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Wartburg Library

Wartburg Library Policies

Mission Statement

Wartburg Library provides students and faculty of Luther Classical College with access to learning resources (physical and digital) necessary to support the mission and educational programs of LCC, and to promote the intellectual, spiritual, and cultural development of students, faculty, and the greater campus community.

Vision Statement

Luther Classical College strives to develop Wartburg Library into one of the premier classical and theological libraries in the Mountain West region of the United States, promoting the historical, biblical, confessional heritage of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and fostering classical education by collecting and providing access to the great works of Western Civilization.

Facility Use Policies

Personal Property

The library is not responsible for theft, damage, or loss of personal property, including property stored in the reading room or on tables. Library users should take every precaution to ensure the security of personal belongings, especially purses, wallets, backpacks, books, laptop computers, and other electronic devices.

Computer Access

The computing and networking equipment in Wartburg Library is provided to support the educational and curriculum-related research needs of Luther Classical College. The library supports free access to research materials and the use of computing technologies to identify, locate, and use scholarly resources. Library computing and networking users must comply with Luther Classical College’s Acceptable Use Policy.

The library will monitor usage of library computer kiosks to ensure security and operating performance of its systems and networks. Patrons will inform library staff of equipment problems and are not allowed to tamper with any systems.

Students, faculty, and staff of Luther Classical College have priority over other users. The number of library computer kiosks is limited. The library reserves the right to reclaim computer stations being used for personal or recreational purposes, and to reassign them to patrons who need to identify or access research materials or complete coursework assignments.

Disruptive Behavior

A patron who is disruptive will be asked to leave the library if the behavior persists. If the patron refuses to leave, campus security or law enforcement will be called. Disruptive behavior on the part of a library patron may result in the suspension of the individual’s library privileges, for a length of time to be determined by the Librarian.

Prohibited behaviors in the library include:

  • Unattended children (i.e. children under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by an adult).
  • Any activity prohibited by law or any other conduct that interferes with others’ use, safety, or enjoyment of the library.
  • Loud or unnecessary noise in the reading room or among the stacks.
  • Use of vulgar or profane language.
  • Violating any policy or procedure regarding the use of the library’s computers or the Internet.
  • Harassment or threats to library patrons or staff.

Events, Exhibits, and Displays

The purpose of the library’s events, exhibits, and displays is to fulfill its mission to support the educational programs of Luther Classical College. The library may consider hosting events, exhibits, and displays if they meet certain criteria. These criteria include:

  1. Workload is managed by the library and the sponsor.
  2. The request is tied to a specific LCC course.
  3. The request is tied to the promotion of Lutheran heritage.
  4. The request is tied to the promotion of classical education.
  5. The request is sponsored by a Lutheran organization.

To suggest an event, exhibit, or display please contact the Librarian.

Food and Drinks

Food is not allowed in the library. Covered drinks are allowed only in the reading room and should be kept on the floor to avoid damage to books and computing equipment. Students may consume food in Martin’s Mess Hall or the student lounge on the first floor of the Beech Street campus.

Hours & Closing Policy

Library hours may change from time to time. Patrons are encouraged to check the website for announcements regarding any changes to library hours. All patrons must exit the building prior to the designated closing time.

Circulation Policies

Loan Periods and Limits

Books
LCC Employees = 9 weeks, unlimited renewals
LCC Students and Community Members = 3 weeks, 2 renewals

Audio/Visual
LCC Employees = 9 weeks, unlimited renewals
LCC Students and Community Members = 3 weeks, 2 renewals

Reference Books
LCC Faculty = 9 weeks, 1 renewal

Fines and Replacement Fees

The library does not charge daily overdue fines to students for books, periodicals, or multimedia. If a resource is more than 9 weeks overdue, the borrower is charged a replacement fee equal to the cost to replace the item plus a $10 processing fee.

Overdue fines are typically not assessed to LCC employees. However, employees are expected to abide by the library’s loan periods and limits. Any employee found to be out of compliance with the library’s loan policies may have his borrowing privileges suspended at the discretion of the Librarian.

Course Reserves (Students)

Course reserves are items chosen by instructors to support course instruction. The items are maintained in a separate location within the library, and access to course reserves is more restricted than items in general circulation. Students are allowed to check out items from the course reserves section for four hours, with a grace period of one hour.

Library Cards

Confidentiality

Legal Requests
All legal requests for the release of patron records should be directed to the Librarian.

FERPA Requests
Library records may be protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA protects the privacy of students’ educational records, including student library financial records. Wartburg Library ensures compliance with FERPA by not disclosing a student’s records to any third party, including parents, academic affairs personnel, or other individuals.

Identification

All patrons are required to provide proper identification when checking out materials. Examples include a valid Luther Classical College library card or a government-issued ID that may be used to look up a Luther Classical College library account. If a patron does not have proper identification available, materials may be held for up to 24 hours.

Obtaining a Library Card

Luther Classical College library cards are available for students and authorized community members. A student is defined as a person currently enrolled in classes at Luther Classical College. Authorized community members are those patrons not enrolled or employed at the college who have been granted access to the library’s resources by authorization of the Librarian.

  • Faculty, staff, and students enrolled at LCC receive an ID which also serves as a library card.
  • Authorized community members desiring a library card must fill out an application form indicating their name, address, and contact information.
  • Library cards are not available to the general public.

Collections Policies

Collection Development

Wartburg Library offers a focused circulating collection of books, magazines, and journals in support of the classical liberal arts curriculum of Luther Classical College. The library collects traditional print media and identifies digital tools and databases to meet the research needs of students and faculty. In keeping with LCC’s Lutheran identity and robustly classical core curriculum, collection development emphasizes Lutheran theology, Reformation history, classical and biblical language resources, ancient Greek and Roman history and literature, and primary sources and great works from the corpus of Western literature.

Responsibility for Acquisition

Selection and deselection is the responsibility of the Librarian, who consults with appropriate faculty regarding various subject areas. Recommendations for the addition of new material to the collection may come from any library patron, however the Librarian makes all final decisions on any purchases.

Acquisition criteria in order of priority:

  1. Accreditation needs or course development
  2. Faculty recommendations for a course currently taught
  3. Continuing course support or subject development
  4. General book purchase requests
  5. Rare books collection development

Selection Criteria for Acquisitions

The following criteria are provided to assist LCC library staff and faculty in selecting material for the library collection. These guidelines apply to material added to all library collections, in addition to any special collection criteria outlined below.

General selection criteria for all material:

  • Relevance to curriculum-based needs of students
  • Relevance to instructional needs of LCC faculty
  • Contribution to breadth or depth of collection, as appropriate
  • Appropriate academic level for subject content
  • Intellectual content and scholarly worth
  • Authority and accuracy (includes doctrinal evaluation of theology resources)
  • Value/cost/quality
  • Duplication of content
  • Physical space requirements
  • Maintenance costs

Reference Collection

The Wartburg Library reference collection exists primarily as a research and study tool for LCC students and faculty. It is a small yet effective set of reference material designated as non-circulating. Generally, subject-specific reference material is located in the main collection unless it meets one or more of the following criteria.

Material included in the reference collection is:

  • Actively and frequently used by faculty or students in support of coursework and instruction
  • Used by library staff in support of current research assignments
  • Classic reference texts that are highly used by patrons (i.e. dictionaries and encyclopedias, citation manuals, etc.)

Due to budget and space limitations the library does not typically maintain duplicate copies or formats of a reference resource unless the Librarian believes it is of unusual importance and likely to be in high demand.

Periodicals

Wartburg Library maintains a small collection of magazines and journals. The library also provides links to free online journals and journal databases.

The library selects print magazines and journals based on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with LCC’s mission, vision, and theological confession
  • Faculty requirements for current courses/assignments
  • Journal quality, authority, and ease-of-use
  • Positive reviews of the journal from reliable sources
  • Availability of online access

Rare Books Collection

Wartburg Library maintains a collection of rare books which are not in circulation. The primary purpose of the collection is for exhibits in the library and other locations on campus. Secondarily, patrons may view items in the collection by making an appointment with the Librarian.

The library selects items for the rare books collection based on the following criteria:

  • Scarcity and rarity
    • Absolute Rarity: Only a few copies were ever printed
    • Relative Rarity: Many copies were printed, but few survived
    • Unique Items: Manuscripts, letters, or books with significant marginalia (handwritten notes by a famous owner)
  • Age and imprint date
    • Incunabula: Books printed with movable type in Europe before 1501.
    • English Books: Anything printed before 1800.
    • Americana: Books printed in the U.S. prior to 1820 (or later for Western states).
  • Priority of edition – First editions or first issues of a work
  • Physical condition and integrity
    • Binding: Original boards or dust jackets are preferable
    • Completeness: All pages, maps, and plates must be present
    • Provenance: Evidence of previous ownership (bookplates, signatures) can drastically increase an item’s value if it links the item to a significant historical figure or library.
  • Research and institutional value
    • Subject strength: Rare texts with direct application to LCC’s curriculum are prioritized over other subjects.
    • Aesthetic value: Items may be selected for their “fine press” qualities – extraordinary typography, high-quality paper, or artistic bindings, illustrations, maps, etc.
    • Historical significance: An item may be selected if it represents a “first” in its field or a rare edition of a landmark text.

Deselection

Wartburg Library prioritizes collection of well-chosen and relevant materials. As such, the library regularly removes material in order to maintain a quality circulating collection that best meets the needs of Luther Classical College. Deselection may occur at the time of circulation if material is in critical condition and in obvious need of withdrawal. Other materials are evaluated at multiple points of contact including shelf reading, inventory, periodic review of particular areas of the collection, or during holistic evaluation of the library’s collections.

LCC’s library staff are responsible for ongoing improvement and updating of the library’s collection through regular deselection of material. All deselection is performed at the discretion of the Librarian; however the Librarian may review portions of the collection in consultation with teaching faculty in a relevant discipline when appropriate.

Deselection Guidelines

The following guidelines may be applied to the deselection process both generally and within subject areas. These general guidelines are valid for print and electronic materials:

  • Editions – In most cases, a later edition will replace an earlier edition of a work unless there is a demonstrated need for an older edition. When newer editions are received, older editions should be examined closely and removed if appropriate.
  • Discontinued Programs or Courses – Material that supports specific programs or courses that are no longer offered are examined for general relevance and removed when necessary.
  • Patterns of Use – Materials that have not circulated in the last five years are considered for removal.
  • Annuals, Yearbooks, etc. – When newer editions of annuals are received, the older editions may be withdrawn. Generally, these are reference materials, and if the librarian determines that a need exists, the older editions may be placed in the general circulating collection.
  • Aged Materials and Obsolescence – In certain subject areas, materials with content older than five years may be evaluated for potentially erroneous information and considered for removal or replacement.
  • Physical Condition – Materials that have been damaged are repaired, replaced, or removed.
  • Maintenance Cost – The maintenance costs of certain materials may be greater than their value to the collection. This applies particularly to electronic materials.

Items withdrawn from the library’s collections are typically donated to a local thrift store, given away to community members, or disposed of at the discretion of the Librarian.

Donations and Gift Policies

Wartburg Library welcomes gifts and donations of materials that enhance collections and services. Acceptance of donations is determined with consideration of the following:

  1. Suitability of donated materials for the library’s holdings and purpose.
  2. Restrictions placed on donated materials by the donor.
  3. Physical condition of donated materials.
  4. Library resources and space adequate to accommodate donated materials.

The library reserves the right to accept or reject donations, in whole or in part. Unwanted portions of a donation which do not meet collection development criteria may be disposed of at the discretion of the Librarian. Previously donated material may also be disposed of at the discretion of the Librarian if the material no longer supports curriculum, is damaged, outdated, or otherwise found unsuitable for retention. Once accepted, donated materials become the property of Wartburg Library, and decisions regarding location, cataloging, retention, and preservation are made at the discretion of the Librarian.

The library does not generally accept donations under restricted conditions. Exceptions may be granted if it is determined 1) the value of the donated material outweighs negative consequences of the proposed restrictions, 2) the proposed restrictions do not unreasonably limit access to the donated material, and 3) the library possesses adequate resources to manage the donated material and make it available to patrons. Donations offered under restricted conditions will be accepted only at the discretion of the Librarian, who may consult members of the faculty as he deems necessary.

Luther Classical College assumes no responsibility for appraisal of donated materials. If desired, an appraisal by a qualified third party should be sought by the donor. Acceptance of a gift or donation which has been appraised by the donor or a third party does not in any way imply endorsement of the appraisal by Luther Classical College.

Donations must be reviewed and approved by the Librarian prior to acceptance. If materials intended for donation are dropped off at the library without prior notice and approval, Wartburg Library reserves the right to accept or reject the materials in whole or in part. For donations amounting to more than 25 items, a drop-off date must be confirmed in advance. Questions about donations to the library should be directed to the Librarian at william.gottwalt@lutherclassical.org.