About the Library

Library Policies

Visitors are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of other Library users, staff, materials, and facilities. The Library reserves the right to revoke the privileges of any patron who violates Library policy. In addition, verbal harassment, including threats or abuse of Library staff members will, not be tolerated and will result in the permanent loss of privileges.

Please note:

  • The Library is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged on Library premises.
  • All books, bags, briefcases, and other containers belonging to persons entering or leaving the Library may be subject to inspection by Library personnel.
  • Parents or guardians may not leave children under 10 years old unattended in the Library. Students enrolled in the School for Children in the 12/13s, and 13/14s are permitted to work independently in the Library until 4:30 PM. Please refer to the Children & Library Use policy for further details.

Questions about Library policies should be directed to Kristin Freda, Director of Library Services, at kfreda@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4458.

  • Behavior

    The following behaviors are not permitted:

    • Behavior that is unsafe, verbally or physically abusive, harassing, or threatening to Library users or staff.
    • Behavior that damages or misuses the property of the Library or of other users.
    • Mutilating, damaging, or defacing any Library materials, including tampering with or changing configurations or software on Library computers or displacing, disabling, or unplugging Library equipment is prohibited.
    • Behavior that is prohibited by other rules or policies of the College or by other applicable laws.
  • Caregivers

    Caregivers of School for Children students and Family Center children are welcome to come to the Library.

    • Caregivers are reminded that, in addition to the Library Use by Children Policy, all of the Library’s other policies apply, e.g., the prohibition against eating in the Library and using cell phones.
    • Caregivers must supervise and be with their charges at all times inside the Library.

    Checking Out Books

    Parents or guardians of School for Children students and Family Center children should ask the Circulation Desk, 212-875-4455, to add a caregiver’s name to their child’s library record. To check out books, caregivers need to:

    • Show the circulation desk assistant their Bank Street ID name
    • Tell the circulation assistant the parent’s name
  • Children & Library Use

    This policy has been developed both to help reinforce the rules of behavior and for the safety of the children. It also takes into account that after 4:30 PM, there is no Library staff member available to adequately monitor children and no one in the School for Children’s office to whom children may be referred for assistance.

    General

    • Children are welcome and encouraged to use the Library both for research and to have a quiet place to work.
    • Parents, as members of the Bank Street community, are welcome to use the Library and to take advantage of its many resources.
    • Please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Library Services Kristin Freda at kfreda@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4458 if you have any questions.

    In addition to the Library Use by Children Policy, all of the Library’s other policies apply to children as well as to adults, e.g., the prohibition against eating in the Library.

    Lower and Middle School Students

    • Children in the 11/12s and younger are welcome to use the Library after school provided they are accompanied by and under the supervision of an adult, either a parent or caregiver.
    • Parents and caregivers may not leave children under 10 years old unattended in the Library.

    Upper School Students

    • Students enrolled in the School for Children in the 12/13s, and 13/14s are permitted to work independently in the Library until 4:30 PM.
    • After 4:30 PM, all children must be accompanied by and under the supervision of an adult, either a parent or caregiver.
  • Children & Computers
    • Computers in the Children’s Room are available for School for Children families. Computers in the main room are for graduate and faculty use.
    • Upper School students need an adult present when using computers in the Children’s Room.
    • Adults with preschool and Lower School children must be engaged with their young children. Adults may not use the computers while the little ones play in the Children’s Room.
    • School for Children students may use the computers for educational purposes only.
  • Circulation
    • Books, videos, and DVDs in the Children’s Collection may be borrowed for four weeks.
    • Books and theses in the Adult Collection may be borrowed for two weeks.
    • Reference books, periodicals, and books on reserve may be used in the Library only.
    • Materials may be renewed five times unless someone else has requested the item.
    • Overdue fines are charged at the rate of 25 cents per day per item. There are also charges for lost or damaged materials.
    • You may renew books online at the Library website.
    • If books are already overdue, you may renew by stopping by the Library in person or calling the Library Circulation desk at 212-875-4455.
    • The fine for lost books, videos, or other materials from the adult collection is $75.00, or the replacement cost for the item, whichever is higher.
    • The fine for books, videos, or other materials from the Children’s Collection is $40.00.
    • Please remember that everyone is responsible for lost books.
    • The Library offers patrons with significant outstanding fines the alternative of working in the Library to pay down the fines. Ten dollars will be credited against the fine balance for each hour worked.
    • Children who have lost books should speak with the Children’s Librarian Kharissa Kenner at kkenner@bankstreet.edu.
    • When fines or the number of books overdue reach a certain level, the patron is blocked. This means you will not be able to renew books, place holds, or use the databases from home until the block is resolved. Please contact the Circulation Desk at library@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4455 to resolve any blocks as soon as possible. We appreciate your cooperation.
  • Donations

     Graduate School

    All queries regarding the donation of gift books to the Graduate School collection should be directed to the Director of Library Services, Kristin Freda at kfreda@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4458.

     Children’s Collection

    All queries regarding the donation of gift books to the Children’s Collection should be directed to the Children’s Librarian, Kharissa Kenner at kkenner@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4452.

  • Food & Beverages
    • Drinks are now permitted as long as they are in travel mug containers with spill control lids.
    • Disposable containers that are not permitted in the Library may be left at the front of the Library on the designated shelf. Examples of disposable containers include:
      • Paper and plastic cups from local coffee shops
      • Soda cans and glass bottles
    • No food is allowed in the Library.
    • Please feel welcome to use the Library lobby for eating and drinking from any containers.
  • Noise
    • Cell phones may not be used in the Library. Please turn off cell phones. They may be used in the Library lobby only.
    • Patrons engaging in loud conversations that are disruptive to other patrons will be asked to lower their voices or to move to the Library lobby.
    • Quiet conversations, tutoring, and small group work may be conducted at the tables on the north side of the Library.
    • Patrons who do not comply may be asked to leave the Library.
  • Tutors & Tutoring
    • Library space for tutoring is available from 9:00 AM–4:30 PM Monday – Friday.
    • All tutoring must be concluded by 4:30 PM.
    • Tutors must sign in at the Circulation Desk.
    • Tutors may work one-on-one with children at tables on the North Side of the Library only.
    • Tutors may not tutor students in the Quiet Room/505A.
    • Space for tutoring is on a first-come first-served basis.
    • Tutors do not have free printing.
    • Tutors may not leave their materials in the Library.
    • Tutors may only tutor School for Children students in the Library.

    Caregivers & Babysitters

    Caregivers and babysitters who are proving help or tutoring must abide by the Tutors and Tutoring Policy. The Children’s Room is the only place in the Library after 4:30 PM for these activities. The cafeteria is an alternative space.

  • The Wellness Room
    • The Wellness Room is for students, faculty, and staff for quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer, as well as for nursing mothers.
    • This room is for individual use: for brief retreats of approximately 30 minutes during normal Library hours on a first-come-first-served basis.
    • A key is available for check-out from the Circulation Desk.
    • Please lock the door after entering the Wellness Room, turn off all electronic devices, and take all reflection/prayer aids upon exiting. All furnishings must remain in the room.
    • In the event of a fire alarm or indoor drill, please leave the room immediately.
    • Contact Kristin Freda, Director of Library Services, at kfreda@bankstreet.edu with any suggestions.