Policy Title: Library Visitor and Community User Policy 
Policy Number: LP-004
Type of Policy: Library
Last Reviewed Date: May 2026 
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 Clayton State University alumni, retirees, CE students and visiting scholars; GA Archives personnel, local area high school students, and community members living in our ten-county service area (Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newnan, and Rockdale). Visitors from outside the ten-county service area are welcome but cannot apply for a community borrowers card.

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 of the book scanner with user-provided flash drive. 
• Request reference assistance.  
• In-library use of library materials, including circulating, reference, legal, music, and microform collections.   

Most 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.  
• Purchase of a community print card to use the SmartPrint printers. 
• Access online databases through GALILEO while in the library. 

Retirees, emeritus faculty, and visiting scholars have additional privileges as outlined in our Borrowing Items Policy and our Retiree Access to Library Resources Policy. 

 

• Do not need a community borrowers card to check out books or claim a GIL Express item (i.e. “walk-up” in the GIL Express Policies and Procedures).
• Do need a community borrowers card to obtain a username/password for computer access.

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 agree to adhere to all library policies. Violations may result in the permanent loss of all library privileges. 
• 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 Community Borrowers Card 

• Clayton State University alumni, retirees without a LakerCard, visiting scholars, CE Students, USG/eCore students; GA Archives personnel, and community members in our ten-county service area may request a community borrowers 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 present a photo ID with a current address and 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.
• Users must provide a valid email address that can receive automated emails from the library. Users that cannot receive automated emails from the library cannot borrow books but may use library computers. 
• 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 
4. Borrowing Items Policy 
5. Retiree Access to Library Resources Policy 

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
08/21/2025	Library Leadership	Updated language for requesting a card
02/05/2026	Library Leadership	Clarified card requirements for USG students
05/06/2026	Library Leadership	Clarified user groups