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Faculty User Guidelines

Note: In accordance with MICA’s policy regarding campus email, all electronic correspondence from the Decker Library & MRC will be sent to your mica.edu email address

Decker Library | MRC

Decker Library

Circulation

Faculty borrowing privileges are subject to the following guidelines:

  • Faculty must be present to have material checked out to their card.
  • Faculty must show a current MICA ID to check out material.
  • Faculty may borrow circulating books for one semester and non-circulating books for up to 24 hours. For books due at the end of the semester, the due date will be the same day as Exam Day according to the official MICA calendar.
  • For circulating books that are checked out to another patron, the library can place a hold on those items and notify the faculty member when the items are returned.
  • Faculty receive a six-day grace period at the end of the semester; if the books are returned during this time no fines will be due. However, if the books are not returned full overdue charges accrue from the actual due date. Overdue charges are $1 a day per book, with a maximum fine of $30 per book.
  • A book is considered lost if not returned within 40 days of the due date, and the borrower will be charged the full replacement cost of the book plus a $25 processing fee per book, in addition to any accrued fines.
  • Fines and replacement costs will be billed through PeopleSoft.
  • Materials can be returned after hours in the book drop located directly to the left of the Library’s main entrance on the first floor of the Bunting Center.
  • As a courtesy, you will be notified of material being held for you, or overdue material, via your MICA email account.
  • It is the responsibility of each faculty member to make sure that their library account, including email and mailing address information, is current and correct.
  • Faculty can view a list of their checked-out items, holds, and fines using the Library & MRC Catalog by clicking on "My Account". This feature requires an individual PIN number which can be obtained by visiting the Library or MRC Circulation desks. You will also need your MICA id number, and to be a currently registered Library & MRC user.
  • You can also view your Decker Library & MRC account using your iPhone! The free BookMyne app allows you to view your checked-out items, holds and fines. Available in ITunes. Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

Catalog & Databases

The Decker Library Catalog is available on the Internet from any location, on- or off-campus, at the following URL: mica.sdp.sirsi.net/client/guest. Note that the films/videos, slides, and digital assets  in the Media Resources Collection are now accessible through the Decker Library catalog, but one must log-in to the catalog interface to access digital assets from off-campus.

Research databases are available through this website from any computer on-campus at this link.

To access research databases from off-campus, go to the Remote Access page on this website. From that page, click on any database link, then enter your MICA user name and password (same as My MICA Portal log-in). The log-in will take you directly to the selected database for searching.

Reserves

Faculty reserve shelves are located behind the Circulation Desk. Procedures for placing items on reserve are as follows:

  • Please submit reserve requests to the Circulation Department staff as early as possible.
    1. It may take five working days for requested materials to be entered into our system.
    2. Items not yet in the system will not be available to students.
  • Proposed reserve books and articles must be delivered by the faculty to the Circulation Desk along with a completed Reserve Request Form for each item. Faculty members can print this Reserve Request Form to submit requests; the form is also available at the Circulation Desk.
  • Only one copy of a book or article will be placed on the reserve shelf.
    1. If another instructor has the same material already on reserve, the Faculty member will be notified to pick up their material(s).
    2. If the Decker Library owns a copy of the book, our copy will be placed on the reserve shelf and the Faculty member will be notified to pick up their material(s).
    3. The Circulation Staff will direct the students to the copy of the book or article that is already on the reserve shelf.
  • Please search our online databases (JSTOR, Art Full Text, Academic Search Premier, etc.) for web availablility of full-text articles before requesting that material(s) be placed on reserve.
    1. If the material is available online, please make a note on your syllabus and direct students to use that source.
    2. If the material is available online, it will not be placed on reserve.
  • A syllabus must be supplied for each course.
  • Faculty may check out reserve items for classroom use.
  • Students are not allowed to leave the library with reserve materials.
  • All reserve material must be picked up at the end of each semester.
  • Questions regarding Reserves can be directed to the Circulation Supervisor, (410) 225-2272 or circ@mica.edu.

Copyright Policy

In accordance with copyright law, MICA does not condone or facilitate reproduction of materials that violates Title 17 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. Prominent display of the following notice is required by 37 CFR Section 201.14:

    The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Collection Recommendations

The Decker Library invites suggestions for the purchase of new material. Print the Order Request Form (PDF file), complete the form and give to a Librarian or fax to (410) 225-2316. Or use the Recommend to Order form that is available via the on-line catalog - click on "I need material", then "Recommend to order".

Library Instruction

Faculty members are encouraged to bring their students to the library for research instruction or to view collection materials. Please see the Library's Faculty Resources page for complete information about instruction and general tours for your class group.

Instruction sessions with a librarian must be scheduled in advance with the Reference Department by completing the request form here. To learn more, contact the Information Desk by email (refer@mica.edu) or phone (410- 225-2715).

Inter-library Loans

If faculty members need books or journal articles that are not owned by Decker Library, copies from another library may be requested. Interlibrary Loan requests can be made on-line through the library catalog (click on "I need material") - this is the preferred method, or by e-mail (ill@mica.edu). Faculty will be notified via mica.edu email to pick the materials up at the Circulation Desk once they are received. All patrons are required to return the materials to a staff person at the Circulation Desk. Please do not use the book drop to return Interlibrary Loan materials.

Material borrowed from other libraries may not be placed on reserve.

Library Facilities

The Library has two main public areas. The first floor features the Circulation Desk, current periodicals, new book displays, and fiction. The lower level houses all other library materials, computer workstations, and the Reference Desk. An elevator is available for wheelchair access. Please ask a staff member for assistance with the elevator.

Use of Other Libraries

The MICA faculty ID card will gain you admittance to most academic libraries in the area. Decker Library is a founding member of the Baltimore Academic Library Consortium. Membership in this group entitles all current faculty to reciprocal borrowing privileges at the following institutions. Use the links below to search the libraries' catalogs prior to visiting:

Johns Hopkins University - Johns Hopkins University extends borrowing privileges to MICA faculty and graduate and post-bac students only. Interested MICA people must first visit the Decker Library Circulation desk to have a registration form completed by Circulation staff to take to the JHU Library. The privilege applies only to the Eisenhower Library on the Homewood Campus.

One can enter the Eisenhower Library by presenting a photo ID card between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. After 8 p.m., one must show an academic ID (i.e., a MICA ID).

Computer use within seated computer labs at the Eisenhower Library is restricted to those with borrowing privileges and requires registration at their Circulation Desk between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Stand-up computers throughout the library are available for use by all visitors, and contain the same resources as the seated computers.

NOTE: JHU limits access to the library during their mid-term and final exam periods. This includes a "reading week" prior to their final exam week. During those times, visitors can only use the library from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. During all other times, a valid JHU ID is required for entrance. See the JHU Academic Calendar.

Contacting the Decker Library

Circulation Desk: (410) 225-2272
Information Desk: (410) 225-2273
Library Director: (410) 225-2311
FAX: (410) 225-2316
Information Desk E-mail: refer@mica.edu
Circulation Desk E-mail: circ@mica.edu
Interlibrary Loan E-mail: ill@mica.edu

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Media Resources Collection

Circulation

Slides

  • We ask that slides be returned as soon as possible after classroom use. Faculty members who need slides for multiple classes or a series of lectures may keep the slides until finished with them, but should return them as soon as possible afterward. Prompt return of slides will help other faculty members access materials and will reduce instances of lost slides.
  • We may "recall" slides checked out for longer than a week if needed by another instructor.
  • When returning slides, please stop by the MRC desk and ask a staff member to check them in. Please do not leave returned slides at the. The slides may not be properly checked in or may be accidentally removed by another patron.
  • If your students check out slides for a classroom presentation, please have each student return their own slides afterward. If you return slides for your students, please provide a staff member with their name(s).
  • Slides may not be returned in the after-hours drop.

Films

  • Faculty members may checkout circulating materials for 14 days and non-circulating materials for 24 hours.
  • For circulating materials that are checked out to another patron, the MRC can place a hold on those items and notify the faculty member when the items are returned.
  • Faculty members will be charged for overdue materials. Overdue charges are $1 a day per item with a maximum fine of $30 per item.
  • Faculty members will be charged for unreturned videos and DVDs. For lost items or items not returned within three weeks of their due date, replacement costs and a processing fee of $25 per item will be charged.
  • All overdue charges and replacement charges will be billed through PeopleSoft.
  • If you would like a student or staff member to borrow materials in your name, please forward the MRC a written permission to this effect. We will keep these on record until the end of each semester.
  • Faculty can view a list of their checked-out items, holds, and fines using the Decker Library & MRC Catalog by clicking on "My Account". This feature requires an individual PIN number which can be obtained by visiting the Library or MRC Circulation desks. You will also need your MICA id number, and to be a currently registered Library & MRC user.
  • You can also view your Decker Library & MRC account using your iPhone! The free BookMyne app allows you to view your checked-out items, holds and fines. Available in ITunes. Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

Digital Image Orders

Please feel free to order digital images not available on our website or on ARTstor that you need for classroom use. Allow at least two weeks for processing, and longer for larger orders. Please provide source material for the images you require.

Please contact our Digital Specialist, Art Soontornsaratool (asoontornsaratool@mica.edu) with any questions.

Requesting Videos & DVDs

Faculty members are encouraged to request videos and DVDs needed for courses. We cannot accommodate all requests, but we will do our best to locate and acquire materials to support your classes. We ask that faculty members prioritize their needs if making multiple requests.

Please make your requests as early as possible and include as much information as you can about each title to insure that we purchase the correct item.

Collections

MRC slides are organized in two collections. The textbook collection consists of images used to support introductory courses. Access to the textbook slides is limited to faculty members. Slides are grouped by text (Gardner, Janson, etc.) and are filed by plate number.

The general collection is organized first chronologically (in a few cases by culture or region), then by media. Please feel free to ask a staff member for assistance when searching for slides.

For online searching of the films/videos, slides, and digital assets in the MRC collection, use the Decker Library and MRC Catalog. Log-in is required for access to digital assets.

Reserves & Screening Dates

Faculty members may place items on Reserve for the semester or provide a list of materials needed for specific screening dates.

Reserves

  • Materials should be placed on reserve if it is important for your students to have access to a particular material outside of regular class sessions.
  • Students may view reserve materials in the MRC viewing room.

Screening Dates

  • Screening dates should be provided to the MRC when materials are needed for one or two classroom sessions but students are not expected to view the film outside of class.
  • After screening date has passed the material will be returned to regular circulation.

To make requests, obtain a full reserves policy or for further assistance with Reserves and Screening Dates; please contact Mary Alessi (malessi@mica.edu).

Copyright Policy

The Media Resources Collection is committed to providing access to visual media for curriculum-based instruction while abiding by appropriate copyright laws. Be assured we will do our best to make certain you have access to materials needed for classroom use. MRC materials should be used only for MICA classes and presentations. MRC materials should not be reproduced for any reason, and materials should not be used at any event where an admission fee is charged.

Orientation & Instruction Sessions

Faculty members are encouraged to bring classes to the MRC for orientation sessions. Policy, procedures, and services can be explained in as much detail as your students need. Let us know how long you'd like the session to last, and tell us about any particular subject you'd like us to address (using ARTstor, finding images, etc.). We can also arrange joint sessions with Decker Library. To learn more, see the Faculty Resources page.

Contacting the MRC

E-Mail: mrc@mica.edu
Phone: (410) 225-2274
Fax: (410) 225-2474

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Decker Library | MRC