Library Policies on Security and Control

            The SICC Library and Information Center implements policies on the security, accountability, and proper use of library resources and facilities. All library users are responsible for safeguarding borrowed materials and returning them within the prescribed period and in good condition.

1. All books, resources, and other library materials borrowed from the Library shall be returned on or before the due date and time indicated at the time of checkout.

1. The loan period for library materials shall vary depending on the type of material, circulation category, and user classification, as prescribed in the Library's borrowing policies.

1. The Library may send courtesy notices and reminders to users regarding borrowed and overdue materials through email, the Library's official social media platforms, or other appropriate communication channels.

1. The borrower has the primary responsibility for monitoring the due date and returning borrowed materials on time and in the same condition in which they were issued.

1. Failure to receive or acknowledge a courtesy notice shall not exempt the borrower from applicable overdue fines, penalties, or other library obligations.

1. Notices concerning overdue library materials may be posted on the Library Bulletin Board or communicated through other appropriate channels.

B. Lost or Damaged Library Materials, Fines, and Other Penalties

1. All library users, including administrators, faculty members, staff, LGU personnel, and students, are responsible for returning borrowed materials in good condition and shall be held accountable for any loss or damage occurring while the materials are in their custody.

1. Any lost library material shall be reported immediately to the Library. Overdue fines, when applicable, shall continue to accrue until the loss is officially reported to the Library.

1. A lost book shall, whenever possible, be replaced with a copy having the same title, author, edition, and copyright year.

1. If the exact replacement is unavailable, the borrower may be required to provide a replacement on the same or closely related subject, subject to the approval of the Librarian. The replacement should be the most recent appropriate edition available.

1. If the lost material is out of print or no longer commercially available, the borrower shall pay the assessed replacement cost in accordance with the Library's approved Guidelines for Charging Lost Books with No Recorded Price or Cost.

1. If a material previously reported as lost is subsequently found and returned in acceptable condition, the borrower shall be required to pay only the applicable accumulated overdue fine, subject to verification by the Library.

1. A lost library material shall be replaced or otherwise settled within two (2) weeks from the date it was reported lost, and in all cases, before the borrower is issued a library clearance.

1. If a borrowed material is damaged or destroyed due to flood, fire, or other unforeseen emergency circumstances, the borrower shall report the incident immediately to the Library. Replacement shall be made with the same title and author, or with another appropriate material as recommended and approved by the Librarian.

1. The Library may assess additional charges or penalties for damaged materials when the damage results from negligence, misuse, unauthorized handling, or failure to observe library rules.

C. Stealing, Damaging, Mutilating, or Vandalizing Library Resources

1. Stealing, mutilating, damaging, or vandalizing books and other library resources constitutes a serious violation of Library policies and shall be addressed in accordance with applicable College rules and disciplinary procedures.

1. Any person found responsible for the unauthorized taking or theft of library resources shall be referred to the appropriate College authority, including the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), for investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.

1. Any person found responsible for damaging, mutilating, defacing, or vandalizing library resources may be subjected to disciplinary action through the appropriate College authority, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

1. As an administrative library measure, a user who has damaged, mutilated, or otherwise misused library resources may be temporarily suspended from borrowing library materials until the matter has been resolved and the applicable obligations have been settled.

1. In addition to any disciplinary action imposed by the College, the responsible user shall be required to pay ₱100.00 plus the cost of repairing or replacing the stolen, damaged, mutilated, or vandalized resource, as applicable.

1. The imposition of library fines, replacement costs, or other library penalties shall be without prejudice to any disciplinary action that may be imposed by the appropriate College authority under existing institutional policies.

1. All cases involving lost, damaged, stolen, mutilated, or vandalized library materials shall be properly documented and recorded by the Library for purposes of accountability, monitoring, and clearance.

A. Overdue Books and Library Materials