Regular Loan Renewals

 A borrower may renew all regular loans- in person, by telephone, or on the Web.  Call 717-531-8626 to renew books via  the phone. To renew books via the Web at http://www.libraries.psu.edu authenticate as a PSU user.  Click on  “My Library Account” tab.
Students may renew twice and after two renewals the borrower must return the materials to the library, but may immediately “re-borrow” them unless a recall exists.

Reserve Collection

The Reserve Collection is located at the Circulation Desk.  The current editions of most basic medical textbooks are kept on Permanent Reserve at the Circulation Desk for “in library use only.”  Overnight checkout is permitted when an individual signs a responsibility contract and is a registered HMC/PSU library user.  The items must be returned by opening of the Library the next day or there will be a  fine of $3.00 first hour and $1.00 per hour thereafter until the item has been returned.  Items may also be dropped in the overnight box.

Special Permission Loans/Non-Circulating Items 

Materials that do not usually circulate, such as unbound periodicals, reference books, and the MEDHIST Collection may be borrowed by special permission.  Special permission materials must be returned to the library from which they were borrowed.  Materials returned after the special permission due date and time are subject to daily fines.

Overdue Materials

An overdue notice is sent ten days after the due date; a notice of “presumed loss” is sent thirty days after the due date.

• Fines will be charged, if overdue, at $3.00/day.
   

• 30 days after its due date, an item is presumed lost, and the borrower is charged the cost of the item, plus a $25 processing fee, and an overdue fee when applicable (overdue fees follow).
   

• The borrower is responsible for the full $25  processing fee plus any overdue fees regardless of the return date.

Video Policy: Videos are subject to a fine of $1/day, to a maximum of $30. These fines begin to accrue the moment the material is due back in the Libraries. After 30 days, the Libraries presume the material is lost and bill the borrower the cost of the item, a $25 processing fee, plus the overdue fees. Borrowers are responsible for fines that accrue on videos that are renewed after their due date.

Delay in Response to a Recall Notice: Recalled material is $3/day to a maximum of $30 (reached on the tenth calendar day late).  These fines begin to accrue the day after the recall due date (11 calendar days after the Libraries send the recall notice).   After 30 days, the Library presumes the material to be lost and will bill the borrower the cost of the item, a $25 processing fee, plus the overdue fees. 

Special Permission Loans:  All special permission loans are subject to a fine of  $3/day to a maximum of  $15 (reached on the fifth calendar day late).  These fines begin to accrue the moment the material is due back in the Library.   After 30 days, the Library presumes the material to be lost and bill the borrower the cost of the item, a $25 processing fee, plus the overdue fees.

Photocopiers

Study Area

Carrels are available for study and research use on both floors of the Library. Study carrels cannot be reserved. The carrels on the main floor of the library must be cleared after use so that others can use them. The study area and the Computer and Multi-media Lab (CML) on the second floor may be accessed 24 hours a day by HMC students and staff with a valid PSU ID badge. During Library hours, access is through the Library. When the Library is closed, access is through the Biomedical Research Building (2^nd floor level).

Missing Book Search

 A search for missing books or journals may be initiated at the Circulation Desk.

Other Circulation Facts:

1. Borrowers are required to present a valid library card (Penn state ID+ or valid EXTERNALHY card) for checkout of material.

2. With the exception of special permission and Course Reserves, materials borrowed from one campus library location and returned to another campus library location on the due date will be treated as though they were returned to the lending library on that date and will incur no fines. Special permission and Course Reserves must be returned to the specific library from which the items  were borrowed.

3. All categories of borrowers are subject to library fines.

4. It is each borrower's responsibility to maintain a current address and correct e-mail address (when applicable) on file with the Libraries. Changes in either should be reported to the Libraries immediately, either in person or on the web at http://www.libraries.psu.edu (click on the "My Library Account" tab, authenticate, then on "Update Address").   Unless otherwise instructed all communication including recall notices and material requested information is sent via the email account supplied by the borrower.

5. Borrowers expecting to be away for a prolonged period should return or renew all library materials and supply a method to contact them.

6. Borrowers are responsible for all materials charged out on their cards. Library cards and borrowed materials should be kept in a secure location and never loaned to others.  

7. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if a patron does not pay accumulated fees and fines.  

8. Fees assessed against a student's account that are not paid before the end of the current semester will be charged to the student's Bursar account.

9. The University reserves the right to initiate legal proceedings to recover library materials.

Library Catalog. The Library's book and journal holdings may be searched through the electronic catalog, which is part of the Penn State Library system . Computers are available on the first and second floors for access to the catalog. A link to the catalog (The CAT) is on the Harrell Library’s Web page http://www.hmc.psu.edu/library

Database and Full-Text Searching. Users may access many databases and full-text journals without charge, such as: CINAHL, Harrison’s Online, MEDLINE, and ACP Medicine. Systematic copying of unreasonably large quantities of data from these products is prohibited. Computers are available on the first floor for use during Library hours; 24-hour access is to computers is available in the computer lab on the 2^nd floor. Access to the Library’s databases and other electronic resources is also available outside the Library through any HMC networked computer or via the internet using the HMC ePass account. Additionally, mediated searches for patient care may be performed by the reference staff. Users may request searches to be run for them by contacting the reference librarians at x8634. Fees may apply when commercial vendors are used.

Interlibrary Loan. Material not owned by the Library, or not available at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, can be obtained from another library for PSHMC faculty, staff and students through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Photocopies usually are provided for journal articles and books are borrowed in the original. The ILL staff will attempt to locate materials first in libraries which do not charge a fee, but charges for borrowing materials are now fairly common. Charges by the lending library are passed on to the person requesting the loan. The requestor must authorize charges on the ILL request form as appropriate. ILL requests should provide complete bibliographic information; one form must be completed for each request. Loan forms must be submitted electronically.

Reference Service. Reference librarians are available weekdays 8 AM - 5 PM, Mon.- Fri. to help users find information in the Library. Requests for information may be made at the Reference Desk or sent via e-mail to herref@hmc.psu.edu. Questions may also be left by voice mail at x8634 when reference librarians are not available.

Library Instruction. Includes training sessions on searching MEDLINE, Evidence-Based Medicine, Web of Knowledge, Endnote and many more.  Please see the Library Class Registration Website http://lmsapps.hersheymed.net:81/moodle-hmc/course/category.php?id=7  Individualized instruction is also available upon request.

Collection Suggestions. Suggestions for library purchase may be made by calling x8581 or by submitting an electronic suggestion form. Paper copies of the suggestion form are available at the circulation desk.

Back                                                                                   10/03/08