Libraries Policies

Policies

ACCESS TO THE PHYSICAL LIBRARY AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES:  

The University Libraries are open to all current St. John’s University students, faculty, administrators, and staff. Those entering the libraries and using services are required to present a valid St. John’s StormCard. Entrance into the third and fourth floors of the Queens campus library requires StormCard swipe access via the elevators and the stairwells. Access to the physical library spaces does not grant access to digital or electronic resources.

ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC RESOURCES 

Due to the University-wide adoption of Information Technology security system protocols, SignOn credentials are required to securely access all University digital resources, including the Libraries' resources. Access to library-licensed electronic resources is limited to current St. John’s students, faculty, administrators, and staff and/or those who have both an active St. John's email address and SignOn credentials.   When accessing our electronic resources, you will be prompted to enter your SignOn credentials whether you are on-campus or off-campus. 

ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES' COMMUNITY NORMS

St. John’s University Libraries fosters the open exchange of ideas and inquiry in a respectful environment free of harassment. Harassment may include comments, gestures, facial expressions, or imagery that demeans people based on language, religion, ethnicity, gender, physical or mental disability, physical appearance, or sexual preference. Those using library spaces, services and resources will treat other library users and employees with consideration and respect. We will respect the rights of others, and practice self-discipline. We will help protect the library collections and spaces while holding ourselves and each other accountable for keeping these norms. Together we can create a library environment that is welcoming, caring and affirming. Adopted by the St. John’s University Libraries Faculty Council on November 2, 2021. 


University Libraries' Access Policy last updated 02/08/2023
 

ALUMNI VISITORS LIBRARY ACCESS POLICY 

St. John’s Alumni wishing to visit the Queens campus library should carry a valid Alumni Library Access Card, obtainable through the Queens Campus Alumni Office. An Alumni Library Access Card offers the holder onsite access to the St. John’s University Queens Campus Library’s print reading areas, located on the third and fourth floors of St. Augustine Hall.  These areas are accessible by swiping your Alumni Library Access Card on the card-readers in the elevators or in the stairwells.  If you have lost your Alumni Library Access card, or if you are applying for the first time, please know that the online applications process for new cards is underway. We thank you for your patience while the new card process is being finalized.

Alumni Library Access benefits include the opportunity to:    

  • Browse: Alumni can browse print books and periodicals.  

  • Read: Alumni are welcome to sit in Library spaces and read Library materials in-house.  

  • Access Guest Wifi: Alumni may connect their personal laptop and/or personal devices to SJU-Guest Wifi.   

  • Scan: Alumni may use the Scannx scanner, located on the 3rd floor South of the Queens Library; users may scan documents/images to a USB drive, Google Drive, or smartphone.  

Alumni Library Access Limitations:    

  • Access is limited to standard Library hours only; There is no Alumni access during mid-term and final-exam periods. Please consult the website for details: https://www.stjohns.edu/libraries/about-libraries/libraries-hours/main-campus-library-hours

  • Access to the physical library spaces does not grant access to digital or electronic resources, equipment, or services. Access to library-licensed electronic resources is limited to current St. John’s students, faculty, administrators, and staff and/or those who have both an active St. John's email address and SignOn credentials. 

  • The Alumni Library Access Card does not confer borrowing privileges. 

St. Augustine Hall Alumni visitors are expected to comply with the Library’s Policies and the Library Community Norms, which can be found online at https://www.stjohns.edu/libraries 

 

 

Last updated March 13, 2023 

The licensed electronic resources made available by the St. John’s University Libraries are for the personal, research, scholarly, or instructional activities of current St. John’s University faculty, students, administrators, and staff. In order to access these resources, researchers must have current St. John's log-in credentials.

Copyright Law of the United States (including the protections of "fair use") and contractual license agreements govern the access, use, and reproduction of these resources. Permitted actions generally include downloading, temporarily storing, or printing discrete reasonable portions of the materials. Prohibited actions generally include sharing of passwords or authorized access codes, systematic downloading of significant portions of the materials, posting copyrighted materials on a publicly accessible website, or commercial exploitation of the licensed information.

Authorized users of the Libraries’ electronic resources:

  • May not share an access password with unauthorized users. Doing so may result in suspension or revocation of library privileges.
  • May not download entire issues of electronic journals, several sequential chapters of ebooks, or attempt to create large databases from bibliographic files, which is generally prohibited by license agreements. Systematic downloading of content—manually or with specialized software—is detectable by information providers and may result in loss of that information service to the relevant computer addresses or the entire St. John’s University community.
  • May not engage in actions intended to circumvent or defeat access control mechanisms of the libraries or information provider. Such actions may result in revocation of library privileges and other campus or civil disciplinary measures.
  • May not share proprietary or client software connected to information resources, such as that used to analyze spatial data or search and retrieve texts, as prohibited under the terms of academic licenses.
  • Acknowledge that licensed products may have more specific or additional permissions or prohibitions.

This statement is in conformance with the St. John’s University Computer and Network Use Policy. Questions about the appropriate use of licensed information resources may be directed to [email protected].

Borrowing Materials

All members of the St. John’s University community with St. John’s SignOn credentials are eligible to borrow circulating material.  

The loan period for circulating items is 28 days, with the exception of faculty, administrators and graduate students who may borrow materials for 90 days. Loan periods for print reserve materials vary. Patrons will be informed by email of due dates when they borrow material.

Returning Materials 

Circulating items may be dropped off at the 3rd-floor service desk or in the book drop located on the 1st floor on the Queens campus, or at the Circulation Desk of the Loretto Library on the Staten Island Campus.

Borrower Notices

St. John’s University Libraries correspond with patrons using their St. John’s University email address. The “from address” for these notices is [email protected]”  

  • An email is sent to borrowers when an item is checked-out to them, and when the item is checked-in again. 
  • An “advance notice” email is sent to borrowers 3 days prior to the due date. 
  • A notice of item due now is sent on the due date 
  • An overdue notice is sent 7 days after an item is overdue
  • 30 days after the due date a notice is sent that borrowing privileges are suspended.

Renewals

For borrowed items that are eligible for renewal, you can renew them by logging into your library account or by visiting your Libraries’ Service Desk (Queens: 3rd Floor Augustine Hall; Staten Island Loretto Library, main entrance). Loaned items have renewal limits. Overdue items, items with an active hold, or items that have exceeded the maximum renewals are not eligible for renewal.   

Log into your using your St.John's SignON credentials to view your account, or renew a book 

Overdue Materials

  • Borrowers with overdue reserve and media materials are placed on borrowing hold after 1 day.   
  • Borrowers with overdue circulating items are placed on a borrowing hold once the item is considered lost, 30 days overdue. The borrowing hold will be lifted once the book is returned, or the lost-book replacement fee is processed.  

The borrower is responsible for notifying the library immediately if library material is damaged or lost. 

The University Libraries may opt to place a registration and/or transcript hold on borrower accounts with Lost materials.

Persons with Disabilities

Library elevators and handicap restrooms are wheelchair accessible.  Circulation staff will assist with finding and retrieving items.   

 

-- Last updated as of September 12, 2023 

 

Current St. John’s students, staff, faculty or administrators may bring their children into the library, but they must be accompanied and supervised at all times. The accompanying adult is responsible for the safety, behavior, and supervision of their children, who will be expected to respect library property and their fellow patrons as indicated in the Library Code of Conduct. Children and minors are not eligible to borrow materials or use electronic resources.

Should a child be unattended for any reason, Public Safety will be contacted. A child will not be allowed to leave the library without an accompanying adult or a St. John’s University Public Safety Officer.

Government Documents / Federal Depository Library Program 

The Queens Campus St. Augustine Hall Library Government Documents program is working with the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) to meet evolving Post-COVID Federal Depository Program guidelines, and the emergence of Digital FDLP guidelines.   

 

For Assistance with Online Government Documents  

FDLP Government documents can be accessed freely online directly to the public without charge. Additional guided assistance is available through our Government Documents Library guide. Please contact us if you have questions about finding and using electronic government documents. Reference: 718-990-6727; Ask a Librarian   

 

For Assistance with Print Government Documents  

The St. John’s University Main Library (in St. Augustine Hall) is open to St. John’s University students, faculty and staff with current St. John’s IDs only. At this time, access to the select FDLP Government Documents print collection is available by appointment only. Please call (718) 990-5083 and leave a message, or email your inquiry to todmana@stjohns.edu. The depository coordinator, Anthony Todman, will respond as soon as possible. By making an appointment, FDLP visitors are agreeing to followthe Libraries' Community Norms.  

 

Other St. John’s FDLP libraries:  

The Purpose of the Proxy Patron Account

The St. John's University Libraries provide University faculty the opportunity to name proxies to represent them in the Libraries. This service is intended to assist faculty in doing their library research by authorizing their designees to use the library in said faculty member's name.

Who may serve as a proxy?

Current St. John's University students, research assistants and employees are eligible to serve as proxies. Faculty members may authorize as many proxies as they choose.

How to Apply for the Proxy Patron Account

Faculty may request a proxy account by completing the Proxy Request Form and submitting it to the Circulation Desk of either the Queens or Staten Island campus libraries, or at the Queens Media Center and IMC desks. Proxy privileges may be issued for up to one year, at the sponsoring faculty member's discretion. 

Responsibilities of the Sponsoring Faculty Member

Sponsoring faculty members are fully responsible for all materials borrowed in their name. All circulation notices will be sent to the faculty member.

The Queens Library provides Community Bulletin Boards on the first floor in the Quiet Study Area for posting flyers, posters, and other appropriate information to be shared with the St. John’s community. Flyers/posters must be approved by the Office of Student Life or by an academic department/administrative unit and must bear a stamp or signature indicating such approval. All other posters/flyers are subject to removal.

Please:

  • Post only one copy
  • Remove others’ posters/flyers only after the event has passed
  • Use pins, not tape

We reserve the right to remove materials that are posted in other areas of the building.

For further information regarding posting flyers and other publicity material, please contact Arlene Coscia, [email protected], 718.990.6559

Covered beverages are permitted in the library. Please discard trash and recyclables in appropriate receptacles. Immediately report any spills to a library staff member.

Food is not permitted in the main library on the Queens campus. Thank you for your cooperation.

The St. John’s University Libraries respect the right of privacy of all patrons regarding the use of the Libraries. Library records are covered by New York State Law NY CLS CPLR § 4509 (2001):

“Library records, which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films or records, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.”

The Libraries also observe all St. John’s University privacy and confidentiality policies, including:

Library patrons who have questions, concerns, or complaints about the Libraries’ handling of their privacy and confidentiality rights should file written comments with the Dean of Libraries.

Caroline Fuchs,
University Librarian and Dean of Libraries
Professor
St. John's University
8000 Utopia Pkwy,
Queens, NY 11439