Policies

Users of Hedberg Library are expected to abide by the Carthage College Community Code, as explained in the Student Handbook. Of particular relevance to the library are the following sections in the General College Policies section:

• Computer Use Policy
• Dress
• Facility Usage
• Firearms, Weapons, Fireworks
• Honesty
• Identification Cards
• Sexual Assault Policy
• Solicitation Policy
• Student Records Policy
• Tobacco and Smoking Policy

Theft or mutilation of materials is a misdemeanor or felony and covered by Wisconsin Statute 943.61. Campus security will be called to handle all incidents in the library.

The staff of Hedberg Library is firm believers in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights as stated below:

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries that make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

If a patron wishes to challenge the inclusion of certain items in the collection, a formal complaint by the patron should be submitted to Carol Sabbar, Director of Library and Instructional Technology Services. The librarians will review the complaint. No action will be taken before staff have discussed the complaint and come to a resolution.

It is the policy of the Library and Information Services (LIS) Department at Carthage College to protect the privacy of library users and the confidentiality of their information. LIS has a responsibility to adhere to guidelines from the American Library Association, state and federal law, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS AND LIBRARIAN’S CODE OF ETHICS

The American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Librarian’s Code of Ethics protect a library user’s right to privacy and the confidentiality of their records. Article III of the “Code of Ethics for Librarians” (1995) states that library employees must “protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted.” This means that LIS will not release user information to parties other than the account holder regarding library accounts. This includes, but is not limited to,

• Circulation records (including Interlibrary Loan records)
• Database searches
• Library fines
• Class or work schedules
• Password information
• Equipment checkout forms
• Reference or informational questions
• Correspondence

STATE AND FEDERAL LAW

The library at Carthage College must adhere to federal and state laws. Wisconsin Statute 43.30 states that “…records of any individual who borrows or uses the library’s documents or other materials, resources, or services may not be disclosed except by court order or to persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library or library system…” On the federal level the USA Patriot Act provides law enforcement and the federal government the ability to obtain search warrants and subpoenas to gain access to records from libraries. For more information on libraries and the Patriot Act, please see the American Library Association’s webpage on the Patriot Act and Intellectual Freedom. LIS staff will comply with law enforcement in possession of court orders if account information is requested.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a federal law designed to protect the accuracy and confidentiality of student educational records. FERPA applies to student records in educational institutions that receive funds under programs administered by the Secretary of Education. Carthage College falls under this category.

Student educational records are considered confidential and may not be released without written consent of the student. Once a student attends classes beyond the high school level, all privacy rights are transferred to the student alone, regardless of age. This means that at Carthage, parents or guardians no longer have the right to information protected under FERPA about their child if s/he is, or was a Carthage student. FERPA applies even if a student is under 18, and even if the parents are paying for their child’s education. Please refer to the Student Records Policy of the Carthage Community Code for more information.

What is considered an educational record?

Under FERPA educational records are defined as records directly related to a student and maintained by an educational agency, institution, or party acting for the agency or institution. Educational records may exist in any medium. Enrollment records, grades, class schedules, and exams are examples of student information that is considered a protected educational record (including the library-related items above).

What is not included in an educational record?

• Records that are in the sole possession of the maker.
• Law enforcement records created for a legal purpose.
• Employment records not based on student status.
• Medical/psychological treatment records (they are protected under HIPPA).

If you have questions regarding protected information and the FERPA law at Carthage College, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 262-551-6100.

Sections adapted from “The Faculty and Staff guide to FERPA” created by the Carthage College Registrar’s Office, August 2015.

Complete Hedberg Library’s Incident Report Form

Please use this Incident Report Form to record events within the Hedberg Library building that you witness or are reported to you as an employee of Hedberg Library (this includes Donna’s Bytes, building sidewalks and entryways, and lobby bathrooms). Please be as detailed as possible to give staff a complete picture of events in the library. Include your contact information so staff may follow up with you after an event if necessary.

The following are examples of events for which you might submit the Incident Report Form (the list is not exhaustive; please use your judgment):

• Accident involving library staff or users of the library
• An altercation with a user of the library
• Flagrant violations of library policy
• Maintenance issue: broken elevator, large spill, bathroom problem
• A user being disruptive in the library
• Vandalism
• Violent or belligerent behavior
• Viewing pornographic material on a library computer
• Anything for which you needed to call Security (not lost and found items)

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

In addition to filling out the Hedberg Library Incident Report Form, also contact the following departments for specific situations as indicated below. Any incident that involves injury to an employee needs to be reported to both Public Safety and Human Resources as soon as possible and LIS will need to encourage the injured employee to initiate a worker’s compensation claim with Human Resources. (As a student employee, your supervisor would be responsible for this step.)

Public Safety

262-551-5911
Call the Office of Public Safety if there is an incident in the library related to safety or criminal activity. These incidents should never be investigated or handled by LIS staff. Public Safety is staffed 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Learn more about the Office of Public Safety

Maintenance

When a maintenance issue arises in the building, contact the Maintenance Department. They have an online Maintenance Request Form to submit work requests. For maintenance emergencies, contact the Dean of Students Office at 262-551-5800. If you have an emergency involving campus facilities after the normal office hours of the Maintenance Department, please contact Public Safety at 262-551-5911.