Library Policies
Mission Statement for the Joseph F. Smith Library
The Joseph F. Smith Library serves the BYU–Hawaii community by facilitating access to information, fostering learning through information literacy, and preserving our history and heritage. We provide these services through our personnel, programs and services, and facilities.
Access Policies
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Toggle ItemLibrary Privileges
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Toggle ItemBook Holds
- A borrower may request a hold for a book that is currently in use either by using the My Library Account or visiting the Circulation Desk. (RESERVE books excluded.)
- Requesters will be notified by email when the books are available.
- Books are held at the Circulation Desk for four days from the time of the email and then they are returned to the shelves or held for the next person in the queue.
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Toggle ItemBorrower's Responsibility
- The original borrower is responsible for items borrowed using their BYUH ID. This includes any fines or lost fees incurred for material(s) borrowed.
- If a borrower lets others use item(s) he/she borrowed, the original borrower is still responsible for the material(s) checked out to them.
- ALL borrowers must use their own BYUH ID CARD to check out material(s).
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Toggle ItemFines and Fees
- Items that are more than 30 days overdue are deemed lost.
- A replacement fee will be charged for each lost item.
- There is a fine of $1.00 per hour for late RESERVE items.
- There is a fine of $1.00 per hour for late MEDIA EQUIPMENT.
- There is a fine of $10.00 per item if RESERVE items are taken outside of the Joseph F. Smith Library.
- See Lost and Damaged Items policy for more information.
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Toggle ItemLost and Damaged Items
Lost Items Policy
Items are declared lost when they are more than 30 days overdue. When an item is declared lost, borrowers are automatically billed a default fee of $60.Contact the Circulation Desk about a lost item. The library will research current pricing and adjust the bill accordingly. The library will utilize discounts and contracts to acquire the replacement at the lowest possible cost. The library will issue an invoice which must be paid at the Cashier's Office.
The library does not accept borrower-purchased replacements of lost items.
If a borrower finds lost items within six months of payment, the borrower may either keep the item or request a refund.
Presumed - Lost Items Policy
Borrowers may request a shelf-search for items believed to have been returned. After three months, if the item has not been found on the shelves, it will be declared LOST.Damaged items Policy
Borrowers will be charged for the replacement of items determined to have been damaged beyond use. -
Toggle ItemRenewals
If books are not yet overdue, you may renew them yourself online by taking the following steps:
- Visit the library homepage.
- Click "Services" under the Joseph F. Smith Library banner.
- Click "My Library Account." You will be asked to log in with your BYUH username and password.
- Check the box before the book(s) you wish to renew and click "Renew Items."
CautionRESERVE ITEMS CANNOT be renewed and will incur an overdue fine of $1.00 per hour.Renewals are also processed at the Circulation Desk. Please bring the items you want to renew into the library to complete the renewal request. You may also call (808) 675-3876 for assistance. Please have the book in hand and make your renewal request before the due date.
Overdue items cannot be renewed.
Items on hold for another borrower cannot be renewed.
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Toggle ItemReturning Library Items
- Books should be returned to the Circulation Desk or the Book Drop. The Book Drop is located outside to the right of the library entrance and is available for patrons to return items when the library is closed.
- Interlibrary book loans should be returned to the Circulation Desk.
- Laptops and anything borrowed from the Media Scheduling Desk must be returned there. Do not place anything borrowed from Media Scheduling in the Book Drop.
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Toggle ItemTextbooks on Reserve
- Library reserve items can be searched for online using the search box on the library EBSCO website. After searching, click on All filters under the search bar. Scroll down until you see the Location filter. Look for the Joseph F. Smith Library Reserves - 2-Hour Loan checkbox and click on it. After that, you can now click on Update selections to see the library reserve items you want to find.
- Reserve items are available to students, faculty, and adjunct faculty.
- Most Reserve items are available for two–hours.
- Reserve items cannot be renewed.
- Reserve items cannot be removed from the library. A $10.00 fine will be billed if items are removed from the library.
General Library Policies
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Toggle ItemComputer Use
- The library computer lab is for use by current students and employees.
- Users may not login with their NetID for anyone other than themselves. Students or employees who do so will lose computer privileges.
- No food or drinks when using computers, except for covered water bottles.
- Upon presenting of a photo ID, guests may ask information consultants for access to community computers. There is a two–hour time limit.
- Network printers in the library computer lab are only available to students. Other options are available for guests. Please inquire at the Information Desk.
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Toggle ItemCopyright Policy
BYU–Hawaii Library Copyright Guide and Policies
Ask a Professional
Michael Aldrich, University Librarian, (808) 675-3851
Marynelle Chew, Associate Librarian, (808) 675-3863
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Toggle ItemDisruptive Patron Policy
The Joseph F. Smith Library reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the library community. Patrons and others who exhibit disruptive behavior (including, but not limited to, interfering with library personnel in the performance of their duties, hindering another's ability to learn, or promoting a disrupting environment) may be asked to leave the library.
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Toggle ItemFood & Drink
Snacks and covered beverages are permitted in most areas of the library. As a courtesy to others, please clean up after yourself and place any garbage in the nearest trash receptacle.
Any food or beverage that, in the judgment of the library staff, is messy, noisy, and/or strong smelling is not permitted.
The library prohibits the consumption of food and open beverages while using university computers or other technology (such as scanners, printers, etc.). Food and/or beverages are not allowed in the Pacific Islands Research Room, Academic Multimedia Lab, and University Archives.
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Toggle ItemGroup Study Rooms
- Rooms can only be reserved by current BYUH students and employees for group study related to their BYUH curriculum.
- A minimum of two people are expected for reservations. Students studying alone in the rooms may be asked to leave even if they reserved the room.
- Rooms are reserved for groups of two to eight students.
- Reservations can be scheduled for up to two hours.
- If you need to take a proctored exam, please visit the library information desk.
- Lights must be on at all times.
- Rooms are not soundproof. Groups using study rooms should be considerate of their noise levels.
- While food and beverages are permitted in group study rooms, individuals should clean up after themselves before leaving the room.
- Study room policies must be followed at all times. The library reserves the right to cancel your reservation or ask you to leave if you do not comply.
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Toggle ItemInterlibrary Loan (ILL)
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a free service offered to current students and employees. When the library does not have access to a particular book or journal article, current students and employees may request to borrow the item at no cost to themselves.
The first step is to create a personal ILL account here: https://illiad.lib.byu.edu/illiad/HWI/Logon.html
When creating an account, you must use your @go.byuh.edu or your @byuh.edu. This email will be used for account verification purposes and also for receiving notifications and access to PDF documents. It is safer to not use the same username/password as the BYUH Net ID.
When the item requested is available for use, an email will be sent to the BYUH email account on file. If it is a book, the item can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Please present current BYUH ID for pick up. The loan period is determined by the library who loaned us the book.
NoteBooks can take anywhere from a week to six weeks to arrive in Hawaii. Best practice is to plan ahead.If an article or chapter from a book is delivered as a PDF, the user will log into the ILL account he/she created using the BYUH email account to access the article.
NotePDF articles delivered to the ILL account will remain online for 30 days, after which they will automatically be removed. Prior to that time, the article can be downloaded or printed. -
Toggle ItemNoise Policy
The Joseph F. Smith Library reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the library community. Patrons and others who exhibit disruptive behavior (including, but not limited to, interfering with library personnel in the performance of their duties, hindering another’s ability to learn, or promoting a disruptive environment) may be asked to leave the library.
Please contact the Information Desk if there are issues with noise.
Library Collection Scopes and Policies
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Toggle ItemAcademic Books
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research. The scope of each subject collection may be impacted by factors including the number of declared majors in a given field. The ebook format is favored due to space constraints and because it allows ubiquitous access to content.
Free Interlibrary Loan (ILL)/document delivery services are offered when the library does not own the desired book.
NoteThis policy does not apply to the University Archives. For information about University Archives policies, please visit: https://library.byuh.edu/archives/policiesA. First Preference:
- First preference is given to books recommended by each faculty member for their curriculum needs.
- The publications selected by each faculty member should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Receives positive reviews in professional journals in the subject area of the faculty member.
- Is published by prestigious university presses such as Harvard, California, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, etc.
- Is recommended by book selection tools, such as:
1.) Choice
2.) Library Journal
3.) Booklist
4.) Publisher's Weekly
5.) Other scholarly publications.
B. Second Preference:
- Retrospective materials with high or long-term academic value.
C. Third Preference:
- High-interest materials requested by the student body and BYUH community, including novels. High interest materials and novels are considered with preference given to content that is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy." See also Sensitive Materials.
- Recommended classic or general work in fields not covered by curriculum or research interests.
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Toggle ItemChildren and Young Adult Collections
The library collects pedagogical materials to support pre-service elementary and secondary education majors and supplemental reading materials suitable for teaching children pre-K to grade 12. Supplemental reading materials are considered with preference given to content that is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy."
TipSee also Sensitive Materials.A. First Preference:
- Children's Collection: Award-winning books and other books of interest, which include picture books, early readers, fiction where the protagonist is 12 years old or younger, and non-fiction suitable for grades pre-K to six.
- Young Adult Collection: Award-winning books and other books of interest which include fiction where the protagonist is 12 years old or older, non-fiction suitable for grades 7 to 12, and materials suitable for English as a second language learners.
- Church books: Books written for, about, and by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, intended for children and young adult members of the church.
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Toggle ItemElectronic Resources
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research. The scope of each subject collection may be impacted by factors including the number of declared majors in a given field.
Electronic resources are defined as those resources that are accessed via the Internet. Examples include but are not limited to, periodical indexes, reference databases, primary sources, electronic texts (e-journals, e-books, primary sources, etc.), and multimedia content (films, music, audiobooks, etc.). Over 80 percent of library collections are now offered as electronic resources.
Resources that cannot be freely offered to the entire university audience (i.e., a fixed number of individual accounts for access or limited to registered students of a particular major) are not licensed by the library.
A. Continuing Resources (subscriptions).
Because subscriptions to electronic resources involve extensive and long-term financial commitments to the university, any new subscription should meet the following criteria:
1. First Preference
- is accessible via the internet;
- offers IP authentication;
- is a resource that supports the overall university curriculum;
- is a resource that supports the instructional objectives of a specific discipline;
- is suitable for undergraduate research;
- is accessible by multiple simultaneous users;
- is produced by an entity with an established reputation for academic quality, a user interface that encourages effective use, and effective customer support;
- is available for a trial demonstration;
- is reviewed favorably in literature reviews or compares favorably to similar products.
2. Second Preference
- is available only as limited anonymous simultaneous users
B. Non–Continuing Resources (owned)
Non–Continuing Resources should meet the following criteria:
1. First Preference
- is accessible via the internet;
- offers IP authentication;
- is a resource that supports the overall university curriculum;
- is a resource that supports the instructional objectives of a specific discipline;
- is suitable for undergraduate research;
- is accessible by multiple simultaneous users;
- is produced by an entity with an established reputation for academic quality, a user interface that encourages effective use, and effective customer support;
- is reviewed favorably in literature reviews or compares favorably to similar products.
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Toggle ItemDeselection Guidelines
Building a quality collection of undergraduate research materials comprises two components:
- Selection and acquisition of new materials.
- Deselection and weeding of older materials.
When these tasks are accomplished with the needs of the university curriculum in mind and partnership with faculty members and librarians, the outcome is a substantial collection that better serves all university patrons.
The deselection of materials is an activity to be undertaken with seriousness. It is expensive and time–consuming, necessitating as much care and attention as acquiring and processing new materials.
While the rationale behind building a collection is relatively obvious, the justification for deselection is less apparent. Goals of a robust deselection program include:
- To gain additional stack space.
- To strengthen the collection by making the remaining materials more accessible.
- To eliminate items in physical conditions that prohibit their effective use.
The following criteria will be used to identify materials for deselection:
- Superseded editions.
- Worn, mutilated, or poorly marked items in poor condition.
- The online equivalent of print is readily available.
- Duplicate copies of seldom-used titles.
- Surplus copies of titles are no longer in demand for supplementary use, or items represented in multiple titles when a better title is available.
- Materials that are part of an incomplete set.
- Materials containing subject matter inappropriate to the collection (i.e., programs no longer offered).
- Materials that contain outdated, obsolete, or misleading information.
- Items with little or no use as determined by historical usage statistics that indicate a title has little application to student learning and research needs.
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Toggle ItemFilms and Audio
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research. The scope of each subject collection may be impacted by factors including the number of declared majors in a given field.
The library licenses several streaming video databases that contain over 100,000 documentaries and fine arts performances. The library is not able to license video offered on platforms that license to specific, individual users (i.e. Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO, etc.). Faculty members are invited to peruse existing content before requesting something new.
The library licenses several streaming music databases. The library is not able to license music offered on platforms that license to specific, individual users (i.e. iTunes, Amazon Music, etc.). The library no longer collects music in CD format.
TipSee also Electronic ResourcesNoteThis policy does not apply to the University Archives. For information about University Archives policies, please visit: https://library.byuh.edu/archives/policiesA. First Preference:
- Each faculty member is entitled to recommend the purchasing of audiovisual materials required to support his/her curriculum areas.
- The materials selected by each faculty member should follow these criteria:
- supplements and amplifies class text;
- is appropriate for use by other faculty members;
- is in current production;
- material should be previewed if possible.
B. Second Preference
- Additional audiovisual materials may be purchased to build a balanced collection.
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Toggle ItemGifts and Donations - Joseph F. Smith Library
The Joseph F. Smith Library accepts donations of books and audiovisual materials with ‘no strings attached’ unless a written agreement is signed by both the donor and the Head of Access and Collections.
Definition of ‘no strings attached’: The library is not obligated to retain in perpetuity the materials donated or to process the materials in any particular manner. Unless otherwise negotiated in writing, the library assumes ownership of the donated materials and may donate or dispose of them without further communication with the donor.
The library will, upon request, provide a letter of receipt that indicates the number of books or audiovisual materials donated. The library will not provide a title-specific list or valuate the donation.
For artwork donations, please contact the university art curator.
NoteThis policy does not apply to the University Archives. For information about University Archives policies, please visit: https://library.byuh.edu/archives/policies -
Toggle ItemGifts and Donations - University ArchivesNoteThis policy does not apply to the University Archives. For information about University Archives policies, please visit: https://library.byuh.edu/archives/policies
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Toggle ItemJournals
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research. The scope of each subject collection may be impacted by factors including the number of declared majors in a given field.
Because subscriptions to serials involve a long-term financial commitment, the library does not acquire journals for faculty members' special projects or research. Free ILL/document delivery services are offered as an alternative.
Fewer than 100 print subscriptions are currently maintained. The online journal format is preferred due to space constraints and because it allows ubiquitous access to content. Library participation in various consortia affords access to over 80,000 ejournal titles from quality publishers, such as Elsevier, Emerald, Oxford, Sage, Springer, Wiley, etc., and ejournal access through aggregator database platforms, such as EBSCO, JSTOR, Project Muse, ProQuest, etc.
TipSee Also Electronic ResourcesNoteThis policy does not apply to the University Archives. For information about University Archives policies, please visit: https://library.byuh.edu/archives/policiesFirst Preference:
- Any new subscription should meet the following criteria:
- must be indexed in pertinent professional indices;
- is published by universities with recognized academic accomplishments or by publishers with competent and well-known editors and contributors;
- is suitable for undergraduate research;
- is reviewed favorably in publications such as Library Journal, Choice, and/or other scholarly journals.
- Any new subscription should meet the following criteria:
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Toggle ItemPacific Islands Research Room Collections
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research.
The Pacific Islands Research Room contains research materials focused on Hawaii and the nations of Oceania, Melanesia, and Micronesia. The Collection is not comprehensive. The materials in this Collection do not circulate but are available in the room.
TipDuplicate copies of some items may be found in other circulating Library collections.TipMaterials in ebook format are acquired as available.TipSee also Special Collections. -
Toggle ItemPopular Reading Collection
The library acquires a few books for recreational reading, both as physical books and in ebook and audiobook formats available on the OverDrive platform. After a year, books on the Popular Reading shelves may be moved to the General or YA collections to make room for more current titles.
TipSee Also Sensitive Materials -
Toggle ItemSelf-Published Books
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research.
The library generally does not acquire self-published books as gifts or purchase requests.
Definition of self-published:
- subsidy/vanity press books
- books that were self-published through print-on-demand services
- books for which the author has assumed all production tasks
Self-published fiction or poetry is not acquired.
Exception: quality locally-produced non-fiction content (local history or non-fiction of particular church historical interest) that would not otherwise be available may be acquired. Quality control standards, such as appearance, evidence of editing, credibility of research, etc., are applied to these materials.
NoteThis policy does not apply to the University Archives. For information about University Archives policies, please visit: https://library.byuh.edu/archives/policies -
Toggle ItemSensitive Materials
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research. Consistent with collection policy statements, the library exercises critical sensitivity in acquiring books, periodicals, pamphlets, manuscripts, ephemera, photo-reproductions, maps, music scores, recordings, and other non-print media.
The library reserves the right to exclude or limit the use of materials seen as distasteful or otherwise contrary to the norms and values of the university's sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As there exists a wide range of opinions regarding what has literary merit or deviates from interpreting the norms and values of the church, patrons who find objectionable titles in the library collections are invited to complete a "Request for Reconsideration of Material" form and submit it to the office of the university library (JFS 124).
Upon receipt of the form, the library will:
Initiate a committee to read and review the material.
Judge the material in its entirety using the questions on the form.
Respond in writing to the complainant promptly.
No material shall be removed from use until a final decision on its status has been made.
NoteThe library has limited control over the content of online database subscriptions (such as ebooks and streaming media) and is not able to remove or suppress objectionable items from these resources. -
Toggle ItemSpecial Collections
The Joseph F. Smith Library at Brigham Young University–Hawaii aims to build a balanced and quality collection to serve the learning and research needs of undergraduate study and research. The scope of each subject collection may be impacted by factors including the number of declared majors in a given field.
Due to age, condition, value, rarity, and/or sensitive nature of content, some materials not necessarily related to Hawaii and the nations of Oceania, Melanesia, and Micronesia are placed in the Special Collections section of the Pacific Islands Research Room. These materials are available upon request at the Information Desk inside the Research Room.
NoteThis policy does not apply to the University Archives. For information about University Archives policies, please visit: https://library.byuh.edu/archives/policies -
Toggle ItemTextbooks and Course Reserves
Textbooks are purchased for course reserve if available in print or if licensing is available to libraries in ebook format. Online textbooks offered via inclusive access or assigned to individual users for a limited duration are not acquired by the library.
Supplemental, non-textbook materials may be acquired upon request and placed on course reserve. These materials are generally returned to the circulating collections after the semester concludes, especially if the course is only offered once a year or every two years.