Over the past hundred years the Smith College Libraries
has collected over a million and a quarter volumes which support the
College's curricula, as well as the research and scholarship of its
students and faculty. When you take care of the Libraries' collections,
you assure that they will be available for your future use, and for
the use of future generations.
You can do your part to preserve the collections by following
these simple guidelines when handling and using library materials.
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Push, Don't Pull - Remove books
from the shelf carefully. Gently push volumes on either side back
about an inch and grasp the one you need in the middle of its spine.
Do not pull on the top of the spine, since this will cause tearing
and lead to serious damage.
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Ready for Repair - If you find library materials that are in
need of repair, turn them in to the Circulation Desk so trained library
staff can repair them. Repairing items yourself can do more harm than
good. |
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Use Bookmarks - Use a proper bookmark to mark your place.
Please don't dog-ear pages, or use sticky notes or paper clips. These
items cause permanent damage to the pages of a book. Use a thin slip
of paper instead. |
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T - Treat library materials with respect. Marking
text, cutting out plates or photos, tearing out pages or outright
theft of library materials all damage the collection and waste time
and money on repairs and replacement. |
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No Food - Keep food and drink away from library materials.
Spills and stains permanently damage books, which often require costly
replacement. Food also attracts insects and rodents that eat paper
and bindings. |
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Wet Weather - Protect books from rain, snow, or any other
type of moisture. Humidity encourages mold growth, and water damages
paper and bindings. When transporting library materials in wet weather,
protect them in a waterproof bag or backpack. |
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Danger Lurks in Bookdrops - Limit the use of bookdrops. Books take a
beating when dropped, especially when other books land on top of them.
Return books to the Circulation Desk whenever possible. |
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No Pets - Keep pets away from library books. A dog
can reduce a book to chewed-up pulp in a matter of seconds. |
