The Doris and Harry Vise Library exists to provide academic support to the students, faculty, and staff of Cumberland University. Community members, including Cumberland University alumni, may use the library on a limited basis. In order to maximize the availability of materials, computing resources, and study space for Cumberland students, faculty, and staff, the following visitor policy is in effect.
Community members may sign up for a 'Community Member' card. A Community Member card may be used for up to one (1) year. Any community member that wishes to sign up for a Community Member card must provide a valid ID and local address in addition to a $20 card fee. At the end of the year, if the community member has returned all checked out material in the condition in which they were checked out, the $20 card fee will be refunded. Materials from the general collection, the YA collection, and the Juvenile collection are available for check out. Up to two (2) items may be checked out by community members. Books may be checked out for up to three (3) weeks, with two (2) renewals. Movies may be checked out for up to seven (7) days, with two (2) renewals. All other materials are available for use in the library only. Interlibrary loan is not available to community members.
Minors under the age of 17 must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian while visiting the library.
The primary purpose of the Library’s computers is to provide access to online resource subscriptions and course materials. Access to Library databases is restricted to CU students, faculty and staff. Community members may use the computers for up to 30 minutes, but this usage will be restricted depending on the availability of computers.
Community members must contact the library prior to using library meeting rooms. All meeting rooms must be reserved by community members prior to being used. Meeting rooms are not available to community members during midterms and finals week. Any request by community members to reserve meeting rooms will be judged on a case by case basis depending upon the needs of Cumberland students, faculty, and staff.
Library printers are reserved for Cumberland University student, faculty, and staff usage only. Community members may not use the library printers.
Visitors are expected to respect the rules of the Library and to maintain a quiet atmosphere conducive to study and research. Those whose behavior is disruptive will be asked to leave the premises and will not be permitted to return. The Library Director reserves the right to temporarily or permanently suspend library access privileges to visitors for any reason. In the absence of the Director, the staff member in charge retains this right.
Community groups, including school classes, are welcome to visit the Library but should contact the Library at least one (1) week in advance to discuss the purpose of the visit and to schedule an appropriate visiting time. Group visits are not allowed during midterms and final exams.
