The Dick Smith Library’s 24-hour zone is a safe, quiet, and secure environment for late-night study. Entry is through the doors near the Texan Trace pathway or through the library during normal service hours. The space is open to all during normal service hours, but has restricted access when services cease for the day.
When library services are closed, entry to the 24-hour zone is restricted to authorized users who have a valid Tarleton State University ID card to access the area. Staff will check IDs when service is closing and request that anyone without their IDs on their person leave the space and come back when they have their ID.
Patrons must follow Tarleton’s Student Conduct Code while using the space.
The Tarleton Libraries permits eating and drinking as outlined below. We count on our users to help us ensure a safe and clean building. To ensure the preservation of collections, library equipment, and facilities, we ask you to be conscientious in disposing of trash and in abiding to these guidelines:
General Guidelines:
DICK SMITH LIBRARY
RICKETT LIBRARY
The Tarleton Libraries allow the use of cell phones in their buildings; however, you are expected to use them courteously and not disrupt others.
Patrons refusing to follow this policy, after appropriate reminders, will be subject to the disruptive behavior policy and will be asked to leave the building for the remainder of the day.
The Tarleton Libraries welcome and encourage guests to use our resources. All visitors must use information technology and electronic communications in a responsible manner and in compliance with Tarleton’s Student Conduct Code section 5.3: Misuse of Computing Resources.
Wireless Connectivity
"Tarleton-Visitors" is the network for visitors who are not Tarleton affiliated but require Internet access while at a Tarleton location. NOTE: Tarleton email addresses may not be used to register as a guest. Visitor wireless accounts are removed at midnight each night. Once an account is removed, users can request a new account for their next visit.
In-building Computer Access and Printing
Tarleton and other University students with proper ID have priority access to Library computers over guest users.
Tarleton faculty, staff, students, area residents and others are welcome to utilize the resources of the Dick Smith Library.
Users are responsible for all materials borrowed on their Tarleton ID cards. The library will assess fees for overdue, lost and damaged materials.
| User Types | Account Expiration Periods | Checkout Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Students | End of Semester | 20 items |
| Staff | Length of Employment | 20 items |
| Faculty | Length of Employment | 50 items |
| Retirees | Lifetime | 5 items |
| Alumni | Current TAA Membership (Dues paid to TAA) |
5 items |
| Friends | Current Friends Membership (Dues paid in Dick Smith Library) | 5 items |
| Upward Bound | Duration of Program | 5 items |
| TexShare | Current TexShare Card (Expiration varies by issuing library) | 5 items |
| Texas A&M Sys. Fac. | Current University ID (By semester) | 5 items |
| Teacher Mentors | Duration of Program | 5 items |
| Collection | Students/Staff | Faculty | Others | Fines Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Stacks | 28 days | Full Semester | 28 days | $0.10/day |
| Government Documents (U.S./Texas) | 28 days | Full Semester | 28 days | $0.10/day |
| A/V Materials (Audiobooks/CDs/Slides) | 28 days | Full Semester | 28 days | $0.10/day |
| PreK-12 Textbooks | 28 days | Full Semester | 7 days | $0.10/day |
| Children’s Literature | 7 days | Full Semester | 7 days | $0.10/day |
| DVDs/BluRays | 7 days | Full Semester | 7 days | $0.10/day |
| Maker Spot items | 7 days | 7 Days | Library Use Only | $2.00/day |
| 3D Models – (limit 2) | 7 days | 7 Days | 7 days | $2.00/day |
| Reserve – In House Use Only* | 2 hours – Library Use Only | With Permission | Library Use Only | $2.00/hour |
| Reserve – Overnight – 7 days* | Varies by item | With Permission | Library Use Only | $2.00/day |
| Limited | Library Use Only | With Permission | Library Use Only | $0.10/day |
| Reference | Library Use Only | With Permission | Library Use Only | N/A |
| Periodicals (Current Issues) | Library Use Only | 24 hours – Current | Library Use Only | N/A |
| Periodicals (Bound Volumes) | Library Use Only | 28 days – Bound | Library Use Only | N/A |
*Due to high demand for reserve items, these materials have proportionately higher overdue fines. Loan periods for reserve material are determined by faculty and range from 2-hours/in-library use to 7 day loans.
Courtesy and overdue notices will be emailed to students via [email protected] accounts. Faculty and Staff receive notifications via their assigned Tarleton email account. We encourage our users to return materials or renew eligible items before their due date. A courtesy notice is sent to users three (3) days before the due date to remind users to return or renew their items. Overdue notices start one day after the item due date. Late fees accrue according to the fine rate table and continue until the item is returned to the library. Fees must be cleared to maintain circulation privileges.
If you want to renew your materials, email [email protected] or call 254-968-9450 before your due date and we will renew your eligible items for you.
Students, faculty and staff can also renew items online by selecting on the “Renew Items” link on the library homepage and then log in with their NTNET username and password.
Overdue, course reserve or materials on hold for others cannot be renewed.
The borrower is responsible for all material checked out on his/her account and should point out any noticeable damage to circulation staff before checking them out. Borrowers who return library items that are damaged will be assessed a service charge based on the cost of repairing the item. If the item cannot be repaired, the “Lost Material” replacement charge will apply. Charges will vary and payment is the responsibility of the user.
For material not returned, the user will be billed the current replacement cost plus a $10.50 nonrefundable processing fee for each item. Materials reported lost and paid for and subsequently recovered and returned to the library within thirty (30) days are eligible for a refund. The processing fee and any overdue fines will be retained in all cases. Refund checks will be mailed to the user within 14 business days.
Students
Once overdue item(s) are returned, the fine will be processed and loaded on the Texan Bill Pay website within 24 hours. Once the bills are loaded, you may make payments online through Texan Bill Pay.
Faculty, staff, and affiliate members
Make fine payments in person at the Circulation Desk. We accept cash or check payments.
If a patron wishes to appeal a library fine, they must stop by the Circulation Desk and speak with a supervisor. If an agreeable resolution cannot be reached, the user may officially appeal the fine by submitting an Appeal Form to Manager of Access Services at 254-968-9450 or [email protected]. The written appeal must include the student’s name, Tarleton ID number, telephone, email, and current mailing address. In addition, the user must explain why they believe the charge(s) should be reduced or waived as well as why the resolution of the Circulation Manager or Evening Supervisor was unsatisfactory. The user will receive the appeal decision determined by the Coordinator for Access Service in writing via their official university email account within 7 days of receipt.
If unresolved, the user may request that their appeal be forwarded to the Dean of Libraries at Library Administration. The decision of the Dean will be final. A full explanation of the final decision will be provide in writing via their official university email account within 7 days of receipt.
Possible outcomes:
Appeals are handled on a case-by-case basis. The following are not generally regarded as valid reasons for canceling or reducing library charges:
If needed material is on loan, a “hold” may be placed on the item online or at the circulation desk. When requested material is returned, the requester will be notified and has five (5) days from notification to claim it.
Texan Pick-up: Running short on time? Let us get library materials for you! When you find items in the library catalog that you wish to use, click the “Place Hold” button. You will need to log into your library account using your Tarleton NTNET ID.
There is no charge for using the public lockers located on the third floor. Keys are available at the circulation desk for checkout and renewal. Keys are due the last class day of the semester. The charge for a lost locker key is $15.00.
Texan cards are issued to all Students, Faculty, and Staff and can be used in the library to checkout items. Cardholders with Texan Bucks can use funds to pay for fines, copies, transparencies laminations, or Maker Spot items.Texan Card Kiosk
A Texan Card kiosk is located on the main level of the Dick Smith Library. The Kiosk also dispenses guest copy cards for a $1.00 minimum purchase. Additional funds may be added to the copy cards at the Kiosk or online at the Texan Card Website.
Lost items are usually kept at the Circulation Desk. Unclaimed items are turned over to the Tarleton Police Department weekly.
Laptop computers are provide by the Dick Smith Library for the use and convenience of Tarleton State University students and employees. They represent a significant investment in providing users with alternative access to technology in addition to the online terminals. We hope incorporating a wireless environment in the library will allow more flexibility for our users in a comfortable learning environment. We expect all users to maintain respect for the equipment and the rights of other patrons.
Overdue Materials
Students:
Faculty, staff and non-Tarleton members:
Damaged and Lost Items
The borrower is responsible for all material checked out on his/her account and should point out any noticeable damage to circulation staff before checking them out. Borrowers who return library items that are damaged will be assessed a service charge based on the cost of repairing the item. If the item cannot be repaired, the "Lost Material" replacement charge will apply. Charges will vary and payment is the responsibility of the user.
For material not returned after 90 days, the user will be billed the current replacement cost plus a $10.50 nonrefundable processing fee for each item. Materials reported lost and paid for and subsequently recovered and returned to the library within thirty (30) days are eligible for a refund. The processing fee and any overdue fines will be retained in all cases. Refund checks will be mailed to the user within 14 business days.
Fine Appeals
If a patron wishes to appeal a library fine, they must stop by the Circulation Desk and speak with a supervisor. If an agreeable resolution cannot be reached, the user may officially appeal the fine by submitting an Appeal Form to the Manager of Access Services. Make an appointment at 254-968-9450 or [email protected]. The written appeal must include patron name, Tarleton ID number, telephone, email, and current mailing address. In addition, the user must explain why they believe the charge(s) should be reduced or waived. The user will receive the appeal decision determined by the Manager of Access Service in writing via their official university email account within 7 days of receipt.
If unresolved, the user may request that their appeal be forwarded to the Dean of University Libraries. The decision of the Dean will be final. A full explanation of the final decision will be provided in writing via the official university email account within 7 days of receipt.
Possible outcomes:
Appeals are handled on a case-by-case basis. The following are not generally regarded as valid reasons for canceling or reducing library charges:
Physical signs posted inside/on/around the libraries by outside groups
The University Libraries does not permit posting of signs or posters directly to inside or outside walls/glass windows of any library facilities. Table top display or flyers may not be distributed without permission.
The University Libraries have two locations in which signs or posters from outside groups may be displayed.
Signs displayed in the Tarleton Libraries must be approved by The Source or have the appropriate approval from the Library Administration.
When any physical sign(s) is displayed in a University Library by any person or group from outside of the libraries, library staff may remove the signs at their discretion.
The Library will follow the Tarleton Inclement or Severe Weather Policy
Tarleton Libraries Inclement Policy
The Dick Smith Library in Stephenville has been deemed an essential service, and will strive to remain open for the Tarleton community as conditions and safety allows. The Rickett Library in Fort Worth will follow the guidelines set by Tarleton Fort Worth leadership.
Upon a code purple announcement, library administration will set hours of operation for the day, and make notifications of adjusted schedules for all affected libraries by:
Tarleton State University Inclement Weather Policy
Inclement Weather - Campus Closure
Inclement weather usually refers to severe or harsh weather that is cold and wet. Should weather or other conditions occur such that normal campus operations could be impeded, information will be provided to the appropriate local broadcast media, no later than 6:45 a.m.
Inclement weather announcements will be broadcast on:
For inclement weather conditions during normal working hours, the decision will be announced through regular administrative channels in addition to the five media noted above.
Faculty, staff, and students should assume normal operation of the University if media outlets make no announcements of campus closings or delays. Employees and students should use good judgment about driving to and from the campus when traveling conditions are hazardous.
The purpose of the Collection Development Policy of the Tarleton State University Libraries is to provide guidelines that ensure the relevancy and effectiveness of materials selected to facilitate the University mission and to reflect campus curriculum and research needs.
We create strong, coherent, balanced, dynamic and versatile library collections to support undergraduate studies as well as graduate and faculty research in accordance with the American Library Association and Association of College and Research Libraries standards.
The priorities for the collection include:
The Library has a continuing and effective program to evaluate its collections, resources and online databases, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Data for program reviews are gathered, revealing strengths and weaknesses, for the academic areas. Usage statistics are collected annually and reviewed for increases/decreases and cost effectiveness. Circulation reports are also used to evaluate the collection. Information gathered from the following sources is part of our evaluation program:
To ensure appropriate selection of materials, selectors rely upon standard scholarly tools and reviews inrespected professional journals. Because faculty members have subject expertise, their recommendations areactively solicited and utilized in development of the collection.
Because current publications are given priority over older materials in our collections, sources that review current materials are frequently used. These include: Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, Magazines for Libraries, Library Journal, Impact Factor, core lists from subject specialists, and discipline- specific scholarly and professional journals.
Selective bibliographies are useful in the selection of retrospective titles, as tools to evaluate the collections and fill in gaps or weaknesses, and to assist when adding new areas of studies to the library. Some sources are: Resources for College Libraries, “Outstanding Academic Titles” from Choice, and selective bibliographies from scholarly and professional journals.
For selecting children’s literature, lists of annual award winners and reading lists such as the Texas Bluebonnet are also useful.
The Library conforms to the formats and technology utilized by Tarleton State University.
In keeping with the overall collection development goal to build collections that support our users’ diverse information needs, the Archives and Special Collections Department will acquire, preserve, and make available research collections of both published and original source materials, particularly those related to the local academic community and the broader cultural heritage of the local counties and area.
Materials documenting the history and development of Tarleton, Stephenville, Erath and adjacent counties (Palo Pinto, Hood, Eastland, Somervell, Comanche, Hamilton, Bosque, Brown) are the basis of the Archives and Special Collections of the Dick Smith Library. Occasionally materials from outside the noted geographic areas are added when warranted by their condition, value, or provenance.
The Dick Smith Library is also a Regional Historical Resources Depository for the Texas State Library and houses courthouse records for several area counties, thus providing another valuable primary resource.
The Dick Smith Library welcomes gifts of published, unpublished, and original primary source materials, including letters, correspondence, county records, books, photographs, maps, and similar materials concerning the people, organizations, history, and development of Tarleton, Erath County, other Texas counties, and Texas history. Donations will be accepted at the discretion of the Dean of University Libraries or designee, and with appropriate Deed of Gift.
The selection of audiovisual formats is governed by the general guidelines for materials selection, which include relevance to the curriculum, timeliness, technical quality, and critical reviews from reputable sources when available. Although the library’s audiovisual collection contains a variety of formats, the only formats purchased or accepted as gifts are those supported by campus technology standards. An additional prerequisite for purchase or gift acceptance is the availability of equipment required to use the material.
Formats collected include, but are not limited to:
Materials for children and young adults will be purchased to support the courses and curriculum using juvenile literature. Priority purchasing will be of award-winning works, works on the Texas Library Association annual reading lists, and works named to "notable" or "best" lists by recognized library, educator, and author/illustrator professional groups.
The Library is not responsible for the binding of approved dissertations and theses written by doctoral and master degree candidates from Tarleton State University. One copy is required for the library. The College of Graduate Studies facilitates the binding & provides the Dick Smith Library with one copy of dissertation and thesis, which is placed in the Limited Collection.
The Library recognizes the importance of electronic resources in support of education and research at the university. In response to the growth of the online student population and campus satellites, quality electronic resources are sought.
Information providers should be able to utilize Tarleton’s authentication infrastructure without individual passwords or user IDs and must comply with the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template® (VPAT®). Exceptions are reviewed on a case by case basis.
Electronic resources are often part of packages, or acquired through resource sharing agreements. Often these materials are not purchased, but the library has acquired specific rights to access. These include, but are not limited to:
Databases
The intent is to acquire a balanced range of databases that meet the university’s general and specific information needs. The collection of databases must be monitored for usefulness, costs, ease of use and balance within the overall collection. Databases may be indexing/abstracting databases and/or full text. They may be purchased or provide rights of access.
Electronic Books
Selection of individual monograph titles in electronic format adheres to the general monograph selection policies. Reliability, stability and permanent access are also considered. In the case of reference materials that are frequently updated, attention will be paid to the consistency with the print versions, making sure the advantages of the electronic versions are significant enough to justify purchase. Collection content, relevance to the curriculum, coverage, and quality are considered.
Electronic Periodicals
The intent is to provide online access to a sufficient quantity of high quality journals for scholarly endeavors. Ordinarily, only one format is acquired, but subscriptions often offer limited electronic access (i.e. rolling access to the most recent two years, etc.) as part of a hardcopy subscription. Individual electronic subscriptions follow the same guidelines as for periodicals, and may be cancelled if the resource no longer meets noted criteria.
Free Internet-Based Resources
Some good authoritative free resources available on the web merit addition to the library catalog. Criteria to use in selection include:
Gifts are welcomed and can provide valuable additions to the library collections. All gifts are accepted with the appropriate receipt/deed of gift and with the understanding that they are owned by the library and that the library has the right to determine their retention and location. Once accepted, gifts will be processed and treated as any item which is purchased for the collection.
Monetary gifts for the purchase of specific titles will comply with the collection development priorities of the library. Gifts of money or materials with accompanying obligations are subject to approval by the University Librarian. The library has the right to use gift funds for planned purchases in collection areas of need.
United States government publications are obtained online. A separate government document collection is not being maintained, however, government publications are obtained and catalogued for the general stacks. Publications are acquired to support current curriculum and research needs of the university community, needs and interests of the surrounding geographic area, or to fill gaps in the collection.
Materials are purchased on microform (film/microfiche) when warranted.
Due to space and storage limitations, library funds are generally not appropriated for multiple copies of all materials. Additional copies of library materials will be acquired in accordance with the following guidelines:
The Library will not purchase duplicate copies of publications for the sole use of individuals, academic departments, or administrative offices. Additional copies will not be acquired solely for preservation except for selected materials maintained for archival purposes in the Limited Collection.
The Library prefers not to purchase out-of-print materials. If no substitution with current materials is desirable or possible, the library will make reasonable efforts to locate and purchase the material through out- of-print vendors.
Periodicals are purchased primarily to support the curricular and scholarly needs of students and faculty, and to a much lesser degree to provide general interest reading. Periodicals are reviewed annually, and faculty members are consulted regarding relevant subscriptions. Interlibrary loan (ILL) and usage records are used to identify high-use titles and subject areas for possible adding and dropping of titles.
Factors used to select periodicals include:
Although electronic is the preferred format, print will be maintained if:
The reference collection is intended to meet the research and information needs of the University community by supporting the curriculum in all subject areas. Along with general reference items, these non-circulating or electronic items also include materials such as encyclopedias, indexes and abstracts, dictionaries, statistical sources, atlases, maps and other geographical sources, bibliographies, and biographical sources. Reference sources are continuously withdrawn and updated. In most cases, only the latest edition of a source is shelved in reference; older editions are transferred to the circulating collection or discarded.
Materials that are damaged, lost, or stolen are not automatically replaced. They are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the item can or should be repaired, replaced, or withdrawn. A replacement item might be a similar title, a newer edition, a different translation, or in a different format from the original damaged, lost, or stolen item.
College textbooks are not usually collected. However, to meet accreditation requirements set by the Texas Education Agency, the library will acquire a representative sample of teacher and student editions of the state- adopted textbooks for pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Consumables (student workbooks, etc.), separate answer books, and teacher resource kits (transparencies, CDs, etc.) are not purchased unless they are included in a package at no extra cost.
The Library periodically and systematically reviews the entire collection. The library maintains the currency and relevancy of the collection through a judicious weeding program. Guidelines include:
University faculty members are invited to suggest materials for weeding in those subject areas in which they teach to ensure that the collection is up-to date.
This policy is reviewed annually.
The University Libraries adheres to the Tarleton SAP 61.99.01.T0.01 Records Management policy. The library’s Business Administrator is designated Records Coordinator as required by Tarleton policy.
It is the policy of the University Libraries of Tarleton State University to protect the privacy of patrons. The circulation system does not compile a list of past loans. Circulation records created to document the loan of library materials to patrons are retained until the transaction is complete, and then destroyed. Only current loans are maintained on patron accounts. All printed documents containing sensitive personal material are shredded by staff, with no back- up records.
The privacy of all borrowers of library materials shall be respected in compliance with federal and state laws and professional standards. The library will not reveal identities of individual users or reveal what information sources or service they consult. This policy applies to all resources regardless of their format or means of delivery as well as all service offered by the library.
The library will not reveal what books are charged to any individual. Borrower information, including names, borrowing habits, files, addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers will not be given to anyone other than the owner of the information after providing staff with appropriate identification. All information included in the patron database, published on circulation notices or reports are considered confidential.
Current borrower’s records are not made available to anyone other than the appropriate library staff. They are not made available to any government agency “except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power” (ALA policy on Confidentiality of Library Records).