External User Access Policies at Urban Research Universities

Abstract

In addition to serving their primary clientele of students, staff, and faculty, many large, urban university libraries also serve external users, such as members of the community, as well as students and faculty from other colleges and universities. How should policies be written to balance the services of the primary users with the needs of external users? The purpose of this study is to compare access services policies for external users at a select group of public urban research university libraries. We surveyed the published policies governing the use of the library by external users of IUPUI’s twelve official peer institutions, along with the University Library at IUPUI. We formulated a series of questions about physical access and use of the library; borrowing privileges and circulation policies; charges, fines, and fees; and other services available to primary users that may or may not be available to external users to search out on library websites and ask access librarians in phone interviews. Our research showed that all the surveyed libraries regard community service as important, though policies and philosophies regarding issues like borrowing privileges and computer access varied considerably.