Southeastern Seminary Library Handbook

Library Policies may have been updated since this web posting. Please contact the appropriate department for the most up-to-date policies.

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Archives

The Archives actively collects primary source materials which focus on the history of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the personal papers of those who have influenced Baptist life.

1.       Archives are available from 8:00am - 5:00pm M-Th; 8:00am - 4:00pm F, and at other times by appointment only.

2.       Use of archival material is monitored.

3.       Researchers are required to sign a research agreement before access to materials is granted.

4.       Collections are not available for interlibrary loan.

5.       Contact the Archives at  byoungmark@sebts.edu or jlutzweiler@sebts.edu.

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Circulation 

The Circulation Department handles all check-ins, checkouts, holds/recalls, and renewals of all library materials. It also handles Reserve items for required course readings, study room reservations, and music room reservations.

1. Check-outs

1. You must use your own library card  when checking out Library materials. For students, your I.D.card is your Library card.
2. Regular checkout time for students and guest-users is two weeks.

Ph.D., D.Min., Th.M., and independent-studies students, faculty and staff may check out books for 3 months but may be limited to 3 weeks if the item is recalled by another patron. Patrons are assessed a fine when recalled items are not returned promptly.

3. Students may have only 50 books or items checked out at any given time.
4. A book drop return is located near the Library entrance, and is available for book returns when the Library is closed. It is closed

when the library is open. It is checked daily before 9 a.m.

5. As items are checked out, they will be processed momentarily through a desensitizer. This allows them to go through the security detector without sounding the alarm. If you hear the alarm sound, please STOP immediately and allow the Library staff to assist in checking the materials you have.
6. All items must be checked out no later than 15 minutes before closing. Closing times will always be posted on the front door.

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2. Holds/Recalls

1. If the item you are seeking is checked out, you may place a HOLD on the book by using the "Make Request" command in the "Request" menu of the PAC. You are then added to a list of patrons waiting for the item. If the “Make Request” function is not working, place the Hold at the Circulation desk. You will be notified when the book has been returned to the Library. It will be held at the front desk for 1week for pick-up. If a hold is not picked up on time, it goes to the next patron on the list.
2. Holds can not be made for items that are “on order,” “newly acquired,” or “checked-in.”
3. If an item has a long-term due date, as with PhD and faculty checkouts, you can ask the Circulation Supervisor RECALL the item. When an item is recalled after the initial 2 week period, the Library will notify the patron and assign a new due date. If the item(s) are not returned by the new date, $1.25 fine will be charged per book per day. You will be notified when the item is returned and available for pick-up.

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3. Renewals

1. One renewal is permitted for an additional week.
2. A renewal should be requested no later than the day the item is due.

See also section D: Overdue Fines below

3. Renewals may be requested in person, by phone, or by mail.
4. If another patron has requested a HOLD on the item, it cannot be renewed - it must be turned in.
5. A renewal is permitted only once per item.

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4. Overdue Fines- Books ( See also section on Reserves)

1. One grace day is allowed for which no fine will be charged.
2. Fines are $.25 per day per book; $.50 per day per AV item; $.25 per HOUR for reserves.

(See also section B. Holds/Recalls).

3. NO FINES are given for Sundays or any holidays the Library is closed are for regular materials.
4. Fines will be charged for days the Library is open even when classes are not in session.
5. Overdue and Fine reminders are sent to CAMPUS P.O. BOXES in the student center. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE A COMMUNICATION FROM THE LIBRARY! If fines exceed $50, library privileges will be revoked and a block placed on your account. Registration, graduation and transcript requests will be denied until all fines have been paid. You will not graduate, register or obtain transcripts until all fines have been paid and all blocks cleared.

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5. Reserves

1. Professors choose the items they wish to place on Reserve at the Circulation desk. The titles, call numbers, course name and professor's name are listed on the PAC.
2. There are five types of reserves:

a. Two Hour In-Library - personal or non-circulating items

b. Two-Hour Circulating - heavily used materials. May go out overnight two hours before closing and will be due back at 9 a.m. the next day (10 a.m. on Saturdays). May also be checked out two hours before closing Saturday and will be due back at 9 a.m. Monday morning.

c. One Day - Due back at 9 a.m. the next day (10 a.m. on Saturdays)

d. One Week - Due back at 9 a.m. one week from date

e.       e. Three-Day Ph.D. core courses- Due back 9 a.m. three days later (10 a.m. on Saturdays)

3.       Fines on Reserves are $.25 PER HOUR OR PART OF HOUR, including Saturdays and Mondays.

4.       Reserves are arranged by Call Number. The Circulation Staff cannot find your reserve without the call number. Please look up the call number ahead of time in the SEBTS catalog under Instructor Search or Course Search.

All Reserve items must be turned in to Circulation Staff. Items left on the desk may incur fines. No Holds or Renewals are allowed on Reserve items.

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Computer Lab Policy

• THE COMPUTER LAB IS AVAILABLE TO ALL FACULTY, STAFF, CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS AND STUDENT FAMILIES OF SOUTHEASTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND COLLEGE.  Anyone under 18 years of age must have parental permission to use the lab. Permission forms are available at the Circulation Desk. Anyone 12 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent to access the lab. You may be asked to exhibit a valid student ID or library card for lab access. Guest users with a valid library card are permitted.
• NO FOOD OR DRINK IS EVER PERMITTED IN THE LAB. Neither during lab classes nor during reserved faculty functions. Lab users are responsible for any damage incurred to the hardware, furniture, or carpet.
• CHECK THE COMPUTER LAB MESSAGE BOARD BEFORE ENTERING THE LAB. The message board is posted immediately outside the lab entrance. It will detail the current status of the lab and show any changes to normal lab hours due to classes, faculty functions, or system maintenance. All announcements will be posted at least 24 hours in advance of scheduled events.
• ONLINE CHATTING AND GAME PLAYING ARE PERMITTED WHEN THE LAB IS NOT FULL.  Computers are available on a first-come first-serve basis but academic work takes precedent over all other computer use. Time limitations may be set during heavy use periods.
• DO NOT POWER OFF ANY COMPUTER EQUIPMENT. Problems with hardware or software should be reported immediately to the Library Information Systems Department. If you need assistance using the Internet or installed software applications, please refer to the available documentation on the lab bookshelf. The lab does not provide tutoring, teaching, or assistance with academic assignments.
• CLOSE ALL APPLICATIONS BEFORE LEAVING YOUR COMPUTER. Do not leave your computer unattended for more than 15 minutes lest you risk losing unsaved work and your seat to another user. If you must leave the computer unattended, leave a note at the computer stating the time you left and your intention to return.
• DO NOT SEND LARGE PRINT JOBS TO THE PRINTER. Keep all print jobs to fifty pages or less. Documents containing more than fifty pages should be sent to the lab printer in increments of fifty pages or less. The cost of each printed page is $.10, to be paid before exiting the lab.
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECONFIGURE THE HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE. Moving any of the hardware in the lab or attempting to install software from an external source on any lab workstation is strictly prohibited. Do not copy or misuse copyrighted software.
• KEEP NOISE TO A MINIMUM. Use headphones with all audio equipment. Do not shout or engage in loud conversations. Do not use cellular phones in the lab. Please turn off ringers and other beeping devices. Be respectful of those working around you.
• HONOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN YOUR COMPUTER USAGE. Do not use lab computers for private financial gain (i.e. business, gambling). Avoid all obscene electronic information. All Internet information being downloaded to the lab is being filtered by an online service provider. If you are unable to access a website needed for academic, administrative, or research purposes, please notify the Library Information Systems Department or leave your name, phone number, and website address in the lab Suggestions drop box.

Failure to comply with the stated policies below may result in a verbal request to leave the computer lab or loss of lab privileges.

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Internet Policy for the Library at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Internet provides countless invaluable resources otherwise not available. Yet like any tool, it's use must be tempered by wisdom and judgment. The Internet is a regulated form of information; however it may provide access to materials that are inaccurate, controversial, personally offensive, illegal, immoral, and unethical. If an offensive site is not filtered, a request for filtering may be submitted for review to the Management Information Systems office. If access to a filtered site is needed, a request to remove the filtering may also be submitted to the same office.

• The Library at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is not liable for the content of any Internet site. Library staff will assist Internet users in a manner consistent with Library policy.
• The Library does not provide individual e-mail accounts. Access to personal e-mail accounts through providers such as Juno, Yahoo, or Hotmail is allowed.
• The value of witnessing via the Internet is recognized and encouraged by the Library and Southeastern Seminary; but due to resource limitations, the downloading of chat room software to Library computers is forbidden.
• Academic work always takes precedence to personal Internet use and a patron may be asked to relinquish use of a terminal if necessary.
• Internet transactions involving the use of credit cards are conducted strictly at the risk of the Library patron.

User Restrictions: Internet Users may not:

• Damage or attempt to damage equipment
• Alter or attempt to alter software configurations
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to or cause disruption of the Seminary and Library's computer systems or any other computer system
• Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements
• Install personal software programs on any workstations
• Display or send obscene images, messages, or files
• Violate local, state, or federal laws or regulations
• Engage in any activity that is deliberately & maliciously offensive, libelous, or slanderous

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Reference

The Reference staff is available to help you with any questions you might have and to teach you how to use the library’s resources. Reference help is available in person, by phone: 761-2258, by fax: 761-2150, or by e-mail at reference@sebts.edu.

Reference Services include: orientation tours, library skills/computer classes, electronic resource classes, research assistance and Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

The Reference area also houses computers with additional software programs for research and Internet access.

Reference Collections include the Edwin C. Osburn Reference Collection, the Baptist News Center (BMR), Periodicals, and the Church Media Resource Center (CMRC). These materials are for in house use only.

A.       Interlibrary Loan Services

Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL) supports the Seminary's Mission by providing access to information and materials at other institutions. The purpose of ILL is to obtain materials not owned by the Seminary library and to loan our holdings to other institutions. The library pays for the cost of most interlibrary loans except photocopies and overdue fines.

• Conditions of Service

The library adheres to the National Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States, 1993; International Lending Principles and Guidelines for Procedure, 1987; special consortia and reciprocal agreements with other libraries; copyright laws and CONTU guidelines; and ALA guidelines for library service. Statistics are kept in accordance with internal, state and federal guidelines and regulations.

• Eligibility

Students, faculty, spouses, staff and alumni in good standing with the library may use Interlibrary Loan Services. Other classes of borrowers will be referred to the public library. Patrons with overdue library materials or overdue Interlibrary Loan materials may not use the Interlibrary Loan Services.

• Materials Eligible for Loan

This service may be used to obtain items that are not owned by the library, when items are designated as missing, or when items are at the bindery and temporarily unavailable. Materials not eligible include: books owned by the library, recent newspapers, or materials on reserve. Loans are made at the discretion of the loaning institution and can be recalled at any time. Failure to abide by the loaning institutions' conditions will result in loss of ILL privileges. Patrons are permitted 10 loan requests at any given time.

• Submitting Requests

Requests can be submitted in person, via the library web page, or via FirstSearch. For in house requests submit one form per request. Incomplete forms will be returned. Typically, it takes two weeks to process an ILL request. Please be aware that the length of time depends on the difficulty of the request, the availability of the materials, how long the other institutions take to fill the request, and the mail.

• Returning and Renewing Materials

Materials must be returned to the Interlibrary Loan office before 5 p.m. on the due date. Requests for renewal are at the discretion of the loaning institution and should be made two days prior to the due date. Patrons will be charged for damages or loss of materials in their possession and for overdue fines.

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B. Church Media Resource Center

The Church Media Resource Center (CMRC) is located on the second floor of the main library at Southeastern. It is composed of two parts: 1) the Church Curriculum Lab and 2) the Straughan Collection. For assistance here, contact the Reference staff.

The Straughan Collection, a model church library, which is designed to encourage pastors, ministers of education, or concerned lay people to initiate this important ministry.

The Church Curriculum Lab contains support materials provided by the agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention: Sunday School, evangelism, vacation Bible school, discipleship, training, Church Study Course, church music, church recreation, International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, the Women's Missionary Union, the Brotherhood, etc. These items offer opportunity to examine, evaluate, and make decisions regarding appropriate selection for local church needs.

Books for church leadership, teaching, aids for Christian living, and leisure reading may be browsed for representative types of materials likely to be of interest in the local church. Training aids, catalogs, and computer software help with selection, classifying, cataloging, and processing books for circulation. 

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Technical Services Department

A.       Acquisitions

The Acquisitions department purchases all materials for the library.

1.       Faculty, students and staff may request items for the Library's holdings. Students may fill out request cards which are available at the Circulation desk, Reference desk or in the Technical Services Department or place an online request. In order to be considered for purchase, requested items must comply with the Library's collection development policy and the request card must be signed.

B.       Cataloging Department

1. The Cataloging Department processes all library materials for easy access and use according to the Library of Congress Classification system and current technology.
2. Items must be completely processed before they are available for checkout.
3. Due to staffing limitations, items cannot be "rushed."

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Of Interest on the First Floor

Director’s & Administrative Assistant’s Offices

Circulation & Reserve Desk: for item checkout and information assistance.

Inter-Library Loan Office: If we do not have an item, we can try to borrow it from another library. Fill out a request form, give it to the Reference staff, and the items should arrive within one to two weeks.

New Books: New books are shelved for 3 months near the Circulation Desk and can be checked-out for the standard loan period.

Esther Adams Collection: books in support of seminary wives, located near the new books.

Reference Desk: Ask staff here for any assistance you may need.

CD-ROM Area of Reference: computer terminals with access to over 30 computer programs.

Bible Commentaries: Located usually in sets in the BS491's in Reference, in regular circulation usually shelved canonically throughout the BS's.

Baptist News Center: Baptist papers from each state and several world Baptist concerns.

Audiovisuals Department: multimedia resources and chapel tapes.

Computer Lab: Located in the AV Center; several student-use computers with word-processing programs.

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Of Interest on the Second Floor

Stacks: Call letters A through C.

Archives: by appointment only, papers and records of Baptist history and the Seminary.

Baptist Materials Room (BMR): by request, back issues of Baptist papers and Association annuals

McLeod Special Collections Room: Rare books and/or special collections on display.

Church Media Resource Center (CMRC): Holds materials for preview given by the Sunday School Board and other agencies and auxiliaries

of the SBC. It also contains the Straughan Collection, a model church library for students and church members to examine in developing their

church libraries. This collection is not for check out. Some classes may occasionally meet in this room.

Seminar Room: May be reserved for classes, special projects or presentations.

Oversize Books: Large books with this call number designation are shelved separately on 2nd floor.

Video Collection: Over 1,000 educational and recreational videos that can be checked out for one week.

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Of Interest on the Third Floor

Stacks: Call letters D through Z.

Listening Room: Listening devices and music lab. Collection of record albums. Room keys may be checked out at the Circulation desk.

Study Carrels: For Ph.D., D.Min. and Th.M. students can be reserved through the Library Administrative Assistant.

LIBRARY STAFF & DEPARTMENTS

For off campus dialing, numbers are preceded by area code (919) 761-2 ext.  

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© 2005

Last Updated April 2005