Use the library gently

Students at Citrus College are experiencing the financial and emotional pressures that come with pursuing a college degree.

And nowadays, just securing a seat in a class has become a challenge.

If we are not so worried about per unit fees, we are struggling to pay for textbooks. Our financial situation is manifested in the long line outside the Financial Aid Office and the confusion over what to do and say once you get in the door.

Regardless of our mounting worries, we students can always count on one thing: the library.

The Hayden Memorial Library has been a critical learning center for the thousands of Citrus students who have walked through its doors since it opened in 1965.

Students need to cooperate with each other and support the efforts of the hard-working library staff to maintain the facility as a free, attractive, and public resource.

The Citrus College library staff keeps up to date with technology, making laptops, cameras, and Internet access available for free to all Citrus students.

Keeping that in mind, students should use this equipment with care, as if we had paid for it ourselves.

Students are allowed to use the library computers for personal use. For our generation, social networking has become an everyday pursuit. Sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are not only entertaining, but a great way to keep in touch with friends and breaking news events.

Unfortunately, some students take unfair advantage of these resources, spending long periods of time pursuing extra-curricular activities on library computers. By doing so, they are preventing other students from having computer access to do homework or academic research.

Because of this, we call on all Citrus College students to be more considerate and responsible about the use of computers during peak times.

Courtesy and sensitivity to other students' needs are especially crucial when midterms and finals come around. Computers are in high demand for students taking online exams, doing research, or printing homework.

Since students spend a lot of time in the library, it's understandable that we get hungry and thirsty but let's follow the rules. Drinking or eating in the library is not allowed and could cause an accident. Spilled liquids can cause keyboard malfunction. And no one likes to use a computer with Cheetos fingerprints all over it. Please try to keep the eating in the cafeteria, not the library. 

The library also offers free wi-fi for everyone. If we bring our own laptops, we can free up a computer for another student to use.

For students who cannot afford to buy textbooks or simply want to save a few bucks, textbooks for many classes are available at the reserve desk. In most cases, only one book is available for hundreds of students who are taking the same course.

Students may use these textbooks inside the library only for two hours only. This is usually more than enough time for serious students to get  their work done.

Keeping their classmates in mind, students need to be careful and quick when using reserved textbooks since someone else is often waiting in line for them.

Books available for check out from the library must also be returned in a timely manner. Library staffers prepare up to 200 notices a month for students with overdue books.

Students who need to renew a book for a few more days but can't make the trip to the library can always renew the book online at the library's webpage at http://www.lib.citruscollege.edu.

Failure to return a book on time has consequences. The library charges students a fine of 25 cents each day the book is not returned.

Also, for students with unpaid bills, holds can be placed on academic records that might prevent enrolling, transferring and even graduating.

We all need to follow these basic rules of library etiquette so the Hayden Memorial Library will continue to be a great and resourceful place for learning.