Library Policies

The Welder Library privileges and borrowing policy applies to on-campus students, faculty, and staff patrons. On-campus students and faculty must register in the Welder Library user database in order to utilize all services. Each student, faculty, and staff user must create a library account in person by registering a valid Mcard at the Circulation Desk before borrowing from the Library. Holders of library cards from other Central Dakota Library Network (CDLN) member libraries are also honored by the Welder Library. Accordingly, borrowing privileges are extended at the undergraduate student level to those card holders.

Online students must use ILLiad to request books and media held by Welder Library, and other CDLN libraries as well. Books and media requested by online students will be forwarded to students by mail. Online students are responsible for costs incurred in returning borrowed items to Welder Library. 

Welder Library extends guest library privileges to the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery by issuing a Guest Library Card at the Circulation Desk. Guest Library Cards can only be issued in person at the Circulation Desk. The Guest Library Card provides borrowing privileges for Sisters at the student level and allows access to online eResources. 

Welder Library extends guest library privileges to special groups and individuals designated by the director of library services. Guest library privileges will be extended by issuing a Guest Library Card at the Circulation Desk. Guest Library Cards can only be issued in person at the Circulation Desk. The Guest Library Card provides borrowing privileges at the undergraduate level. For more information contact the Circulation Desk at (701) 355-8070, or library@umary.edu.

Categories of library borrowing privileges follow:

On-Campus Student Borrowing Privileges 

• Books and documents: 30 days, 2 renewals of 2 weeks duration 

• Periodicals do not circulate 

• Reference materials: No loan 

• Newspapers: No loan 

• Access to eResources online 

Online Student Borrowing Privileges 

• Books and documents: 30 days, 2 renewals of 2 weeks duration 

• Access to eResources online 

Faculty and Staff Borrowing Privileges 

• Books and documents: 30 days, 2 renewals of 2 weeks duration 

• Periodicals: 5 days, no renewals 

• Newspapers: No loan 

• Access to eResources online 

Sisters of Annunciation Monastery Borrowing Privileges

• Books and documents: 30 days, 2 renewals of 2 weeks duration 

• Periodicals do not circulate 

• Reference materials: No loan 

• Newspapers: No loan 

• Access to eResources online 

Guest Library Patron/ CDLN Patron Borrowing Privileges 

• Books and documents: 30 days, 2 renewals of 2 weeks duration 

• Periodicals do not circulate 

• Reference materials: No loan 

• Newspapers: No loan 

Blocks on Library Accounts: Users that fail to return library materials within four weeks of the due date will be billed for the price of each item, plus a $10 processing fee per item. Library accounts are blocked until the item is paid for or returned. In addition, a library hold will be placed on student accounts at the Office of the Registrar. Stop by the Circulation Desk or call us at 701-355- 8070 to determine why a library account is blocked. 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) supports the educational, research, and scholarly activities of University of Mary students, faculty, and staff by obtaining research material not owned by the Welder Library. Nearly all media, including books and periodicals, are available by request through ILL. 

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The following use and conduct policies are intended to ensure a pleasant and productive environment for learning, study, and research for all users. The use and conduct policies are applicable to all library users and are enforceable by the library staff.

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Welder Library permits the consumption of beverages carried in covered containers, and individual snack-size food items, except in designated areas.* All other foods and drinks are not permitted in the Library. 

Examples: 

1. Acceptable covered beverage containers include disposable coffee and soft drink cups with lids, plastic or glass bottles with twist-on lids, travel mugs, and sport-type water bottles. 2. Acceptable food items include individual snack-size containers of chips, cookies, candy, and other snack foods; candy bars, granola bars, and power bars; small containers of finger foods (e.g., cut fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, string cheese); cold sandwiches, and small whole fruits, such as apples or bananas. 

3. Unacceptable food items include anything that is hot, aromatic, potentially messy, or intended for consumption by more than one person (e.g., hot entrees, burgers, French fries, pizza, noodles, burritos, tacos, soup, salads, large-size bags or packages of chips, etc.). 

*Designated areas are those places in which different policies are in place (e.g. no food or drinks are permitted near photocopiers and printers; only drinks permitted near computer workstations).

Access, use, and reproduction of most electronic resources available through the Welder Library are governed by license agreements between the University and publishers. University community members must make reasonable and good faith efforts to comply with agreement terms. 

In using licensed electronic resources, users shall:  

• Limit uses to non-commercial, educational, and/or personal research purposes.  
• Not facilitate unauthorized access by others (i.e. do not share your network username and password). 

In addition, users may:  

• Print, download, and/or quote limited amounts of information (with proper attribution).  
• Copy an article for personal use in learning, teaching, and/or research.  
• Create a link to a journal article on a publisher’s web site. 

Users may not:  

• Systematically download large amounts of information (e.g. download all articles in a journal issue; engage in large-scale downloading from licensed resources to create large databases).  
• Sell or distribute articles to individuals, institutions, or organizations for commercial purposes.  

Please note: Publishers often monitor use levels of electronic resources to verify compliance with licensing agreements. Breach of license by a single user may enable the publisher to suspend the University's access without warning.

Welder Library has an obligation to maintain a welcoming, comfortable, safe, and harassment-free environment for all library patrons and for university employees. Usage of library computers must support such an environment. All users of library computers must comply with the University of Mary acceptable use policies for information technology at the University of Mary that governs all computer use on campus. 

1. All Library users are expected to be guided by courtesy, sensitivity, and respect for others when accessing and viewing Internet material and using the Library computers in general. 

2. Computers may not be used for commercial purposes or in violation of state or federal laws or applicable University policies. 

3. Users must observe applicable intellectual property laws, including United States copyright laws, and the University of Mary copyright infringement policy. 

4. Users must adhere to electronic resource licenses, agreements, and guidelines including those limiting or prohibiting systematic download, duplication, transfer, sale, or commercial exploitation. 

5. Users must follow all applicable University of Mary restrictions and guidelines on use of equipment and electronic resources. 

6. Users may not maliciously access, alter, damage, or destroy any computer system, network, program, or data. 

7. Knowingly running or installing on any computer system or network a program intended to damage or to place excessive load on a computer system or network is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to programs known as computer viruses, Trojan horses, and worms.

Welder Library accepts gifts of library materials that are relevant to the teaching and research needs of the University of Mary community. Generally, the same criteria used to determine purchase of materials is used in evaluating appropriateness of gifts for the collection as outlined in the collection development policy, which is included below along with some criteria for accepting gifts for Welder Library. 

• Materials are in good physical condition and are not legally prohibited from transfer to the library. 

• Unless otherwise agreed upon by the donor and the library director, materials are not subject to special restrictions on placement, treatment, retention, or any other requirements. 

• Priority is given to current or seminal academic books relating to University of Mary programs of study. 

Examples of materials which are usually not considered for addition to the collection include mass market paperbacks, dictionaries, outdated textbooks, almanacs, serials to which the library does not subscribe, government documents, foreign language materials which do not support the curriculum, and any materials in poor physical repair or in an outdated format. 

Donations are accepted with the understanding that once accepted, they become the property of the University of Mary. The library reserves the right to exchange, discard, or sell donated material. When materials are judged to be unsuited to our collections, we will make an effort to place them appropriately, which may include discarding. The library does not appraise the value of gifts, but a formal acknowledgement of gift can be provided upon request. All donors should be informed that questions regarding tax deductions are best referred to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or personal tax advisor. 

Prospective donors who believe their gift would enrich our collections and is consistent with the purpose and scope of Welder Library are encouraged to contact the director of library services. 

Monetary gifts to Welder Library are gratefully accepted. Please discuss a monetary gift with the director of library services. 

Approved by President’s Council, February 12, 2019.

Welder Library endeavors to maintain a current and relevant collection for its users including strong collections in specific areas to support University of Mary curriculum and research programs. Welder Library evaluates collections regularly and deselects items in order to make space for more relevant works, replacing outdated materials. Careful deselection allows the library to ensure that the collection is not static, while still retaining older materials of lasting value. Materials contributing to on-going teaching and research efforts should be retained or updated and a judicious selection of materials to be rehomed should be made on an on-going basis.

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This statement on the principles of intellection freedom is adapted from the American Library Association document, “Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries.” This statement on intellectual freedom is intended to be compatible with and support the University of Mary statement on academic freedom.

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This library collection development policy sets forth guidelines for the selection, evaluation, and deselection of library resources. This policy lays out the library's objectives in developing a collection that best serves the mission of the university and the goals of Welder Library. The policy defines the rationale for collecting or not collecting different types of resources in relation to academic program needs. Library staff and faculty can refer to these guidelines for assistance in making individual selection decisions. Additionally, it is the purpose of this policy to communicate these objectives and guidelines clearly to all members of the University of Mary community. This will foster a better understanding of the nature of the library and assist in the future development of library resources. 

The library staff developed this policy in conjunction with appropriate faculty in the university’s academic departments and divisions. The University Library Committee will review the collection development policy annually and propose changes as needed. A collection development policy is a "working document" that must change as the university's curriculum changes. This policy has been distributed as a printed document and is also accessible electronically through the link below. 

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Welder Library is committed to protecting the privacy of all users, in person and online. This includes the personal right to research and read anonymously. Consequently, library staff members hold in confidence — to the extent allowable by law — all information about individual library users and their choices of research or study material. 

To safeguard privacy, the library has procedures in place that minimize instances of the retention of library records. In addition, Welder Library follows relevant University of Mary policies respecting privacy of student information. 

Circulation records are required for controlling the use of library materials both on and off the library premises. These records are not in any way intended for the purpose of monitoring a user's reading or pursuit of information. Circulation records are kept to control library property. Summary statistics of library use are kept to measure organizational activity. Any library record which includes a library user's name or information sufficient to identify a user together with the subject about which the user requested information is protected and shall not be made available upon request of any person other than the patron. However, library records shall be released when required pursuant to a court order or subpoena. Only the university counsel or their representative is authorized to release requested records pursuant to court order or subpoena. Should any question arise concerning the court order or subpoena, the director of library services will consult the university counsel. 

Library patrons should be aware that federal legislation (USA PATRIOT Act of 2001) has expanded the circumstances under which a federal agent may request patron records held by the library; if such records are requested by federal authorities, the library is prohibited by law from notifying the patron of that request. The library forwards any law enforcement requests for patron records to the office of the university counsel.

Welder Library is committed to providing access to library materials, programs, and services for all users. The Welder Library will make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests from users with disabilities. If a disability is not readily discernible, users are asked to identify themselves as having a disability when seeking assistance. 

• Parking: Accessible parking for library users with mobility impaired parking placards is available in various locations on campus, with the closest location being the M Lot adjacent to the Welder Library. Contact the Security Department (701) 355-8000 for details. 
• Building Access: Welder Library is equipped with electronic doors and elevators providing access to both levels. Accessible restrooms are located near the inside entry doors to Welder Library. Contact the Circulation Desk staff at Welder Library (701) 355-8100 for further assistance. 
• Computing & Furnishings: Accessible computer workstations are available on the court level of Welder Library. 
• Locating Materials & Information: Library staff will provide assistance when users are unable to use keyboards to search online catalogs and/or other library equipment or resources. We try our best to provide assistance to users, but at times, immediate assistance may not be available due to staffing or workload considerations. When possible, contact the Circulation Desk in advance to make arrangements. 
• Retrieving Materials: Library staff are happy to retrieve available items from library shelves or other inaccessible areas. Whenever possible, contact Circulation Desk staff at Welder Library in advance to make arrangements. 
  • Same-day retrieval and/or number of items retrieved per day may be limited due to staffing or workload considerations. At times, particularly during evenings and weekends, retrieval is not possible within two hours. In such cases, staff will make arrangements to have the material ready for pick up at the library’s Circulation Desk the next working day. 
• Proxy Borrowing Privileges: Patrons with valid Welder Library borrowing privileges may designate another individual as a proxy to borrow materials for them when necessary. Contact the Circulation Desk staff in advance to make arrangements. 
• Service Animals: Service animals are welcome in the Welder Library. To maintain a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for all Welder Library users and staff, service animals must be in physical proximity to their handler and under handler control at all times. Service animals may not be left unattended by their handler at any time.

The collections of Welder Library have been developed to provide students, faculty, staff, and local patrons with the information and materials critical to effective scholarship and inquiry. Challenges to the appropriateness of items in the Welder Library may be presented by any library user, including members of the community without a formal relationship to the University of Mary. In the event that the appropriateness of an item in the collection is challenged, the following procedure will be followed.

1. A member of the library staff will meet the patron in a private area of the library. Written notes will be taken on the item being challenged and on the patron’s concerns. 

2. The patron will be provided with an explanation as to how the item in question adheres to the Library collection development policy. 

3. If the patron still wishes to appeal the item, the patron will be asked to discuss the issue with the director of library services. If the patron remains dissatisfied, the patron will be invited to complete a Request for Reconsideration Form, which is available below or upon request at the Circulation Desk. The patron will be required to identify himself/herself on the form. Failure to do so will render the appeal invalid. 

4. The challenged item will not be withdrawn from the collection, nor restricted until the challenge review process is complete. The patron will not be allowed to remove the challenged material. No person can withdraw the challenged item from the collection until the challenge review process is completed and a decision to withdraw the item is rendered. 

5. Upon receipt of a written request for reconsideration, the director of library services, in consultation with staff librarians, will call an ad hoc review committee to be formed. This committee will be composed of the director of library services, who will serve as the committee chair, and at least one faculty member and the dean from an academic program related to the subject of the material. If the challenged material is highly interdisciplinary in nature, additional faculty representatives may be sought at the discretion of the chair. The ad hoc review committee will review the challenged material for relevancy based on the collection development policy and make a determination for the status of the item promptly. 

6. The chair will compose a written response to the request for reconsideration, explaining the committee’s rationale for the decision to retain or withdraw the item. The decision and its letter must be completed within 30 days of the date of the challenge. Copies of the decision correspondence will be forwarded to the vice president for academic affairs. The patron has the right to appeal the reconsideration decision to the vice president for academic affairs. The decision of the vice president for academic affairs is final and binding. 

7. The director of library services will keep records of all requests for reconsideration. In cases where the decision is to retain the challenged item, a note will be added to the item record in the library’s automated system indicating the date of review. The chair will work with cataloging staff to withdraw items or add notes as appropriate. 

8. Specific items that have been challenged may not be challenged again within a three-year period. Any publication or media may be challenged, including the complete series of a periodical publication. Challenge of specific articles or issues of a periodical does not extend to the entire periodical publication, however. Patrons may challenge other articles or issues of a particular periodical that had been challenged previously without application of the three-year challenge rule.

View the Request for Reconsideration Form Here.

Welder Library supports the instructional and research needs of the academic community at the University of Mary. Priority for services is extended to the University of Mary faculty, students, and staff. This often requires us to provide limited services to the general public. 

All Library users, university and public, are required to observe the Welder Library’s use and conduct policy. In addition, members of the public are subject to further restrictions on their use of the library. 

Using the print collections: Visitors may use the collections within the Welder Library, but cannot borrow materials for use at home. Borrowing privileges are accorded to visitors only by policy or by specific arrangement and approval of the director of library services. Holders of library cards from other Central Dakota Library Network member libraries are honored by the Welder Library. Accordingly, library and borrowing privileges are extended at the student level to those card holders. Materials designated as course reserves are for the exclusive use of students and may not be used by community visitors. 

Other Services Available to Public Visitors:  

• Access to local Wi-Fi
• Use of a coin-operated copier/printer 
• Assistance using the online catalog  
• Access to print library resources on a self-help basis 

Public use of University of Mary computers is prohibited. Welder Library does not provide document delivery services (providing copies of materials in our collections) for community users.

This policy establishes the University Archives and Special Collections function within the administration of the Welder Library. The purpose of the University Archives and Special Collections is to create a permanent, living record of the history and heritage of the University of Mary. The director of library services is responsible for the University Archives and Special Collections and is designated as the university archivist. The university archivist identifies, collects, preserves, and provides access to archival records and special collections of the University of Mary. 

The University Archives is the repository for the archival records of the University of Mary that are of enduring historical, administrative, fiscal, or legal value. Archival records document the governance, administration, academic pursuits, and history and heritage of the university, and are the permanent property of the University of Mary. 

The University Archives will acquire and preserve records of enduring value produced by university offices, schools, and departments; arrange and describe those records and make them accessible in accordance with established archival standards; assist researchers with access to the University Archives respecting any restrictions to access that are required; and encourage and assist the university community to recognize and make use of its institutional documentary heritage via exhibits, presentations, and published resources. 

Archival records may be in any physical format including but not limited to paper, microforms, photographic media, drawings, cartographic material, architectural records, motion picture film, electronic record media maintained in magnetic or optical format such as documents and databases, CDs and DVDs, videotapes and audiotapes, slides, computer tapes and discs, digital images, and memorabilia. Archival records shall not be transferred to the University Archives until all administrative and retention requirements of the office of origin are satisfied and released for transfer by the office administrator. All archival records deposited in the University Archives shall be available to the office of origin for any purpose. 

The purpose of Special Collections are to collect and preserve material of historical importance to the university, and other research areas or topics that may be relevant to the mission of the university such as documentation of student life, academic life of faculty and leadership, historical events, or the history of Catholicism in North Dakota and the region. Special collections may consist of programs and recordings of events, selected faculty papers, oral histories, memorabilia, ephemera and artifacts, rare books, and other items in various physical formats that document both the official and informal history of the University of Mary and student life. The director of library services may collect personal papers of any faculty, staff, student, or other person whose papers help to document the functions, development, or physical characteristics of the university, particularly in those subject areas or time periods in which the official university record is deficient. Special Collections items that are donated to Welder Library are accepted by the director of library services as gifts to the University of Mary.

Welder Library is the official and permanent repository for archival and library copies of all publications produced by the University of Mary. This policy is intended to ensure the preservation of publications and media produced by the university and to make that content accessible for research. This policy will assist the Welder Library in fulfilling its obligation to preserve intellectual property of the University of Mary; will ensure university community access to valuable research and institutional information; and will relieve issuing university offices, schools, and departments of the burden of archiving their own publications. 

•  "Publications" include printed material or media, irrespective of form, which is produced (or produced under contract) by the university and intended for dissemination, both internal and external to the university. This definition includes but is not limited to books, manuals, catalogs, technical and annual reports, yearbooks, conference proceedings (sponsored by the university), newsletters and periodicals produced by the university, bulletins, fact sheets, abstracts, plans, and promotional materials, which includes brochures, broadsides, posters, videos, directories, handbooks, guidebooks, and promotional ephemera, memorabilia, and artifacts. 
• Once available for dissemination or use, each university office, school, and department shall send three (3) copies of all publications they produce to the Welder Library. Old or obsolete copies of university publications maintained in offices, schools, and departments shall be sent to the Welder Library for permanent retention. All publications deposited in Welder Library shall be available to the office of origin for any purpose. Though not publications, two (2) copies of theses and dissertations produced by students of the university shall be deposited in the Welder Library.