Library Policies

The Mohawk College Library is committed to providing students with a safe, student-centred learning environment. Please be considerate of your fellow students by following the Library’s Policies.

Space Policies

Cummings, IAHS & Stoney Creek Libraries

Drinks with a covered lid are allowed
No food or snacks are allowed
Food brought into the Library must be kept in a backpack or bag and cannot be consumed in the area

Cummings Collaboratory

Drinks with a covered lid are allowed
Snacks are allowed

Cummings Library & Collaboratory, IAHS & Stoney Creek Libraries

Computers and digital screens are for academic use only
During peak times, if you are using a computer for non-academic purposes, you may be asked to log off for students in need of a computer
You cannot have someone save a computer for you
If you leave a computer unattended for 20 minutes, staff may log you out to allow other students to use it

Cummings Library & Collaboratory, IAHS & Stoney Creek Libraries

Cell Phones

Cell phone conversations are not allowed in the Library
Ringers must be set to off or vibrate

Head Phones

Content with audio must be listened to on headphones not computer speakers
Headphone volume must not distract other users

Conversations

The Library is for quiet study only

Cummings Library & Collaboratory, IAHS & Stoney Creek Libraries

Users are advised not to leave personal belongings unattended in the Library, especially laptops, phones, or other electronic devices. Unattended belongings are subject to removal at the discretion of Library staff. Personal belongings left unattended for more than 20 minutes will be removed and taken to Security.

When items are removed, the following note will be placed at the location where the items were left unattended;

items have been left unattended. As per Library policy items left after 20 minutes will be removed by staff and taken to security

Users are responsible for their belongings at all times
Take belongings with you if you are leaving the Library for an extended period of time
Do not leave your belongings to reserve a seat or computer

Service Policies

The Library’s information services link people with resources to fulfil their informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs. This policy describes information services at the Library and guides Library staff when answering reference questions.

All users seeking information will be treated equally regardless of sex, age, ability and ethnicity.
The staff will respect and protect the confidential and private nature of requests for information.
The staff will answer all reference questions efficiently, accurately and as completely as possible and will be guided by the Mohawk College Policy on Intellectual Freedom. All questions will be considered important and legitimate, unless it becomes clearly apparent that they are otherwise.
The staff will assist the user in finding information and will provide instruction on how to use Library resources based upon the user's needs. The staff provide the following services:
- Quick reference: These questions can usually be answered immediately using online resources.
- In-depth reference: These questions usually require a lengthier search and/or the use of a number of sources to arrive at a complete answer.
The staff will refer users to the Interlibrary Loan service, other libraries, agencies and community resources, if it is not possible to find an answer using the Library’s own resources.
The extent of individual service to each person will depend on the number of users needing to be served.

The Library is committed to providing equitable access to Library services. The Library will ensure that each employee and patrons receive equitable treatment with respect to employment and services without discrimination, and receives accommodation where required in a timely manner, and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the AODA and its regulations.

The Library is committed to the independence and integration of persons with disabilities and all who live, learn, work, and invest in our community, and in the context of customer service will commit to the following.

The Library will make every reasonable effort to ensure that services and programs are accessible by:
- encouraging the use of personal assistive devices to access our services and programs.
- providing at least one computer workstation at each location which is equipped with assistive technology and a range of accessibility features.
- arranging for the provision of access to accessible materials where they exist which may include archival material and special collections.
- proving a library website with content that will meet or exceed World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level 2.
- encouraging the inclusion and access of support persons accompanying people with disabilities.
- permitting service animals to assist users and provide alternative accommodation in situations where an animal is disallowed under the law.
The Library will make every effort to communicate with users in a manner that enables the use of services and programs by providing:
- accessibility in the Library's policy in alternative formats upon request.
- information on the provision of customer service for people with disabilities and accessible services and programs.
- reasonable notification of all interruptions that especially relate to the provision of services and program for people with disabilities such as the Library’s elevator.
- a process for receiving feedback about the manner in which the Library provides services to persons with disabilities.
The Library will provide training to its staff on how to provide customer service to people with disabilities and will keep a record of when the training was provided and the individuals who received the training.

The Library uses Libraryh3lp software for our chat service, which collects the complete conversation between you and Library staff as well as any documentation sent to you during the transaction. Your IP address, name and email may also be recorded depending on the chat method you have selected.

We will not disclose any personal data we collect from you to any party in a manner that would identify you. We save a copy of each complete transaction to assist with follow-up inquiries and to collect chat usage statistics.

Harassment of any type will not be tolerated. If you are being abusive to staff, your access to the service will be blocked.