Library Policies
"Library Policies" is a catchall term that includes policy, procedures, terms of use, etc. Some policies are more extensive and are included on their relevant "topic" pages instead of here. A list of these can be found below:
There are bulletin boards on each floor of the Pace Library for posters and notices. Please provide a date and contact information on any posters/notices posted in the Library. Posters on other surfaces will be removed.
Advertising for student organization activities beyond the bulletin boards (stairwells, Stall Street Journal, etc) is reserved for events/activities co-sponsored by the Libraries.
The mission of the University of West Florida Libraries is to provide information resources to its primary clientele - students, faculty, and staff of the university. The resources and computer access provided are directed to supporting the curricular and research needs of the university, with a commitment on the part of the library to intellectual freedom and free access to information. In that regard, the libraries' resources are directed to the intellectual and maturity levels of university students and professionals, not to children.
Children may use the resources of the libraries under the direction of a responsible adult. Those under the age of 18 are ineligible to check out materials from the library unless a responsible adult has designated them as having circulation privileges using that adult's library card.
To ensure their safety, children should not be left unattended in the library. It is the supervising adult's responsibility to protect a child and oversee his/her activities. Unless special provisions have been made with designated library staff members, any child discovered to be unaccompanied by an adult will be referred to UWF Security.
Suppose a child is causing disruptions that make it difficult for other library users to study or use the library. In that case, the supervising adult will be asked to either bring the child under control or leave the library. The adult may be responsible for monetary damages should a child, under their care, damage library materials, equipment, furnishings, and/or the physical structure.
Community members are welcome to utilize the University of West Florida libraries. Free community member library cards are available to residents who are 18 years of age or older and reside in one of the ten contiguous counties that comprise the Northwest Florida panhandle (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, and Gulf). Library cards may be obtained by visiting the Circulation desk and providing a picture ID and proof of residence.
A community patron library card allows community members to check out up to 4 general collection items, 3 of which may be media items (DVD/VHS/Audiobooks). The general collection items have a loan period of 28 days, and the media items (DVD/VHS/Audiobooks) have a loan period of 7 days; community member library card holders are not permitted to renew items.
Computers on the first floor of the John C. Pace Library are available for public use. Guest logins may be obtained at the Information Desk on the first floor of the library. Community members may also check out headphones and Ethernet cords for 6-hour usage at the Circulation desk.
Renewals are not allowed for items in the reserves collections. Before you can check the item out again, it must remain on the shelf for 1 hour to enable others an opportunity for access.
Unless otherwise stipulated, up to 3 reserve items may be checked out once.
Items in the Permanent Reserves section may be checked out for 28 days.
Demand Reserve items may be checked out for 14 days.
The loan period for Course Reserves materials is designated by the instructor and varies widely, from one hour to several days.
Late Fines
Fines for reserve materials vary and may be higher than for regular loans.
Contacting Us
Call or email Shelby Hanks, Digital Accessibility and Reserves Specialist, at 850.474.2444 (shanks@uwf.edu) or Michelle Finley, Head of Circulation, at 850.474.2413 (mfinley1@uwf.edu).
Priority for library spaces is given to events and programs that further the Libraries and University mission. Academic and student events and programs will be given preference, based on available space and staff. The library prefers to work in close partnership with academic and university units and will also sponsor events of its own that are closely aligned with our own mission. Academic departments and faculty, student organizations, and student service offices are encouraged to propose partnerships with the Libraries and will be evaluated by how closely such proposals align with library goals and activities.
Individuals or organizations sponsoring events are responsible for providing all marketing materials. All marketing materials are subject to approval by the University Libraries.
Spaces are generally not made available to groups without a University affiliation, especially commercial entities, except for events co-sponsored by an academic department or university unit, or with special permission by the Dean of Libraries.
Scheduling of events should be made as far in advance as possible (1-3 months is preferred) in order to ensure adequate time to market the event and minimize disruption to student study areas.
Priority for exhibits at the UWF Libraries is given to displays that support the library’s mission and the university’s academic goals, often showcasing its collections, services, and strategic directions. Items displayed are primarily drawn from the library’s collections and may be supplemented with materials from other sources when appropriate.
Exhibit Curatorship and Collaboration
Exhibits are managed by the Libraries' Marketing & Outreach Committee, with each exhibit requiring a faculty or staff co-curator. The curator(s) will collaborate with the committee to plan, develop, install, and promote exhibits.
Exhibit Partnerships and Preference for Academic Collaborations
Exhibits that further academic and student programs are given priority. Collaboration with academic departments, faculty, and student organizations is encouraged, and we invite partnerships through the Partner With Us form.
Non-University Affiliated Groups
Exhibit space is generally not provided to non-affiliated groups, particularly commercial entities, unless co-sponsored by a university unit or approved by the Dean of Libraries.
Scheduling & Duration
Exhibits should be scheduled 1-3 months in advance to ensure proper promotion and minimal disruption. Exhibits typically run for one month, with setup and takedown within the designated time frame.
Liability
The library is not responsible for any loss or damage to items displayed in an exhibit. All items are displayed at the owner’s risk. Due to space constraints, valuable items that require lockable cases cannot typically be displayed.
Approval and Final Authority
The library reserves the right to approve or deny exhibit proposals. Proposals are evaluated based on alignment with library goals. Final authority over layout, duration, placement, and promotion rests with the library.
The text and tables in this section outline the University of West Florida Libraries' policies and fines regarding late and lost library materials.
- All items will be declared lost after a week of being overdue. If a patron has any questions or extenuating circumstances that prevent them from returning the item, please contact the Billing Specialist for assistance.
- Once any item that has been declared lost is returned, the item’s replacement fee will be waived from the patron's account.
- Textbooks accrue an additional fine at an hourly rate of $3.00 to ensure accessibility for all patrons.
- Study Carrel keys of all varieties also accrue a fine of $5.00 per day they are overdue. Because these items are not to leave the library, it is encouraged that they be returned an hour before closing.
- All phone and laptop chargers are in-library use only and on loan for the duration of the library’s hours of operation. If these items are taken outside of the library, they will be declared lost in three days, and the corresponding replacement and processing fees will be applied to the patron’s account. If a patron removes chargers from the library three times regardless of their lost status, the patron will be temporarily blocked from checking out chargers for the remainder of the month. These policies ensure all students and patrons have access to chargers for their electronic devices, and the quality of library equipment remains optimal.
- For patrons who have had 28-day loan laptops declared lost three times within a semester, they will be temporarily blocked from checking out 28-day laptops for the remainder of the semester to ensure our inventory remains accessible to all students.
- In addition to the listed replacement fees, processing fees may be applied to some items.
- For "complex" items (e.g. GoPro camera + accessories), the total replacement cost is listed below. Missing items will be billed at the then-current replacement rates.
In the online payment portal, you cannot make itemized payments to your student account. All payments made online will default to outstanding UWF fine/fee balances before being applied to outstanding library fine balances. To make an itemized payment directly to your library fine balance, you must go to the Cashier's Office, Bldg 20 E, and pay in person.
| Material Type (by collection) |
Replacement Fees (Overdue Fees) |
|---|---|
| Monograph (Including Dissertations) |
$75.00 per item |
| Monograph (recalled by another patron) |
If the book is not returned within 30 days from the recall due date, a $75.00 will be charged in addition the recall fines. |
| Paperback (Leisure Reading) |
$12.75 per item |
| Juvenile Collection | $12.75 per item |
| Education Research Library Material | Fees vary by item type; check with the Education Research Librarian. |
| Government Document | $11.50 per item |
| Bound Journal | $100.00 per item |
| Current Journal | Fees vary by item type; check with the Technical Services Librarian. |
| Permanent Reserve | $75.00 per item |
| Course Reserve | Fees vary by item type; check with the Circulation librarian. |
| Course Reserve (Textbooks) |
$75.00 per item ($3.00 per hour overdue) |
| DVD/VHS | $75.00 per item |
| Audio Book | $75.00 per item |
| Laptop | $1425.00 per item |
| Daily Carrel Key | $55.00 per item ($5.00 per day overdue) |
| Semester Carrel Key | $55.00 per item ($5.00 per day overdue) |
| Yeti Microphone | $90.00 per item |
| Digital Audio Recorder | $155.00 per item |
| CAC Reader | $10.00 per item |
| Headphones | $20.00 per item |
| Headset (With Microphone) | $22.00 per item |
| Kindle | $240.00 per item |
| iPad | $660.00 per item |
| Digital Still Camera | $560.00 per item |
| Digital Video Camera | $1170.00 per item |
| GoPro Camera | $586.00 per item |
| Memory Card Reader | $15.00 per item |
| iPhone Charger (Lightning) | $36.00 per item |
| Android Charger (USB-C) | $26.00 per item |
| Android Charger (Micro USB) | $15.00 per item |
| Apple Charger (USB-C) | $35.00 per item |
| Apple Charger (Magsafe 2) | $25.00 per item |
| CAT5 Ethernet Cable | $5.00 per item |
| Graphing Calculator | $100.00 per item |
| Scientific Calculator | $15.00 per item |
| LCD Projector | $625.00 per item |
| Tripod | $40.00 per item |
| WACOM Tablet | $125.00 per item |
| Stylus Pen | $45.00 per item |
| SMART Board Accessories | $300.00 per item |
| Computer Mouse | $30.00 per item |
| USB DVD Drive | $15.00 per item |
| SD Card Reader | $30.00 per item |
| USB To HDMI/VGA Adapter | $21.00 per item |
| USB-A To USB-C Adapter | $10.00 per item |
| Apple Lightning To VGA Adapter | $40.00 per item |
| Apple Lightning To HDMI Adapter | $40.00 per item |
| Skylab Equipment | Fees vary by item type; check with the Circulation librarian. |
| Item | Replacement Cost (Per Unit) |
|---|---|
| Canon XF 400 Camera | $2500.00 |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS SDXC Memory Card | $20.00 |
| Canon BP-828 Battery | $150.00 |
| Glide Gear iPad Smartphone Teleprompter | $200.00 |
| Apple iPad (Teleprompter) | $400.00 |
| Manfrotto 502AH Video Head with MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod Kit |
$400.00 |
| Manfrotto MT190X3 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with MVH500AH Fluid Head Hybrid Video Kit |
$300.00 |
| Magnus DWF-2 Universal Tripod Dolly | $45.00 |
| Saramonic UwMic9 | $400.00 |
| Sandbags | $20.00 |
| GVM 800D-RGB LED Studio 3-Video Light Kit | $350.00 |
| Clapboard | $18.00 |
| "C" Stands Impact CS40MB | $150.00 |
| Ikan Lyra 3 Piece Lighting Kit | $1900.00 |
| PBL Halogen 3 Light Kit | $250.00 |
| Shure 58 Microphone | $100.00 |
| Shure Combo Wireless 58 And Lavalier Microphones | $550.00 |
| Comica Single Wireless Lavalier Microphone | $140.00 |
| Canon XA 10 Camcorder | $1800.00 |
| Manfrotto 190 XB Tripod | $350.00 |
| Canon T4i DSLR Camera | $900.00 |
| Audio-Technica AT875R | $175.00 |
| Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer | $60.00 |
| 70-inch Movable Monitor/Screen | $750.00 |
| Rode Procaster Microphone | $230.00 |
| Rode PSM1 Shock Mount | $40.00 |
| Rode Microphones PSA1 Studio Boom Arm | $100.00 |
| Revolution Lightboard | $2800.00 |
| Sound Devices MixPre-6 | $970.00 |
| On-Camera Video Light | $60.00 |
Where do I pay?
Fines may be paid in person or by mail at the Cashier's Office (Bldg. 20), University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514. Fines may also be paid online through MyUWF.
Replacing a Lost Book
If it is more cost-effective, patrons may purchase a replacement copy of the lost book, provided it is the same edition or newer and in the same format.
Contacting Us
If you have questions regarding a library fine, please call the Circulation Accounts Coordinator at (850.474.2414). If you feel you have been billed in error, please complete the Fine Appeal Form.
Food and drink are allowed anywhere in the UWF libraries except the University Archives (located in the basement of the John C. Pace library). Vending machines are available in the staircase on the 1st floor and the Great Good Place on the 2nd floor. UWF Dining Services also has a coffee shop serving Starbucks coffee on the 1st floor of the library. While using covered cups for beverages is not required, it is appreciated.
Smoking or using any tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in the University Libraries.
If a patron does not have their card present to check out items, circulation staff and student workers may use the student number in place of their card. This policy may only be used for certain items, such as non-contract items. The checkout of larger items without a card is at the discretion of a supervisor or the equipment specialist.
Staff and students must verify the patron's email address once a patron provides their card number. If the patron cannot verify their email address, they will be asked to return once they obtain their card.
The privacy of all borrowers of library materials shall be respected. The Library will not reveal the names of individual borrowers nor reveal what materials are charged to any individual. The Library will not make any inquiry into the purposes for which a patron requests information or materials. Patron record information is updated and maintained solely for the use of library staff in order to keep track of library materials. (s. 257.261, F.S.)
The purpose of the confidentiality statement is to ensure patrons that the UWF Libraries will not reveal patron information from library records. Our policy is based on Florida State law, which guarantees the right to privacy of library records. In addition, the library's policy is consistent with the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association, which states, "We protect library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted."
The 4th floor of the John C. Pace Library is designated as a quiet floor. All areas of the 4th floor, including the group study rooms and individual study carrels, are included in this policy. Any conversation on the 4th floor should be kept brief and held at a low volume.
The quiet floor policy was instituted at the request of UWF students. To aid library patrons in enforcing the quiet floor policy, we have placed signs throughout the 4th floor similar to the one seen to the right. Please feel free to point these signs out to anyone not adhering to this policy.