Bowman Library upholds the Menlo College Student Code of Conduct. All library users are expected to maintain an academic climate; anyone causing disruption will be asked to leave the library.
Menlo Students, Faculty and Staff
Bowman Library welcomes the Menlo College community (current students, Faculty and staff) to the library during regular and extended hours throughout the calendar year.
Emeritus Faculty
Emeritus faculty may borrow up to 20 books at one time for 30 days. Emeritus faculty may access electronic resources off campus and use the library computers, copiers, scanners, and enjoy reading our materials while inside the library during regular hours.
Visiting students
Visiting students may borrow up to 5 books at one time for 30 days. During semesters in residence, visiting students may use the library computers, copiers, scanners, and enjoy reading our materials while inside the library during regular hours.
Visiting Faculty
Bowman Library welcomes Visiting Faculty to our library. During the semesters teaching at Menlo, their Library privileges will be the same as adjunct faculty.
Alumni
Alumni, though unable to check out library materials, may use the library computers, copiers, scanners, and enjoy reading our materials while inside the library during regular hours.
Community Patrons
Bowman Library welcomes Menlo Park and Atherton residents to our library. While community patrons are unable to check out library materials, they may use the library computers, copiers, scanners, and enjoy reading our materials while inside the library during regular hours.
Study Rooms
The library has three study rooms and the Library classroom when it is available: Live Oak, Blue Oak and Valley Oak. The library classroom may be used for study depending on availability.
Study rooms may be reserved for groups of two or more students for a maximum of two hours per day.
Study rooms must remain unlocked at all times.
To use library computers, log on with your Menlo username and password. Visitors, see a librarian for computer access. For community patrons, visitors students and alumni, please check with a librarian.
Nothing can be copied or downloaded to the hard drive. To save your work, use the Google Drive or a USB flash drive. The Library computers are set up to delete any saved files at logout. If you save a file to the desktop, it will not be there the next time you use the computer.
Chromebooks are available for checkout and can be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis from the Bowman Library Circulation Desk. Chromebooks are connected to the Menlo College wireless network. Headphones may also be requested at the Circulation Desk. Work on Chromebook storage is in the cloud; printing is not available from Chromebooks. As with personal devices, students can email or share documents in Google Drive to print from Library desktop computers.
At certain times, Chromebooks may not be available for checkout in the event they are needed for classes conducted in the Library's classroom or elsewhere on campus.
Chromebooks can be checked out for 6 hours at a time, and may be renewed. The following may not be done on a Chromebook:
Copy or download anything to the hard drive. To save your work use a Google Drive account or a USB flash drive.
Change the system configuration.
Students whose personal laptops are not working, or who need access to a laptop for a longer period of time may borrow a Chromebook and charger from the library for several days up to a full semester.
Students seeking a longer term check out should ask at the front desk to speak to a Librarian. Students will fill out a form, agree to a due date no later than the last day of the semester, and check out devices on their Library account. Students are responsible for the devices during the relevant borrowing period. Any issues with the devices should be reported to a librarian as quickly as possible. If necessary, the Library will take back the problematic Chromebook and issue a replacement.
Non-Menlo laptops connect to the campus WiFi network in the Library. All connections require acknowledgement of the Menlo College Computer Use Policy. Upon acceptance, access to the network is provided. WiFi connections do not include access to printing. Questions regarding access to the WiFi should be directed to the Office of Information Technology at (650)543-3830.
Printing Policies
Users may print from any library computer for free.
Circulation Policies
The Library Desk is open all hours of Library operation, with the last checkout taking place 10 minutes before the building closes. Circulating materials are checked out by using a Menlo College ID card.
Note: Patrons with overdue items are restricted from borrowing additional materials until the overdue materials are returned. Please see a librarian with questions.
Students
Visiting students may borrow up to 5 books at a time for 28 days. Please see a librarian for database access or for assistance printing.
Faculty and Staff
Emeritus Faculty
ILL
New Books
Chromebooks
Course Reserves
Please Note: Reference books, newspapers, magazines, and journals may not be checked out. They are for Library use only.
Fines
Bowman Library users are responsible for replacement and processing fees for lost or damaged items.
There is a replacement charge, plus a processing fee, for any damage to, or loss of a Chromebook and accompanying peripherals issued, up to a maximum of $800.
Renewals
In general, items may be renewed if not needed for Course Reserves or already requested by another patron. Renewals may be done in person, with materials in hand, at the circulation desk, or online at My Account. Overdue materials must be renewed in person.
Course Reserves
Course reserves are items faculty place on reserve for course use. The checkout period for reserves is either 2 hours or 24 hours, as determined by the faculty member. For more information, see Course Reserves.
Library Confidentiality Policy
In accordance with common standards of privacy, the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association, and the California Government Code (sections 6267 and 6254), we recognize that the library records of Menlo College students, faculty, staff, and other library patrons are confidential. These records include, but are not limited to, circulation records, interlibrary loan records, and information stored by patrons on the Library's computers. The same standards of confidentiality also apply to the questions asked by library patrons at the reference desk or elsewhere, the advice and assistance provided by library staff, and any other information related to the resources or equipment used by particular library patrons.
Confidential information will be used and shared by the Bowman Library staff only to the extent necessary for the proper functioning and administration of the Library. It will not be made available otherwise except as specifically required by law. No confidential information will be provided to outside agencies, including law enforcement agencies, unless the College first establishes that the relevant warrant, process, order, or subpoena is in the proper form and that there is a showing of good cause for its issuance.
(updated 1-24-2022)