Policies & guidelines

Eligible borrowers

The library is open to the general public. The following are eligible to check out circulating materials. Items may be recalled at any time for academic purposes.

• COA community members – Students, faculty, staff, trustees, Champlain Society Members and family members of all the preceding; local (Hancock County) COA alumni and retired staff & faculty.
• Residents of Hancock County – residents are eligible for a library card by presenting an id and proof of current permanent address (ex. drivers license, utility bill, etc). If you are a resident but do not have the necessary identification, please see MDI non-residents below to obtain library borrowing privileges.
• MDI public library card holders.
• University of Maine faculty, staff, and enrolled students.
• MDI non-residents – Those temporarily visiting or living on MDI, are eligible for a card with a $30 deposit. Only three items may be checked out at a time.
• Children & young adults – Children (0-9 years) and young adults (10-17 years). Children must be accompanied by an adult and may borrow on their guardian or parent’s library card. Young adults may have their own library card with a parent, guardian, or sponsoring adult signature. The sponsoring adult will be responsible for items borrowed and must meet eligibility criteria.

Circulation Periods & Renewals:

• Books (including Bateau Press items) = 3 weeks with 2 renewals
• VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, CDs, LPs, cassettes = 1 week with 2 renewals
• Library of things at circulation desk = 1 week with 0 renewals
• Library of things in reading room & stacks = 3 weeks with 2 renewals
• Audio-visual equipment = 4 hour, 1 day & 3 days with 0 renewals
• Reserves = 4 hour, 1 day, & 3 day with 0 renewals:

Library use only:

• Journals & newspapers
• Reference collection
  Law collection
• Backfiles & indexes
• Archives & special collections:
  • Ashley Bryan collection
  • COA authors collection
  • COA collection (excluding Bateau Press items which circulate)
  • Rare books 
  • Zines & artists’ books
  • Senior projects & masters theses

Recalls

Items may be recalled at any time if needed for reserves or special circumstance.

Renew

• My Account allows you to renew items online
• Contact the circulation desk via email thorncirc@coa.edu or call (207) 801-5665

Return

You can return materials at the circulation desk during open hours or in the outside book drop.

Overdues

The library does not charge overdue fees. However, no additional library items may be checked out until issues concerning overdue items are resolved. One overdue notice is sent promptly for each overdue item. If the item is not returned or renewed, a bill for the replacement cost of missing or damaged material(s) plus a $10 processing fee will follow. A bill is sent 7 days after the overdue notice for videos, CDs and reserves and 30 days later for all other materials. Lost CD and DVD cases result in a $10 replacement fee. The entire COA community appreciates your efforts to return materials in good condition and in a timely manner.

Policies

The library is open to all COA community members and the general public. To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and well-being, we have implemented the following policies and guidelines:

Cell phones
In consideration of others, please refrain from cell phone conversations in the reading room and stacks. Keep cell phones on silent or vibrate. The library lounge, just outside the library doors, offers couches for cell phone use and conversation.

Copyright law
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17 U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies and other reproductions of copyrighted material. Library users are expected to act in accordance with this law.

Food & drink
Patrons are asked to consume food and drink in the circulation desk area or the library lobby and adhere to the posted guidelines of covered drinks and quiet snacks in other areas.

Information technology policies
Patrons assume responsibility for using library computers in an ethical and legal manner in accordance with the college’s Information Technology Policies (www.coa.edu/policies/it-policies/) and state and federal law. Please be considerate when viewing materials that may be considered offensive to other patrons. Thorndike Library and College of the Atlantic disclaim any responsibility or liability for loss or damage of any kind related to IT on campus.

WIFI is available on campus, please ask at the circulation desk for instructions. See Information Technology Policies (www.coa.edu/policies/it-policies/) for more information.

Language
Patrons are not allowed to use abusive or harassing language with or engage in abusive or harassing behavior toward other library patrons or staff.

Noise
Patrons are asked to follow the posted Noise Zones directives, unless there is a disability limiting adherence to this policy. The Reading Room is a whisper zone, and the Stacks is a quiet zone. Avoid disruptive behavior such as playing music, phone conversations, creating loud noises, or loud talking.

Pet policy
In keeping with the COA Community Policies: Pet Policy (www.coa.edu/policies/community-policies/), pets visiting the library will be well-behaved, good natured, and subject to the control of their owners. Dogs visiting the library will be leashed. If your dog is disturbing others, you may be asked to leave. This policy does not cover service and emotional support animals. The library follows the Service Dog and Emotional Support Animal Policy.

Photography & recording
Photographing, filming, and audio recording of members of the public, members of the library staff on duty, and public programs (unless permission has been granted in advance by library staff) are prohibited.

Smoking policy
Smoking (including electronic substitutes) is allowed in designated areas only on campus. The closest smoking area to the library is outside the north entrance of the dining hall (Take-a-Break). See Community Policies: Smoking on Campus (www.coa.edu/policies/community-policies/), for more information.

Unattended property
Unattended property will be placed in lost-and-found or discarded when the library closes.

Weapon policy
Weapons are not allowed in the library. See Community Policies: Firearms Policy (www.coa.edu/policies/community-policies/), for more information.