Library Policies

Books

Items in the circulation collection can be loaned to any Massasoit student, staff, or faculty member, as well as members of the HELM library network. 

• Books are due four weeks from checkout date.
• Library use only: reference books and items on reserve.
• Massasoit offers interlibrary loan services for hard to find books and articles for research purposes.

The Massasoit Community College Libraries are committed to fulfilling requests from Massasoit staff, faculty, and students for materials not otherwise available to them. The Libraries are equally committed to the cooperative exchange of library materials among institutions.

If you cannot find the items you want or need through HELM, consider using the Commonwealth Catalog or Interlibrary Loan.

Technology Loans

The library has calculators, Chromebooks, laptops, and hotspots available for extended checkout each semester to MCC students on a semester - to - semester basis. 

General Procedure: 

1. Make an appointment and complete the online contract to pick up the item of your choice.
2. Any fees are added to your student bill for payment.
3. See the Technology Loan page for details.

Textbooks

What are Reserves?

• Reserves are books or other materials that instructors have set aside for students. These materials provide supplemental information and data. The library provides a place where all students in a given class can access the material.
• Items on Reserve cannot leave the library. 

Where are Reserves located?

• Reserves are kept behind the front desk at both campus libraries.

How long can a student use a reserve item? 

• Reserve items can be checked out for two hours at a time. Items cannot leave the library. 

The circulation staff of the Massasoit Community College Libraries will do all in their power to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of their users. The Libraries endorse the ALA Code of Ethics, which states: "We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and materials consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted."

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also known as FERPA) protects the privacy of students’ educational records, including student library financial records. In compliance with FERPA, the Libraries do not disclose information about a student’s record to any third party, including parents, faculty, or other individuals.

Massasoit Libraries accepts gifts or donations [books, media, and in-kind materials*] at the discretion of the Director, and only when they strengthen our collections in support of the institutional mission and goals. The donor should be aware of the following caveats:

• Massasoit Libraries will supply or confirm an itemized list of approved gifts/donations that acknowledges receipt, but does not appraise value.
• Through acceptance, the donor acknowledges that a gift/donation in its entirety becomes part of the collections and will be managed solely by the department through its curatorial standards. Criteria for removal include: format, subject matter, and physical condition.
• The department is not obligated to acknowledge or retain any unsolicited items.

*Monetary donations to the college are managed through Institutional Advancement.