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Library Procedures

Personal Belongings

 

Personal Belongings and Lost & Found

The NVC Library and library employees are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings.

Library User Responsibilities

  • Patrons must keep their personal belongings (e.g. backpacks, jackets, lunchboxes, electronics, etc.) with them at all times. 
  • Items of value (e.g. phones, wallets, IDs) should be stored securely and not left unattended.
  • Patrons must not touch, borrow, or move another persons belongings without permission. 
  • Patrons should not leave personal belongings on or near any of the service desks in the library with the expectation that staff will monitor them. 
  • Patrons are responsible for keeping their belongings in a manner that does not interfere with the safety or accessibility of the library space. 

Lost and Found

  • If an item is lost, patrons should check with 1) library staff so they can check the library lost & found and 2) NVC Campus Police so they can check the Northwest Vista College lost & found.  
  • Library employees will make reasonable efforts to identify the owner if possible.  Unclaimed items (excluding high value items) will be held for a maximum of 30 days. After this period, items may be disposed of, donated, or turned over to Campus Police.
  • Perishable items or those posing a health risk may be discarded immediately. 
  • Personal belongings left in the library after closing hours may be collected by staff during end-of-day procedures. Depending on the nature of the item it will either be:
    • Secured in the library's lost & found until the next business day, or
    • Turned over to Campus Police for safekeeping.

Items Left Unattended 

  • If items and personal belongings are left unattended for an extended period and the owner cannot be identified or located, library staff will turn them over to Campus Police. 
  • At the library's discretion, items left unattended in the library may be moved by employees if they:
    • Pose a safety hazard (tripping risk, obstruct emergency exits).
    • Block walkways, aisles, or access to library resources.
    • Moved items will be relocated to a safe area, such as lost & found.