Library Policies

UNMC students, faculty, and staff have borrowing privileges for library materials. Special privileges may also be granted to other users not affiliated with UNMC. Users are responsible for all items checked out on their accounts. A valid institutional ID is required for University of Nebraska system borrowers. Community members must present a valid state ID. Nebraska Medicine staff may use their Nebraska Medicine ID.

*Patients and families may only borrow consumer health books.

Renewals

• Items may be renewed online or by phone.
• Items do not need to be present to request renewal.
• Renewals will be granted unless there is a hold on the item.

Holds

• Items already checked out may be recalled from other users by placing a hold.
• Notification via email will be sent to the requester when a recalled item is available.
• The recalled item will be held for 3 business days before it is returned to the collection.

Returns

• Return books to a book drop, located across from the elevators on Level 3 of Wittson Hall or on Level 6 of the library.
• Return non-book items through an appointment with AskUs Desk staff.

Overdue Items

• A courtesy reminder will be sent via email for overdue items.

Replacement of Lost Items

• Replacement procedures will begin after items have been overdue for 7 days for models and 30 days for books.
• Charges for the full replacement cost of the item, plus a processing fee, will be assessed.

Payment of Library Fees

Library fees are paid online: 

• Users with unpaid library fees will not be allowed to check out library materials.
• For unpaid fees, the library will contact the UNMC Registrar to place student accounts on hold. While accounts are on hold, students will be unable to:
  • Register for classes,
  • Request transcripts,
  • Access records on the student website, or
  • Request any type of enrollment verification.

Walk-in, Nebraska Medicine, Guests, and Public Users

• Borrowing: Currently, members of the public are unable to access the library or its collections.
• Online collection: Public computers will be available fall 2020.
• Services: Limited to reference. Nebraska Medicine employees may utilized interlibrary loan services.

UNMC Dual Degree Students

• Borrowing: Yes.
• Online collection: Full access.
• Services: All services. Interlibrary loan services should be used in support of UNMC coursework. For other information needs, users should contact a librarian at their other institution.

UNMC Joint, Courtesy, and Special Faculty

• Borrowing: Yes.
• Online collection: Full access. Home department must request access via IT.
• Services: All services.

UNMC Visiting Students, Faculty, and Scholars

• Borrowing: Yes.
• Online collection: Full access. Home department must request access via IT.
• Services: All services

UNMC Volunteer Faculty

• Borrowing: Yes.
• Online collection: Full access. Home department must request access via IT.
• Services: Limited. Volunteer faculty may request literature search services and
  interlibrary loan for educational purposes in direct support of teaching or grand rounds.
  Literature search services and interlibrary loan to support patient care, clinical effectiveness,
  guideline creation, quality initiatives, grant writing, publications, or other research are not
  included services for volunteer faculty.
• Collections and resources are for individual use in connection with volunteer faculty
  member's educational responsibilities as a preceptor to UNMC students.

Library building use is described in the library building access and hours policy.

Interlibrary loan use for groups is described in the interlibrary loan policy.

All computer use must comply with the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Computer Use and Electronic Information Security Policy.

Rudolph Sievers Technology Commons

UNMC students may print directly from their mobile device (black and white only) to printers in the Sievers Technology Commons (Room 7063). Learn more about wireless printing, student printing quotas and how to add more credit to student accounts.

Public Access Computing 

Scanning

Student printing is now available in the Rudolph Sievers Technology Commons (Room 7073). Students can print from their device by

Interlibrary Loan is a service for requesting articles and books that are not in the library’s collection and
for requesting scans of items from the library’s print collection. Requests for these items are made
online.

Services for UNMC Faculty, Staff, and Students

This service is to be used for requests that are related to user's work, research, or education at UNMC. For leisure or popular titles or works not related to this work at UNMC, users may contact their local public library for service.

There are no fees for UNMC faculty, staff, and students. Likewise, visiting students and faculty and students participating in a UNMC practicum or internship do not incur charges. Volunteer faculty and clinical instructors may also use this service as it relates to their work as preceptors of UNMC students.

For lost, damaged, or unreturned books, charges will be assessed on the user for the amount invoiced by the lending library. Library fees are paid online. Invoicing procedures will start 30 days after the due date. Users with unpaid invoices will not be permitted to request interlibrary loan materials. The library will also contact the UNMC Registrar to place a hold on student accounts. While accounts are on hold, students will be unable to:

• Register for classes,
• Request transcripts,
• Access records on the student website, or
• Request any type of enrollment verification.

Services for UNMC clinical partners

Employees and physicians with Nebraska Medicine and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center may utilize interlibrary loan services as it relates to their work. This service is funded through their respective institutions.

Other Groups

Other groups that can use interlibrary loan services include UNMC alumni and Nebraska professionals in need of health sciences-related materials.

Fees apply to these services: $20 for items in the library’s collection and $30 for items that the library must obtain from other libraries or sources. Books cannot be loaned or requested. If the library must pay copyright royalties per the CONTU copyright guidelines, the users will be notified of any surcharges. This fee is determined by the current rate set by the Copyright Clearance Center.

For other groups or requests outside of the scope of services, users can contact their public library interlibrary loan services for assistance.

The McGoogan Library is staffed during regular business hours: Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
(excluding UNMC holidays). The library is currently accessible to users with a UNMC or Nebraska Medicine ID badge.

The library is accessible 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for UNMC faculty, staff, and students and Nebraska Medicine staff. A current UNMC ID or Nebraska Medicine badge is required for building access outside of the business hours of 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

To receive library specific emergency alerts, text the word Library to 79516. A pre-existing UNMC Alerts account is required.

Rooms and spaces in the library building are managed by different groups and will have different use or
reservation policies.

All rooms, except those designated below, can be reserved through the University of Nebraska Space
Reservations and Events website for UNMC or by calling 402-559-7254.

Rooms

Classroom, Library (Room 6032)

• Priority use: Library, Academic Affairs, IT Education Technology, E-Learning 
• 24 seats
• Distance-capable; integrated technology
• Reservations: UNMC reservations website

Classroom, College of Allied Health Professions (Room 6033)

• Priority use: College of Allied Health Professions
• 24 seats
• Distance-capable; integrated technology
• Reservations: UNMC reservations website

Conference rooms, medium (Room 6035, 6036)

• Seats 12
• Wifi and projection monitors
• Reservations: UNMC reservations website

E-Learning Lab (Room 6040)

• Computers, tablets, audio recording booth
• See E-Learning lab website

EZ Studio (Room 6030)

• Various technologies
• See EZStudio website

Faculty Commons (Room 6044)

• Various technologies

Faculty Development (Room 6046)

• See Faculty Development website

Faculty Hoteling Offices (in Faculty Commons, Rooms 6055 - 6060)

• Wifi only
• Reservations: UNMC reservations website
• See Faculty Commons website (coming soon)

Mothers Room (Rooms 6007, 7042)

• No reservations required
• See Mother's Room Use Guidelines

James and Karen Linder Maker Studio (Room 6006)

• Various technologies
• See Maker Studio Policies

Reflection Rooms (Rooms 7019, 7020, 7021)

• 1-2 users per room
• Reservations: UNMC reservations website
• Reservations are not required. Walk-in use is welcomed.
• Rooms contain massage chairs, yoga mats, soft lighting, and art

Sonography Lab (Room 6034)

• Contact Cindy Skarda or Kim Michael

Study Rooms, Individual (42 rooms on Levels 6 and 7)

• Wifi only
• Reservations: UNMC reservations website

Study Room, Group (12 rooms on Levels 6 and 7)

• Wifi only
• Reservations: UNMC reservations website

 Rudolph F. Sievers, MD Technology Commons (Room 7063)

• Seats 12
• No reservations required

VERT (Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training system) (Room 6011)

• Contact Perris Scott or Lisa Bartenhagen

Writing Center at UNMC (Room 6004)

• Wifi projection
• See The Writing Center@UNMC for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Classroom and Conference Rooms Policy

The library classroom and conference rooms in the library are available to UNMC faculty, staff, and students. The library classroom can be reserved through the University of Nebraska Space Reservations and Events website or by calling 402-559-7254.

• Only UNMC sponsored events may be scheduled in these spaces
• A UNMC employee or department must serve as a primary contact and handle all details. Off campus guests must have a UNMC employee or department who serves as a primary contact and handles all of the details
• Groups must vacate the room at least 10 minutes before the hour or 20 minutes past the hour
• At the conclusion of space use:
  • ensure that A/V technology has been powered off and users have logged out of computers
  • use the cleaning supplies to wipe tables where food or beverage items have been placed
  • return the room furnishings to their original state
  • remove all items brought into the room

If damage occurs and is not reported, or the room is not returned to its original state, the primary contact may be held liable and future room use may be restricted.

Personal items should not be left unattended. 

Study Rooms Policy

Study rooms are available to users with UNMC NetIDs. Users with UNMC affiliate ID badges and others can submit a request for exception to askus@unmc.edu. The request will be reviewed and determination will be based on availability. Study rooms must be reserved through the UNMC room scheduling website.

• Study rooms will have a four-hour maximum time limit on reservations within a 24 hour period
• Reservations can be made within two weeks of the desired date

At the conclusion of each use of the space:

• ensure technology has been powered off
• use the cleaning supplies to wipe tables where food or beverage items have been placed
• return the room furnishings to their original state
• remove all items brought into the room

If damage occurs and is not reported, or the room is not returned to its original state, the person reserving the room may be held liable and future room use may be restricted.

Personal items should not be left unattended. 

Inclement Weather and Emergencies

In the event that the library needs to be evacuated or closed due to inclement weather or other emergency, all library users must follow library staff instructions to exit the building.

To receive library specific emergency alerts, text the word Library to 79516. A pre-existing UNMC Alerts account is required

Questions

For questions about any room, room technology, or reservations, please contact the library’s AskUs Desk in person, via email (askus@unmc.edu), or by calling 402-559-6221.

This policy has been created to protect the rights and safety of users and staff and to preserve and protect the library's materials, equipment, facilities and grounds. This policy references University of Nebraska and University of Nebraska Medical Center policies.

McGoogan Library spaces are primarily intended for academic research collections, library services and programs, study space for the UNMC community, and library-sponsored or cosponsored events. McGoogan Library reserves the rights to cancel, interrupt, or terminate any service or event in the interest of a weather-related emergency, public safety, or noncompliance with University of Nebraska and University of Nebraska Medical Center policies.

Library Access

The library’s resources and public spaces may be used by all users during regular business hours. The library is accessible after hours for UNMC faculty, staff, and students and other affiliates. A current UNMC ID or Nebraska Medicine badge is required for building access. A UNMC NetID or public access computer pass (for walk-in, Nebraska Medicine, guests, and public users) is required to access the library’s electronic resources. See Library Building Access and Hours Policy.

Library Spaces

The library’s public spaces are located on Level 6 and Level 7 of Wittson Hall. Level 6 is a designated collaborative learning space and a reasonable level of noise is to be expected. Level 7 is a designated quiet study space. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be set to a silent mode when entering the library. Users are encouraged to use the Level 6 entrance area for brief, quiet telephone conversations.

Library spaces are designated for use by UNMC faculty, staff, students or library partners. Study rooms and classroom spaces in the library are available for use by UNMC faculty, staff, and students. Spaces managed by library partners may have different access and use policies than the McGoogan Library and are clearly identified in the library. Learn more about library spaces.

Food and Drink

Drinks are permitted in spill-proof containers. Food is not permitted by computers.

Children in the Library

Children are welcome in the library. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 19 years or older. Children under the age of 16 are permitted in the library without a parent or guardian only if they are part of a library-sponsored tour or are enrolled in a UNMC course or outreach program.

What to Expect from the Library

• Space for users that is clean, quiet, and well lit
• Tools for users to find information quickly and efficiently
• Courteous and respectful service
• Access, within specific guidelines, to the library collections
• Library user records and information requests are considered private information

What is Expected of Library Users

• Users will engage in responsible behavior and treat library staff and others with courtesy and respect
• Users will comply with directions of library staff or campus notifications regarding shelter-in-place or evacuation during emergency situations
• Users will avoid disruptive behavior, which includes, but is not limited to the following:
  • Assault or intimidation through language or actions
  • Excessive noise or commotion that disrupts others
  • Refusing to leave when a room reservation has ended
  • Entering areas of the library that are restricted
  • Engaging in behavior as defined by UNMC's Sexual Misconduct policy
  • Engaging in the use of alcohol or illegal drugs as defined by the Drug Free Campus policy
  • Using any e-cigarette, vaping, or tobacco products per the Tobacco-Free Campus policy. This includes smokeless forms of tobacco and electronic cigarettes

Users Respect for Library Materials, Furnishings, and Equipment

• Keep all areas clean and place trash in proper receptacles
• Refrain from marking library property or placing books open face down
• Check out of materials before leaving the library

Users must comply with the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Computer Use and Electronic Information Security Policy.

Users will not make or use unauthorized copies of items obtained from library collections as described in the Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources policy.

Animals or pets are allowable only in cases of service or therapy animals per the UNMC Pets in the Workplace policy.

Security

Do not leave personal items unattended anywhere in the library. All lost and found property will be turned into Campus Security at the end of the business day. Report missing items to the UNMC Campus Security at 402-559-5111.

The library reserves the right to notify UNMC Public Safety or law enforcement regarding disruptive behavior. Anyone engaging in disruptive behavior may be banned from the McGoogan Library.

To receive library specific emergency alerts, text the word Library to 79516. A pre-existing UNMC Alerts account is required.

The library’s Jim and Karen Linder Maker Studio is equipped with technology and other tools for the purpose of creation and prototyping educational, clinical, and research materials. Library staff facilitates access to the Maker Studio and provides workshops but may not necessarily have the skills to assist with user projects.

Maker Studio Access Policy: Overview

• The library Maker Studio is available for use by current students, faculty, and staff of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.  
• All users are required to complete an in-person safety orientation.
• Only designated users on the Maker Studio access list are allowed in the room. Guests are not permitted unless they are part of a library-sponsored tour or are enrolled in a UNMC course or outreach program. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the Maker Studio. 
• McGoogan Library staff reserves the right to terminate access to the Maker Studio or to cancel active prints for any reason.

3D Printers Self-Service Use Policy

The Maker Studio 3D printers yield prototype-quality printing which are ideal for creative exploration. Following
a brief orientation, users can design and customize their own 3D prints and make some post-production
modifications.

• All users are required to complete an in-person 3D printing orientation. 
• 3D printers are intended to be used for rapid prototyping, not production. Multiple prints of identical objects will be permitted with permission. 
• The 3D printing workstations are open unless they are actively being used to run a print job. The 3D printing workstations may be reserved in advance if required for a group, workshop, or special project. 
•  Users must follow the 3D Printing Policy below.

3D Printing Policy

• The 3D printers are for non-commercial use only and may not be used to print items for resale.
• 3D Printers may not be used to produce anything in violation of local, state, or federal laws, or in violation of UNMC or library policies. 
• No firearms or other weapons (in part or in whole, including replicas), obscene or inappropriate objects may be created using the 3D printer. 
• Users must abide by all applicable intellectual property rights and laws including copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and patent law (Title 35, U.S. Code).

3D Print Request Service 

The library's 3D print service yields prototype-quality printing. This service is best for ready-to-print files. Library staff may resize your model or make minor modification to the support structure or infill to improve the likely success and quality of the finished print. 

• Print requests will be limited to educational, clinical, and research objects.  Library staff will have the discretion to determine if an object meets one of those three areas.  Library staff will reach out to requesters for clarification as needed.
• This service is designed for rapid prototyping, not production. Multiple prints of identical objects will be permitted with permission.
• The library cannot guarantee model quality or stability, confidentiality of designs, or specific delivery times. 
• All user requests must comply with the 3D Printing Policy.

The Mother’s Room is provided for pumping or breastfeeding.

• The room can be locked for privacy.
• Users are asked to leave the room clean and neat for the next user. Use the provided CaviWipes to clean
  up any spills.
• Users are responsible for bringing their own breast pumps. Personal pumps or accessories may not be stored in the room. 

The McGoogan Library adheres to the UNMC Privacy, Confidentiality and Security of Patient and Proprietary Information Policy. Library records and other information relating to an individual’s use of the library are considered confidential. These records include, but are not limited to, circulation records; reference or information inquiries; interlibrary loan requests; database search assistance; literature, systematic, and CHIRS requests; and library consultations. User records and transaction histories may be consulted and used by library staff in the course of conducting library business.

For additional Information:

• Medical Library Association, Code of Ethics
• Society of American Archivists Code of Ethics
• American Library Association, Professional Ethics
• Nebraska Statute 84-712.05 (11)

The library’s Reflection Rooms are provided for quiet reflection and wellness.

• Please respect the rights of others in a room when occupied by more than one person.
• Room furnishings supplied by the library must remain in the rooms. 
• The rooms are not intended for studying, sleeping, or activities that do not honor the intent of the rooms. 
• Rooms are not intended for group activities.
• Please silence electronic devices.
• Food and beverages are prohibited. 
• Burning of any material or candles is prohibited. Flameless candles are available in some rooms.