Library Learning Commons
Southworth Library Learning Commons provides access to library resources and services that engage the SUNY Canton community in teaching, learning, and scholarship.
Instruction and Reference
SLLC faculty librarians offer formal library instruction to all SUNY Canton classes. Please see the Southworth Library Learning Commons’ website for the most current Library Instruction policies.
In entry level and core courses, librarians teach basic library and research skills; in upper level courses, librarians focus on more advanced search strategies. Sessions are most effective when librarians and course instructors work collaboratively.
Faculty planning library instruction should consider the following policies:
- Request for library instruction must be made 7 days in advance to ensure librarian and room availability and to give the librarian ample time to prepare for class.
- The instructor should be present at the time of instruction.
- It is strongly recommended that faculty schedule instruction at a point in the semester when students are aware of the assignment requirements and have had time to consider their research focus.
- Library instruction sessions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- No library instruction will be scheduled when the Library is closed.
- All library instruction is scheduled through the Library Instruction Request Form on the Southworth Library Learning Commons’ website.
The library provides reference services at the Research Desk, including research assistance and the identification of bibliographic materials. Patrons may ask for information and assistance at the Circulation Desk. Virtual reference help is available through online chat and a searchable FAQ, which are accessible via the Library webpage.
Building
The Library has additional policies relating to a number of services, issues, and concerns in the building.
- Computer Access
A valid campus network login and password are necessary to access the networked computers and printers in the building. - Food and Beverages
Consumption of food and beverages is permitted in the Library. Proper care and removal of garbage related to the consumption of foods and beverages in the building is the patron’s responsibility. - Lost and Found
The Library holds lost and found items at the Circulation Desk for one academic semester. Valuable items such as wallets, purses, jewelry, and electronic devices are immediately turned over to University Police. College ID cards are immediately sent to the One Hop Shop. Valid identification and signature is required to pick up lost items from lost and found. The Library Learning Commons staff is not responsible for lost or stolen items. - Library Conduct
Appropriate conduct is mandatory in the Library at all times, and patrons are required to comply with reasonable requests from Library staff and/or college officials regarding behavior issues. According to the Student Handbook, requests to produce college identification from any college official must be honored and failure or refusal to do so may result in removal from the Library, referral to University Police and/or the Dean of Students. Excessive noise, whether from individuals, groups, or electronic devices, is not permitted in the Library. Phone conversations are not permitted on the second floor. Patrons should set phones to silent or vibrate and take phone conversations either in the lobby.
Circulation and Access
The borrower takes full responsibility for the security and condition of the materials borrowed from the Library and for their timely return. There is no standard hourly or daily fine for overdue materials; however, the borrower will pay the full replacement cost for items not returned. Holds may be placed on student accounts until fees are paid or items are returned.
Faculty may borrow regular circulating material for one semester. Students and other authorized borrowers may borrow regular circulating books for three weeks with one renewal for an additional three-week period. Other resources including DVDs have variable loan periods, and some materials must be used within the building.
The SUNY Canton community, students, faculty, and staff may borrow material using their college I.D. cards. Associated Colleges’ students and other community members may also borrow materials after registration.
The Library website provides access to electronic resources including databases and electronic books. SUNY Canton students, faculty, and staff can access the databases on campus and remotely. A valid campus network login and password are necessary to access the library’s electronic resources.
Southworth Library Learning Commons offers Course Reserves: textbooks, articles, models, and equipment available for student use within the building for a specified period of time.
Interlibrary Loan
Materials not available in Southworth Library Learning Commons may be requested from other libraries through Interlibrary Loan Service, which is offered to SUNY Canton students, faculty, and staff. Interlibrary Loan materials must be requested individually via the SLLC’s Interlibrary Loan online portal.
Collection Development
The Library Learning Commons acquires materials to support the College curriculum and maintain a balanced and timely collection. The Library will also collect material to encourage reading and promote habits for lifelong learning. The Library supports the principles of intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights as adopted by the American Library Association.
Faculty and librarians share the responsibility of building the Library collection. Faculty are encouraged to participate in the selection of material in their areas of specialization, and may contact their library liaison with collection development suggestions.
Gifts
The Library welcomes gifts of library material. If the gifts cannot be used by the Library, the College reserves the right to offer them to other libraries or dispose of them at its discretion. No dollar valuation of the material will be provided to donors.
Weeding/Deselection
Library staff shall review, evaluate and weed the collection areas on a periodic basis, using the following guidelines: use, currency, relevancy, and physical condition of the material. Materials which are withdrawn from the collection may be sold, donated, distributed, recycled, or discarded, at the Library’s sole discretion.