Policies

The policies listed here advise you on using Library services. Have a question about a policy? Please send your questions to library@oxy.edu.

Building Use & Access

The Mary Norton Clapp Library/Academic Commons welcomes you to browse through our various collections of books and periodicals, access our online periodicals and databases, appreciate views of the campus and Mt. Washington from our study carrels, reserve spaces for club meetings, get creative in our Critical Making Studio , and take in exhibits created by our Special Collections team.

A library account is not necessary to enter the Academic Commons/Mary Norton Clapp Library, but it does allow users to check out certain materials, including the books in our main collection.

The building is open to all visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside of those days and hours, an Oxy ID is required to enter the building. Please check our current hours for detailed information.

Signing Up for a Library Account

Occidental College Students, Faculty and Staff: Students, faculty and staff are automatically added to our system. An Oxy ID is required for checking out materials.
Occidental College Alumni: Alumni should purchase an Alumni Access Card from the Card Office for $20.00 before they register at the library’s Information Desk. Alumni can check out up to 20 books at a time.
Occidental Faculty - Retired and Emeritus - Oxy Board of Trustees Members: Retired and emeritus faculty and Oxy trustees can register for an account at the Information Desk with a current Oxy ID. There is no fee and it does not need to be renewed. Retired and emeritus faculty can check out up to 20 books at a time and take advantage of placing up to five interlibrary loan requests per month.
Occidental Faculty and Staff Family Members (including domestic partners): Family members aged 18 and older of current and retired Occidental faculty and staff can register for an account at the Information Desk. Their Oxy-affiliated relative should be present at the time of registration or have written a letter of support. There is no fee for the account but it needs to be renewed annually. Occidental faculty and staff family members can check out up to 10 books at a time.
Los Angeles County Residents: LA County residents with proof of residence can set up an account at the Information Desk for $50 (paid by check). The account is good for one year but can be renewed as long as the user is in good standing with the Library. LA County residents can check out up to 10 books at a time.
SCELC Faculty: Faculty from SCELC Member libraries can register for an account at the Information Desk with a current institutional ID.There is no fee for the account but it needs to be renewed annually. SCELC institution faculty can check out up to 10 books at a time.
Visiting Researchers: Visiting researchers can register for an account at the Information Desk with a valid ID and a letter of referral (which includes the length and purpose of their visit) from an Oxy department chair. There is no fee for the account, but it must be renewed every six months. A new letter of referral is required for renewal. Visiting researchers can check out up to 20 books at a time.

Borrowing and Access Terms

User Group	Books (print), DVDs and CDs*	Periodicals (print)/ Microfilm	Electronic periodicals, databases and books	Tech Lending items (e.g. laptops and digital cameras)	Interlibrary loan
Oxy students	21 days	In-house use	Available using either your Oxy login and/or VPN	7 days	Unlimited requests
Oxy faculty	120 days	In-house use	Available using either your Oxy login and/or VPN	7 days	Unlimited requests
Oxy staff	120 days	In-house use	Available using either your Oxy login and/or VPN	7 days	Unlimited requests
Alumni	21 days (max 20 items)	In-house use	Designated machine(s) in the Academic Commons, 9am to 5pm, M-F	Not available	Not available
Retired and Emeritus Faculty	21 days (max 20 items)	In-house use	Designated machine(s) in the Academic Commons, 9am to 5pm, M-F	Not available	Up to five requests per month
Occidental faculty and staff family members (18 and older)	21 days (max 10 items)	In-house use	Designated machine(s) in the Academic Commons, 9am to 5pm, M-F	Not available	Not available
Los Angeles County Residents	21 days (max 10 items)	In-house use	Designated machine(s) in the Academic Commons, 9am to 5pm, M-F	Not available	Not available
SCELC Faculty	21 days (max 10 items)	In-house use	Designated machine(s) in the Academic Commons, 9am to 5pm, M-F	Not available	Not available
Visiting Researchers	21 days (max 20 items)	In-house use	Designated machine(s) in the Academic Commons, 9am to 5pm, M-F	Not available	Not available

*Oxy students, faculty and staff:
Books, DVDs and CDs can be renewed as long as another user does not have a hold on the item. There are no overdue fines. Replacement fees for lost books start at $70 and vary for DVDs and CDs

Alumni, LA County Residents and all others:
Books, DVDs and CDs are eligible for one renewal each (i.e. an additional 21 days). Fines for overdue materials are $1.00 per day up to 25 days, at which point they are considered lost. Replacement fees for lost books are $70 and vary for DVDs and CDs.

The table below is for Replacement costs, including fines and billing fees. The amounts listed in this table are approximate. The cost listed for books is a default minimum. Some individual items may be billed at a higher replacement value.

Item	Minimum Replacement Cost
Oxy Books	$70
Interlibrary loan	$115
Laptops	$2558
Cameras	$600
Sound Equipment	$400-$600

How do I file an appeal for penalties on overdue or lost items?

Please contact us at library@oxy.edu.

Tech Lending Program

The library’s Tech Lending program offers a collection of technological devices and audio/visual equipment for checkout as well as a reservable audio booth to all current Oxy students, faculty, and staff. All available items are conveniently listed by category on the Tech Lending Collection site and can be picked up at the front desk of the Academic Commons.

Borrowing Eligibility: Tech Lending items are available for check out to all current Occidental College students, faculty, and staff with a current Occidental College ID.

Loan Period: The standard loan period for devices and equipment in the Tech Lending Collection is seven days.

Overdue Fees: Fines for overdue items accrue $1.00 per day. Replacement costs for lost or damaged items vary according to the cost of the item(s).

Learn more, including how to request items, by reviewing our Tech Lending program policies.

Gifts to the Library

In addition to cash gifts received through the College's Annual Fund campaign, the Library welcomes the opportunity to discuss gifts of materials to the circulating collection. Since the Library has very limited space for collections, we can only consider gifts that build resources to support the curriculum. Library staff would be happy to examine collections in their current location or review an inventory of titles and advise potential donors on their disposition. Potential donors should contact us at library@oxy.edu.

For more information, view our Special Collections & College Archives Gift Policy

Social Media Policy

View our social media policy.

Braun Room

The Braun Room is restricted to Special Collections programs and selected scholarly events, film shoots, and Administration events. All events are to be arranged through the Special Collections department or the College Librarian.

To plan an event with Special Collections, please contact specialcollections@oxy.edu.

Special Collections uses the College Master Calendar to schedule events. Users may also make requests via Master Calendar/25Live.

Campus Services & Campus Filming and Unreel Productions are to contact Special Collections directly to arrange walkthroughs and filming. Call 323-259-2852 or email specialcollections@oxy.edu

Updated August 19, 2022