Library Rules & Regulations

Borrowing Information


The Stanley Mark Dennis Veterinary Library is a private university library and is primarily for the use of Ross University students, faculty and staff. A Ross identification card is required to borrow library materials. Please be advised that confidentiality of library circulation records is assured.

Your responsibilities as a borrower:

  • To know library policies, which are available in our Library Brochure.
  • To be financially accountable for material checked out on your record.
  • To know the due date or time of borrowed items.
  • To return in good condition or renew materials by the due date or time.
  • The individual to whom materials are checked-out/signed-out assumes full responsibility for their prompt and safe return to staff at the Circulation Desk.
  • Students with overdue library materials and/or outstanding fines will not be allowed to register for the next semester OR may not be eligible to graduate until fines are paid.

 Loan Periods

General Collection

Books on the open shelves: 7 days and 14 days with 7-day renewal

Reserve Collection

Books on reserve: 48 hour and 2 hours

Journal Collection

Vet. Clinics N. America: 3-day loan

Vet. Clinics N. America: 3-day loan

Vacation Loans

General Collection

Books on the open shelves

Loaned for the whole vacation; you may use the normal hold/reservation system if a book is on loan. Vacation loans are due back on the first day of the new semester.

Reserve Collection

Books on reserve: loaned for the usual 48 hours and 2 hours.

Journal Collection

Vet. Clinics N. America: loaned for the usual 3 days

Fines & Charges

The library uses an overdue fines system to ensure maximum availability of materials. Library charges are submitted to the Accounts Division daily.

Borrowing privileges will be temporarily suspended if library charges exceed EC$30.00 until those charges have been paid or resolved.

Fines accrue when materials are overdue, and amounts are calculated when material is returned. A reminder notice is sent the day after the due date.

If an item has been claimed by a patron as returned but the library still shows the item checked out under the patron’s name, the status is changed to claimed return. The library staff will search for it, and if the item is found, it is checked in and related fines are cancelled. If the item is not found within one month, it will be declared lost and the patron will be billed for the cost of the book, shipping and handling, and a processing fee.

Overdue book fines are to be calculated for every day that the book is in the possession of the student and absent from the library collection. This includes all holidays and weekends.

Overdue Fine Rates
General Collection EC$3.00 per day
Reserve Collection EC$3.00 per hour or part of an hour
Overnight Loan EC$3.00 per hour or part of an hour
Journal Collection EC$0.50 per day
Recalled Items EC$ 3.00 per day

Appeal of Library Charges

You may appeal to the library director if you believe the library charges are mistakenly assessed or extenuating circumstances warrant reduction or cancellation of the charges.

A notice of overdue items is sent as a courtesy reminder. Non-receipt of an overdue notice does not exempt you from fines or charges.

Reasons generally not regarded as valid for canceling or reducing charges:

  • Lack of knowledge of library policy.
  • Disagreement with library fine or fee structure.
  • Inability to pay fees and charges.
  • Material loaned to a third party.
  • Non-receipt or late receipt of library reminder notice.
  • Being off island.
  • Forgetting, the due date.
  • Term breaks, illness, leaves, vacations, exams, car problems, etc.

Lost or Damaged Library Material

The borrower is financially responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged library materials and/or equipment. Regardless of whether replacement or payment has been made for an item, library items remain the property of the University. Materials cannot be purchased from the library.

We use the Medical and Health Care Books and Serials in Print to determine the replacement cost of Ross University books. At the time of billing, an EC$25.00 processing fee plus shipping and handling is charged for each lost item to cover costs associated with buying and cataloging a new copy.

Recalls, Traces, Hold & Phone Renewal

Recalls

Loaned items may be recalled at any time; the items may be given an earlier due date for the current borrower. The current borrower has at least seven days of use and will be notified of the adjusted due date by written notice. To avoid overdue charges, return items on time. Late fees will be charged for recalled overdue material.

Traces

Traces are to request items which could not be located within the library and which are not checked out. Library staff will search for the item for two weeks and if the item is found, it is placed on hold for seven days and a pickup notice is sent. If the item is not found the patron will be notified

Hold/Reservation

If an item is not available because it has been checked out, a HOLD/RESERVATION may be placed on the item at the Circulation Desk. An item with a “hold” request is not renewable.

The patron will be notified when the item has been returned. The item will then be held at the Circulation Desk for 48 hours from the date of the send notice. Thereafter the item will be returned to the shelf.

Renewal Information

You can extend the due date of library materials by calling x124 or in person at the Circulation Desk. Renewals are not accepted for recalled, overdue, course reserves, overnight and items loaned on an exception basis. Renewals may not be allowed if you have reached the maximum renewal limit, or have excessive library charges.

Renewal by Phone

Students may renew their checked-out items by phone. Please call 465-4161 x124

Returning Materials

All borrowed items must be returned to the Circulation Desk.

Library Security

Labels and blue date due cards are security items and users are fined $25.00 (EC) if they are lost or defaced.

Study Rooms Policy

The Stanley Mark Dennis Veterinary Library and Computer Lab has 11 group study rooms, three of which are located in the new 24- hour Reading Room and eight in the Learning Resource Center. The Library’s Food & Drink Policy is valid.

Group study rooms are available for two-hour periods. Registration is done at the Circulation Desk in the Library and LRC. Rooms are not renewable if there are names on a waiting list. Library materials should not be left in rooms but should be returned to re-shelving areas after use.

Regulations

  • The Library/LRC is not responsible for personal belongings left in the rooms.
  • If violations are observed, the room privilege may be revoked.
  • Floors are cleaned on a regular basis; please dispose of your trash.
  • Walls and windows are to be kept clean and free of any postings, etc.

Eating in the Library

For preservation of the collection and to maintain a safe, clean and attractive environment, conducive to studying, the library adheres to a strict food, beverage, confectionery and tobacco policy.

Food, beverages, confectionery and tobacco are not allowed in the library.

Drinking water is permitted ONLY if a clear “sip & study” bottle is used.

Mugs are allowed in the library/LRC, as long as they are attached to your bag or are in your bag.

To prevent eating and drinking in the LRC which is comprised of the Computer Lab/Testing Center, the library and the 24-hour Reading Room, we have instituted a fine of EC$100.00 for offenders. This fine will be levied by LRC staff and applied in the same manner as an overdue fine. Fines must be paid each semester before being register for the new semester. For seventh semester students fines must be paid before grades are released.

Collection Development

The library welcomes gifts of appropriate books, periodicals and other materials. All gifts are accepted with the understanding that the library will become the sole owner of the material and may dispose of anything that it does not add to the collection. When requested, gifts will be acknowledged with a brief letter over the signature of the library director thanking the donor for his or her interest in the library.

The library director coordinates the examination of gift materials and is responsible for disposition of materials not added to the collections.