Library

Services

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BORROWING PRIVILEGES
The BAC Library is open to the public for reference use. Borrowing privileges are extended to all degree or certificate program students, current faculty, and staff. Continuing Education students may borrow books after placing a cash deposit with the Library staff. The deposit is $50.00, $40.00 of which is refunded after the semester or academic year. BAC Members may also borrow Library materials after paying a fee and placing a deposit, both in cash. Please see a Librarian for further information.

Books normally circulate for two-week periods and may be renewed unless the book has a recall placed on it by another patron. Books may be renewed in person, by telephone (617.585.0155), by e-mail (library@the-bac.edu), or you may renew books yourself through the online catalog. If renewing by phone or e-mail, be sure to give your full name and your bar code number, found on your ID card. If renewing through the catalog (library.the-bac.edu), click on the Library Account Information button, enter your barcode number from your ID and your last name, and click OK. You will see your libary account. From the title list that appears, check the box to the left of a title and click on the Renew button to renew that book. Overdue books may not be renewed until all fines are paid in cash. Books may be renewed during the semester, but all books must be returned by the end of the semester. Please use our FAQ page for further information on borrowing.

Masters and Thesis students are entitled to borrow books for four-week periods. In addition, Thesis students are allowed to keep material between semester breaks. However, if a book is requested by another patron, both Thesis and Masters students are required to return the book after a two-week period. Please speak with a Librarian for further information. A book drop is available for returns when the library is closed. The book drop is located to the right of the 6th floor evelator.

FINES
The fine for overdue books is $.10 per day per book. Certain circulating course materials have a higher fine, which will be explained when the item is checked out. In some cases, the Library may call back an item by sending a notice to the borrower. Books not returned by the date specified on the notice are subject to a $1.00 per day fine. All fines must be paid in cash.

Students who repeatedly have overdue books may have their borrowing privileges limited. Students who still owe books or fines at the end of any semester will have their grades withheld and will not be permitted to register for the following semester until their accounts are cleared.

RECALLS
A student or instructor wishing to use a book that is signed out to another patron may place a recall on that book. We will contact the patron and ask him or her to return it promptly. (If the patron has not yet had the book for two weeks, the new due date is two weeks from the original check-out date. If the patron has had the book for two weeks, the book is due immediately. Furthermore, the patron may not renew the book.) In either case, when the book is returned, we will notify the patron who placed the recall and set the book aside for one week. Books not picked up within the week will be returned to the shelves.

Patrons may place recalls in person, by telephone (617.585.0155), by e-mail (library@the-bac.edu), or through the online catalog (library.the-bac.edu).

REFERENCE SERVICES
The Library offers in-house reference services to the BAC community and the general public. All members of the public are invited to use Library materials for reference use.  In addition to internal library reference service, the Library produces a series of Library Guides, which are available at the circulation desk and online. To access Library Guides, please see the related links in the right-hand column.

INTERNET ACCESS
The Library has seven computers available for public access to the Internet. These machines are for research purposes only. The Computer Labs on the fourth floor are available for email or word processing.

ID CARDS
The BAC Photo ID is also your library card and must be presented when borrowing books. When using reserve materials in the Library, students must leave their IDs at the circulation desk for the duration of their use of these materials. ID cards are issued to all new degree students at their orientation. The library provides students with several opportunites each semester (usually the first week and midterm) to replace lost ID cards. Times are posted on signs around the school and on our website. There is a $10 cash fee for replacement ID cards.

LIBRARY INSTRUCTION AND GUIDES
General library orientation tours are held at the beginning of each semester for all new students and faculty members. Specialized bibliographic instruction sessions for individual classes may be arranged at faculty request. Library staff members are always available to assist users with the catalog, indexes and other research tools.

The Library produces a series of Library Guides, which are available at the circulation desk. Please see related links in the right-hand column to access guides in PDF format.

Titles in the series include the following:

  • Quick Guide
  • Browsing Guide
  • Online Resources (databases & indexes)
  • Finding Visual Resources
  • Maps and Plans at the BAC Library
  • Study Guides for the A.R.E and N.C.I.D.Q. Exams

PHOTOCOPIERS
The Library has two copiers that provide letter (8.5"x11") and ledger (11"x17") copies, reductions and enlargements, and have a "photo" function for higher quality copies of photographs. BAC students are encouraged to purchase copy/print cards, which allow users to make copies at a reduced price. Copiers accept both cash and copy cards. Copy/print cards are available at the Library circulation desk.