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Library Policies

Access

The CWC Library is a shared hub for learning and connection. To ensure a safe, welcoming, and productive environment for our diverse community of students, faculty, and public patrons, we have established the following usage guidelines.

Library Code of Conduct

The Library strives to maintain a safe, welcoming, and productive environment for all users. We ask all patrons to behave respectfully toward others and library property.

Policy Enforcement: If behavior violates the Code of Conduct, a staff member will:

  1. Issue a verbal warning.
  2. If the behavior continues, ask the individual to leave the library premises for the day.
  3. If the individual refuses to comply, Campus Security will be contacted, which may lead to further college disciplinary action.

Prohibited Behaviors:

  • Unattended children: Please ensure that all children under the age of 18 are accompanied by an adult. The Central Wyoming College Library collection is intended to host primarily the college community, faculty, staff, and students. Community members and students with children are allowed, but need to understand that they are in charge of the child's behavior.
  • Behavior that disrupts others, including the use of speakers, loud phone calls, or excessive noise.
  • Engaging in illegal activity or violating any posted CWC or Library policies.
  • Harassment or threats towards library patrons or staff.
Food & Drinks

To maintain our collections and facility, all users must follow these guidelines:

  • Drinks: Must be in covered containers (e.g., mugs with lids, bottles with screw tops).
  • Food: Permitted, but please be considerate of others by choosing foods with minimal strong odors.
  • Cleanup: Users must immediately clean up all personal trash and spills. Please do not leave food waste behind.
  • Restrictions: Those who do not clean up after themselves will be limited to eating or drinking in designated areas.
Personal Belongings & Lost and Found

The library is not responsible for the theft, damage, or loss of personal property. Please secure your valuables, electronics, and personal items at all times.

Lost and Found: Items found on the Riverton campus are sent to Lost and Found, which is managed by the Library. You can ask if a missing item is in the Lost and Found or report an item missing at the Circulation Desk. Items are kept for the semester they were turned in.

Closing Procedure

The Library doors will close 10 minutes before closing time. All patrons must complete their tasks and exit the library by the day's closing time. Staff will move around the library before closing to remind patrons of the upcoming end of business hours.

Facility & Technology Use

From quiet study rooms to collaborative classrooms and public computing, our facility is designed to support your academic success. Explore the policies below to understand how to access and utilize our physical spaces and technology resources.

Study Room Reservation & Use

We offer six study rooms available for Central Wyoming College students, staff, and faculty. They may be reserved online or at the Circulation Desk located on the first floor of the library.

  • Who Can Reserve: CWC students, faculty, and staff have priority for reservations. Community members may use rooms on a first-come, first-served basis by requesting use at the circulation desk.
  • Check-Out: A valid CWC ID or photo ID is required to check out a study room. We will ask for your name and email address to facilitate the return of any items left behind.
  • Time Limit: Rooms may be reserved for a maximum of [2-4] hours per day to ensure equitable access.
  • Room Features: We offer six rooms with varying capacities and resources. Please ask staff about features (computers, whiteboards, TV monitor, etc.) when booking.
Library Classrooms & Events

The CWC Library has two technology-equipped classrooms located on the second floor of the building for CWC instructional and campus events.

These spaces are reserved and managed by CWC Facilities Rentals. To contact them directly or learn more by clicking the [CWC Facilities Request] link, call 307-855-2036 for additional information.


Events, Exhibits, and Displays

The purpose of the Library’s events, exhibits, and displays is to fulfill its mission to support the classroom activities of Central Wyoming College's faculty. We also strive to promote intellectual freedom, life-long learning, and cultural awareness.

  • The Library provides bulletin board space, reserved primarily for college communications. To conserve space, posters need to be removed after the event.
  • The library also has display cases that occasionally house items from the Stewart Gallery. Please click this [Stewart Gallery link] to learn more about the collection.
Computer Use & Internet Access

Computers located on the first and second floor are available to all students, staff, faculty, and community members. Patrons may use computing and network technologies in the library with the following restrictions:

  • The use is not for illegal acts under federal or state law, pornography, or gambling.
  • The use does not violate federal or state laws or any CWC policies on copyright or trademark.

Acceptable Use Policy: All users must adhere to the Central Wyoming College Computer and Network Acceptable Use Policy. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Illegal acts under federal, state, or local laws.
  • Violation of intellectual property (copyright/trademark).
  • Viewing or displaying sexually explicit or obscene materials.
  • Unauthorized commercial or excessive non-academic use.

More information on the policy can be found by clicking the [Acceptable Use Policy Link].

Library collections & Borrowing

Our collection extends far beyond the bookshelves. Whether you need to check out a textbook, borrow a laptop, or request materials from another library, these policies outline how to access our extensive physical and digital resources.

Borrowing Materials

Checkout and Renewal

Item Type Loan Period Renewals
Books 28 Days Up to 3 renewals
Magazines / Newspapers 14 Days Varies
DVDs / CDs 14 Days No renewals
Reference Books Varies Check with Desk

Returning Items

  • Circulation Desk: Located within the Library, open when the library is open.
  • Main Hall Bookdrop: In the Breezeway near the statue, at circle drive, accessible 24/7. This is also the TRiO materials drop location.
Requesting Materials (Holds, ILL, Purchase)

Holds

Purpose: If a book you need is currently checked out to another patron, you may place a hold to reserve it. You can also place a hold so an item on the shelf can be picked up at the circulation desk.

How to Place a Hold: Use the link to place the hold directly using the Library Catalog or by speaking with someone at the Circulation Desk.

Pickup: You will be notified via CWC email when the item is ready. Items will be held for 7 days at the Circulation Desk. Note: Holds are not available for items not owned by the CWC Riverton Library or non-circulating reference materials.


Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Purpose: Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a free service that allows current CWC students, faculty, and staff to request books, articles, or other materials that are not owned by the CWC Library.

Eligibility: Must be a current CWC student, faculty, or staff member.

How to Request: Please click the link to fill out the online with as much information as possible.

Delivery Time: Delivery times vary, but please allow 1–3 weeks for books and 2–5 days for articles. Articles will be delivered electronically.

A NOTE FOR OUTREACH AREAS: Your CWC Library card will default to picking up a physical item at the CWC Library in Riverton, WY. If you would like to pick up a physical item from a closer library, please use your local public library card, and the item can be sent to your local library.


Purchase Requests

The Library welcomes suggestions from CWC students, staff, and faculty for materials (books, films, databases, etc.) that support CWC’s curriculum, research, or general interest.

How to Request: Submit your suggestion using the online Reccomend a Purchase form.

Review Process: All requests are reviewed by the Librarians and must align with the Collection Development Policy. We will notify the requester of the decision when the review is complete.

Technology Checkout
  • Laptops: Can be checked out for a semester, as availability allows.
  • Calculators (Ti-83 & Ti-84): Checkout for 1 week at a time.
  • Webcams: Available for checkout.
  • Headsets: Available for checkout.
Collection Development & Copyright

Collection Development Policy

  • Our Collection Development Policy guides how we build a balanced, relevant collection for our diverse community. We select resources that support learning, research, and intellectual freedom for all patrons—from Riverton to our remote classrooms. Through careful stewardship and collaborative resource sharing, we ensure equitable access to the information you need, wherever you are. Click here to view the full Collection Development Policy..


Copyright

Copyright Law (title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of “fair use”.

  • Faculty and students are personally responsible for copyright compliance and personally incur the consequences of infringement.
  • Library personnel adhere to college policy and to federal laws relating to the fair use and reproduction of copyrighted materials. For some additional information regarding copyright in relation to academics, and teaching click to see our Copyright subject guide.

Further information concerning copyright issues is available from the Library director.