Access/User Policy

The CSM Library is for CSM students, faculty, and staff. Guests of the college, guests of CSM students, faculty & staff, and members of the general public must sign in and show ID to verify their name.

Any person using the Library that is not recognized by Library staff may be asked to show identification. Those unwilling to show ID or sign in will be asked to leave by Library staff or campus security. 

Circulation Policy

Checking out materials

Each patron must show her/his valid CSM I.D. before checking out material. If an I.D. is forgotten, the student must present a drivers license and have a library account already established.

Loan Period

Students and staff may check out books for twenty-eight (28) days, faculty for the semester.  Renewals may be made, in person, online through the online catalog or by phone.  AV materials located in the AV Collection are checked out only to faculty. Students may view AV Collection materials in the library. We have 4 TV/VCR's and many of the computers offer DVD players. Headphones may be checked out from the Circulation desk. If students need to use AV collection materials for a class presentation they must have a professor check out the materials for them. The library also houses AV materials in the general collection. These items are available for checkout to all patrons. Periodicals, (magazines/journals) bound periodicals, and Reference materials do not circulate.

Renewing Items 

Students may renew items that have not been requested by other users.  All items are due back at the end of each semester.  Items may be renewed by phone (402-399-2471) or in person.

Overdue Fines

Students and Community patrons are charged 10 cents per day for each item that is overdue. Interlibrary Loan items are charged 50 cents per day for each item that is over due. Reserve items are charged $1 per day for each item that is over due. Fines may be paid in cash or by check. Fines over five dollars will result in borrowing privileges being suspended. Fines that have reached $50 will be turned over to the CSM Express Center for collection and a hold will be placed their transcript.

Recall / Hold

If a patron would like to use an item that is currently checked out, the library will place a hold on the item. When the material has been returned, the patron will be notified that the item has been returned and is on hold waiting for them to pick it up.

If a patron has an item that needs to be used for classroom use by a professor, a recall may be issued. The library will contact the patron with the item and ask that they return it to the library as soon as possible. The faculty member will be notified when the item has been returned and is available.  

Reserve Material  

Reserve materials are located at the circulation desk and must be checked out and used in the library.  The checkout period may vary according to the instructor's wishes.  Fines for reserve items that are more than 24 hours overdue are $1.00 per day per item. 

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phone use is not allowed in the library study areas. The noise from the phone conversations is disturbing to other patrons.  If you must use your cell phone, please do so in the foyer area.  If complaints regarding noise are registered by other patrons, you will be asked to either move to another location or to end your phone call. 

Disruptive Behavior Policy 

In accordance with the CSM Mission, the College of Saint Mary Library is dedicated to the education of women in an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership. We strive to inspire academic excellence and life-long learning, regard for the dignity of each person, attention to the development of mind, body, and spirit and compassionate service to others.

The CSM library requires library patrons to behave in a manner that supports this mission. Behavior that interrupts the learning process for other patrons, exhibits a disregard for the dignity of others, or hinders the development of mind; body and spirit will not be tolerated. 

Complaints of disruptive behavior will be taken seriously and the offending patron may be asked to leave the building by the Library Director. 

Fax Machine Fax service is available to all CSM students, staff, and faculty.   The Fax service is not available to CSM alumni or community users.

Charges: A fax to a local or toll-free phone number is free. Sending a fax to anywhere in the United States will cost 25 cents per page. Sending a fax to a number outside the United State (an International Fax) will cost $5 for the first page and 25 cents for each additional page.

Please Note: Students, faculty, and staff with telephone pin numbers are encouraged to use their PIN numbers to FAX material rather than pay the fee.

Procedure: You may request Fax service at the Circulation Desk. A library staff member will be glad to help. If you have questions, please contact the library at 402-339-2471.

Food / Drink Policy

Covered drinks are allowed in the library. 

Anyone with food, or uncovered drink containers will be asked to please leave or to throw them away. 

Damaged / Lost Materials Policy

Items returned damaged will be withdrawn, and the patron will be charged for the replacement cost of the items plus a processing fee. 

• If the book is in print, the patron will be charged the replacement fee plus a $15 processing fee.
• If the book is not in print, the patron will be charged a $45 replacement fee plus a $15 processing fee for a total of $60.
• If a patron replaces a book, a processing fee will still be charged.
• If a cover only is damaged, the charge is $15.00 for rebinding and $15.00 for processing.

Lost and Found

Items found in the library will be held in the library lost and found area behind the circulation desk for 1 week. If the owner has not arrived to claim the item, then it will be moved to the all campus lost and found located at the CSM Book Store. Please call the library at 399-2471 to see if we have your lost item.

Printing Policy

The CSM library charges for printing to the library laser printer in order to off set the high cost of paper and toner. Printing costs 5 cents per single sided page. Print jobs must be paid for with your CSM Student I.D. Card.  

Reciprocal Borrowing

Students, faculty, and staff with valid Ids from the other Nebraska Academic Libraries may borrow books under the same rules as members of the CSM community. CSM students may also check out materials from most other Nebraska academic institutions. Patrons will need to follow the policy of the institution they borrowed from.

Video Policy

AV materials located in the AV Collection are checked out only to faculty. Students may view AV Collection materials in the library. There are 5 TV/VCR's and many of the computers offer DVD players. Headphones may be checked out from the Circulation desk. If students need to use AV collection materials for a class, presentation they must have a professor check out the materials for them.

The library also houses AV materials in the general collection. These items are available for checkout to all patrons for 7 days.