Lamson Library: About the Library: Policies

Borrowing Material from the Library

PSU-affiliated Patrons

All students, faculty, faculty emeriti, and staff at Plymouth State University may borrow books and audiovisual materials from the library with their PSU ID cards. They may also request materials via Interlibrary Loan.

Students may borrow books and other material for 30 days.
Faculty and Staff may borrow books and other material for 6 months.

All items can be renewed one time for an additional, equal loan period.

The library does not loan magazines, journals, newspapers, reference books or materials from Special Collections.

PSU Alumni and New Hampshire Residents

All adult residents of New Hampshire may receive a borrowing card FREE of charge for a 3-year period. Local high school students may receive a card with a parental signature. Alumni and Resident card holders may borrow physical books and audiovisual materials from the library.

Patrons may apply for a card at the Information Desk and must present identification when doing so.
The borrowing period for materials is 30 days.

The library does not loan magazines, journals, newspapers, reference books or materials from Special Collections.

We are unable to offer interlibrary loan services to PSU alumni and NH resident borrowers.

Important Note: Because our database contracts specify that remote access is available only to PSU-affiliated patrons, databases, e-books, and e-journals may not be accessed remotely. However, most of these databases can be accessed in the learning commons using one of the public computers.

Other Patrons

Patrons who are not PSU alumni or NH residents may purchase a borrowing card. These card holders may borrow physical books and audiovisual materials from the library.

$35 - one year borrowing period
$10 - three-month borrowing period

See stipulations above for PSU Alumni and New Hampshire Residents.

Overdue Fees

Materials overdue by more than 30 days are considered long overdue/lost. A $50 replacement fee will be charged for each item. Patrons not currently a student, faculty or staff will not be allowed to check out other materials until the fee is paid or the materials are returned. Student patrons’ fees are charged to their university accounts.

Fees may be paid online.

For all patrons, when the resource is returned in good condition, the fee will be waived.

The replacement fee for Interlibrary Loan materials is determined by the policies of the lending library.

Children in the Lamson Learning Commons

Children younger than high school age must be accompanied by an adult while visiting the Lamson Learning Commons. The library does not employ a Children’s Librarian and the Children’s Literature section on the Lower Level is not in a supervised area. Any child under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when using one of the public computers on the main level. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to determine what material may be viewed or downloaded by their minor child.

However, we want to encourage all children to become familiar with the kinds of resources that are available in libraries. Please contact Outreach Librarian, Anne Jung-Mathews, for more information about school and other community organization visits.

The Library assumes no responsibility for the content on the Internet or for material downloaded to a user's personal computer. It is the responsibility of a parent or guardian to determine what material may be viewed or downloaded by their minor child.

Collection Development Policy

The library’s Collection Development Policy describes materials we actively add to the collection and indicates the level of acquisition to which we aspire. General guidelines specify the following:

The library’s collections actively support and enhance the educational objectives of Plymouth State University by acquiring resources that serve the informational, instructional and research needs of the university community. The University community includes undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and nondegree seeking students, as well as faculty, administration, and non-academic staff.
The primary collection objective is to support the university’s undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, and developing new areas as required by curricular expansion.
Secondary objectives including building on areas of strength and subject areas of general public interest.

The Lamson Learning Commons is strongly committed to tenants of the ALA (American Library Association) which includes the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read statement, and the Intellectual Freedom Statement.

Individuals or organizations within or outside of Plymouth State University who have questions about specific library material will follow the procedure outlined below:

Complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library Material form available from the Information Desk. The patron will also receive a copy of the Library Bill of Rights.
Completed forms will be forwarded to the Discipline Coordinator for review as soon as possible.
Librarians, or the Discipline Coordinator, will provide the patron with a more detailed explanation of the Library Bill of Rights or our collection development policy, if needed.
The Discipline Coordinator, in consultation with the librarians and the Director of Learning and Libraries, will review the completed form and respond promptly, in writing, to the patron.
The Discipline Coordinator will keep records of all requests for reconsideration.
The Discipline Coordinator will submit a completed form detailing the challenged material to the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Collection Development Policy This policy encompasses the philosophy, goals, and standards guiding the systematic development of all parts of the Library’s collections. It has been established by the Library faculty, in conjunction with the faculty and administration of the University. It is to be used as a guide to, and a planning tool for, the systematic selection of recorded knowledge according to a rationale founded on priorities that have been identified to serve the information and research needs of the college community most effectively.

Gifts and Donations

The Library does not accept donations of books or other physical items to our collection.

Donations of funds are welcome; please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (603) 535-2428, or make your gift online (designate Other, and write in Lamson Library in the additional instructions).

Hours of Operation

Current library hours may be found online or by phone at 603-535-3290. Hours may vary for other services,such as the Writing Center, the CoLab, Spinelli Archives, and the Commons Cafe.

Lactation Room

A lactation room is available on the upper level of the Lamson Learning Commons (room 201A) during hours that the library is open. A key is available at the Information Desk on the main level.

If you have questions about the library’s lactation room, please contact Christin Wixson.

Rules concerning Patron Conduct

Lamson Learning Commons staff want all users to enjoy a pleasant and safe environment. All patrons who use the facility are expected to follow the policies outlined in Plymouth State University Student Rights and Code of Conduct. Patrons who exhibit the kind of behavior listed below may be asked to leave the building and University Police will be contacted as needed.

Engaging in conduct which interferes with the use of the library by other patrons, violates posted rules, or disrupts the orderly operation of the library.
Consuming alcohol or drugs.
Engaging in sexual activity.
Engaging in any form of physical, mental, or verbal assault, harassment, or abuse.
Possessing hazardous or dangerous materials, including weapons.
Damaging, stealing, or misusing library materials or University property.
Refusing to leave the building in a timely manner at closing time.
Soliciting without the permission of library staff.
Bringing pets or animals into the building that are not service animals.

Patrons are encouraged to contact a staff member at the Information Desk if they have any questions or concerns.

Computers in Lamson Learning Commons

All patrons must adhere to the USNH Policy on Information Technology.

PSU-affiliated patrons may log into any available desktop computer using their login credentials.

The Lamson Learning Commons offers free guest Wi-Fi access, computers for searching the library catalog, and 3 public access computers located near the Information Desk on the Main Level.

The Learning Commons assumes no responsibility for the content of material on the Internet or for material downloaded to a user’s personal computer.

Learning Commons staff reserve the right to monitor use of the computers. Staff may ask users to cease using library computers if they observe any behavior that they believe conflicts with the USNH policy on computer usage. Misuse or abuse of any computers in the building may result in suspension of all privileges.

PSU faculty, students and staff must be the library’s priority in providing computer technology assistance. Staffing constraints may not allow us to troubleshoot computers owned by non-PSU affiliated patrons.

Responsible Use of Materials

Library materials are limited resources that must be shared with other patrons and should be treated with care and consideration. Patrons will be held accountable for any items that are returned in damaged condition. It is a violation of NH state law to mutilate or steal books and periodicals from the library. For student patrons, it may be considered a violation of Academic Integrity as described in the University Policies and Procedures section of the academic catalog.

If you see anyone defacing library material or equipment, please notify staff at the Information Desk.

Headphones Required

Headphones are required when listening to audio in public areas of the library. This applies to all library patrons and visitors and to any device in Lamson, whether owned by Plymouth State or the property of a patron or visitor.