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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.

Community members can pay an annual $50.00 fee to enhance their user privileges. An enhanced community patron library card allows users to check out up to 10 general collection items, three of which may be media items (DVD/VHS/Audiobooks) and allows for one renewal of general collection items only.

Computers on the first and second floors 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 Michael Pace, Reserve Coordinator, at 857-6162 (mpace@uwf.edu) or Michelle Finley, Head of Circulation, at 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.

Overdue fines accrue at a daily rate. If an item is more than 30 days overdue, it will be declared lost, and patrons will be billed for the full replacement cost for the material plus the accrued overdue fines. The list below outlines the University of West Florida Libraries' policies and fines regarding late and lost library materials.

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.

General Fines And Replacement Costs
Material Type
(by collection)
Overdue Fines Replacement Fees
Monograph
(Including Dissertations)
$0.25 per day/per book up to $8 maximum fine $75.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Monograph
(recalled by another patron)
$0.50 per day for recalled items, up to a $30 maximum (If the book is not returned within 30 days from the recall due date, a $75.00 will be charged in addition to the overdue and recall fines.)
Paperback
(Leisure Reading)
$0.25 per day/per book up to $8 maximum fine $12.75 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Juvenile Collection $0.25 per day/per book up to $8 maximum fine $12.75 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Education Research Library Material $0.25 per day/per book up to $8 maximum fine Check with Education Research Librarian
Government Document $0.25 per day/per book up to $8 maximum fine $11.50 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Bound Journal $0.25 per day/per book up to $8 maximum fine $100 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Current Journal $0.25 per day/per book up to $8 maximum fine Fees vary, check with Serials Librarian
Permanent Reserve $0.25 per day/per book up to $12 maximum fine $75.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Course Reserve

Materials checked out on an hourly basis, $4 per day, up to $12 maximum fine

Materials checked out on a daily basis, $4 per day, up to a $12 maximum fine

Materials checked out on a weekly basis, $4 per day, up to a $12 maximum fine

Replacement fees vary according to material type, check with Circulation librarian.
DVD/VHS $0.25 per day/per item, up to $12 maximum fine $75.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Audio Book $0.25 per day/per item, up to $12 maximum fine $75.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Laptop $1.20 per hour $1440.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Daily Carrel Key $1.20 per hour $55 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Semester Carrel Key $12.00 per day $55 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Yeti Microphone $1.20 per hour $90 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Digital Audio Recorder $1.20 per hour $120 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
CAC Reader $4.00 per day $10.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Headphones $1.20 per hour $20 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Kindle $10 per day $240.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
iPad $12 per day $660.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Digital Camera $12 per day $910.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Video Camera $12 per day $1265.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
GoPro Camera $12 per day $428.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
GoPro Selfie Stick $12 per day $35.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Memory Card Reader $4 per day $15.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Phone Charging Cable $4 per day $15.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Apple Mac Charger (USB or Magsafe) $1.20 per hour $25.00 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
CAT5 Ethernet Cable $4 per day $5 per item
Graphing Calculator $1.20 per hour $100 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Scientific Calculator $1.20 per hour $15 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
LCD Projector $12 per day $625 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Tripod $12 per day $40 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
WACOM Tablet $1.20 per hour $125 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
Stylus Pen $1.20 per hour $45 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
SMART Board Accessories $1.20 per hour $400 per item
(plus accrued overdue fines)
SkyLab Equipment $1.20 per hour Replacement costs vary; contact Circulation for exact costs.
Library Media Studio Equipment Replacement Costs
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 as long as 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.