Borrowing Policies
The Sidney Silverman Library is intended primarily for the use of Bergen Community College students, faculty and staff. However, all are welcome to visit the Library and to use its resources within the Library.
Borrowing privileges are extended to BCC students, faculty, staff and members of the BCC Foundation Alumni network, and to community residents through a borrowing agreement with the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS).
All Borrowers | BCC Students and Alumni | BCC Faculty and Staff | Students in Non-Credit Courses | Students in Joint Degree Programs | BCCLS Borrowing | VALE Reciprocal Borrowing | Interlibrary Loan | Study Rooms
Also see: Other Library Policies.
ALL Borrowers:
- PERIODICALS, and REFERENCE books are for in-library use only.
- RESERVE MATERIALS :
- For use by patrons with valid BCC borrowing privileges
- For in-library use only for a period of 2 hours, limited to one item at a time.
- Failure to return Reserve material on time may result in the suspension of Reserve borrowing privileges.
- INTERLIBRARY LOAN : restricted to BCC students, faculty, staff and members of the BCC Foundation Alumni Network
- STUDY ROOMS: use is restricted to BCC students engaged in course-related work
- BORROWING PRIVILEGES are suspended when items are overdue
- LOST or DAMAGED items:
- A borrower is responsible for lost or damaged items.
- For each lost or damaged item, a borrower will be charged the Library’s purchase price of the item plus a $15.00 non-refundable processing fee to cover the cost of overdue notices, ordering and processing of replacements. If the item is later returned, a refund will be made up to one year with a receipt or canceled check but the $15.00 fee is not refundable.
- Note: The Library cannot accept a replacement copy purchased by the patron.
Off-campus access to BCC Library online resources and to the campus wireless network is restricted to BCC Faculty, Staff and Students who are currently enrolled in courses which bear institutional and/or degree credits.
BCC Students
Members of the BCC Foundation Alumni Network
Non-BCC Students enrolled in joint degree programs offered by BCC and other NJ community colleges
BCC Students must present a current BCC photo i.d. to borrow materials.
Alumni must present a current membership card in the BCC Foundation Alumni Network.
Non-BCC students in joint degree programs may request borrowing privileges by presenting their college i.d. at the BCC Library Service Desk
- Borrowing:
- Limited to a total of 10 items at a time including no more than 3 media items.
- Overdue or lost items will result in a hold being placed on the student’s records and may prevent the student from registering for classes, or requesting a transcript.
- Loan Period:
- Circulating Books – 21 days (or the last day of the semester whichever occurs first)
- Media - 3 days (or the last day of the semester whichever occurs first)
- Renewals:
- Circulating Books may be renewed unless requested by another borrower
- Limit – 3 renewals
- Renewals may be made:
- in person
- online by selecting My Library Account on the Library homepage
- calling the Service Desk at 201-447-7970.
- Media - No renewals.
BCC Faculty and Staff
Faculty and Staff must show a current BCC photo i.d.
- Borrowing:
- Faculty: Limited to a total of 20 items at any given time including no more than 5 Media items
- Staff: Limited to 10 items at any given time including no more than 5 Media items
- Loan Period:
- Circulating Books - length of the current semester. No renewals.
- Popular Reading., Audio Books – 3 weeks
- May be renewed for 1 loan period, unless requested by another patron
- Limit – 3 renewals
- Circulating Media items - 3 days. No renewals.
- Renewals may be made:
- in person at the Library Service Desk
- online by selecting My Library Account on the Library homepage
- calling the Service Desk at 201-447-7970.
- Media Equipment and Reserve materials for classroom use in Pitkin Education Center or Ender Hall:
Full-time BCC faculty may apply for borrowing privileges at most academic libraries in New Jersey through the VALE Reciprocal Borrowing Program.
For a list of full Faculty Services see Other faculty services.
Students Enrolled in Non-Credit Courses
Students enrolled in non-credit courses at Bergen Community College may request borrowing privileges by presenting proof of registration and another valid form of identification at the Service Desk.
- Borrowing
- Borrowing privileges are extended for the duration of the non-credit course/program in which the individual is enrolled
- Limited to 4 items at any given time including no more than 1 media item
- Loan period
- Books – 21 days (one renewal)
- Media – 3 days (no renewals)
- Items may be renewed unless requested by another patron; renewals may be made:
- in person,
- or by calling the Service Desk at 201-447-7970.
- Some restrictions may apply.
- Bergen County residents enrolled in non-credit courses are encouraged to apply for borrowing privileges under the BCCLS reciprocal borrowing program. (BCCLS patrons have borrowing privileges for one year or the expiration date on their public library card whichever occurs sooner.)
Borrowing privileges are extended to Bergen County residents who are patrons in good standing at the Public Library in their town of residence and who are 18 years of age or older. Borrowers must present a valid barcoded library card from the public library in the Bergen County town in which the borrower resides and a second form of identification which bears a photo and the borrower’s current address.
Borrowing privileges are limited to the Sidney Silverman Library only, and are not recognized by agreements with other institutions.
- Borrowing
- BCCLS borrowers will be registered for one year or until the expiration date on the Public Library card whichever occurs sooner.
- Limited to 4 items at any given time including no more than 1 media item
- Items may be returned to BCC or any Bergen County Public Library
- Borrowing privileges are suspended when materials are overdue. SSL staff will e-mail the home library to place a hold within the BCCLS system for any overdue materials.
- Loan period
- Books – 21 days (one renewal)
- Media – 3 days (no renewals)
- Items may be renewed unless requested by another patron; renewals may be made:
- in person,
- or by calling the Service Desk at 201-447-7970.
- Service restrictions: Recalls, Holds and Interlibrary Loan requests will not be placed for BCCLS borrowers.
- Some restrictions may apply
Full-time BCC faculty may apply for borrowing privileges at most college and university libraries in NJ by requesting an authorization form at the BCC Library's Service Desk.
Borrowing from BCC:
Full time Faculty at participating NJ academic libraries may borrow books by presenting a completed Vale Faculty Reciprocal Borrowing Application form signed by her/his home academic library and a photo i.d.
- Borrowing privileges are extended for the academic year ending September 1 - June 30
- Item Limits: 5 items from the circulating book collection at any given time.
- Loan period - 21 days.
- A book may be renewed for one loan period (21 day) unless requested by another patron; renewals may be made:
- in person,
- or by calling the Service Desk at 201-447-7970.
- Responsibility for lost or damaged items.
- Suspension of borrowing privileges: Borrowing privileges are suspended when material is overdue.
- Service restrictions: Recalls, Holds and Interlibrary Loan requests will not be placed for VALE reciprocal borrowers.
- Return of materials: Borrowers must return items directly to BCC.
- Borrowing privileges are limited to the Sidney Silverman Library only, and are not recognized by agreements with other institutions.
- Some restrictions may apply.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Policy
- Requests for material not owned by the Sidney Silverman Library may be made by:
- Students who are currently enrolled in courses which bear institutional and/or degree credits
- Faculty and staff
- Members of the Bergen Community College Foundation Alumni Network.
- Lending and Renewal periods vary depending on the lending Library.
- ILL requests are limited to three (3) requests per day.
- Forms are available ONLINE. Incomplete forms may delay or prevent processing of requests.
For renewals and questions, contact the Interlibrary Loan office Mon – Fri: 201-447-7983.
Last updated: 12 Nov 07, PD
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