Library Policies

Borrowing Policies

All patrons must have a current Middlebury Institute ID or library card in order to borrow materials.

Loan Periods

The following are the loan periods for current students. Other policies may apply for other borrowers. Please email library@middlebury.edu for more specific information. 

Overdue Materials

There are no fines for most overdue library items, borrowing privileges may be temporarily revoked until overdue items are returned or renewed. Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy to patrons; responsibility for fines is not dependent on receipt of notices.

Overdue fines may be charged for overdue interlibrary loan materials as determined by the lending library.

Lost Materials

All lost materials are charged an additional processing fee of $20.00.

Default values are determined by type of item. Individual items may have a higher replacement cost.

Renewals

Materials may be renewed online through Renew Your Books when not overdue or on hold for another user. Items may also be renewed at the Circulation Desk. Telephone renewals are not permitted.

Nonrenewable items must be back on the shelf for a minimum of 1 day before they may be checked out again by the same patron.

Returns

Materials may be placed in the outdoor book return slot to the left of the library entrance at any time. Returns may be placed in the slot at the circulation counter when the library is open.

Revoked Privileges

Library borrowing privileges may be revoked if a patron

• Damages or defaces library materials in any way
• Deliberately attempts to remove materials from the library without checking them out
• Refuses to return materials that have been recalled by the library
• Refuses to pay replacement charges

Facilities Policies

The library building and outside entrance area serve both the Institute community and visiting patrons. Please observe these policies in your use of the facilities.

Library Room Reservation Policy

The Middlebury Institute Library will now accept group and club reservations for study rooms. A mandatory four verified members must be in the group to qualify for a reservation. Reservations will only occur during Library operating hours. Please visit our website for our library hours. 

Request a reservation.

Reservations are NOT for individuals and can instead only be made for groups of students or for club events. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the requested time. Recurring reservations are allowed for verified clubs ONLY and may be denied at the discretion of library staff. Approval for all reservations are at the discretion of library staff.

If no reservations have been made, these rooms are still available on a first come, first served basis, until there is a reservation. 

View the reservation calendar.

Reservation Requirements and Limits:

• Reservation must be made with a middlebury.edu account
• Reservations begin on the hour 
• Groups and clubs must have four or more people to reserve space.
• Groups have a 10 minute grace period. If a group does not show up within that 10 minutes, they forfeit their reservation. 
• There is a 2 hour Reservation limit per day.
• Back-to-Back reservations are not permitted.
• If there is no scheduled group or interest in the room after that 2 hour period, the group may stay until the next reservation time.
• Food and drink may be consumed in accordance with the existing library policies.
• The library is not responsible for items left in rooms.

Fletcher-Jones Instructional Lab

Located on the first floor, the Fletcher-Jones Instructional Lab fits 6-8 people. Equipped with a Smart TV, a whiteboard, and videoconferencing equipment, the space is ideal for conference-style meetings and viewings.

The Node

Located on the first floor, the Node fits 12-16 people and has two TV monitors. An ideal space for late night study group sessions and club events.

Envision Room

Located on the second floor, the Envision room seats 14-20 people. Equipped with a SMARTboard, this space is great for large study groups and large club events. Please note the 2nd floor is a Quiet Zone, so noise must be kept to a minimum.

Noise

The second floor of the library is a designated Quiet Zone. Patrons may talk quietly on the first floor, but please do not disturb library users who are trying to study. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cell Phones

Please silence your cell phone if you are on the second floor. You may have a quiet, brief cell phone conversation on the first floor, provided you are not disturbing other patrons.

Food and Drink

• Food is NOT allowed on the second floor. 

• Food is allowed on the first floor. Please keep food in spill-proof containers.

• Beverages are allowed throughout the library. Please keep in leak-proof, spill-proof containers. 

• Take precautions to avoid spillage and soiling of library materials, furniture, computers, and carpet.

• Report accidental spills to library staff immediately.

• Dispose of food waste in garbage and compost bins outside the library.

• We reserve the right to ask people to take food and/or beverages outside the library.

• Be considerate of others in the library.

Smoking

Smoking and tobacco products are prohibited in the library.

Storage of Bags, Bicycles, and Other Personal Possessions

Patrons may not leave bags or other personal items at the library front desk or other staff areas. Bicycles and scooters are not allowed in the library.

Lost and Found

Items found in the library or collected by library staff are kept at the front desk. Unclaimed items are taken to Campus Security on a regular basis. Valuable items such as wallets and passports are taken immediately to Campus Security.

Safety and Security

• Please do not leave personal belongings unattended.
• Please practice safe use of electrical outlets in the library. Laptop cords stretched across walkways are a tripping hazard. Plug laptops into outlets immediately next to where you are working.
• Please notify library staff immediately if you witness a theft or are aware of any safety or security problems.
• Three red Campus Security phones are located in the Library for use in case of emergency or immediate security concerns.

Donations

The Middlebury Institute Library does not accept donations of library materials.