Library and Archive Policies

This section covers the patrons types who have access to library and archive resources at Meadville Lombard, what types of resources are available to patrons, and how long patron accounts are valid. 

Graduate students include degree seeking students, students taking graduate courses, student seeking academic certificates, students at large, auditors, and ACTS students. It not does include LIGHT students. See LIGHT students for more information concerning LIGHT students. Graduate Student privileges include access to library staff support, the Wiggin Library (including special material collections), Graduate Course Reserves, I-Share libraries, access to OCLC Interlibrary Loan for articles, and all digital resources. In addition, students can receive borrowing privileges from other libraries with which Meadville Lombard has reciprocal relationships. Access to the Archives and Special Collections does not require library privileges. Graduate student accounts are created automatically by library staff and their Meadville ID functions as their library card. If a student intends to access other I-Share libraries in person, they must receive an I-Share barcode from Meadville Lombard library staff.  If desired, students must request University of Chicago and ACTS accounts from library staff. 

Degree Seeking Graduate Students maintain their library privileges until graduation*.

Non-degree Seeking Graduate Students (such as auditors, students from other schools, and students-at-large) maintain their privileges for one year from the beginning of their most recent class.

Both degree and non-degree seeking graduate students will have a block placed on their library account if a hold is placed on their student account by the Office of Registrar, effective at the end of the term in which the hold is placed or upon withdrawal from all classes. Graduate students with an account hold will be able to return books, but will be unable to check out books, renew books, or use digital resources. The library can also place a block a graduate student’s account due to overdue and lost books. More information about this can be found in Fees and Account Blocks.

*Graduate Students who are on an approved Leave of Absence will have limited library privileges during that time, provided they are not otherwise disqualified for library privileges due to a financial hold or overdue or lost books. Students on Leave of Absence will retain an active library account, but circulation is limited to requesting and borrowing 3 books at a time from the main collection of the Wiggin Library (no access to I-Share). Graduate students on Leave of Absence will not have access to digital resources that are restricted to students (databases, reference works, etc.). Their library account will be reinstated as a student account with full library privileges if/when the student registers for courses to continue their studies. Graduate students who are inactive without an approved Leave of Absence or students who are on Suspension will lose all library privileges until they return to active graduate student status or enter an approved Leave of Absence.

Library privileges are granted to LIGHT students who are enrolled in certificate programs, by course at the request of instructor (as indicated through the proposal form), or by program at the request of LIGHT staff. LIGHT library access is available at https://library.meadville.edu/light. LIGHT students have access to library staff support, LIGHT Course Reserves, the Wiggin Library, a curated list of free digital resources, and, when on campus, digital resources. Access to Archives and Special Collections does not require library privileges. Accounts can be request here. They last for three years. If, after three years, LIGHT students are still taking LIGHT courses, their account will be renewed.  To ensure contact information is accurate, LIGHT students in eligible courses should submit a Library Account Information Form. Meadville Lombard Alums who enroll in LIGHT courses will retain their remote access to journal databases associated with their Alum library accounts. 

All other LIGHT students are invited to become Community library patrons at the conclusion of their workshop, course, or program at https://library.meadville.edu/community. 

Faculty and staff privileges include access to library staff support, the Wiggin Library (including special material collections), Course Reserves, I-Share libraries, access to OCLC Interlibrary Loan for articles and books, and all digital resources. In addition, faculty and staff can receive borrowing privileges from other libraries with which Meadville Lombard has reciprocal relationships. Access to the Archives and Special Collections does not require library privileges.  Faculty (core, affiliate, adjunct) and staff library accounts are automatically created. For core faculty, affiliate faculty, and staff, their library privileges are dependent upon their continued employment at Meadville Lombard. Adjunct faculty receive library privileges when contracted with Meadville Lombard and the privileges last for one year. Emeritus faculty must request a library account and will have indefinite library privileges once an account is created. 

Alums (including those with honorary degrees) have access to library staff support, the Wiggin Library, Atlas Religion Database for Alums, JSTOR- Religion and Theology, a curated list of free digital resources, and, when on campus, digital resources. Alum accounts are created automatically when current students graduate. For students who graduated prior to 2022, accounts can be request here. Access to Archives and Special Collections does not require library privileges.

Community patrons are all users who want to use Meadville Lombard resources but are not students, faculty/staff, or alums. Community patrons have access to library staff support, the Wiggin Library , a curated list of free digital resources, and, when on campus, digital resources. Access to Archives and Special Collections does not require library privileges. Community accounts can be request here. They last for three years and can be renewed. 

The Meadville Lombard Library and Archives is part of many different library consortia. Consortial patrons have access to library staff support and Wiggin Library material held in the Main Stacks. They cannot use circulation by mail options. To access Wiggin Library resources at a distance, they must request material through I-Share (if eligible) or OCLC Interlibrary Loan through their home library.  All Consortial Patrons have the same borrowing responsibilities as other patrons, as described in Section III, and are responsible for lost book costs as described in Borrower Responsibilities.  The specifics of these relationships and the different library privileges for each group can be found in Consortial Relationships. Interested consortial patrons can contact library@meadville.edu for more information and create an account, which lasts for 1 year from date of creation and may be renewed as long as patron remains officially affiliated with a consortial partner. Access to Archives and Special Collections does not require library privileges.