Library Policies

Policies

Grand Canyon University Fleming Library Policies

Mission Statement

The Grand Canyon University Fleming Library serves as the foundation of academic support for all learning and research pursuits of GCU students, faculty, staff and administration, and serves the greater community by providing access to quality research materials.

Vision Statement

The Grand Canyon University Fleming Library strives to provide students, instructors and the community access to the information they need for educational and personal growth throughout their lives. The Library also strives to support GCU's educational mission by expanding the base of knowledge through research and scholarship. 

Library Use Policy

Any GCU Affiliate* may use any library resource, print, or electronic. Students are defined as being currently enrolled for the semester. Faculty and staff are defined as being currently employed by the University.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or other supervisory adult when using Library sources.

With proper ID, (a GCU faculty, staff, or student ID or a Library-issued card) patrons may borrow materials with certain restrictions.    

Remote access to electronic materials is limited to current GCU faculty, staff, and students.

Computer Use Policy

The Grand Canyon University Fleming Library adheres to the GCU Computer Network Use Policy,

Inappropriate computer use, such as participating in any illegal activity and misusing copyrighted material, will be reported to the Computer Information Technology department. If unacceptable activity continues, the Campus Security office will be notified. The GCU user may be escorted from the Library facility by Campus Security. Non-GCU affiliated patrons will be escorted off campus by Campus Security and will not be permitted to use the library from that date forward.

* GCU Affiliates are defined as: Current GCU students, alumni, faculty, staff, community card holders, and pastors who can present proof of current service at a local church.

Borrowing Limits

Borrowing Limits

Loan Periods

Replacement fees for Lost or Damaged Items (additional processing and late fees will apply)

Reference Service Policy

Email and Telephone Reference Services

Email and telephone reference services are available 7 days a week.  Emails and voicemail messages are responded to within 24 hours (not including days the Library is closed).  Call us at 602.639.6641 or Toll Free 800.800.9776 ext. 6396641, send an email to library@gcu.edu, see the "Live Chat" function on the right-side of this page to chat live with a Librarian, or visit us in the Library.  

In-Person Reference Services

In-person reference requests are on a first-come first-serve basis. All in-person service questions are answered immediately with the exception of follow-up inquiries that require additional research. Follow-up assistance is available during hours posted on the Library web site.

Instructional Reference Services

Instructional reference service includes, but is not limited to, face-to-face instruction, class instruction, or group presentation instruction. Instruction sessions can be requested by emailing library@gcu.edu or by calling the library at 602.639.6641 or toll free 800.800.9776 ext 6641.

Interlibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a way to share resources between the Grand Canyon University Fleming Library and other institutions. To request an ILL item for material the Library does not own, call us at 602.639.6641 or Toll Free 800.800.9776 ext. 6396641 or send an email to library@gcu.edu. The Interlibrary Loan process may take a few days up to a few weeks to receive articles or books.  Limits on requests are by patron type:

• GCU Faculty - 50 active requests
• GCU Graduate Students - 100 active requests
• GCU Staff - 15 active requests
• GCU Undergraduates - 30 active requests

Item requests are processed within 48 hours of receipt (not including days the Library is closed).

The Library has reciprocal library agreements that often allow the free delivery of requested Interlibrary Loan items.  Patrons will be notified beforehand if any Interlibrary Loan fees may be involved.

Copyright Policy

 The Grand Canyon University Fleming Library abides by the provisions of the U.S. Copyright Act and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

The following sections of the U.S. Copyright Act are pertinent to libraries:  Section 107 (Fair Use) and Section 108 (Reproduction by libraries and archives). In addition, the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) has prepared guidelines on permissible copying for Interlibrary Loan purposes

Section 107 (Fair Use) covers reproductions for purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship or research

Four factors to consider when determining Fair Use are: 1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; 2) the nature of the copyrighted work; 3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and, 4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. 

Section 108 (Reproduction by Libraries and Archives) covers reproducing or distributing one copy if the copy is made without any commercial value, if the reproduction is available to all persons, and if the copy includes a copyright notice. Section 108(1)(1) provides libraries with protection from infringement violations by a patron at an unsupervised copier machine. 

CONTU deals with libraries and Interlibrary Loan copies. The guideline allows libraries during one calendar year to receive up to five copies of articles from the most recent five years of a journal title. If the quota is reached, the library may decide to subscribe to the journal, the library may choose to ignore additional requests from the journal, or the library may seek copyright permission through the Copyright Clearance Center and pay the requisite fees. 

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act states that a copyright violation occurs when and if you crack the protective code on a disk or bypass the password interface. The Act also bars the removal of "copyright management information" from a copyrighted work. 

The TEACH Act of 2002 requires the library to provide informational materials regarding copyright. These materials must accurately describe and promote compliance with U.S. copyright laws. Notices to students should alert students to copyright implications of course materials. 

This Policy applies equally to Course Reserves and Interlibrary Loan.