Guidelines for Patrons
Robinson Library books do not circulate, are not for use in personal study carrels, do not leave the building, and should only leave the room for photocopying. When you take our books downstairs to photocopy, please bring them back upstairs; if they are left downstairs, they may not ever find their way back to us.
Absolutely no food or drink in the Robinson Library. There is a commissary on the ground floor of Widener with hot breakfast and lunch served at certain hours, as well as vending machines and dining tables available all day.
Please do not use “sticky notes” in our books, nor mark the pages with pen or pencil. Foam book props of varying sizes are available for use with large and/or fragile books, as well as weighted page props designed to keep a book open while in use.
Please be considerate of other users when checking email or using the internet, as the computer’s primary purpose is to allow convenient and timely access to HOLLIS.
The last person to leave the room should turn off computer and computer monitor. (Lights will turn off automatically.)
Suggestions for books to be added to either the Robinson or Widener library collections may be passed along to the Curator.
Personal possessions areleft in the Robinson Library at the owner's risk and should in no circumstance be left overnight. Patrons of the Robinson Library are absolutely NOT allowed to handle the possessions of others (i.e. backpacks, bags, notebooks, etc).
Please replace all of the books that you have used on the shelves before leaving the room. Do not leave books, notebooks, or other papers etc. on the table when leaving for the day.
In the event that a Robinson Library book is lost or stolen, please report this to the Curator.
If there are any problems or maintenance issues with the room or computer, please contact the Curator, or for pressing problems with the computer (suspected viruses, network issues, etc.) patrons may contact FAS Computer Services directly.
If someone who does not have approved access to Robinson (and therefore cannot get in with their ID) knocks on the door and asks about the collection or to use the room, please inform them that they should contact the department administrator in order to seek permission to use the room.
Checking out books from the Widener stacks to Robinson Library:
Widener books may be checked out on loan to this library, as is the case with other specialty libraries and faculty studies within Widener. While it is a very convenient and viable option for patrons to do this when engaged in research projects, and some space will always be available for this purpose, our collection is constantly expanding and is the top priority when it comes to use of space; therefore, the shelf space allotted for books from the stacks is extremely limited. In consideration of fellow patrons, use this privilege judiciously and considerately.
Please fill out the check-out forms (available in the room) completely (write in “Wid. K” as the borrowing “Study”). Books to be checked out from or returned to the stacks should be placed in the designated spots at the end of the table with the check-out forms visible (for returns put the arrow end of the form out). Library staff will process them as being on loan or return them to the stacks. Check-out forms should remain in these books at all times.
Please keep stack books which are checked out to the room on the designated shelves, not stacked on the table unless you are actively using them. This is not only to reduce clutter on the work-table, but also so that the library staff can locate Widener books that have been recalled by other users. On the shelves, keep your books grouped together and marked by a slip of paper with your name.
Please only check out to the room books from the Widener stacks that you are actively using. When the project requiring the books is completed or if you realize you will not be using books on a regular basis, set them out for return to the stacks; they can always be checked out again should they be needed later. People who are graduating or traveling for a summer/semester should return all their books to the stacks. At the end of the academic year the Curator will send out reminders and instructions to this effect and may remove any books that have not been shown to be in active use.
Any and all books from the Widener stacks that are in the room on an ongoing basis must be checked out to the room, and in a timely manner. The reason for this is that books left in our study that have not been processed by library staff are essentially lost to anyone else looking for them on the shelves or via Circulation. To reduce clutter and confusion, do not store books checked out or belonging to yourself in Robinson over the long term. Books found on the table or elsewhere in the room that have no evidence of being checked out to the room, or books which appear to be checked out to individuals and left for extended periods may be returned to the stacks by the Curator.
Study carrels/desks where you may work and store Widener books (usually shared between 2 or 3 people) are also available in the Widener stacks. If you would like to pursue this alternative, enquire at the Circulation Desk.