For Visitors & Alumni
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 reserves the right to refuse access and privileges to any person who fails to observe library policies.
The Library provides access to its catalog and databases through public search stations (PACs). Guests and alumni should stop at the Circulation Desk and ask to be logged into a computer. 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 is available to community readers, alumni, and visitors to the Library. To gain access, guests should stop at the Circulation Desk to obtain instructions for connecting to the Messiah Guest network.
Visitors (16 and older) may borrow books when they sign up to become a Friend of Murray Library for an annual fee of $35.00. This yearly fee extends privileges to visitors' immediate families and is transferable, making additional registrations for eligible family members unnecessary. Registration fees--payable by cash, check, or credit card--are accepted at the Circulation Desk in the Library. Friends 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 and can be registered as Community Readers:
- Faculty, staff and students from ACLCP member colleges (with a photo ID from their institution)
- Alumni with an alumni card (issued by Falcon Exchange)
- Family members of employees with 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 21 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 offers limited free access to full articles. Learn more about How to Register & Get Free Access to Content from JSTOR.
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