Policies: Library Policies

Starting March 1, 2018, all lost and found items (including flash drives) will be immediately handed over to Campus Security.

Campus Security Contact Information:

Elkhorn Campus: (262)741-8208, Room 109 South Building
Kenosha Campus: (262)564-2208, M106 Technical Wing
Racine Campus: (262)619-6208, 103 Racine Building

Food & Beverages are not allowed in the Library Computer Lab or at Library Computer workstations.  

In other areas of the library, please be respectful of other library users.  Clean up after yourself, use sanitary wipes when necessary, be mindful/respectful of possible food allergies, and don't hesitate to ask Library staff for help cleaning up spills.

Gateway Students and Staff - The Gateway Student and Staff ID cards are all used as the Gateway Library Card. Present your ID Card at any campus Library Circulation Desk for validation. ID Cards are not transferable. Staff and students do not have a limit for items borrowed at one time; however, restrictions may be imposed due to overdues and/or abuse of library privileges.

Residents - Any resident 18 years of age or older may register for a Gateway Library Card. Two forms of identification are required, one of which must be a photo ID and the second must be a current (dated within 30 days) mailing showing name and current address. Library privileges include in-library access to resources as well as borrowing up to six items. Resident library cards are renewed annually by providing the same identification listed above.

Gateway Technical College Alumni Association - Members may register for a Library card and will receive the same services as a Resident.  Two forms of identification are required:  one of which must be a photo ID and the second must be a current (dated within 30 days) mailing showing name and current address.  Library privileges include in-library access to resources as well as borrowing up to six items.  Alumni Association library cards are renewed annually by providing the same identification listed above.

Library users must present picture identification upon request by Library Staff.

Use of library computer facilities is governed by the "Use of Computing Resources" policy stated in the Gateway Student Handbook.  Patrons 16 years of age and up can be in the library without a parent; however, children are not allowed in the Library Computer Lab, and in order to use any of the computer facilities, non-student patrons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult with an active GTC library card.  In addition, patrons must follow all other computer usage regulations posted in the Libraries.

Data saved on computer hard drives will be erased.  Patrons are responsible for performing regular backup of data on their own storage device.

Loan Periods for materials from the GTC General Collection is: 3 weeks for books and 1 week for magazines and A/V materials. 

Circulation periods for other materials and collections vary. Fines and fees for overdue or lost materials may also be assessed. Ask at the Library Circulation Desk for information on loan periods and fines and fees.

Regarding Transactions over the Phone - Library staff will conduct renewals over the phone when an item(s) qualifies for renewal, but we will not share item information over the phone.  Library staff also cannot update your account information over the phone.  Account updates can be made in-person. These precautions are taken to ensure the privacy of patron account information.

Renewal Policy

Some items may be renewed once.  If the item has been requested by another patron, the renewal will not be permitted. 

Abuse of library borrowing privileges or other library policies may result in revocation of the patron's borrower card and/or use of library facilities and services.

Reserve Collection:

$1.20 per hour for items checked out on an hourly basis

$5.00 per school day for items checked out on a daily basis

$30.00 maximum fine per item

Charges for Lost Materials

Borrowers will be billed for lost, damaged, or unreturned materials. Borrowers who have charges of $40 or more in lost, damaged, or unreturned materials will have the debt added to their student account with the college, which may impact future course registration and may result in the debt being sent to collection agencies.

Cellphone Usage

Cellphone usage is not allowed in the Gateway Technical College Libraries. As a courtesy to other patrons, please turn off your cellphone before entering the library or set it to vibrate. Exit the library to conduct cellphone conversations.  This policy is enforced in order to maintain a quiet learning environment that users expect in the library.  Silent texting is permitted, but all ringers/notifications should be turned to vibrate or silent. 

Enforcement: 
Patrons will be given an opportunity to make a reasonable attempt to comply and may receive a warning.  If a reasonable attempt is not made, or there is a repeated use, the patron will be asked to leave the library for that day. 

In accordance with the Gateway Student Handbook, pg. 18, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult to be in the library. Patrons 16 years of age and up can be in the library without a parent; however, children are not allowed in the Library Computer Lab. To use any of the computer facilities, non-student patrons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult with an active GTC library card.

Please read our copyright policy and view other information about copyright law.  Library patrons are expected to follow copyright law when using the library facilities and resources.