Library Building Hours

Current library hours can always be found online or by phone at 535-2832. Hours vary by season and for holidays, so be sure to check the schedule. Be aware that hours will vary for other services, like the PASS Office and theWriting and Reading Center.

Circulation Policies

All library materials must be properly checked out at the Information Desk. Your PSU ID card is also your library card, so for faster service, have it on hand when you wish to check out materials. Remember, you are responsible for all items checked out on your card!

Materials that are not properly checked out will trigger the security alarm at the gate. All incidents with the security alarm are recorded and may result in disciplinary action. Damaging library materials or removing library materials can result in your failing a course, being suspended from the university, and being charged for repairs.

Due Dates

Most library materials circulate for a period of 30 days. There is a limit of one 30 day renewal period for these items. Library materials may be renewed by phone and online as well as in person. For online renewal, go to the library website, and click on Renew Books from the My Account menu on the left of the screen.

Phonograph recordings, periodicals, and Reference Collection books cannot be checked out. Use these materials in the Library.

Fines

It is important that all checked-out materials are returned promptly by their due date. For materials not returned by the due date, you will receive two overdue notices within a 30 day grace period. If the item is not returned after 30 days of the due date, you will be billed by the University Bursar for replacement cost of the book. Items returned 180 days (approximately 6 months) after the billed date will not be refunded.

Outstanding library charges, are treated like any unpaid University bills, and may result in financial encumbrance which can obstruct registration or graduation.

There are specific fines for Reserve items:

One-Hour Reserve Materials: $1.00 per hour

Overnight or 3-Day Reserves: $1.00 per day

Reserves

RESERVES are part of the Information Desk.

Many FACULTY reserve materials are available electronically through Blackboard. These items are placed on reserve by instructors to make information more readily accessible for all students in a class. Reserve materials may vary from entire books, photocopied chapters, journal articles, court cases, sample tests, video or audiocassettes, or electronic media. Some reserve materials may only be used in the library, others may be taken out overnight or for several days.

If reserve material is not available electronically, they may be checked out from the Information Desk. You can search for these resources on the library website under the FIND menu on the left hand side of the screen. Click on Reserves. You can search by course ID or instructor name. Each reserve list contains the titles and Reserve Code numbers of all items on reserve for that course.

To request Reserve materials tell the Information Desk attendant the Reserve Code number of the item you need.

Permanent Reserves are materials not specifically requested by a faculty member, but put on reserve by the Lamson staff so that all patrons may have convenient and equal access to them. Some examples of items on Permanent Reserve include laptops for in the building use, portable cassette players, and some university documents.

Patrons needing to borrow Reserve items for photocopying purposes only may take up to five items at one time. If there is a heavy demand for a particular folder or book the Information Desk Staff will make exceptions to this rule. Remember, items are placed on Reserve because their use needs to be managed so that many users can efficiently share them. Therefore, overdue fines for Reserve materials are high. Be sure to return Reserves to the slot labeled “RETURN RESERVES.”

The New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC)

The NHCUC is a cooperative network of colleges and universities in New Hampshire. Its functions include the facilitation of sharing information resources among the academic libraries in the state. Because Plymouth State University is a member of this consortium, you may use your valid PSU ID to borrow library materials from the libraries at the following institutions:

Chester College of New England
Colby-Sawyer College
Daniel Webster College
Franklin Pierce College
Granite State College (formerly CLL)
Keene State College
MA College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences-Manchester
New England College
New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges
New Hampshire Institute of Art
New Hampshire State Library
Rivier College
Saint Anselm College
Southern New Hampshire University
The University of New Hampshire-Durham
The University of New Hampshire-Manchester

You may return borrowed materials to the proper library; or, if you wish, you may return them to Lamson Library, and we will return them for you. However, you are responsible for the material until it arrives at the home library.

Responsible Use of Facilities and Materials

Library materials are limited resources that must be shared with several thousand other students, and should be treated with care and consideration. You are held accountable for any materials checked out to you that are returned in damaged condition.

Deliberate mutilation or theft of books and periodicals is more than a violation of respect for materials that tuition dollars from you and other potential users have paid for. It is also a violation of State law, and is subject to disciplinary action. Stealing or defacing library materials is also a violation of academic integrity. For more information on this topic consult the PSU catalog under “Academic Policies and Procedures.” More importantly, if you see anyone defacing materials report this immediately to the Information Desk.

All Plymouth State University students, faculty, staff and Non-PSU patrons are expected to abide by the rules governing student conduct outlined in the student handbook. A copy of these rules is on reserve at the Information Desk.

Staff members are always concerned about the safety of our patrons. Please contact a staff member if you need any assistance.

Use of Materials from Pease Public Library

The Town of Plymouth kindly extends borrowing privileges at Pease Public Library (Plymouth’s public library) to all Plymouth State University students, full or part-time, for the duration of their matriculation at PSU. Plymouth State University students will be treated as all other patrons, with the exception of the overdue procedures followed. While Pease Public Library will generate initial notifications of overdue materials, records of students not returning materials at each semester’s end will be sent to appropriate staff at Lamson Library. If students fail to return materials or make suitable reparation, a hold will be placed on their account and, as with any other hold, it may result in a Plymouth State University financial encumbrance which will obstruct a student’s registration, receipt of transcripts, graduation, and diploma.

We are grateful for Pease Public Library’s generosity in extending borrowing privileges. Please be considerate of this gift; it is one that could easily be revoked if it is abused.