Policy Title: Library Visitor and Community User Policy 
Policy Number: LP-004
Type of Policy: Library
Last Reviewed Date: May 2025 
Next Review Date: July 2028 
Responsible Administrator: Dean of Libraries 
Policy Owner: Library
Contact Name: Sonya Gaither 
Contact Title: Dean of Libraries
Contact Email: Library@clayton.edu 

Policy Statement:
It is the policy of the Clayton State University Library to support the information needs of community visitors; therefore, the library will make certain library resources and services available to this group of patrons.

Reason for Policy:
Library policies are created to assist students, faculty/staff, and community users with developing a welcoming and inviting study and research space within the library facility. Each policy explains who, how, and when the library building, resources, etc. can be accessed. In the event library property becomes lost or damaged, or there is a disturbance during operating hours, policies and procedures explain how these matters will be resolved.

Policy Scope: 
This policy applies to all Clayton State University library patrons except current students, faculty, and staff. 

Policy: 
All visitors to the library above the age of 18 have the following privileges: 

• Access to library spaces that do not require reservations.  
• Use scanner with user-provided flash drive.
• Purchase a community printing card to print or make copies.
• Request reference assistance.  
• Use library materials, including circulating, reference, legal, music, and microform collections in the library.   

Visitors with a Community Borrowers Card issued by Clayton State Library have the following additional privileges: 

• Borrow a maximum of five books for one 28-day loan period. Community borrowers are not eligible for loan renewals.
• Desktop computer access. Please note that computer access is not guaranteed as currently enrolled Clayton State students have priority status.  
• Access online databases through GALILEO while in the library. 

 Retirees with emeritus status have an additional privilege: 

• Remote access to online databases through GALILEO. 

 Visiting scholars from other institutions of higher education will have the same privileges as retired Clayton State University faculty who do not have emeritus status. 

Special services are available to area high school students: 

• Access to library materials, reference assistance, InterLibrary Loan articles and desktop computers during a supervised class trip to the library.
• Access to library materials and reference assistance during a library visit while accompanied by an adult.
• Community printing cards are available for purchase to print or make copies.
• If an accompanying adult is a Community Borrowers Card holder, they may request computer access to share with the student.  

Community User Responsibilities: 

• Users are responsible for the prompt return of library materials in good condition at the end of the loan period.
• Users may not lend their Borrowers Card to others.
• Users cannot check out items if their account has been blocked due to overdue items.
• Users will permanently lose all library privileges after three attempts to collect overdue or lost items.
• Users will permanently lose all library privileges after three attempts to collect processing and/or lost item fees.
• The library reserves the right to block or permanently terminate equipment use privileges for anyone who is repeatedly late in returning equipment or who has exhibited a pattern of misuse of equipment.
• Users agree to abide by the Clayton State University Computer and Network Acceptable Usage Policy  

 

Procedures: 

Requesting a Card 

• Visitors can request an application for the community borrowers card at the information desk on the upper level of the library. Every visitor requesting a community borrowers card MUST complete the application in its entirety including a valid email address that can receive automated emails from the library. USG/eCore students MUST use their home institution email address.
• Cards are valid for one year. Users must re-verify their identification and contact information each year. There is a $10.00 processing fee to replace a lost community borrowers card. 

 

Definitions:
Clayton State Affiliated Users 

Clayton State retirees, Alumni, Visiting Scholars, Continuing Education Students with current course receipt and USG/eCore students with proper school identification 

Non-Affiliated Users 

Adults who reside in Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnet, Henry, Newnan, and Rockdale counties

 

References/Sources:

1. Clayton State University Children on Campus Policy
2. Clayton State University Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy
3. Community Borrowers Card Application 

Policy History: 

Revision Date	Author	Description
09/01/2021	Library Leadership	Effective date
10/02/2024	Library Leadership	Reformatted to HTML
04/08/2025	Library Leadership	Reformatted to new template