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Library Policies and Procedures

Patron Access to Information

Chapter Three: Patron Access to Information
3.1 Access to a Reference Librarian
3.2 Access to Books
3.3 Access to Articles and Online Databases
3.4 Directions for HindsNet (MyHinds)
3.5 Reserves

3.1 Access to a Reference Librarian
In-house
During library business hours, a librarian is available in person, by phone, or by email to answer all reference questions. All the Hinds Community College libraries have unique email addresses for answering reference questions.


After Hour and Weekend (24/7 Access)
Hinds CC Libraries offers access to a reference librarian through the Chat with a Librarian option on the library web pages. Hinds CC librarians work the chat during regular library hours and librarians from the Academic co-operative work the chat during nights and weekends.


3.2 Access to Books
All Hinds CC faculty, staff and students have access to print books during all open hours. In addition, eBooks and eAudio books are available 24/7 through the library’s web portal. A Library Guide is available at http://Hinds CC.libguides.com/guides/findingbooks to provide all patrons instruction on how to access books from the library.


3.3 Access to Articles and Online Databases
The libraries provide access to a variety of print journals, magazines, and newspapers to all patrons of the library during open hours. In addition, the libraries subscribe to a myriad of online databases and online journals that current students, staff, and faculty can access through the library’s portal 24/7. Secure access to these online materials is provided through a proxy configuration (EZProxy from OCLC). Current students, staff and faculty have access with their HindsNet login and password.

3.4 Directions for HindsNet Login
The first-time students, staff and faculty login to their HindsNet account, they must follow these directions:
-Type their User Name: initial of last name, Colleague ID number, all as one word
For example- H1312676
-Type their password: Capitalized initial of first name, Capitalized initial of last name, birthday with month month day day year year dollar sign dollar sign
For example- GH112869$$
Hinds CC students, staff and faculty use their HindsNet login credentials to access online library materials. The library’s web pages and online materials (articles, databases, eBooks, eVideos, and eAudio books) are available to all Hinds CC students, staff and faculty via the library’s website or links provided in Canvas, the college’s Course Management system. Library resources are available to faculty and students in Canvas in a number of ways: 1.) All students are invited each semester to a “Library Services” course which is a library FAQ page; 2.) A link to the library homepage called “Hinds Library Services” is provided in the menu on all Hinds Canvas course pages; 3.) Faculty may use the LTI tool in their course development app tool to pull library pages, boxes, databases, articles, videos, etc. into their course pages.
Important Note: Students who may be from other schools but are taking courses offered via the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC) have access to library materials from their own schools and to materials provided through MS Electronic Library Online (MELO).


3.5 Reserves
Reserve items are heavily used items such as books, photocopies, laptops etc. which are housed in a reserve area at the circulation desk. Most reserve items are placed on reserve by teachers for their classes to use, but other items such as the library’s laptops or headphones may also be found on reserve.


Materials That Can be Placed on Reserve
The following materials are accepted by the library to be placed on Reserve:


 Circulating copies of materials owned by the library (e.g., books, DVDs).
 Photocopies of journal articles, book chapters, maps or other material that constitute a small part of the overall work (such as a book chapter, an article, an essay, typically no more than 10% of a book.)
 Personal copies of books and media supplied by the faculty member that satisfy “Fair Use” guidelines as set by U.S. Copyright Law.
 Public Domain works.
All non-book/media items placed on Reserve must:
 Have a title page with all bibliographic information listed.
 Not include any student's name.


Reserve items have limited check out periods. Most reserve items come in one of the following categories:


1. Use in library only (usually set between 2- and 4-hour checkout time)
2. Two-hour check out
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3. One day check out (These items are used in the library when the library is open. They may be checked out of the library 15 minutes before closing and are due at 8:00 a.m. the following school day)
4. Three-day check out
5. One or two-week check out (These are usually permanent reserves.)


Placing Items on Reserve
In order to place an item on reserve, the instructor completes a "Reserve Form" indicating the loan period for the materials, how long they are to remain on reserve, and the current date. The reserve sheets are kept in the reserve notebook that is arranged in alphabetical order by the teachers' last names.
Important Note: Library staff should cull the Reserve materials at the end of each semester and provide the faculty the opportunity to retrieve the item(s) or to re-enlist the item to Reserve.


Searching Reserves
To see what is on reserve, a student may look in the OPAC under the teacher's name or under the course name and number, such as ENG 1123.


Fines for Reserve Items
Fines are in place for reserve items. When students check reserve items out of the library, be sure to notify them of fines for returning items late.