Gavilan Library Services and Rules

Welcome to the Library! We are here to help. Ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk and/or the Reference desk. Membership is free to all who qualify, with valid photo identification. You don't have to be a student to check out books!

Reference Help:
What's reference help? A big part of a librarian's job is answering questions--any kind of question. We answer simple questions, like "How long is the Great Wall of China?", and we also answer complex questions, like "What do you have to do in order to become a veterinarian?". Our reference staff is available to answer questions during Library open hours. We can answer questions in person, by phone, and by email. Send your question to reference@gavilan.edu , and we will give you an answer as soon as possible. If we can't find the answer, we will try to find someone who can!
Loans:
The maximum number of items that a patron can have checked out at any one time is ten (10); this can be any combination of books, audiobooks and/or videos, excluding reserves. Anyone with ten items checked out will have to return some of them before new items will be lent.
Reference materials, current periodicals and bound periodicals do not circulate, but can be copied. Videos and DVDs can be checked out and viewed in the library.
Circulating books, audiobooks and back issues of periodicals can be checked out for three weeks, renewable if there is no hold. ESL books can be checked out for two weeks. Videos and DVDs can be checked out for one week.
Reserves:
Some instructors place items on reserve in the Library for you to check out for your class. You would ask for these at the circulation desk. The lending period for reserve items varies from ½ hour in the library to a week at home, depending on faculty instructions. Reserve items may be renewed once if there is no waiting. The number of items lent depends on your teacher's instructions, and is not included in the ten (10)-item limit mentioned above.
Interlibrary Loan:
If Gavilan does not own an item that you need, we can usually borrow it for you from a library who has it. The item would then be delivered to the Gavilan Library, and you could pick it up at the front desk. Ask a librarian for details.
Renewals:
You may renew items that you need to keep longer. Various types of items have different renewal limits.
Books & Audiobooks: One renewal if there is no hold.
ESL Books: Two renewals.
Videos & DVDs: No renewals
Reserves: One renewal if there is no waiting.
Note: Materials may be renewed online or by telephone after 1:00 pm on weekdays. Call us at (408) 848-4810 or click here to access your library account.
Book Drop:
There is an outside book drop in the northwest corner of the Library entrance.
Fines for Overdue Items:
Books: 10 cents/day, maximum of $24 per year.
Videos & DVDs: $1.00/day, maximum of $36 per year.
Reserves: $1.00/day, maximum of $36 per year.

If library charges are not cleared, grades, transcripts, and future enrollment privileges will be denied.
Charges for Lost Items:
$5.00/item processing fee plus replacement cost of lost item.
Note: No overdue fines will be charged on a lost item. If the item is found and returned within 60 days, the replacement cost and processing fee will be refunded, but the overdue fines will then be collected, plus a service charge of $5.00.
Self-Serve Copying:
Photocopies are 10 cents each.

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Address of this page is: http://www.gavilan.edu/library/rules.html
Last updated on May 25, 2007 .
Send questions or comments to reference@gavilan.edu