General Policies

Borrowing privileges for the library’s general collection are extended to all Misericordia University alumni. Library-owned laptops and iPads are not available for community use. Alumni are encouraged to support their library by becoming a Friend of the Library.

The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library is designed to serve the Misericordia University community, primarily students, faculty and staff. Children should be accompanied at all times by a parent or an adult for their own safety. Parents are responsible for children's use of the library, including, but not limited to, the children's literature collection and the Internet.

The Library understands the need for using personal devices such as cell phones. We ask that devices are set to the “silent mode” while in the library. Further, when using these devices, patrons should go to the uncarpeted areas of the building (i.e. the breezeway, stairwells or bathrooms). We appreciate your cooperation in respecting the quiet that some patrons need to work and study.

The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library is designated as a welcoming and comfortable space for the Misericordia community. The consumption of food and drink are permitted in the library except in restricted areas. Library users are asked to follow these guidelines:

• All trash must be disposed of properly in wastebaskets and recycling bins that are available on each floor of the library.
• Food waste must be disposed of outside the library. This will help keep insects, rodents, and other unwanted pests out of the library.
• Spills must be cleaned up promptly. Please report any major spills to the library staff.
• Covered drinks are encouraged, especially when using library owned technology (iPads, laptops, etc.).

Food and beverage restricted areas in the library include:

• Sister Mary Carmel McGarigle University Archives  (no food or drink permitted)
• Second Floor Computer Lab (no food; covered drinks permitted)

The library is for the enjoyment of all who wish to use its resources and services. Certain services are restricted to members of the Misericordia University community.

Local community members are welcome to visit the library to use the on-site collection.  A staff member will be happy to offer assistance. Library-owned laptops, computers and iPads are not available for community use. Printing and fax services are only available to Misericordia students, faculty and staff.

Community members are invited to support the library by making a modest donation to obtain a Friends of the Library membership. This yearly membership affords patrons the opportunity to borrow materials from the library’s general collection. In addition, invitations to Friends’ sponsored presentations and lectures are periodically sent throughout the year.

Local community members are encouraged to visit their public library for research assistance, library materials, and services.

Luzerne County Library System: https://www.luzernelibraries.org/

Tunkhannock Library: https://www.tunkhannocklibrary.org/

Lackawanna County Library System: https://lclshome.org/

The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library does not offer computer access to the general public. Local community members are encouraged to visit their public library for computer services and internet access.

Luzerne County Library System: https://www.luzernelibraries.org/

Tunkhannock Library: https://www.tunkhannocklibrary.org/

Lackawanna County Library System: https://lclshome.org/

The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library does not offer printing services to the public. Local community members are encouraged to visit their public library for printing services.

Luzerne County Library System: https://www.luzernelibraries.org/

Tunkhannock Library: https://www.tunkhannocklibrary.org/

Lackawanna County Library System: https://lclshome.org/

Students from Kings College, Luzerne County Community College, Marywood University, Penn State University (Wilkes-Barre Campus only), The University of Scranton, and Wilkes University may apply for reciprocal borrowing privileges. After presenting a valid student identification card and completing a borrower's application, a library card will be issued.

The library adheres to U. S. Copyright laws.
Learn more about U. S. Copyright Laws 

The library provides a fax service for Misericordia students, faculty and staff at the Circulation Desk.

Fax services are not available to community members. The local community is encouraged to visit their public library for fax services.

Luzerne County Library System: https://www.luzernelibraries.org/

Tunkhannock Library: https://www.tunkhannocklibrary.org/

Lackawanna County Library System: https://lclshome.org/

The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library supports the rich cultural and educational events that take place on our campus and recognize that the university community is comprised of individuals who have a broad range of communication needs. As a good faith gesture, the Library provides a bulletin board for MU community members to post announcements of up-coming events. Everyone desiring to post materials must adhere to university policy and have said materials stamped at the Student Affairs office prior to posting. Items may not be posted elsewhere in the library building without permission of library administration. The electronic bulletin board used exclusively for library notices and announcements is exempt from this policy.

Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association. In this library the right to privacy is the right to open inquiry without having the subject of one's interest examined or scrutinized by others. Confidentiality exists when a library is in possession of personally identifiable information about users and keeps that information private on their behalf. Confidential records include but are not limited to circulation records, registration records, reference requests, document delivery requests, reference and internet searches, and interlibrary loan requests.

If you are affiliated with Misericordia, the library automatically receives personally identifiable information on a semester basis to create and update your library account from the Registrar's Office (for students) or Human Resources (for employees). In all cases, we avoid creating unnecessary records; we avoid retaining records not needed for the fulfillment of the mission of the library; and we do not engage in practices that might place information on public view.

We permit only authorized Library staff to access personal data stored in the Library's computer system for the purpose of performing library work. The USA PATRIOT Act expands the scope of inquiries by law enforcement into library records, but student, faculty, and staff rights to privacy and confidentiality remain unchanged.

The library observes state and federal laws including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regarding the disclosure of personal information in library records. All library staff and volunteers are trained to refer any law enforcement inquiries to library administrators.

We will not make library records available to any agency of state, federal, or local government unless a subpoena, warrant, court order, or other investigatory document is issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that shows good cause and is in proper form, in which case, only the Library Director is authorized to receive or comply with the request and only after consulting with legal counsel.