Library Policies
- User Policies
- Collection Development Policy
User Policies
Access and Borrowing Policies
The Wilson Music Library is an open access library. Library materials are available for use in the library to all users and visitors, provided that they follow they follow the rules of behavior set forth in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library Conduct Policy.
The Music Library grants borrowing privileges to users in accordance with the following policy. The library reserves the right to revoke library privileges if users fail to adhere to established library and University policies. University ID cards and library cards are not transferrable. (Access and borrowing privileges vary at individual Vanderbilt libraries. Please consult the Vanderbilt Library Access and Use Policies for more information.)
- Students, Faculty, Staff and *Alumni of Vanderbilt University have reading and borrowing privileges in all divisions of the Jean and Alexander Heard Library, upon presentation of a valid University identification card. Alumni privileges do not include access to interlibrary loan.
- *Spouses and Domestic Partners of current Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students have library reading and borrowing privileges in all library divisions.
- Blair Precollege and Adult Students and Members of the Blair Patron Society and Blair KeyBoard can obtain Music Library print material borrowing privileges. These privileges do not include access to interlibrary loan. Applications are available at the service desk.
- Students and faculty members of universities with cooperative borrowing agreements with Vanderbilt are eligible for privileges at most Vanderbilt Libraries. Requests for borrowing privileges should be initiated at the requestor’s home library. For more information see the section on “Patrons affiliated with other universities” on the Heard Library Access and Use Policies web page.
- Visiting Scholars can obtain durational borrowing privileges through the sponsorship of a Vanderbilt faculty member. Sponsors can obtain the necessary paperwork by contacting the Music Library circulation supervisor.
- Other visitors are free to use library materials in the library or request music library materials through the interlibrary loan program of their home library. Users of surrounding university and public libraries are encouraged to use the Athena and Kudzu interlibrary loan programs.
*Alumni, Spouses and Domestic partners of users with formal Vanderbilt affiliations should obtain their card directly at the Vanderbilt Card Office, 184 Sarratt Student Center.
Loan Periods
Find out the loan periods and fines for materials according to your user group: faculty; undergraduate students and Vanderbilt staff; graduate students; alumni; Pre-College and Adult students; Music Library card holders.
Loan policies and periods for all Vanderbilt Libraries can be found here.
Accessing Your Account Online
Users can view lists of items charged to and holds associated with their account, renew print materials and add Acorn Alerts (a service which notifies users when materials in their area of interest are added to the collection) by visiting ACORN (the library’s online catalog) at http://acorn.library.vanderbilt.edu and clicking on "Account login."
Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff can sign in to ACORN with a VUnet ID and password.
Music Library users who are not eligible for a VUnet ID can sign in with an Alt ID and PIN. To request an Alt ID and PIN contact the Music Library. Users who have forgotten their PIN should submit an Ask Us request.
Renewing Library Materials
Users can request a renewal (an extension of the loan period) of items on their account by clicking on “Account login” in ACORN. Please note that items that have reached their renewal limit or have been recalled by other users are not eligible for renewal. Items that have reached their online renewal limit may be renewed at the library’s service desk.
If you have are having trouble logging in or do not have a VUnet ID, assistance is available by calling (615) 322-7695.
Recalling Library Materials
The Music Library’s materials are meant to be shared. If a needed item is checked-out, users can recall that item by clicking the "recall this item" button at the end of that item’s online record in ACORN.
Once recalled, a possible new due date is calculated and a notice will be sent to the current borrower. Items that circulate for a week (CDs and DVDs) must be returned within 7 days. Recall fines for CDs and DVDs are $2 per day. Other items may be recalled after 14 days of use. These items have a $1 per day recall fine.
Items needed for course reserves may be recalled immediately.
Answers to frequently asked questions concerning recalls are available here.
Returning Library Materials
- Print materials (Books, Scores) can be returned at the service desk or book drop of any Vanderbilt library. Reserve print materials should be returned at the Music Library’s service desk when the library is open or in the book drop when the library is closed.
- Media materials (CDs, DVDs, etc.) must be returned at the service desk.
Billing for Unreturned or Damaged Items
If an item is not returned or renewed within the following time frames or returned damaged, the library will bill the replacement cost of that item, fine amounts, and associated fees (a cataloging fee of $35 and a billing fee of $25) to the users account. All users should receive at least 3 notices before billing.
Item Billing
Format Time Print materials (Books, Scores)
Billed when 55 days overdue
Media materials (CDs, DVDs, circulating CD-ROMs)
Billed when 55 days overdue
Reserves
Billed when 15 days overdue
Recalled items
Billed when 23 days overdue
Laptops
Billed when 4 days overdue
User Responsibilities
Users that borrow library materials are responsible for the following:
- All materials charged to their library account. Users should not loan library materials to others. Please do not mark in scores or books. Replacement costs and billing fees for damaged items will be charged to the user’s account.
- Returning materials on time.
- Returning materials in a complete state. All accompanying vocal or instrumental parts, discs and liner notes should be with each item at the time of return.
- Returning materials in a good condition. Please do not mark in library materials. Users that return an item in a damaged but salvageable state will be billed $25 for rebinding. Users that return an item in a severely damaged state will be charge replacement and billing fees. Library staff should be notified of significant preexisting damage before check out.
- Reading overdue and recall notices sent by the library. Notices for Vanderbilt faculty, students and staff will be sent to their Vanderbilt email address.
- Knowing due dates. Due dates for some items can change due to recall status. Users can review items on their account, review item due dates, and make renewal requests by visiting ACORN (the library’s online catalog) at http://acorn.library.vanderbilt.edu and clicking on “Account login.”
- Notifying the University of any change of physical or email address. Blair precollege students and users with borrowing cards should notify the Music Library after changing their physical or email address.
- Paying late charges, replacement and/or billing fees.Unpaid fees can be paid by cash or check (payable to “Wilson Music Library”) at the Music Library. Unpaid fees owed by students are transferred to student accounts after 30 days.
Privacy Policy
In accordance with the privacy policy for all Vanderbilt University libaries, all patron registration and circulation records are confidential.
User Conduct Policy
The Music Library strives to provide a welcoming environment for all of our users. As such, all library users are required to adhere to the Jean and Alexander Heard Library Conduct Policy. The library reserves the right to sanction any user who is in violation of the terms of this conduct policy.
Computer Use Policy
All users must abide by the terms of the Vanderbilt University Computer Privileges and Responsibilities Policy. Public computer workstations are available on a first come/first served basis, with priority given to members of the Vanderbilt University community. To ensure access for all Vanderbilt users, selected computers require a log in using the VUNetID. Priority on all workstations is given to academic and research activity. Please be considerate of other users and restrict recreational or casual personal use.
The Heard Library System does not filter information available over the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Patrons should be aware that Internet sites may contain offensive or controversial material. Parents or legal guardians of minors are responsible for monitoring the library activities of their children. Users at workstations are in a public building and are expected to show consideration for others.
Food and Drink Policy
- Non-alcoholic drinks in spill-proof containers or sports bottles are permitted.
- Packaged or wrapped snack foods are permitted at study carrels but not near electronic equipment or computer workstations. Hot meals or messy, aromatic food (e.g., hoagies, pizza, salads, soup) are not permitted in the library. If you enter the Music Library with these types of foods, you will be asked to use the seminar room (pending availability) or exit the library.
- Food and drink pose a potential risk to library collections, equipment, and furnishings. We ask that you act responsibly when consuming food and drink in the library. Please deposit your garbage in the trash cans and clean up after yourself.
Lost and Found Policy
Music library lost and found materials are stored at the service desk. Users looking for lost materials should also check the lost and found in the Blair office (Room 1115).
Library staff will attempt to contact the owner of lost and found items if the owner is readily identifiable. Commodore cards will be sent to the Card Office if not picked up within a reasonable amount of time. At the beginning of each semester, items of a perceived low value (umbrellas, clothing, mugs, sunglasses) are discarded or donated as appropriate and high value items are transferred to the VU Police Department lost and found. Unclaimed books or media items are donated to the library.
Collection Development Policy
The Collection Development Policy outlines criteria for the types of materials the Wilson Music Library tries to collect. It also includes policies for the acceptance of gifts.