Policies

Our priority is to support current students and employees of Centralia. Only currently enrolled students and current employees may borrow library items with a valid photo ID card (e.g. student/employee ID card or driver’s license). New students may need to wait one full business day before they are able to borrow library materials. New student records are loaded nightly into the library management system, and may take a full business day to appear in our records.

Library computer lab use is restricted to currently enrolled Centralia College students. The purpose of the library lab computers is to support currently enrolled Centralia College students to succeed in their coursework. Library lab computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to students doing course-related work. 

Avoid displaying or broadcasting any images, sounds, or messages that could create an atmosphere of discomfort, harassment, or intimidation to others. Displaying materials which create a hostile environment for work or study will not be permitted. Computer users must abide by Centralia College’s Computer Use Policy, Student Rights & Responsibilities Code, and Copyright Rules.

Kirk Library is considered a classroom dedicated to support student study and research. Cell phones should be silenced or turned off. Conversations are to be kept very brief and quiet to avoid disturbing others in the library. You will be asked to take ringing phones and loud conversations out of the library building.

Our staff is sympathetic to the demands of parents who are attempting to balance work, school, and child care; however, the library is a public place open to the community and cannot be liable for unattended children. Students who need childcare options may contact the Children’s Lab School. To protect children from danger in public places, young children (16 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 are expected to be quiet and well behaved to avoid disrupting the academic environment of the library. Library staff members will try to find the supervising adult if an unsupervised child is found in the library. If a supervising adult is not present, library staff members will try to determine the name and location of the adult responsible and may call the police to place the child in protective custody.

Donating Items

We encourage, welcome, and appreciate gifts and donations that are consistent with our Collection Development Policy and have no restrictions attached to their disposition. Because of the cost of adding materials to our collection, donated items are evaluated by the librarian with the same criteria as purchased items. When you donate an item, you agree that if it is not added to our collection, it will be disposed.

Donating Money

Thank you for considering Kirk Library! Your gift means a great deal to the library and those who use its resources. Monetary donations are handled by the Centralia College Foundation for the benefit of Kirk Library. Secure online donations can be made through the Foundation's Make an Online Donation where you may select to add to the Library Endowment. Checks can be made payable to Centralia College Foundation, with an indication that funds are for the "Library Endowment," and sent to: Centralia College Foundation, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia, WA 98531-4099.

For more information about giving to Kirk Library, contact the Centralia College Foundation.

Collection development refers to the ongoing total maintenance of the library collection; both the selection and de-selection of materials are considered jointly. The collection development policy is designed to ensure support for the instructional curriculum and the professional development needs of college students, faculty, and staff. See Kirk Library Collection Development Policy.

We welcome recommendations for purchase to help develop our library collection. If you want to suggest materials for Kirk Library to purchase, use our contact form to Request Library Purchase.

Contents

The Archives Collection exists to preserve the history of Centralia College from its inception to the present. It contains records, yearbooks, college newspapers, photographs, manuscripts, letters, and other types of materials and publications of enduring value related to college history. Also included in the Archives is a collection of Centralia Massacre historical materials.

Viewing

Many of the archival records are accessible online through our Digital Archives website. To view physical archived items, visit Kirk Library Monday–Friday, 8:00am to 3:00pm, and contact library staff ahead of time if you will arrive after 2:30pm, to ensure the materials you want to view are ready for you.

Viewing archival records must be done under the supervision of a library staff member at a designated viewing area. A total of one record series (2 boxes maximum) may be requested per person per time. Only one folder may be inspected at a time, and original order must be preserved when re-filing materials. A member of the library staff will retrieve all requested item(s) as needed, and will collect them upon completion. Please handle all archive materials with care and use a pencil to take notes on your notebook. Many items are old, fragile, and unique. Do not mark them with writing, tracing, rubbing, or erasing print. Do not damage them by folding, ripping, cutting, or using rubber bands, paper clips, tape, or post-it notes on them.

Photocopies can be done in the library under the supervision of a library staff member to ensure items are not damaged during the photocopying. The copier machine charges $0.10 per copy and will take coins and bills. Restrictions may apply in relation to copyright laws and/or the protection of personal information (if the material is sensitive in nature).

Borrowing

No archived items may be removed from Kirk Library. Many are one-of-a-kind in nature and would be difficult, if not impossible, to replace if lost or damaged. No exceptions will be made to allow items to leave Kirk Library.

Food and drink that are not messy, smelly, greasy, or noisy when eaten may be consumed in the library, except near the bookshelves and in the library computer lab. Eating and drinking should not disturb others in the library nor damage library materials, furniture, or equipment. Eat and drink responsibly. You will be asked to take your food and drink outside if it becomes too disruptive in the library. Covered beverage containers are recommended, such as cups with lids and bottled water. You can keep uncovered or open beverages at the Check Out Desk. In accordance to campus policy, tobacco products of any form are not allowed in Kirk Library.