General Policies

Borrowing privileges for the library’s general collection are extended to all Misericordia University alumni. Although off-campus access to MU databases is available only to Misericordia students, faculty and staff, alumni may access articles in the research computer lab on the second floor. A staff member will be happy to offer assistance. 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 and use our on-site resources. Community members may access the internet in the research computer lab on the second floor. A staff member will be happy to offer assistance. Library-owned laptops and iPads are not available for community use.

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.

Public Computer Use Policy at the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library

The computing resources at the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library (the “Library”) support the instructional, research, and administrative activities of Misericordia University. (Examples of these computing resources include, but are not limited to, the central computing facilities, the campus‐wide network, local‐area networks, electronic mail, access to the Internet, and public computing.) Those who avail themselves of such computing resources are required to behave in a manner consistent with Misericordia University’s code of conduct. The University supports computing activities which promote research, education and learning by the user of the computer system. Please note that the use of computers and the computer network at the Library by members of the public is a PRIVILEGE and not a right. The goal of the Library is to create and foster an atmosphere of academic freedom; however, all Library computers must be used in an ethical and lawful manner as detailed below. This Public Computer Use Policy is part of the Library’s overall policy structure and should be interpreted in conjunction with other existing policies and procedures.

No person may use Library computer resources for any illegal or unauthorized purpose or act. Specifically, individuals may not use computing resources to violate any state or federal laws or the Misericordia Computer Use policy. This includes, but is not limited to, any and all laws and regulations governing the creation, dissemination, or possession of pornography or illegal documents or images; files or instructions for violating system security; and the violation of copyrights.

Misericordia University students, faculty, staff and other officially‐affiliated Misericordia users shall have priority in accessing and using the Library’s computing resources. Non‐affiliated users may be asked to relinquish Library computers to Misericordia faculty, staff, or students at any time. An officially‐affiliated Misericordia user is an individual who has received a temporary (e.g. visiting scholar) or long-term (e.g., research associate) Misericordia University user name and password which enables access to Misericordia services such as e‐mail with the same name/password.

The computers are available, space permitting, for the public to use in accordance with the following guidelines: 

1. Users may not download/upload, save, or otherwise transfer files or other data to the computer’s hard drive.
2. Creating, displaying, and/or sending to others threatening, obscene, racist, sexist, or harassing material is strictly prohibited.
3. The use of a Library computer for any illegal activity or purpose is strictly prohibited.
4. Users may not use or install programs intended to damage or place excessive loads on a Misericordia computer system or network. This includes, but is not limited to, programs known as computer viruses, trojan horses, and worms.
5. Users must observe all laws relating to copyright, trademark, export and intellectual property rights.
6. Users may not use Library computers to monitor or tamper with electronic communications of other users (or otherwise attempt to do so), nor may users read, copy, change, or delete files or software installed on a Library computer or belonging to other users.
7. Users may not use Library computers to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes.

Patrons who fail to comply with the guidelines stated in this policy may be asked to relinquish their computer privileges and may be barred from using the Library computers in the future.

As a library courtesy, patrons without a MU ID number are allowed to print. There is a $.25 per side charge. Color copies may be printed in the 2nd floor Datasearch Lab at a charge of $1.00 per side. The library reserves the right to limit the printing of color intensive images.

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 patrons at the Circulation Desk. There is a charge of $.50 for the first page sent after the cover sheet and $.10 for each page there after. Cover sheets are provided at no additional charge. As a courtesy, there in no charge for an incoming fax for a student.

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.