Library Service to Community Patrons

The La Sierra University Library is open to community users as well as La Sierra University students, faculty and staff. The Library has an open stack policy so the book and journal collections are freely available to all to use on site. There are, however, some different policies regarding services that apply to community users.

Checking out books

Members of the community are allowed to check out books with a Friends of the Library card. This card is available to anyone for a contribution of $35 ($20 for alumni) and is valid for one year. The Friends card may be renewed by payment of an additional annual fee. The maximum number of books that a Friends card user can have checked out is five. If you have a library card from a library that participates in the Link + program you may be eligible to check books out from La Sierra University with the participating library card.

Using Media Materials

Access to the Library's audiovisual collections is provided through the Media Services Desk. The videos, DVDs and other materials are only available for use in the Library. Media Services staff will assist with providing headphones and the other necessary equipment to use the collection. The media checkout process for community members includes the presentation of picture identification or a Friends card.

Reference service

Reference librarians are available to help you find resources necessary to answer your questions. Librarians are available most hours the Library is open, except for the lunch hour, dinner hour and from 10p.m. to midnight Sunday-Thursday.

Using computers at the Library

Members of the community are welcome to use the Library's public computer workstations for research purposes. Since serving student computing and research needs is our primary mission, La Sierra University students have priority in using the Library's public computers. During particularly busy times, public computers may be unavailable for community users. Additionally, members of the community may be asked to sign a computer usage log before using library computers. Laptop check out and wireless services are not available to community users.

Access to electronic journal articles and databases

Members of the community may access electronic journals and databases offered through the Library's web page by using public access computers located in the Library. Off-site access is not available to community users.

Getting materials from other libraries

If you need materials from other libraries, we can locate the materials and refer you to that library or you can request materials through a public library's interlibrary loan service.

Children in the Library

We welcome elementary age and younger children to the library if they are accompanied by an adult. High school/academy students should either be accompanied by an adult or present a letter of introduction from a teacher to the reference librarian.