Library » Policies and Procedures
Library Use Policies
Library Registration
All IPS students must register for library privileges each semester. Only students who are financially cleared by the Institute and have no overdue materials or fines with the IPS Thelen Library (or with a library with which IPS has a cooperative agreement) may register. The initial library registration process includes completing a form and getting a user ID number and personal identification number (PIN).
The User ID number is included in a barcode affixed to the back of the IPS student identification or ID card. Students should present a valid ID card with the User ID bar code in order to borrow materials.
Circulation of Materials
All IPS students who register for library services and are financially cleared with the Institute and the Library (including the libraries with which IPS students have borrowing privileges), may borrow materials.
Loan Periods for Library Materials*
- Books in the general collection circulate for 14 days. Books may be renewed, provided there are no requests for the items.
- Videotapes may be borrowed for 7 days and renewed, provided there are no requests for the items.
- AV equipment (cameras, tripods, etc.) shall not leave the IPS facilities, but may be borrowed for three (3) hours.
- All test materials that are available for circulation may be checked out for two (2) days. (IPS faculty may request extended circulation periods.) Test materials on reserve may be checked out for three (3) hours, but can not be removed from the IPS premises. Only authorized students may borrow test materials.
- Reference materials, Journals, Reserves, and certain Test Kits are non-circulating or limited circulating materials, and are for use only in the Library or on the IPS campus premises.
Renewal of Loan Periods
To avoid fines, please return all materials on time or renew the materials online using the OPAC, by email, or by telephone request to library staff.
*Exceptions may be made at the discretion of a Librarian.
Overdue, Lost and Damaged Materials
Penalties
Students with overdue library materials or library fines cannot register for the next semester, get grades or transcripts, or graduate until their library accounts are cleared.
The first penalty level for delinquent or overdue materials is the suspension of borrowing privileges. Fines will begin after a grace period of 7 days for general circulation materials. Privileges will be restored when materials are returned/renewed and fines paid.
Overdue Fines
- Books and media (general circulating): $.25/day/item. (For these materials only, fines are imposed after a 7 day grace period.)
- Circulating Test kits: $10.00/day /kit.
- Reserves & Reserve Test kits: $1.00/ hour/kit (up to a maximum of $10/day).
- Cameras and other AV equipment: $1.00/hour (up to a maximum of $10/day).
- No fines will be accrued on the days when the Library is closed to patrons.
- The maximum fine for tests and equipment is $200 per item.
Replacing Lost or Damaged Materials
- Students are responsible for the library materials charged to their account. Library privileges will be suspended until fees are paid.
- The borrower must pay a $3.00 processing fee plus the cost of the item, for lost or damaged items.
- With the prior approval of the Library Director, borrowers may provide a replacement copy of the damaged or lost item to the Library, in lieu of paying a replacement cost. The replacement must be the same as the damaged or lost item.
Methods of Payment
Payments of fines and fees may be made to the IPS Business Office by cash, check, money order, or major credit card. Personal checks must include the individual’s name, address and phone number. The check must be payable to The Institute for the Psychological Sciences.
Refunds for Recovered Items
If a borrower finds any lost materials that he/she has paid for, the Library will refund the cost of the materials less the $3.00 processing fee, if the Library has not already replaced the item.