The library staff is continually seeking to improve our services and provide a quiet, resourceful and inviting place to study. Please come and let us help you in any way we can. It is our privilege to serve you and contribute as much as possible to helping you develop your studies in a God honoring way. Take a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the particulars of our library.

The Robert L. Powell Library exists to support the academic and scholarly programs of The Master's College and to serve primarily its faculty, staff and currently enrolled students.  TMC Alumni, The Master’s Seminary (TMS) and other visitors are welcome to use this library but must bear in mind that our first priority is to the TMC community.

General library use policies are described below.  Details of all additional library policies, procedures and services are available at this Web site under the menu options "Library Services" and "About the Library". 

Every patron of the TMC library is accountable for abiding by all applicable policies, procedures and copyright laws.

General Library Use Policies

Library Demeanor:  decorum appropriate to the mission and ministry of The Master's College must be maintained.  We are intent on making our facility conducive to research and study therefore, please refrain from talking in the library especially while on the second floor.  If you are seeking help, use your quiet, inside voice.

Also, any verbal abuse, argumentative behavior, or failure to respond to directives of a member of the library staff is treated as a very serious matter.  The staff will ask those who cause such problems to leave the facility and will call campus security as needed to enforce this directive.  All such incidents are reviewed by the College Librarian and Circulation Manager and patrons, regardless of status, may have his/her library privileges revoked for such a violation.

Use of Library Materials:  Do not deface books by marking, underlining, notating, or bending pages. Avoid leaving books, audio-visual materials or other library resources in vehicles as this will result in heat damage.  The cost of replacing damaged materials is the responsibility of the patron to whom the materials have been loaned.  See Lending Policies for details.

Re-Shelving Books:  Please DO NOT re-shelve any item used.  Instead, return all materials to a book cart or leave them on a table or in a study carrel.  The library staff will re-shelve all materials after collecting the needed usage statistics.

Patron Registration & ID Cards:  A completed Patron Registration form will need to be submitted to the Circulation Manager before an ID card can be made.  The Master's College ID card must be presented to circulation desk personnel whenever materials are checked out.  All new students, faculty and staff will be given one card at no charge.  However, there is a $10 fee to replace lost or broken cards.  ID cards that have been worn to the point that the photo, barcode and/or magnetic strip are no longer viable may be replaced without the fee. Appointments for making replacement ID cards should be made with the Circulation Manager or the College Librarian. 

TMS students may use their seminary ID cards to check out materials at The Master's College.  Refer to Reciprocal Arrangements page on this Web site for details on TMC/TMS borrowing privileges.

Visitors desiring to check out circulating materials may apply for a resident library card.  See “For Visitors” on this Web site for details.

Book Drop:  During library operating hours, returned items should be left on the Circulation Desk or placed in the book drop inside the library.  An after-hours book drop is located just outside the main entrance of the library and is to be used only when the library is closed.  It is OK to place audio-visual materials in the book drop.  To avoid unwanted overdue charges DO NOT RETURN RESERVE ITEMS TO THE BOOK DROP.

Recalled Items:  On occasion a professor will require an item that has been checked out.  The Circulation Manager reserves the right to recall an item that is needed for the support of the current curriculum.  If such a request is made, please return the item immediately.

Food and Drink in the Library:  Food is not permitted in the library however, beverages are allowed as long as they are in spill resistant containers.

Cell Phone use:  Please consider your fellow students more important than yourself and TURN OFF or at least set to vibrate your cell phone.  When a call is received, please remove yourself from the library to carry on the conversation outside.

Library Closing: Due to closing procedures, please have all necessary circulation services completed 15 minutes before closing time (e.g. check out books, return reserved items, return headphones, pay copy charges, etc.).

Emergency Exits:  In addition to the main entrance, there are two emergency exits located on the first floor of the library; one on the east side of the building by the periodical collection and one in the west wing along the connecting wall.  Additionally, there is an emergency exit at the rear of the second floor.  Please make note of these exits and plan your exit strategy beforehand.  See Floor Plan for further details and location of fire extinguishers.  Also, keep in mind that these exits are for emergency use only and an alarm will sound when they are opened.

Fire Alarms:  In the event a fire alarm sounds all patrons are to proceed immediately to the nearest exit; DO NOT attempt to gather personal items.  Patrons must obey all directions of the library staff and leave the building immediately.  A speedy exit from the building is essential for personal safety and to keep the area clear for responding emergency personnel.

Lost and Found:  The library is not responsible for the safety or security of personal items left unattended in the library (e.g. laptops, cell phones, books, purses, sunglasses, keys, etc.).  Personal items found by the library staff will be placed in the “Lost and Found” shelf behind the circulation desk.  There they will remain until claimed or the end of the semester.  The library staff is not responsible for verifying ownership of lost and found items.  Unclaimed items will be disposed of at the librarian’s discretion.

Rest Rooms:  Rest rooms for men and women are located on both the first and second floors in the west wing of the building.

Last updated September, 2009.