Library Policies

This collection development policy states the guiding principles and procedures under which collection development activities, including the selection, maintenance, and weeding of print, electronic, and media library materials for the Highline College Library, will occur. This document is to be reviewed every three years. Read the Collection Development Policy.

Last update: 03/18/25

The first priority of the Highline College (HC) Library is to serve the needs of HC students, faculty, and staff, but community members may use the library in the following ways:

• Borrowing - Use a Public Borrower’s card. Sign up by filling out a form and presenting current photo identification. at the circulation desk, to borrow books and media materials from the general collection ("stacks"). Community members cannot access Interlibrary Loan services or library databases from off-campus.
  Books, Magazines, and DVDs/CDs checkout for 4 weeks.
• Computing - Public borrowers may use the Information Commons computers. Library staff may ask for public borrowers to move, to give students priority for computer use during busy times. All library computer resources are available for use by community members in the HC library only
• Copying - Use the copy machines. Copies are 5 cents per page and require using a Guest Pass username and password that can be purchased from the Pharos Kiosk on the 2nd floor, Plaza
• Studying - Comfortable chairs, study carrels, and tables are available for use
• Ask questions at the Reference Desk, 2nd floor Plaza east
• Unavailable - Items that cannot be checked out: anatomical models, equipment, and media

Food and beverages are allowed in all areas of the library. Please be respectful of all equipment, books, rooms, and furniture by:

• using sturdy beverage containers with secure lids
• reporting any spillage to library building staff immediately
• disposing of all garbage before leaving the library
• recycling clean plastic, paper, and cans

Last update: 01/16/25

Location: Second floor, Plaza, Room 206A

This classroom is reserved primarily for library instruction. The Highline College library instruction classroom contains:

• seating for 40 students
• 1 instructor podium
• 38 computers
• 1 networked printer
• 2 overhead projectors + 2 screens
• dry-erase whiteboard walls around the room

Instructors: Schedule Instruction

Schedule one or more information literacy sessions for your classes with a librarian in our state-of-the-art classroom at https://highline.libcal.com/reserve/IL.

1. Once you’ve requested your session(s), you’ll receive an email showing that your request has been sent to the Reference Department.
2. We will confirm your request and assign a librarian to teach your class.
3. Once that has happened, you’ll get a final confirmation email. We will also email you the name of the librarian assigned to teach the library instruction session.

For scheduling priority information, see: Scheduling Library Instruction for a Class

Last update: 01/16/25

Purpose: The Highline College Library is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to study and research in order to fulfill its role of supporting the College’s educational mission. The Library expects users to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of other library users, staff, materials, and facilities. Because of the structure of the building and the variety of services performed on each floor of the Library, it is recognized that noise levels will vary depending on location in the building.

Because each disruptive situation is unique, library staff must exercise reasonable judgment in assessing the behavior and enforcing the policy. Library staff shall make every effort to apply these standards of conduct in a fair, equal, and positive manner for the benefit of all. Staff members are responsible for knowing the security reporting structure within the library unit in the event action is needed to end a disruptive situation. When in doubt as to whether the behavior constitutes a violation of this policy or as to what action to take, staff are to refer the matter to a supervisor or administrator.

Policy: This policy shall apply to all library users, regardless of their affiliation with the College (student, faculty, staff, public borrower). The following are prohibited in library facilities:

• Behavior that is unsafe, putting the individual, other library users, or library staff at risk of harm.
• Behavior that contributes to excessive noise levels, including but not limited to loud talking, shouting, screaming, making other loud noises, or using cellular phones in a loud manner. Loudness, duration, and location of the behavior are all factors that will be considered in determining whether the disruptions policy has been violated.
• Behavior, including consuming food, that damages the property of the library or of other users, including but not limited to marking or destroying materials, furniture or facilities.
• Behavior that is verbally or physically abusive, harassing or threatening to library staff or other library users.
• Smoking, vaping or use of other tobacco products.
• Misappropriation or misuse of library resources, including but not limited to equipment, furniture, and services.
• Bringing animals, with the exception of service animals, into library facilities.
• Behavior that is prohibited by other rules or policies of the College or by other applicable laws.

Serious or Repeat Violations

1. In the event of a serious or repeated violation by a Highline College student, the Library will initiate a warning procedure through the student judicial process as allowed by the Washington Administrative Code, regarding Student Rights and Responsibilities. View the Student Conduct Code.
2. In the event of a serious or repeated violation on the part of persons other than Highline College students, a written warning from the Associate Dean of the Library & Learning Resources will be issued. The warning may include temporary or permanent revocation of all library privileges and/or a ban by the Associate Dean of the Library & Learning Resources and the campus Public Safety department from use of the library facilities.

Privacy of Library Records

The Highline College Library provides access to its own and other libraries’ catalogs, online databases and the Internet. Access and use of these information resources are primary services of the library and will be governed by the same principles and laws that govern access and use of other resources in the Highline College library.

These principles and laws pertain to accessing and using electronic resources via computers within the library, computers housed elsewhere on the Highline Campus, and access from remote locations.

To help fulfill its purpose, the library will adhere to the following principles and laws:

Intellectual Freedom

Intellectual Freedom is the right of individuals to believe what they wish on any subject, and to express beliefs or ideas openly. Integral to this freedom is the right of unrestrained access to all information and ideas regardless of the medium of communications used. Highline Community College shall attempt to present a broad spectrum of points of view and shall not exclude materials because of the race, nationality, sexual preference, or social, political or religious views of the authors. (Highline Community College Library, Library Policy Statement, May 1984)

Confidentiality of Records

RCW 42.56.310 provides for the confidentiality of library records:

"Any library record, the primary purpose of which is to maintain control of library materials, or to gain access to information, that discloses or could be used to disclose the identity of a library user is exempt from disclosure under this chapter."

Highline’s workstation and network logs that collect and retain information concerning information resources accessed shall be considered library records.

Maintenance of Protected Records

Library records will be retained only to the extent necessary to conduct the business of the library/college, such as tracking overdue materials or managing the efficient functioning of the workstation or network.

Release of Protected Records

RCW 42.56.210 provides for the release of protected records by action of the superior court:

"Certain personal and other records exempt...
(2) Inspection or copying of any specific records exempt under the provisions of this section may be permitted if the superior court in the county in which the record is maintained finds, after a hearing with notice thereof to every person in interest and the agency, that the exemption of such records is clearly unnecessary to protect any individual's right of privacy or any vital governmental function."

WAC 132I-168A-010 Purpose of the library from WAC 1321 Highline College

"Highline College library, through its role of supporting free expression and free access to ideas, assists the college in achieving the college's mission of superior education for its diverse community. The library provides both on-site and remote access to information and knowledge. The library endeavors to provide access to books and other materials of value for their wide range of information, interest, viewpoints and enlightenment on the problems and issues of our times. Just as the library's doors remain open to all individuals, regardless of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin or socio-political views, so the library's collection remains open to all material regardless of author's age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin or socio-political viewpoint. Further, Highline College library, as part of an educational institution in a democratic society, perceives itself as challenger to all attempts at censorship and/or proscription of views of either patron or creator."

Last update: 05/14/25

Purpose: This policy attempts to balance the library staff’s desire to be both supportive of the needs of students as well as protective of the dangers for unattended children in public places. The staff of the library is sympathetic to the demands of parents who are attempting to balance work, school and child care; however, the library cannot be assumed to be a safe place for unattended children.

Policy: Young children (12 years of age and under) are permitted in the library only when under the direct supervision of a responsible adult (18 years of age or older). Children will be asked to show a photo identification such as a school ID card or Washington state ID card as a proof of their age.

Procedure: When a staff member observes an unsupervised young child (as defined above), the staff member should approach the child and try to determine who is supervising the child. The staff member should identify her/himself as an employee of the library and, in a non-threatening way, should try to determine the name and location of the responsible adult.

• If the supervising adult (as defined above) is present in the library building, the library staff member will find them and explain the library policy to the adult.
• If a supervising adult is not in the library building the library staff member will call Public Safety, who will bring the child to the Public Safety office, locate the responsible adult and reunite them with the child. Public Safety staff will explain the library policy to the adult and give them a warning.

This policy applies to the children of students and employees of the college as well as the general public.

Background

The Highline College Library is a public space and, generally speaking, people have the right to film or take photos in Library spaces that are open to the public. This right is not absolute, however. People who film or take photos in Library spaces must follow this Filming and Photography in the Library policy.

Washington state law (WAC 132I-168A-010) explicitly states that the Highline College Library’s doors are “open to all individuals, regardless of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin or socio-political views…”

However, among the Library's policies and procedures is our adopted administrative procedure regarding filming and photography in Library spaces, which is set forth below.

Filming and Photography in the Library

As a general matter, members of the press, Library patrons, community members, and other visitors have a right to engage in filming and photography in areas designated open to the public within Library facilities and on Library property, provided that such activity does not interfere with the proper use of the Library, disrupt Library operations, infringe on the privacy of patrons, or otherwise violate the reasonable rules and regulations the Library has adopted regarding acceptable conduct.

Filming or photography will not be allowed if conducted in a manner that:

• Violates patron privacy;
• Disturbs Library operations; or
• Clearly violates the Library Disruptions policy such as:
  • Behavior that is unsafe, putting the individual, other library users, or library staff at risk of harm
  • Behavior that contributes to excessive noise levels, including but not limited to loud talking, shouting, screaming, making other loud noises, or using cellular phones in a loud manner
  • Behavior, including consuming food, that damages the property of the library or of other users, including but not limited to marking or destroying materials, furniture or facilities
  • Behavior that is verbally or physically abusive, harassing or threatening to library staff or other library users.
  • Smoking, vaping or use of other tobacco products
  • Misappropriation or misuse of library resources, including but not limited to equipment, furniture, and services
  • Bringing animals, with the exception of service animals, into library facilities
  • Behavior that is prohibited by other rules or policies of the College or by other applicable laws

Public vs. Private spaces

Generally, members of the public are prohibited from engaging in filming or photography on Library property in areas reserved for staff and other areas that are not open to the public.

Handheld equipment may be used for filming and photography in the Library, but the use of larger or additional equipment, such as tripods and portable lighting, should be authorized by and coordinated with the campus Communications and Marketing department so that the use of such equipment does not disrupt Library use and operations. All filming by groups outside of the Highline College community must be authorized by the Communications and Marketing department.

Library staff are authorized to prohibit and terminate any filming or photography that is in violation of the Library’s Library Disruptions policy including filming or photography that appears to interfere with the use or operations of the Library, that may compromise public safety or security, or that may compromise a patron’s right to privacy as set forth in the Highline Library Privacy policy.

Student filming or photography for class assignments

If filming or photography will include recognizable faces, the Highline campus Media Release and Clearance form should be filled out and given to the faculty member who assigned the homework.

Library policy adopted: 11/25/25