Library

Cell Phone Use | Designated Quiet Study Areas | Library Security | Theft Prevention | Personal Safety | Donations | Food & Beverage | Privacy

Designated Quiet Study Areas and Cell Phone Use

Quiet Study Areas in the Library 

Quiet study areas in MacEwan Libraries exist for library users wanting a quiet environment to study or do research without distractions.  Conversations, meetings, consultations and electronic sounds from audible devices are discouraged at all times.

Students wanting a group discussion or group study session are encouraged to book a room for that purpose. 

Noise and Conversation in the Library 

• Quiet conversation is permitted in areas of the library that are not designated as “Quiet Study”

• All conversation is prohibited in areas designated as “Quiet Study”

In order to minimize noise associated with cell phones or other audible devices, all library users are required to act in accordance with the following policy when in the Library:

• Phones or other audible devices must be turned off or set to vibrate while the owner is in the library

• Cell phone conversations within designated Library quiet study areas are prohibited 

• Quiet cell phone conversations outside the designated Library quiet study areas are permitted 

• Text messaging and other silent cell phone functions are permitted throughout the Library 

Library Security

Security Systems

In addition to surveillance cameras, the Library utilizes a 3M-security system, which is comprised of wheelchair accessible security gates located at each entrance/exit to the Library.

This 3M-security system will NOT erase, demagnetize or magnetize any sensitive materials such as computer hard drives or diskettes. Library materials will be desensitized when checked out to enable passage through the security gates without the alarm sounding.

Security Policy

If the alarm is activated, Library staff are required to identify and call the borrower back to the service desk. (Items triggering the alarm may in fact, be material from other locations such as video stores, book stores or other libraries. If this is the case, the borrower will be asked to pass these items around the security gates when leaving the Library.) If the items in the borrower's possession have a date due stamp that falls within the range of the current borrowing period, staff will ensure the items are desensitized and will return them to the borrower. If there is no evidence that the items have been checked out within the borrowing period, the borrower's account must be checked in the library catalogue database to ensure the material is signed out correctly. If the material needs to be signed out to the borrower, it is essential that the borrower produce a valid MacEwan ID.

In the event of a dispute or any other type of controversy regarding the transaction with the borrower, the manager should be called upon to intervene. Any situation that threatens to become out of control should also be brought to the attention of the University Security Office as quickly as possible.

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Theft Prevention

Library patrons should keep all valuables including purses, backpacks, textbooks, or articles of clothing with them at all times. No personal items should be left unattended in the Library, even for a brief period of time. MacEwan Libraries are not responsible for the theft of personal property in the Library.

Personal Safety

During emergency situations, the wardens in charge of Library evacuation are authorized to direct all individuals in the Library to a place of optimum safety. Other situations, in which the well being of either patrons or staff is threatened due to harassment or other undesirable behaviour, must be reported to the nearest service desk for appropriate action.

Donations Policy

Guidelines for Acceptance

• all items should be in good physical condition and in formats currently collected by the Library
• MacEwan Library reserves the right to refuse a donation based on its suitability, potential usefulness, and the Library's ability to house donated materials
• MacEwan Library can accept only copyrighted materials. Reproduced materials - print, audiovisual, computer, etc. without written permission of copyright owner cannot be accepted materials should be relevant to Programs/Courses currently being offered within the University
• We do not accept older editions of works already existing in the Library collection (unless older edition is considered to be a classic)

Hardcover and soft cover books:

• items with a copyright date within the previous 5 years, unless recognized classics in the field or works of literature or the arts
• items purchased by a program to support their courses

Browse collection:

• browse collection books and CDs in good condition and popular CDs of interest to the Music and Theatre programs at Centre for the Arts

Recordings (vinyl):

• no longer accepted

Audiocassettes:

• no longer accepted for the browse collection

Periodicals:

• considered on an individual basis.
• donor to contact the Campus Librarian or Library Subject Specialist before submitting donation

Videocassettes/DVDs:

• proof of Public Performance Rights must be provided, or items will have restricted use
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Food and Beverages

Food is not allowed in any Grant MacEwan University  Library, with the exception of:

• Meeting area at the entrance to the City Centre Library at the top of the circular staircase
• Beverages are permitted in closed, spill-resistant travel mugs, pull-top plastic bottles or screw top plastic bottles. Any other container is not permitted

Rationale

The intention of the Library Food and Beverage Policy is to:

• aid in the preservation and care of library materials and electronic equipment
• maintain a pest-free library
• reduce damage to furnishings and carpeting
• reduce litter
• ensure a clean environment for studying and working

Cooperation

Patrons are asked not to bring food into any Library. At City Centre, patrons may consume food items in the meeting area at the top of the circular staircase before entering the Library. Library staff will ask those who bring food into the Library to remove food item(s) from view or to leave the Library in order to consume or discard any food.

Patrons who bring beverages in unacceptable containers into the Library will be asked to remove them from view or leave the Library in order to consume the beverage and discard the container.

If a patron does not comply, their beverage container may be confiscated and returned when the patron leaves the library.

Should an individual not cooperate with a request to remove food or unacceptable beverage containers, Security Services may be called.

Drinking fountains are available in the City Centre and South Campus Libraries and outside the main doors of the Library at the Centre for the Arts.

Refreshments are available at all campus cafeterias, food kiosks and dispensing machines.

The Library would appreciate cooperation in adhering to its Food and Beverage Policy. Please help us to conserve collections, protect equipment, and enhance your environment.

Library Privacy

MacEwan Libraries Confidentiality Statement

All borrower information in the circulation database is considered confidential. Grant MacEwan borrowers may obtain their Library account information in person, upon presentation of a valid MacEwan ID card (or other acceptable photo ID) or over the telephone if the barcode on the MacEwan ID card is provided. For locating account information on online, the ID card barcode number must be entered in the space provided on the Library Website.

The onus is on the borrower to notify the Library (and the Registrar's Office) of any changes in registration information such as a change of address or name. In order to prevent fraudulent use of a MacEwan ID card, a lost or stolen card should be reported promptly to Library Borrower Services. Acceptable photo ID includes a current driver's license or passport.

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