Visitors and Alumni
Visitors and alumni are welcome to use the collections of Murray Library . While our primary clientele are the current students, faculty and staff of Messiah University, and occasionally we may need to ask others to yield to the needs of these primary users, nevertheless we also invite others to use our resources as well. We are glad to make the Library available for quiet study, for searching and using our print and online resources, and for borrowing (as outlined below). We do hope that you will find a hospitable environment at Murray Library. Note, please: The Library does reserve the right to refuse access and privileges to any person who fails to observe library policies.
Library Searching
The Library provides access to its catalog and databases through public
search stations (PACs). Guests and alumni should stop at the
Circulation Desk to obtain a guest username and password. Please note
that the PACs do not have printing capability for guests and alumni, but
items can be saved to flashdrives or e-mailed to users' home accounts.
Wireless Access
Wireless access is available to community readers, alumni, and visitors to the Library. To gain access, guests need to sign in at the Library's main desk and will then be given guest username and password for using within the building.
Click here for login instructions
Borrowing
Community readers (16 and older) may borrow books for an annual fee of $35.00. This yearly fee extends privileges to Community readers’ immediate families and is transferable, making additional registrations for eligible family members unnecessary. Registration fees--payable by check only--are accepted at the Circulation Desk in the Library. Community readers may have up to 12 items checked out at any given time.
In addition to our own current students and employees, the following are exempt from paying the annual fee:
Faculty, staff and students from ACLCP member colleges (with a photo ID from their institution)
Friends of the Messiah University Library (with membership cards or from membership roster)
Alumni with an alumni card (issued by Falcon Exchange)
Pathways Institute members (with identification)
Hoverter Course students (with identification)
Loan Periods/Renewals/Fines for Community Readers
(Note: up to 12 items checked out at any given time)
Resource
Location
Loan Period
Books
Main Book Stacks
21 days (with 1 renewal)
Juvenile Books
Main Book Stacks
21 days (with 1 renewal)
Curriculum Materials
Main Book Stacks
21 days (with 1 renewal)
Musical Scores
First Floor
21 days (with 1 renewal)
Sound Recordings
First Floor
Library use only
Videorecordings
First Floor
Library use only (2 hours)
Periodicals, Magazines
First Floor
Library use only
Reference
First Floor
Library use only
Recalls . Any book is subject to recall after the initial loan period, requiring return within 3-5 days.
Fines. When a library item becomes overdue, the borrower has a grace period. If the item is not returned within 45 days of the original due date, the borrower will be billed a $75 lost item replacement fee. A non-refundable processing fee of $20 is charged to the patron. Both these fees are assessed per item. This process also applies to severely damaged library materials. All fees are subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Circulation Department.
JSTOR (limited free access)
JSTOR offers the limited free access to full articles.
Please click
here for details.
Searching for Scholarly Materials
On-site: Access over 140 databases through library computers. This is available to all library patrons. Guests and alumni should stop at the Circulation Desk to obtain a guest username and password.
Off-site: Find scholarly and academic research (books, articles, statistics) through free, open websites: https://libguides.messiah.edu/free