Library Policies

Circulating items: books, noncurrent magazines, reserve materials, DVDs and video recordings.

Non-circulating items: reference materials, Textbook Bank materials (library use only), electronic devices (library use only), and current issue magazines. These items must be used inside the library.

The loan period is four weeks for most items, with unlimited renewal as long as no requests exist for the item. The Textbook Bank and Early Childhood Materials Center are the only collections with varying loan periods. Loan periods for Textbook Bank items are determined by the materials' owner. ECMC materials can be borrowed for two weeks.

The number of items borrowed is limited by borrower status. Students, faculty and staff may borrow up to 30 items; community members may borrow up to 15 items.

Materials may be transferred from one campus library to the other; this can take up to three business days.

Requests for materials from the other campus library and renewals may be made online, in person, by phone, or by email. When an item is available for pickup, patrons will be emailed through their college student account. Community borrowers will be contacted via e-mail or phone. Patrons have one week to pick up their materials.

All items may be returned to either campus library. Video recordings and DVDs should not be placed in outdoor book drops.

Members of the college community may borrow items at other participating institutions through the Library’s participation in VIVA’s Cooperative Borrowing Program. This program allows students, faculty, and staff at VIVA institutions to borrow materials on-site from any participating library; items must also be returned at that library. Details can be found on VIVA’s site.

To request reconsideration of resources provided by the Brightpoint Library, please complete the Request for Reconsideration of Resources form. For more information on requesting reconsideration, please see the Library's Collection Development Policy on challenged materials.

Materials from the library collections do not accrue fines. If items are overdue, the library will send a reminder. If items are overdue for more than 90 days they are considered delinquent or lost. If the item is not returned, patrons will be billed for the delinquent/lost items. Patrons will be billed for damaged items. Two additional notices are sent to the patron for lost items. Lost items may prevent students from registering for classes, graduating, or receiving college transcripts. The Commonwealth of Virginia may recover fees from an individual's state income tax refund, or other such monies issued by the Commonwealth, such as lottery winnings.

Exceptions: Textbook Bank

Some Textbook Bank items are for use only in the library. Some may be checked out for one-day, three-day, or one-week periods. Items in the Textbook Bank cannot be requested to be placed on hold. Any holds placed on Textbook Bank items will be cancelled by library staff. Renewals are not allowed for multi-day loan periods. To use a Textbook Bank item again, students must return the item and wait until the next business day to see if the material is available for checkout.

If an item is not returned, the patron will receive a notice that the item is lost and there is a replacement fee. The patron’s library account will be blocked and the patron will be unable to check out library materials until the item is returned or they pay the replacement cost. The cost for the item will be assessed by the library, based on the list price of the book from the library’s vendors.

A service indicator may be placed on a student’s college account after the item has been lost. Unpaid library obligations may prevent patrons from checking out materials, registering for classes or obtaining grade transcripts.

Lost technology will be assessed the replacement cost of the item.

The Library reserves the right to revoke Interlibrary Loan privileges if patrons lose items or return them in damaged condition.

The Library does not accept patron-purchased replacement copies of lost material in lieu of payment of the replacement fee.

Once paid, the lost or damaged title becomes the property of the student.

The Library cannot issue refunds.

Study rooms are available for student use on both campuses.

Visit the information desks at either campus to sign into a study room.

Group study rooms are available for currently enrolled students in good standing with the library.
Due to high demand, group study rooms are available only on a first come, first served basis.
Both individuals and groups of students may use the study rooms, limited to a 2 hour session. Users may continue using the room if no other student is waiting for a study room. Students who are asked to vacate a study room due to high demand must wait 30 minutes before joining the waitlist.
Users are expected to follow the college’s Code of Student Conduct. Users who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior may be asked to leave, and their study room privileges suspended or revoked.
Users will be liable for any damage done to the room or equipment. Equipment that is not working should be reported to the library staff.
Please keep the rooms in clean condition.
If a study room is left vacant, it may be reassigned. Unattended items left in study rooms will be turned over to college security.

The Library accepts donations of books that are current, in excellent condition, and within the scope for the academic programs or lifelong learning needs of the students and faculty.

Donated materials may be added to the collection or disposed of at the discretion of the librarians. Materials received will be evaluated based on the library's collection development policy. The Library will determine the classification, housing, and circulation policy for all gifts.

If you would like to donate books, please complete this form.

Food items and drinks are permitted in the Library; however, food should be kept away from computer stations. Library staff may request you relocate food items. Students and visitors are expected to remove waste and clean areas if necessary. Cleaning materials are available at the information desk.