McGrath Library

Borrowing Library Materials

Books may be borrowed from McGrath Library for three weeks, excluding reference and reserve books, which are for library use only. DVDs may be borrowed for one week at a time. A valid student ID is required to check out all materials

Renewals

Materials may be renewed in person or by phone/email. However, they will not be renewed if another student has already placed a hold on them.

Fines

If an item checked out is over 30 days overdue, it will be deemed lost and a replacement fee will be charged to the patron.

Printing and Copying

Printers and a photocopier are available for use to all members of the Hilbert community at no cost.

Library Collection Development

McGrath Library serves the educational and research needs of the Hilbert College community. As a fundamental principle, the Library upholds the American Library Association’s (ALA) Bill of Rights, which asserts that every individual has the right to free access to information. McGrath Library’s collection development policy provides guidelines for the selection, acquisition, and lifecycle of library materials. The policy aims to provide direction and transparency in decision-making and ensure McGrath Library’s collections represent a diversity of viewpoints and ideas that support academic inquiry, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.

Selection Criteria

McGrath Library collects materials that support the academic curriculum and research needs of the Hilbert College community. The Library relies on a variety of sources to acquire materials, including purchasing from publishers, vendors, booksellers, and accepting donations. McGrath Library reserves the right to accept or reject donations based on the selection criteria. The following criteria are used to evaluate materials:

1. Relevance: Materials must be relevant to the Library's collection and support the institution's teaching, research, and learning objectives.
2. Authority: Materials must be written by qualified authors or created by reputable publishers, artists, or producers.
3. Accuracy: Materials must be factually accurate and based on reliable sources of information.
4. Currency: Materials must be current and in good condition, with preference given to those that are recently published or updated.
5. Diversity: Materials must represent a diversity of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds, and support the Library's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
6. Cost: Materials must be within the Library's budget and cost-effective.
7. Availability: Materials must be available in the appropriate format and accessible to the Hilbert College community.

Retention Policy and Deselection Process

McGrath Library's retention policy is guided by the following principles:

1. Collection Analysis: The Librarians regularly evaluate the collection to determine if materials continue to meet the selection criteria and are relevant to Hilbert College’s teaching, research, and learning objectives.
2. Deselection: The Librarians conduct a periodic deselection process to remove materials that are misleading and/or outdated, damaged, or not circulating. Materials from McGrath Library are removed in a systematic and deliberate way to ensure the collection is current and accurate and to allow space for new materials. It is an ongoing and necessary part of collection development conducted in a planned and thoughtful manner by librarians.
3. Preservation: McGrath Library prioritizes the preservation of rare or valuable materials, and materials that are at risk of deterioration or damage.
4. Intellectual Freedom: McGrath Library recognizes the importance of intellectual freedom and upholds the right of individuals to access information without censorship. The Librarians do not remove materials based on personal or political beliefs, and uphold the ALA Freedom to Read Statement.

AcademicSHARE

We are an Empire State AcademicSHARE library. Therefore, AcademicSHARE Member libraries minimally agree to allow on-site access and lend materials to any current college student, staff, and/or faculty member from another Empire State AcademicShare member academic library. However, at minimum, a verifiable valid college I.D. is required. The library may choose to treat the college I.D. as confirmation the student/faculty member is in good standing. Other proof of identification or status may be required