Policies & Guidelines

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General Guidelines

Library Circulation

  • All patrons must present either a current MICA ID, a current BALC member institution ID or Decker Library alumni card in order to borrow materials.
  • Books are borrowed for a period of three weeks for students and staff, one semester for faculty.
  • DVDs are borrowed for a period of two days for students, two weeks for faculty and staff.
  • If an item that you need is on loan to another patron, you may ask Circulation staff to place it on hold, and notify you when it is returned.
  • Any item may be renewed if no other patron has placed a hold on it - see student guidelines for more information.
  • Overdue charges are $0.25 a day per book, $1.00 a day per DVD.
  • A book is considered lost if not returned within two months of the due date. A DVD is considered lost if not returned within two weeks of the due date. The borrower is then charged the item's full replacement cost along with a $25 processing fee per item.
  • Items can be returned after hours through the drop located at the main entrance of the Library on the first floor of the Bunting Center.
  • Users can view a list of their checked-out items — and students may renew items twice — using the Library Catalog by clicking on "My Account" and logging in with their MICA credentials.
  • You can also view your account using your mobile device! The free BookMyne app allows you to view your checked-out items, holds and fines, and allows students to renew items. Available in the App Store for Apple iOS and Google Play for Android.

Library Facilities

The Library has two main public areas. The first floor features the Circulation Desk with Reserves, current periodicals, new book displays, and circulating videos. The lower available for wheelchair access. Please ask a staff member for assistance with the elevator.

Policies

Note: In accordance with mica’s policy regarding campus email, all electronic correspondence from the decker library will be sent to your mica.edu email address.

Catalog and Databases

The Decker Library Catalog is available for searching the collection from any location, on- or off-campus. From off-campus you will be prompted to log in with your MICA user name and password (same as the My MICA Portal log-in). Once you have logged in for catalog access, you will also have access to the Research Databases without a second log-in.

Research databases are available through this website from any computer on-campus.

For Remote Access to research databases, use the Off-Campus links to any database on the Research Databases page. You will be prompted to log in with your MICA user name and password (same as the My MICA Portal log-in). Once you have logged in to one database — or to the Library Catalog — you can proceed to a different database without a second log-in.

Off-campus access to databases is not available to alumni.

Collection Recommendations

The Decker Library invites suggestions for the purchase of new material. Use the Recommend to Order form here, also available via the Library Catalog.

In accordance with copyright law, MICA does not condone or facilitate reproduction of materials that violates Title 17 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. Prominent display of the following notice is required by 37 CFR Section 201.14:

  • The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research."
  • If a user makes a request for, or later uses a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use" that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Digital images should be used only for MICA classes and presentations. Materials should not be reproduced for any reason, and materials should not be used at any event where an admission fee is charged.

Reserves

Reserve items are kept at the Circulation Desk and can be checked out for a two-hour period. Reserve items are for in-library use only. Materials from the collection that are currently on Reserve will appear in the Library Catalog with a location of "Items on reserve at Circulation Desk."

For faculties, please go to this section.

Research Assistance

Students are welcome to make an appointment for an individual meeting with a librarian for instruction in using library resources or to develop research strategies for academic projects. Such visits may be scheduled with the Reference Librarians by e-mailing refer@mica.edu or phoning (410) 225-2273.

For pre-College students, check out this research guide.

Requesting Digital Images

If you need digital images for a MICA-related professional presentation that are not available through the catalog or on ARTstor, you may order them through the library. Please allow at least two weeks for processing and longer for larger orders. Please provide all source materials for the images that you require.

Please contact our Media Coordinator, Art Soontornsaratool with any questions.

Interlibrary Loans

If a book, article, film/video, or other item is not in the Decker Library, we can usually arrange to borrow a copy from elsewhere. The Interlibrary loan service is done online, with most materials available in 1-2 weeks. Occasionally, the lending library charges for the service. In this case, you will be notified of the charges before the book is ordered.

Interlibrary Loan requests can be made as follows:

Students will be notified via email to pick up books or articles at the Circulation Desk once they are received, and are required to return items to a staff person at the Circulation Desk. Please do not return Interlibrary Loan materials in the book drop.

Faculty will be notified via their mica.edu email to pick the materials up at the Circulation Desk once they are received. All patrons are required to return the materials to a staff person at the Circulation Desk. Please do not use the book drop to return Interlibrary Loan materials. Material borrowed from other libraries may not be placed on reserve.

Interlibrary loan service is not available to MICA alumni through the Decker Library. However, please note that most public libraries will provide Interlibrary Loan service to their registered patrons. This is true of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library, as well as the Baltimore County Public Library.

Use of Other Libraries

The Decker Library is a founding member of the Baltimore Academic Library Consortium. Membership in this group entitles all current faculty, staff and students to reciprocal borrowing privileges at the following institutions. Use the links below to search the libraries' catalogs prior to visiting.

Click here to view map of library locations.

Johns Hopkins University - Johns Hopkins University extends borrowing privileges to MICA faculty and graduate and post-bac students only. Interested MICA people must first visit the Decker Library Circulation desk to have a registration form completed by Circulation staff to take to the JHU Library. The privilege applies only to the Eisenhower Library on the Homewood Campus.

One can enter the Eisenhower Library by presenting a photo ID card between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. After 8 p.m., one must show an academic ID (i.e., a MICA ID).

Computer use within seated computer labs at the Eisenhower Library is restricted to those with borrowing privileges and requires registration at their Circulation Desk between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Stand-up computers throughout the library are available for use by all visitors, and contain the same resources as the seated computers.

NOTE: JHU limits access to the library during their mid-term and final exam periods. This includes a "reading week" prior to their final exam week. During those times, visitors can only use the library from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. During all other times, a valid JHU ID is required for entrance. See the JHU Academic Calendar.

Contacting the Decker Library

Circulation Desk: (410) 225-2272 / circ@mica.edu
Reference Desk: (410) 225-2273 / refer@mica.edu

Student User Guidelines

Circulation

  • Students must present a current MICA ID to borrow materials.
  • For books, the standard loan period is three weeks and materials can be renewed twice if there are no holds on the material.
  • For DVDs, the loan period is 2 days.
  • A student may borrow up to 30 books and 2 DVDS at one time.
  • If an item is checked out to another patron, a circulation staff member can place a hold on it and then notify the requesting patron once it has been returned.
  • Overdue charges are $0.25 a day per book, and $1.00 per DVD.
  • A book will be considered lost if not returned within two months of the due date. A DVD will be considered lost if not returned within two weeks of the due date. The borrower will then be charged the full replacement cost plus a $25.00 processing fee per item.
  • Materials can be dropped off after hours in the drop located directly next to the main entrance of the Library on the first floor of the Bunting Center.
  • Students can view a list of their checked-out items — and renew items — using the Library Catalog by clicking on "My Account". Items can be renewed just twice through the catalog; for further renewals, visit or call the Circulation Desk.
  • User can also view their Decker Library account using your mobile device! The free BookMyne app allows patrons to view their checked-out items, holds and fines, and also allows them to renew items. Available through the App Store for Apple iOS and Google Play for Android.

Pre-College User Guidelines

General Information

As a Pre-College student enrolled at MICA, you are entitled to library privileges at the Decker Library.

In order to borrow material from the Decker Library, you must have a MICA photo identification card (or MyCard). You also have to register at the Circulation Desk before checking out any library materials.

It is advised that pre-college students attach money to their MyCards with the Flex account (mica.managemyid.com/student/login.php).

MyCards with Flex funds can be used to print from library computers, make photocopies, pay fines, and to purchase storage CDs, used books or magazines. The library only accepts the MyCard as payment for printing and photocopying (scanning is available at no charge). Cash is accepted for purchasing CDs, used books, and magazines. Please see the MyCard: Student Identification and Flex Account document for more information.

Circulation

Pre-College Student borrowing privileges are subject to the following:

  • Circulating library materials can be checked out for a period of three weeks.
  • Pre-College students may check out 10 items at one time.
  • Pre-College students may not access the DVD collection.
  • As a Pre-College student, your library privileges expire on Friday, July 25, 2014. All borrowed library materials must be returned by that date.
  • Overdue library materials are charged $0.25 cents per day with a maximum fine of $7.00. Any unreturned library material will be considered as lost and you will be charged the current replacement book cost and a non-refundable processing cost of $25.00.
  • Your Library account can be viewed in person at the Circulation Desk, by phone 410-225-2272, or online through the Library Catalog (click on My Account).
  • You can also view your Decker Library account using your mobile device! The free BookMyne app allows you to view your checked-out items, holds and fines, and also allows you to renew your items. Available in iTunes.
  • Borrowed library materials can be returned at the Circulation Desk. There is a book drop for after-hours use, located near the Decker Library’s entrance. The book drop is accessible whenever the Bunting Building is open.

Continuing Studies User Guideline

Circulation

  • Students must present a current MICA ID to borrow materials.
  • For books, the standard loan period is three weeks and materials can be renewed twice if there are no holds on the material.
  • For DVDs, the loan period is 2 days.
  • A student may borrow up to 30 books and 2 DVDS at one time.
  • If an item is checked out to another patron, a circulation staff member can place a hold on it and then notify the requesting patron once it has been returned.
  • Overdue charges are $0.25 a day per book, and $1.00 per DVD.
  • A book will be considered lost if not returned within two months of the due date. A DVD will be considered lost if not returned within two weeks of the due date. The borrower will then be charged the full replacement cost plus a $25.00 processing fee per item.
  • Materials can be dropped off after hours in the drop located directly next to the main entrance of the Library on the first floor of the Bunting Center.
  • Students can view a list of their checked-out items — and renew items — using the Library Catalog by clicking on "My Account". Items can be renewed just twice through the catalog; for further renewals, visit or call the Circulation Desk.
  • User can also view their Decker Library account using your mobile device! The free BookMyne app allows patrons to view their checked-out items, holds and fines, and also allows them to renew items. Available through the App Store for Apple iOS and Google Play for Android.

Low Residency Student User Guidelines

Circulation

Student borrowing privileges are subject to the following:

  • Students must present a current MICA ID to borrow materials.
  • For books, the standard loan period is three weeks and materials can be renewed twice if there are no holds on the material.
  • For DVDs, the loan period is 2 days.
  • A student may borrow up to 30 books and 2 DVDS at one time.
  • If an item is checked out to another patron, a circulation staff member can place a hold on it and then notify the requesting patron once it has been returned.
  • Overdue charges are $0.25 a day per book, and $1.00 per DVD.
  • A book will be considered lost if not returned within two months of the due date. A DVD will be considered lost if not returned within two weeks of the due date. The borrower will then be charged the full replacement cost plus a $25.00 processing fee per item.
  • Materials can be dropped off after hours in the drop located directly next to the main entrance of the Library on the first floor of the Bunting Center.
  • Students can view a list of their checked-out items — and renew items — using the Library Catalog by clicking on "My Account". Items can be renewed just twice through the catalog; for further renewals, visit or call the Circulation Desk.
  • User can also view their Decker Library account using your mobile device! The free BookMyne app allows patrons to view their checked-out items, holds and fines, and also allows them to renew items. Available through the App Store for Apple iOS and Google Play for Android.

Distance Student Requests for Scanning from Library Collection

  • For MICA distance students who are currently not in residence, Decker Library staff will scan journal articles or chapters of a book in the library's collection; however, no more than 10% of a book or journal issue can be scanned for an individual patron. If more than that is needed, the student should use the (usually free) Interlibrary Loan Service of a public or academic library in their area.
  • Scanned articles or chapters will be sent by email.
  • Up to five articles/chapters per month will be provided to a MICA distance student.
  • If an article or book is available through an electronic resource subscribed to by the library, a link will be provided rather than a scanned copy of the print item.
  • Requests should be sent to refer@mica.edu.
  • Fair use and other applicable copyright law rights and restrictions will be applied to each request.
  • Scanned materials are provided by the library for personal use or research. Students using articles or book chapters as online course materials are responsible for complying with copyright and clearing permissions. Further information about using copied or scanned content for courses can be found here.

Faculty User Guideline

Circulation

Faculty borrowing privileges are subject to the following guidelines:

  • Faculty must be present and have their MICARD in order to have material checked out to their account.
  • Faculty may borrow circulating books for one semester and non-circulating books for up to 24 hours. For books due at the end of the semester, the due date will be the same as the day Degree Program classes.
  • Faculty may borrow circulating DVDs for two weeks.
  • For circulating books that are checked out to another patron, the library can place a hold on those items and notify the faculty member when the items are returned.
  • Faculty receive a six-day grace period at the end of the semester; if the materials are returned during this time no fines will be due. However, if the items are not returned full overdue charges accrue from the actual due date. Overdue charges are $1 a day per book, with a maximum fine of $30 per item.
  • A book is considered lost if not returned within 40 days of its due date. A DVD is considered lost if not returned within 3 weeks of its due date. The borrower will be charged the full replacement cost of the item plus a $25 processing fee per item.
  • Fines and replacement costs will be billed through PeopleSoft.
  • Materials can be returned after hours in the drop located directly to the left of the Library's main entrance on the first floor of the Bunting Center.
  • As a courtesy, you will be notified of material being held for you, material coming due and overdue material via your MICA email account.
  • It is the responsibility of each faculty member to make sure that their library account, including email and mailing address information, is current and correct.
  • Faculty can view a list of their checked-out items, holds, and fines using the Library Catalog by clicking on "My Account".
  • You can also view your Decker Library & MRC account using your mobile device! The free BookMyne app allows you to view your checked-out items, holds and fines. Available through the App Store for Apple iOS and Google Play for Android.

Reserves

Faculty reserve shelves are located behind the Circulation Desk. Procedures and policies for reserve items are as follows:

  • Please submit reserve requests to the Circulation Department staff as early as possible.
  • Materials currently available in the library's collection may take up to two working days to be entered into our reserves system. Items that must be purchased take approximately two-six weeks, depending on availability.
  • Proposed reserve requests must be submitted via the Reserve Request Form. Faculty members can print this Reserve Request Form (pdf file) to submit requests; the form is also available at the Circulation Desk.
  • Only one copy of an item will be placed on the reserve shelf.
  • If the Decker Library owns a copy of a submitted personal item, the library copy will be placed on reserve and the instructor will be notified to pick up their item(s).
  • Copies on loan from another library or rental company will not be placed on reserve or held.
  • Faculty are allowed extended due dates on reserve items for classroom use.
  • Students are not allowed to leave the library with reserve material.
  • All personal reserve material must be picked up at the end of each semester.
  • Students may view reserve DVDs individually at library computers, in the Decker Library Screening and Study Room. Information on the space may be found at sites.google.com/a/mica.edu/screeningroomcalendar.
  • Students checking out reserve materials should know the name of the item they are requesting, their instructor's name, and the name of their course. Print reserves may be read on-site or scanned/photocopied in the library's lower level.
  • The course instructor must be present when DVD reserves are circulated for use outside of the library, unless a signed TA checkout form has been provided. The material can be checked-out to the faculty member, or an approved TA, for up to 24 hours.

Screening Date Holds:
Screening dates should be scheduled when materials are needed for one or two classroom sessions but students are not expected to view the film outside of class. After the screening date has passed, the material will be returned to normal circulation.

Materials will be pulled from circulation two weeks prior to the provided screening date. If there are any availability issues, the faculty member will be notified in a timely manner.

The course instructor must be present to check out materials for screening dates unless a signed TA checkout form has been provided.

Questions and concerns regarding reserves may be directed to the Circulation department, (410) 225-2272 or circ@mica.edu.

Distance Faculty Requests for Scanning from Library Collection

  • For MICA distance faculty who are currently not in residence, Decker Library staff will scan journal articles or chapters of a book in the library's collection; however, no more than 10% of a book or journal issue can be scanned for an individual patron. If more than that is needed, the faculty member should use the (usually free) Interlibrary Loan Service of a public or academic library in their area.
  • Scanned articles or chapters will be sent by email.
  • Up to five articles/chapters per month will be provided to a MICA distance faculty.
  • If an article or book is available through an electronic resource subscribed to by the library, a link will be provided rather than a scanned copy of the print item.
  • Requests should be sent to refer@mica.edu.
  • Fair use and other applicable copyright law rights and restrictions will be applied to each request.
  • Scanned materials are provided by the library for personal use or research. Faculty using articles or book chapters as online course reserves are responsible for complying with copyright and clearing permissions. Further information about using copied or scanned content for courses can be found here.

Library Instruction

Faculty members are encouraged to bring their students to the library for research instruction or to view collection materials. Please see the Library's Faculty Resources page for complete information about instruction and general tours for your class group.

Instruction sessions with a librarian must be scheduled in advance with the Reference Department by completing the request form here. To learn more, contact the Reference Desk by email (refer@mica.edu) or phone (410) 225-2273.

Staff User Guideline

Circulation

Staff borrowing privileges are subject to the following:

  • Staff must present a current MICA identification card to borrow materials.
  • For books, the standard loan period is three weeks and materials can be renewed twice if there are no holds on the material.
  • For DVDs, the loan period is two weeks.
  • A staff person may borrow up to 10 items at one time.
  • If an item is checked out to another patron, a circulation staff member can place a hold on it and then notify the requesting patron once it has been returned.
  • Overdue charges are $0.25 cents a day per book, and $1.00 a day per DVD.
  • An book will be considered lost if not returned within two months of the due date. A DVD will be considered lost if it is not returned within two weeks. The borrower will then be charged the full replacement cost plus a $25.00 processing fee per item.
  • Materials can be returned at the Circulation Desk. There is a drop for after-hours use located directly next to the entrance of the Library. The drop is accessible whenever the Bunting Building is open.
  • Patrons can view a list of their checked-out items — and renew items — using the Library Catalog by clicking on "My Account". Items can be renewed just twice through the catalog; for further renewals, visit or call the Circulation Desk.
  • You can also view your Decker Library account using your mobile device! The free BookMyne app allows you to view your checked-out items, holds and fines, and also allows you to renew your items. Available through the App Store for Apple iOS and Google Play for Android.

Alumni User Guideline

Circulation

MICA alumni are welcome to continue using the Decker Library and can obtain borrowing priveleges for an annual fee of $25.00. Alumni can borrow a maximum of five items at a time.

The standard loan period is three weeks for books and two days for DVDs.  Materials can be renewed twice if no holds have been placed. If an item is checked out to another patron, a circulation staff member can place a hold on it and then notify the requesting patron once it has been returned.

Overdue charges are 25 cents a day for books, $1.00 a day for DVDs. An item will be considered lost if not returned within 40 days of the due date. The borrower will then be charged the full replacement cost plus a $25.00 processing fee and any fees incurred from collection procedures, if applicable.

Materials can be dropped off after hours in the bookdrop located directly next to the main entrance of the Library on the first floor of the Bunting Center.

Use of the Copier/Printer/Scanner

Alumni can use the Copier/Printer/Scanner facility to support art-related research only. Studio output, volume printing or copying, or pursuing commercial or non-profit projects is prohibited, as is any use that monopolizes the facility denying access to current students, faculty, and staff.

Baltimore Libraries User Guidelines

The Decker Library is a founding member of the Baltimore Academic Libraries Consortium and is happy to extend reciprocal borrowing privileges to current students, faculty, and staff of the following institutions.

  • Baltimore Hebrew University
  • Goucher College
  • Loyola-Notre Dame
  • Morgan State University
  • St. Mary’s Seminary
  • Towson University
  • University of Baltimore
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
  • Stevenson University
  • Johns Hopkins University — JHU and MICA have reciprocal borrowing for faculty and graduate students only. Interested JHU people must first visit the Eisenhower Library Circulation desk to have a registration form completed by Circulation staff to bring to MICA's Decker Library.

Borrowers must register in person by showing a current ID from one of the above schools as well as providing a permanent address and contact information.

BALC borrowing privileges at the Decker Library are subject to the following:

  • Members must present a current ID from one of the institutions listed above to borrow materials.
  • The standard loan period is three weeks and materials can be renewed twice if there are no holds on the material.
  • No more than 5 items can be checked out at a time.
  • If a book is checked out to another patron, a circulation staff member can place a hold on it and then notify the requesting patron once it has been returned.
  • Overdue charges are 25 cents a day per item.
  • An item will be considered lost if not returned within two months of the due date. The borrower will then be charged the full replacement cost plus a $25.00 processing fee.
  • Materials can be dropped off after hours in the bookdrop located directly next to the main entrance of the Library on the first floor of the Bunting Center.

Public User Guidelines

The public is welcome to use Decker Library for art-related research. Borrowing priveleges do not extend to members of the public.

The reference staff will be happy to assist the public with art-related research questions. Reference services do not include valuation research for works of art.

While use of the Copy/Print/Scan facility is intended primarily for the use of current students, faculty, and staff, public visitors may also make use of it with the assistance of the library staff. Please note that this facility is intended for academic and library research use. Studio output, volume printing or copying, and use for commercial or non-profit concerns is prohibited.