Confidentiality of patron records
The Monroe F. Swilley, Jr. Library, in the conduct of its normal business, collects information and maintains various types of records about students, staff, faculty, and community members. Such information includes titles checked out (including study rooms), holds placed, telephone numbers, addresses, or other such data. This information will not be disclosed to any third party, except when a subpoena or other legal order for records is made.
Borrowing Material
A valid University ID (or library issued library card) is required to check out library material. External/Community Users must apply for borrowing privileges at the circulation desk
| Patron Group | Borrowing Guidelines |
| Faculty | 1 year or end of contract whichever comes first |
| Adjunct | End of current semester |
| Students | Currently enrolled or pre registered for the upcoming
semester.
All materials are due on the last day of the semester. Contact the Circulation desk for special requests. |
| External/Community Users | 1 year from application date
Apply at the Circulation Desk |
Requesting Items from other Mercer Libraries
Mercer borrowers may request items (up to five) from other Mercer Libraries by searching the library catalog. Items requested are paged from another campus location and delivered to Swilley Library.
Borrowing Items from ARCHE Libraries
Mercer borrowers are eligible for borrowing privileges at several Atlanta area university libraries. An Interlibrary Use card is required. Please consult a reference librarian for information regarding these or other Swilley Library services. All items borrowed from other libraries are subject to the policies of the lending institution.
Loan Periods and Renewals
| Material type | Loan period/Renewals |
| Books & sound recordings | |
| Mercer faculty (including adjuncts faculty) | 90 days (1 renewal) |
| Distant Students (Doctor of Ministry – DMIN) | 90 days (1 renewal) |
| Mercer students
and staff
External/Community borrowers Cooperative Agreements |
3 weeks (1 renewal) |
| Videos & DVDs | 1 week (1 renewal) |
| Reserve Videos | |
| Mercer students and staff | 2 hr |
| Mercer faculty
(including adjunct faculty)
Doctor of Ministry students |
4 weeks |
| Reserves | Varies (no renewals)
(2 hr, 1 day, Overnight, 3 days, or 7 days) |
| Equipment (laptops, projector, etc) | 2 hour (no renewals) |
| Reference | Non Circulating |
| Periodicals | Non Circulating |
| Microforms | Non Circulating |
Renewals can be made in person, over the telephone, or by viewing your library record unless another borrower has requested the material, an instructor needs the material for reserves, or your borrowing privileges are suspended. Please return or renew items promptly to avoid fines and fees.
Patron Groups/Limits
| Patron Group | Loan Limit |
| Faculty and Adjunct Faculty | 30 items |
| Staff | 30 items |
| Distant Students (Doctor of Ministry - DMIN) | 30 items |
| Currently enrolled students | 30 items |
| Cooperative Agreements | 3 items
(ILU)
3 items (NOVA Southwestern Atlanta Cluster) |
| External/Community Users | 3 items |
| Alumni | 3 items |
Notices, Fines, and Blocked Accounts
Notices
Notices are sent by campus mail, regular mail, or e-mail to alert patrons of overdue books and/or fines owed. Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy. Failure to receive a notice does not remove the borrower's obligation to return materials by the due date or the recall due date. The library can also send a courtesy notice 7 days before an item is due, but you must provide the library with a valid email address. Questions about the notices should be directed to the Circulation Department.
Fines
| Type of Materials | Fine/ Grace period |
| Books, CD-Roms, and DVD-Roms | $.10 per day/ six day grace period |
| Videos and Cassettes | $1.00 per day/ no grace period |
| Reserve Materials | |
| Three day reserve | $10.00 per day/ no grace period |
| Overnight | $10.00 per day/ no grace period |
| Two hour | $2.00 per hour/ no grace period |
| Recalls | 2.50 per day/no grace |
| Equipment (laptops, projectors) | $10.00 per hour/no grace period |
The maximum fine limit is $5.00 per item, with the exception of reserve material and special equipment, which are $100 per item.
Overdue fines are charged to all patron types with the exception of Faculty, Staff Trustees of the University, and Pharmacy residents. All users are subject to recall charges.
Lost or Damaged Material/Equipment
| Type of Materials | Replacement Fees |
| Books | Billed after 5 weeks/ minimum item replacement $65.00 + fines + $10.00 processing fee. |
| Videos | 10 days/minimum item replacement $65.00 + fines + $10.00 processing fee |
| Study Room keys | $5.00 fine for removing
the study room key from the building
$7.00 fine for a lost study room key. |
| Laptops | $2,000 + fines + $25.00 processing fee |
| Projector | $2,000 + fines + $25.00 processing fee |
Users are encouraged to look for lost books and media material until the due date before making payment. Payment prior to the due may be accepted for material destroyed or damaged. Replacement costs are refundable until the end of the academic year, June 30. Processing fees are non refundable.
Blocks
A student or alumni with fines or bills totaling more than $10.00 will have a hold placed on their official student record. Blocks prevent you from receiving grades, transcripts, registering, or graduating. Library privileges are suspended for External/community and cooperative agreement borrowers with any outstanding fines or overdue material.
Group Study Rooms
Study rooms are checked out for a two-hour period to Mercer faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students. Renewals are allowed for an additional two hours if no other patrons are waiting for a room. No reservations are allowed on study rooms. Availability is first come, first serve. No food or drinks (exceptions include commercially bottled water).
If a room is left vacant for a period longer than 15 minutes, the Circulation staff may assign the room to another patron. Personal belongings are removed and sent to Mercer Police.
Computer Simulation
Rooms and equipment are available in the library for groups needing computer projection to complete coursework. The room is available for two hours per group. The person who makes the reservation is fully responsible for the condition of the room and all equipment within it.
Media Equipment
Laptops, projectors, audio players, etc.
Laptops, projectors, cassette players/recorders, and access to DVD/VHS players are available to currently enrolled students and faculty and staff for up to two hours, within the library. Individuals are completely responsible for any damage during this time. Fines for overdue laptops or projector are $10.00 per hour up to $100.00. All other fines are $2.00/hour up to $100.00. The replacement fee for a lost laptop or projector is $2,000 + maximum fines of $100.
Printing
The library participates in a University wide Pay-for-Print service. You must have a valid Bear Card to print.
The University gives each enrolled student $20.00 of free printing per semester. This amount is credited to the student’s Bear Card account (for printing ONLY) at the beginning of each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Unused credit is voided at the end of the summer term.
Printing from a public computer is $.15 per page.
Self Service Copiers
Auxiliary Services provides three self-serve copiers for library patrons. The cost of photocopies is as follows:
| Type of Payment | Cost |
| Cash | $.15 per page |
| Bear card or Reusable Visitor's card ($2.00 + $1 for copy value) |
$.10 per page |
These machines are not equipped to make transparencies. Learning Technology Center can perform this service.
Refunds
The Library does not offer refunds for photocopies. Refunds are made by Auxiliary Services.