was returned will be the student's responsibility, regardless of whether they were caused by the user or another party, and will require the student to pay for the damages. Damage that will result in a fine will include, but is not limited to, the following: cosmetic damage to laptop, missing kit or laptop pieces, damage that renders the hotspot or laptop and/or kit pieces unusable, etc.
The amount owed for repair or replacement will be determined by the I.T. department after the returned item has undergone a thorough inspection. This fine will be applied to the student's library account accordingly; these replacement fees are non-negotiable.
Late return of the Loaner laptop or Hotspot (returns occurring after the final day of the current semester) to the library will result in the following:
If Loaner Device is not returned by last day of semester:
• A hold is placed on student account.
• Replacement cost for Loaner Device kit is applied to account, waivable upon a timely return of the complete loaner device kit in good condition.
If Loaner Device is not returned by first Monday after finals week:
• A $20 non-waivable late fee will be applied to account
(this occurs weekly for overdue devices – these fees will not be waived upon return of device)
If Loaner Device is not returned by a week after due date:
• For Loaner Laptops – The hard drive will be remotely reset and mobile internet will be suspended by I.T. Department
• For Loaner Hotspots – Device will be suspended and deactivated by I.T. Department.
Students that fail to return their loaner device by the last day of the semester for two semesters, consecutive or not, will lose further access to the Device Loaner program and will be unable to borrow any devices via the program from that point on. Requests submitted on the behalf of a user who has had this privilege revoked will not be fulfilled, and the full-time employee who submitted the request, and the student on behalf of whom it was submitted, will be notified via email that the request will not be fulfilled and the reason it will not be fulfilled.
Reserve material is restricted by copyright and fair use guidelines (www.copyright.gov/title17). It is the instructor’s responsibility to obtain copyright permission through the Copyright Clearance Center (1-978-750-8400 or www.copyright.com). A form letter is also available at the Main Circulation Desk.
Accepted Reserve items:
A. Book chapters and journal articles that meet fair use guidelines
B. Instructor-prepared exams, problem solutions, sample papers, and syllabi
C. Books, videos, and audio recordings - both personal copies and Library material
Not accepted Reserve items:
A. Book chapters and journal articles that were on reserve for one semester and do not have copyright permission to remain on reserve for another semester
B. Reading packets (anthologies)
Please allow a minimum of 48 hours for the material to be added to their course reserves. Material will not be added on the weekends.
The Library will deliver books ordered by faculty and staff from the MOBIUS/Prospector service to their office or campus location identified in the MSSU directory when requested on order form. Faculty and staff must be current employees with an assigned office or campus location. The library will not deliver off-campus. Faculty and staff are responsible for returning materials to the Library.
Traditional ILL books are covered by the MOBIUS Delivery Policy. Library Staff can deliver traditional ILL items to MSSU offices or campus locations if this delivery method is picked on the order form and an office location is listed in the staff directory.
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Circulation Department at Clark-M@mssu.edu or MSSULibrary@mssu.edu
Spiva Library is a member of the MOBIUS consortium. MSSU students and employees can electronically order materials from MOBIUS libraries and have them shipped to Spiva Library or though the MOBIUS Pick-Up Anywhere to the MOBIUS Library location available closest to them.
When a DLS does not live close to a MOBIUS library and wishes to check out library materials, the following steps are required:
1. The student will contact the Circulation Specialist to determine if books are available.
2. The Circulation Specialist will find materials that fit the needs of the student and will ask him or her if the entire materials are needed, or if a chapter or section from them would be sufficient.
3. If the entire material is needed, the Circulation Specialist will contact the public library that is the physically closest to the student’s residence on file with the University to arrange pickup through the library’s interlibrary loan (ILL) service.
4. The library will send the materials to the public library, covering the shipping costs with the student agreeing to pay the return costs.
5. If there is not a public library, or if a public library declines to participate in the ILL service, the materials may be shipped to the student’s home.
In order for Distance Learning students to participate in this service, they must meet the following requirements:
1. They must live beyond a 100 mile radius from the MSSU campus.
2. They must not have access to a MOBIUS library within a 25 mile radius, and state in an email to the Circulation Specialist that they are willing to pay the shipping charges for returning materials.
3. All materials must be MSSU Spiva Library materials.
4. Multi-media materials (CDs, DVDS and audiobooks) cannot be shipped.
5. Materials can be renewed twice. If materials are not returned, it will be billed to the student’s account.
There are 12 library lockers available for checkout, located on the 3rd floor. Locker keys may be checked out at the Main Circulation Desk for general MSSU student use, and can checkout for either four or twenty-four hours.
No one is permitted to use a locker without a library provided-lock. Any materials found in lockers without locks will be turned over to the University Policy Department.
Rules for lockers:
• Lockers are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
• Non-library locks will be removed and the locker’s items will be turned over to the University Policy Department.
• The library is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
• The library may revoke library privileges for security violations and/or student misconduct.
• Foods, liquids, perishable, or hazardous items are not allowed in the lockers; if found, the item will be discarded.
• Any materials kept in the locker are the responsibility of the patron who checked out the key.
• The library reserves the right to inspect your locker contents.
• Only checked out Library materials are allowed to be kept in lockers. Non-circulating library materials are not permitted in lockers and will be removed if found.
• Lost keys will result in a $10 replacement charge. Patron may not provide replacement lock in lieu of replacement charge.
• 4 hour locks may renew once in person or by calling the Main Circulation Desk.
• 24 hour locks will not renew.
• All items are to be removed from locker at or before time of expiration. If not, items will be removed two hours after expiration and placed in the library lost and found. If not picked up within a week, items will be turned over to the University Policy Department.
Current MSSU students, faculty and staff have priority access to study rooms. Please be aware that student MSSU IDs will be held at the desk until the key is returned, and that the key may not leave the building. If an ID is needed for a test, state IDs or car keys are the only allowed placeholder for student IDs. No other items are accepted.
Patron types allowed to check out study rooms:
Patron types NOT allowed to check out study rooms:
Patron types with limited study room use:
- See additional information/limitations below
Reservations cannot be made on the behalf of a student. The student who makes the reservation must be physically present at the Main Circulation Desk to check out the room. Individuals who do not show up within 15 minutes of their reserved time forfeit the reservation, and it will be canceled. The student will need to make another reservation for use of an available study room.
Faculty and Staff are asked to reserve study rooms in advance at https://libguides.mssu.edu/reserve-library-study-room to ensure space is available for the times and dates needed. The library will do its best to accommodate extended time periods requested by Faculty and Staff.
Outside-MSSU usage of study rooms is a rare exception that can be granted to out-of-state students for academic purposes only. Permission to use study room space must be granted by Library Director and requested two weeks in advance with valid intent of use stated. Permission to use space is up to library discretion, and permission to use the space is not guaranteed upon request. Priority for study room usage is for MSSU students, staff, and faculty.
The individual who has the study room checked out is responsible for all use made of the room, including any damage, and should be present at all times. Individuals/groups are responsible for returning the room to the same condition as when they entered. If a study room is found to be in unsatisfactory condition, the Circulation Desk should be notified immediately to avoid being held responsible for any damages.
If a maintenance staff member has to do extensive cleaning of the room (clear cups or bottles off the table, sweep or clean food residue off the floor or furniture, etc.) the person who checked out the room will be billed for the custodian’s time. If the bill is unpaid, an encumbrance will be placed on that patron’s record.
The room should be locked before returning the key to the Circulation Desk.
If the room is found unlocked, a fee of $2 will be added to the patrons account per instance of the study room being left unlocked. All items and persons must be vacated from the room at the end of the reserved timeslot. The library assumes no responsibility for personal possessions in the study rooms.
Failure to abide by the study room policy may result in being denied future study room access. If a student or group violates this study room policy, they will be referred to the MSSU Dean of Students.
The following rooms are available for check out and can be reserved at the Main Circulation Desk (625-9362):
Color coding for room noise levels:
Active Learning: Moderate level talking is expected, indoor voices are still expected. These areas are intended for collaborative learning experiences.
Conversational: Mid-low level conversations. Noise is permitted, but needs to be moderated.
Reading/Studying: Intended as a quiet sanctuary for readers and students who want to concentrate. These zones are considered to be as quiet as possible.
Patrons can receive sound/noise warnings regardless of study room noise level if noise is above acceptable level and/or repeatedly affects other students nearby or in other rooms. Students will be asked to relocate or vacate the space if the noise-level is not properly self-moderated.
Reading/Studying Room 427 – 1 desk, 1 chair, 1 computer, 1 webcam (Test Room, priority to students testing)
Reading/Studying: Room 426 – 1 table, 2 chairs, 1 computer, 1 webcam (Test Room, priority to students testing)
Reading/Studying: Room 439 – 1 table, 2 chairs, 1 computer, 1 webcam (Test Room, priority to students testing)
Conversational: Room 210A – 2 tables, 8 chairs, 1 white board
Conversational: Room 210B – 2 tables, 10 chairs, 1 white board
Conversational: Room 210C – 3 tables, 10 chairs, 1 white board, 1 projector, 1 computer
Conversational: Room 203 – 1 table, 3 chairs, 1 whiteboard
Reading/Studying: Room 424 – 4 tables, 8 chairs
Conversational: Room 410 – 5 tables, 12 chairs, 1 computer, 1 whiteboard
Room 413 is for quiet studying only: no conversations or discussions, music, video, or any other form of noise. This room is designated as a quiet space for studying, which is enforced by library staff. Students will be asked to leave if unable to abide by this rule.
Spiva Library has a private lactation room available for MSSU employees and students – Room 205, located on the 2nd floor. The lactation room key can be checked out from the Main Circulation desk on the third floor. This space is reserved for lactating individuals only, and users must provide their own pump kit, storage container, and other supplies such as baby wipes or hand sanitizer.
The reservable spaces in the George A. Spiva Library are intended for academic services and programs. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, for reservation approval. Food and beverages are allowed in all reservable spaces, but must abide by the campus catering/food policy. The persons reserving a space are responsible for communicating their Physical Plant, IT, and food service needs to the appropriate contact. Groups/individuals who violate study room policy, leave excessive cleanup, or otherwise fail to abide by library standards will be ineligible to utilize study rooms.
The Library reserves the right to relocate a reservation to a comparable space within the Library.
All reservations are up to the Library Director’s discretion. Please email the Library Director to make reservations.
A. 3rd Floor Fireplace: One couch; four upholstered chairs
This seating area may be reserved by staff and faculty for campus or work related
events including filming, class meetings, receptions, and other approved functions. Because the 3rd floor is a quieter floor of the library, groups that need to converse are encouraged to meet elsewhere.
B. L-413A Faculty Reading Room: Twenty chairs; conference tables
This meeting room may be reserved by staff and faculty for campus or work related events including conferences, workshops, presentations, committee meetings, and
other approved functions. When events are scheduled in L-413, this room will be unavailable.
C. L-413 Belk Quiet Room: Twenty-four chairs; six tables; two couches; four upholstered chairs
The Belk Quiet Room is only reservable for library-related or Academic Affairs
events, and only when it does not pose a significant inconvenience to students.
D. L-418/419 Library Instruction Room: Podium in center of room with one computer for presenter, two screens, and 29 individual computers for hands-on training. Library instruction sessions and HR Training events are priority in this space, but other campus departments (for faculty and staff) may request to reserve the room.
1. A faculty member granted a sabbatical by The Sabbatical Committee may use L-435 during the term of their sabbatical.
2. A faculty member must pick up and return the L-435 key to the Main Circulation Desk.
3. Use of L-435 is limited to the library’s hours of operation.
4. A faculty member must check out library books they plan to keep in L-435.
5. L-435 requires the faculty member to enter through L-413 (“The Floyd E. Belk Quiet Room”) and through L-413A, which is a conference room that is reserved by campus committees and groups. When 413A is reserved, the Library will contact the faculty member so they can then plan a work schedule in L-435.
The library is not responsible for proctoring study hours for any group on campus. Groups may keep a sign in folder near the catalog browsing computers on the third floor but library staff is not responsible for signing off on study hours.
For study hours proctoring, please contact the Student Success Center (Hearnes Hall Room 301, 417-659-3725, studentsuccesscenter@mssu.edu.) Additionally, test proctoring is available via the Advising, Counseling and Testing Services (ACTS) Department (Hearnes Hall Room 314, 417-625-9559). Please report any issues to the Main Circulation Desk.
The Circulation Department is responsible for the two card catalog computers, located on the 3rd floor by the Main Circulation desk, and the computer labs located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor. Any maintenance issues should be reported to the Library Administrative Coordinator.
This site is maintained by the librarians of George A. Spiva Library.
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