Access to the Hammermill Library's information materials, computers, network, and building resources is a privilege granted to Mercyhurst University students, faculty, and staff. The Library also welcomes authorized, affiliated users and guests whose needs for access reflect the educational and research mission of the university and whose usage does not interfere with access by Mercyhurst students, faculty, and staff.
To provide a secure environment conducive to productive scholarship, library staff or Mercyhurst Police & Safety staff are authorized to:
This policy applies to all users of the Hammermill Library, whether or not they are affiliated with the university. All individuals are responsible for their own actions and are accountable for their conduct. The Library retains the right to remove any user who does not adhere to the following policies:
The complete IT Code of Conduct is available here in the Mercyhurst University Portal (MyMercyhurst).
This food and drink policy has been devised to protect the Library collections, equipment, and facilities.
Patrons of the Hammermill Library have the right to expect a quiet and pleasant library environment conducive to study and research while free of disruptive activity. Noise must be kept at a minimum throughout the library. This entails refraining from excessive and unnecessary noise. The following guidelines will be enforced:
Please bring any noise complaints to library staff and the situation will be dealt with accordingly.
Mercyhurst University students, faculty, staff, administration, trustees and the Sisters of Mercy are eligible to borrow materials from the Hammermill Library. In addition, limited borrowing privileges are extended to Mercyhurst University alumni, faculty and students from other area colleges and universities, and Mercyhurst Prep juniors and seniors. Occasionally, with the Director's permission, courtesy cards are issued to people not directly affiliated with the University.
Full-time faculty may check out most circulating materials for 60 days; video recordings and reserve materials are exceptions. Items charged to adjunct faculty will be due by the end of the term. In most instances, materials may be renewed if no other patrons have placed a hold on them. If a faculty member has any items more than one year overdue (90 days for adjunct faculty), their library privileges will be blocked and they will be billed for replacement of the item. Faculty are only charged overdue fines for items borrowed through the interlibrary loan services. These charges are $0.20 per day. All circulation notices are sent electronically to faculty members' Mercyhurst email accounts.
Students, faculty, and staff of Mercyhurst University must present a valid Mercyhurst University ID or other form of photo identification to check out materials or obtain information about one's account. All other authorized users (including Mercyhurst University alumni, faculty and students from other area colleges and universities, Mercyhurst Prep juniors and seniors, and retirees of the University) must present a guest Green Library card. To obtain a Mercyhurst Green Library Card please visit the Circulation Desk at the library. Issuance of a guest Green Library Card is subject to verification of identification and status. Only authorized library staff may issue guest Green Library Card.
Each patron assumes responsibility for all materials checked out on his/her library account. Full payment of charges on a patron account will result in clearing patron accounts. Partial payments will be accepted but will not clear an account for issuance of a diploma or transcript. Patrons assume liability for any damages, theft, or loss that may occur while items are checked out to their account.
| Item Type | Students | Faculty, Staff, Administration |
Alumni, Mercyhurst Prep, Other Colleges, Green Library Card |
| Books, Curriculum Library, & Music Scores | 28 Days | 60 Days | 28 Days |
| Videos & DVDs | 7 Days | 7 Days | 2 hrs. (library use only) |
| Music CDs | 7 Days | 60 Days | 2 hrs. (library use only) |
Reserve materials circulate for 2 hours, 2 days, or 7 days. The loan period is decided by the instructor.
Any item, with the exception of reserve materials, may be renewed once. A library patron can renew items at the circulation desk, by phone (x2234), or through Your Account. Materials may not be renewed if another patron has placed a hold on them.
Reference materials and periodicals DO NOT CIRCULATE.
If a desired item is currently on loan or is at a different branch location, a hold may be placed to reserve that item when it is returned to be checked out at the desired location. To place a hold electronically, click the "Place Hold" button when viewing the record for the item in our online catalog and log in with your Mercyhurst credentials. A notice is sent when the requested item is available.
Patrons will be notified 3 days prior to an item's due date, and again the day before it is due. Patrons with overdue items will receive notices when they are 1, 7, 14, and 21 days overdue. If the materials are not returned after the third notice, the patron is billed for the charges outlined below.
Overdue fines accrue at the rate of $.20/day for a book, or $1.00/day for videocassettes and DVDs. When a book or compact disc is 28 days overdue, it is considered lost. For lost or damaged library materials, the patron is charged for replacement along with a $10.00 non-negotiable overdue fine and a $25.00 processing fee. A patron has ninety (90) days from the date of the Invoice to return an item(s) for credit of the replacement cost(s) and processing fees (the $10.00 fine remains on account).
If a faculty or staff member wishes to have their student assistant or graduate assistant check out library items on their behalf, the following procedures must be followed:
The list of authorized students will remain in force for the current academic year. Faculty or staff must inform the library of any changes by submitting an updated letter.
See the library Copyright Guide for the Hammermill Library's Copyright Policies and more information.
