Library Policies

Circulation Policy

Items*

Books

Media

Journals

Reference

BVU Undergraduate Students

50

30 days

14 days

N/A

N/A

BVU Graduate Students

50

60 days

14 days

N/A

N/A

BVU Faculty/Staff

100

90 days

14 days

7 days

24 hours

BVU Employee Family Members

50

30 days

14 days

N/A

N/A

Iowa Central CC Students/Faculty/Staff

50

30 days

14 days

N/A

N/A

Community Guest Card Members

10

30 days

14 days

N/A

N/A

* number of items that may be checked out at one time.

Overdue Material Policy

The Buena Vista University Library does not charge overdue fines for materials that are returned past the due date. However, overdue materials that are seriously past due and reach a status of "Lost" will be assessed a non-refundable $5 processing fee per item along with the replacement cost of "Lost" status item(s). Replacement charges will be refunded or waived if the overdue item(s) are returned and undamaged. The $5.00 processing fee will NOT be refunded or waived and must be paid for the patron to remain in good standing.

Reserve Collection

Professors may place library materials or items from their own personal libraries on reserve for their students' use. Items placed on reserve are available to BVU students, faculty and staff only. The checkout length for reserve materials varies at the discretion of the professor. The reserve collection is available at the Library Circulation Desk.

  • Closed reserve (in-house use only), 2 items may be checked out at a time.
  • 24-hour status, a maximum of 2 items may be checked out at a time.
  • 72-hour status, a maximum of 2 items may be checked out at a time.

Non-Circulating Materials

The following item types do not circulate (except as noted in the table above): Reference Materials, Journals, Microforms, Special Collections.

Copies of pertinent pages can be made, but the item itself cannot be checked out. Copies are 10 cents per page (black + white). Please pay at the Circulation Desk.

Printing and Photocopying

BVU students, faculty, and staff may use the badge printer system within the Library to both print and to make copies. The appropriate funds will be subtracted from your account for each transaction. Contact 2Fix with any questions about badge printing.

For members of the community and the public that do not have access to the badge printing system, print outs and photocopies can be made. Please stop at the Circulation Desk and sign the Community Guest register to receive a guest password that will allow access to our computers. Print-outs sent by patrons logged in with the guest password may be picked up at the Library Circulation Desk. For photocopies, talk to a Library staff member.

  • Printing (black + white): $0.05 per printed page ($0.10 for black + white front and back)
  • Printing (color): $1.00 per printed page ($2.00 for color front and back)
  • Photocopies (black + white): $0.10 per printed page ($0.20 for black + white front and back)
  • Photocopies (color): $2.00 per printed page ($4.00 for color front and back)

Public Use of the Library

Any person aged 16 or older is welcome to use the BVU Library collections and computers. Library users younger than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Please stop at the Circulation Desk and sign the Community Guest register to receive a guest password that will allow access to our computers. Black + white print outs can be made at a cost of five cents per printed side. Prints sent by patrons logged in with the guest password may be picked up at the library Circulation Desk.

Members of the public interested in checking out material from the BVU Library should inquire at the Circulation Desk about the purchase of a "Community Guest" library card. The card costs $15.00 annually and allows the holder to check out materials from the BVU Library (see the Circulation Policy for more information on Community Guest card members).

Because of licensing restrictions, Community Guest card holders do not have off-campus access to the BVU Library databases. Members of the public may only use the databases when they are physically in the library.

Patrons wanting simply to use a computer or library materials in-house need not purchase a community guest card.

BVU Employee Family Member Use of the Library

Spouses and children aged 16 or older of BVU Employees should inquire at the Circulation Desk about signing up for a complimentary library card. The card allows the holder to check out materials from the BVU Library (see the Circulation Policy for more information on BVU Employee Family Members card members).

Because of licensing restrictions, BVU Employee Family Members card holders do not have off-campus access to the BVU Library databases. They may only use the databases when they are physically in the library.

School Group Visits

Teachers from area high schools may arrange a "research day" for their students. We are able to accommodate groups of up to 25 students. Students should have a specific project requiring research assigned to them. A reference librarian will work with the class showing them the resources the library has to offer. The students will then work independently gathering resources for the remainder of their time here. Visiting students may check out library materials during their research day if their teacher and local high school librarian agree to be responsible for returning the materials.

Students should come prepared with pens or pencils, paper or note cards, and money to pay for printing or copying.

Visiting student groups may arrange to eat on campus, but please notify our food service staff in advance.

Because of the nature of the collections in the Buena Vista University Library, visits by student groups younger than 9th grade are not recommended.

High school students who use the BVU Library individually or in small groups outside of a school-sanctioned "research day" will have the same privileges as other public visitors.

Contact the Buena Vista University Library Reference staff by email at library@bvu.edu or by phone at 712.749.2203 to arrange a date for a class visit.

Collection Development Policy

Click the link below in order to view the BVU Library Collection Development Policy. This policy contains information regarding how the BVU Library chooses resources to add to, maintain, and remove from the collection.

View the BVU Library Collection Development Policy

BVU Library Reconsideration Request Form

Click the link below in order to view the BVU Library Reconsideration Request Form. Fill out and return this form to the BVU Library if there is an item in the BVU Library collection that you want to be reconsidered by the Library Director. Action may or may not be taken.

View the BVU Library Reconsideration Request Form


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