Borrower Services Policy
General
Seneca Libraries collections are developed to support college programs. Priority is given to the information needs of students, staff, faculty and the college's Board of Governors. The surrounding community is encouraged to use library facilities and individuals may register as a Community Borrower. Seneca Libraries recognizes and honours the intellectual freedom and right to privacy of all persons.
Loan Privileges and Responsibilities
Seneca ID is non-transferable and required to borrow material:
- The OneCard is the library card for full-time students, staff and faculty.
- All other borrowers will be issued a library card when they register in-person. Community borrowers are subject to a non-refundable $35 annual fee.
- Borrowers are responsible for all material borrowed on their card. Lost cards must be reported to Seneca Libraries immediately. Borrowers will be charged for items borrowed on their cards up to the date the loss is reported.
- It is the borrower's responsibility to notify registration of any changes of address. Mail returned to Seneca Libraries due to out-of date addresses may result in additional fines.
- Seneca College protects the confidentiality of borrower records including the circulation of material, interlibrary/intercampus loan transactions, reference queries, reserve requests and the use of audio-visual materials as collected under the legal authority of the College and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1990 c.M19, section 5 Reg. 770.
Loans Periods
The majority of collections circulate for two weeks. High demand materials have shorter loan periods.
| Collection | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| General Collection | 2 weeks |
| Periodicals | 2 weeks |
| Reference Collection | in library use only |
| Reserve Collection | varies by title |
| Audio-Visual Resources | mainly in class/library, with selected DVDs from King, York and Newnham available for one week loan (7 days) |
Extended Loan
Faculty and staff may request extended loans on any item in the General
Collection. Seneca Libraries reserves the right to recall extended
loans prior to the due date.
Borrowing Between Semesters
Students enrolled in the semester immediately following the current one may borrow material during the 2 week period between semesters. Full-time students must show a copy of their
timetable to staff and returning part-time students must
show their registration papers. New students must wait until
the first day of the semester.
General Collection
Borrowers are permitted five books per subject from Newnham, four books from King,
three from Seneca@York, and three from Markham.
The maximum number of items per borrower is 25.
Reserve Collection
Borrowers are permitted to borrow a maximum of two reserve books at one time. Community, Alumni, and Direct Borrowers do not have access
to the reserve collection.
Renewals
Renewals can be done online, in person, at a selfcheck station or by phone. Faculty, students and staff are allowed unlimited renewals on all circulating materials unless a hold is pending or if a patron has outstanding fines (other types of library borrowers may renew once only). There are no renewals for overdue materials,
reserves, or extended loans.
Holds and Recall of Material on Loan
Borrowers may request items already on loan be held for them (excluding reserve items). If an item requested is overdue, Seneca Libraries will recall the item. Recalled items not returned within three days of the recall are subject to a higher fine rate. When the item is returned, the requester will be notified and the item will be held for up to three days.
Intercampus Loans
Borrowers may request materials from any of the campus libraries (excluding reserve items). Holds/requests are placed through the library catalogue.
Interlibrary Loans (ILL)
Loans from other libraries may be negotiated for items not held by the Seneca libraries. If the lending library charges for the loan or for photocopies, the borrower will be required to pay the charges. Seneca Libraries will advise the borrower if charges are expected before placing the interlibrary loan request.
Reference, reserve material, textbooks, rare books and periodicals may not be borrowed through ILL. Borrowers are not permitted to request materials from public libraries. Students can request up to three books and four articles.
Borrower Classifications
Community Borrowers
Residents of the regions served by Seneca College may register as a Community Borrower for a non-refundable annual fee of $35. To register, two pieces of ID (photo ID and current address) are required and cards are valid for one year from the registration date. Cards may be renewed upon payment of annual fee, unless materials or fines remain outstanding. Community borrowers may use library material in the library and may borrow items from the general collection that have not been designated as high demand materials.
Direct Borrowers (Policy)
CAAT (Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology) students and employees may borrow from any CATT library. To register, two pieces of ID (college ID and photo ID with address) are required. Part-time students/employees who have not been issued ID by the home college may use a document such as their registration receipt or employment contract. The document must have a start and end date.
Nursing Students
Students who are enrolled in the joint nursing program with York University and are currently attending York University have full borrowing privileges. To register, two piece of ID (photo ID and timetable/York University card) are required.Alumni
To register, one pieces of ID (photo ID with address) and proof that you are an alumnus (for instance, alumni card) are required. Alumni borrowers may use library material in the library and may borrow items from the general collections that have not been designated as high demand material. For more information please contact the Alumni Office at 491-5050 ext. 77941.
Brock Students
Brock students studying at Seneca College may register as a "Community Borrower" for a non-refundable annual fee of $35. To register, two pieces of ID (photo ID and current address) are required and cards are valid for one year from the registration date. Cards may be renewed upon payment of annual fee, unless materials or fines remain outstanding. Students may use library material in the library and may borrow items from the general collection that have not been designated as high demand materials
Fines Policy
- Late fees are outlined on the Fines page.
- A $6 processing charge, plus replacement costs will be charged for lost or damaged items. If a lost and paid-for item is later found and returned within one year of the date of the payment, Seneca Libraries will refund the replacement cost (less overdue fines and processing fee). Overdue fines will be calculated from the due date to the date the item was reported lost. Refunds will not be given for damaged items.
- Borrowing privileges will be suspended or cancelled for regulation infractions and/or failure to pay charges assessed for the late return, loss, or damage of materials.
- At convocation time, transcripts will be withheld for students with outstanding materials or fines of $5 and over.
* Note: Overdue fines are calculated according to the days the lending library is open. If the campus where books were borrowed has weekend hours, fines will be charged for weekends.
Theft and Vandalism
Theft and vandalism is a violation of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Articles 2.6 and 2.7). A minimum fine of $50 will be imposed over and above the replacement costs of any materials that have been damaged beyond repair. A meeting will be set up with a Seneca Libraries manager and a report of the incident is passed on to Dean/Chair of the student's school. If the fine is not paid, Borrow Services staff ensures that the student record is flagged at registration.