by Agnes Lee
Quick Summary
Macalester College is making it easier for the community to access their collections with an updated neighbor borrowing policy.
We are always interested in what our libraries are up to so I want to pass along the information below about Macalester College. Their new library policy will make their collection more accessible to the greater academic community in the Twin Cities. One of the hot topics floating around these days is how can we make it easier for patrons to get something they want - yesterday. We all have rules and it takes a savvy patron to weave through them to get what they want. It is great to see Macalester taking this step! We need to have an expanded approach towards patrons, not yours, or mine but ours. Below is Macalester's updated policy.
Macalester College: Updated neighbor borrowing policy 2017
In an effort to make our collection more accessible to the greater academic community of the Twin Cities, the Macalester College Library will now allow students, staff, and faculty from local colleges and universities to check out items directly from our library, beginning January 17th, 2017. We are also extending our general neighborhood cards to all St. Paul residents, as opposed to our previous policy of only those living within a mile radius. Our hope is that this policy removes barriers to our collection and extends a warm and inclusive welcome to our community.
We take pride in the scope and efficiency of our interlibrary loan program, and will continue to promote this as the best way for patrons of neighboring institutions to access our resources. However, we recognize that research does not always progress on a smooth timeline, and its unpredictable nature, combined with the time constraints of the academic calendar, can make direct, immediate access at a library very appealing to many researchers.
Patrons must provide an email, phone number, current photo ID (college ID, driver’s license, passport, etc.), and a piece of mail verifying a home address (utility bill, rent/mortgage statement, etc.). Checkouts will be limited to books and media items. Cards will cost $10 annually.
We hope that this updated policy will better connect our collection to anyone whom it may benefit. Our policies page will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect this change. Please direct any questions to Michael Vieaux.
Best wishes on behalf of all of us at the DeWitt Wallace Library.
