Using the Library — Services and Policies
Penrose Library is committed to maintaining collections that exist as common resources to be shared, preserved, and respected in a manner guaranteeing protection for future users. The ethical use of library materials involves acceptance of this principle and appropriate conduct regarding library collections. We are committed to providing a space for the Whitman community to study, collaborate, and research.
- Food and beverages must be covered and kept in spill-proof containers.
- Smoking or the use of tobacco is not permitted in Penrose Library.
- The Allen Reading Room is designated as a quiet study area in the library. Please be courteous of other library visitors who prefer to work in a quiet area.
Circulation and Access Policies
Please see our Circulation and Access Policies page for information how to borrow materials, loan periods, fines, and other borrowing policies.
Off Campus Access
Whitman College uses a proxy server to provide access to materials for which we pay subscription fees. To use Whitman resources from off campus, you should access them from the library website. You will be automatically sent to a log in screen: Use your Whitman email username and password to log in.
To report problems accessing resources from off campus, please contact us at reference@whitman.edu (509-527-5918).
Borrowing Laptops and other Equipment
Laptops are available for student check-out through the WCTS staffed Computer Consultant Office in the Library. These computers are available for four hour use within the Library only. For more information, please see the WCTS Library Computer Facilities page.
Students requiring media equipment to support technology-intensive work should contact WCTS.
Computers, Printers, Copiers, and Scanner
Computers
Over 40 computers are located in carrels throughout the Library and are available for student use. All are on the campus network, and have access to Library and internet resources, as well as to high-speed printing. Additionally, Penrose Library offers wireless network access throughout the building. Four public access kiosk machines are available for searching the Library's catalog, brief web browsing, or email. These workstations have a 15 minute time limit. For additional information, please see the WCTS Library Computer Facilities page.
Printers
High-speed printers are available on each floor of Penrose Library. Printed pages are 5 cents each for one-sided black and white pages, or 10 centes for two-sided (duplex) sheets. Printers default to double-sided printing.
Copiers
Penrose has three black and white copiers on the Main Floor. Students are encouraged to purchase copy cards from the Circulation Desk in increments of $2 and $5. Double-sided copying is encouraged. Copies cost 5 cents per printed side. A color copier may be found in the Instructional Media Services Department in Hunter Conservatory.
Scanner
A walk-up color scanning station is available on the second floor of the library. The scanner has a 17”X24” scan area and allows scans to be saved as multiple file types including .jpg, .txt and .pdf. Scans can be saved to a USB flash drive or sent via email. There is no charge to scan materials.
Fax Machine
Fax service is available for students at the Penrose Circulation Desk. Charges for a domestic fax are $1 for the first page and 50 cents for each subsequent page. Faxes which are sent to international locations are charged at a rate of $5 for the first page and $1 for each subsequent page.
Supplies
A limited number of supplies may be purchased at the Circulation Desk. These include laptop locks, headphones, thumb drives, blank CD/DVDs. Please inquire at the desk.
Group Study and Media Rooms
Penrose Library has eight large group study rooms available for groups of two or more students to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. Three media viewing rooms for individual students are also available. Keys for the rooms may be checked out at the Circulation Desk for three-hour time period, and may be renewed once, provided no one else is waiting to use the room.
Student Lockers
Penrose Library has 164 lockers available to Whitman College senior students. The lockers are located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors and are assigned throughout the year according to need. To receive a key, the student must come to the Circulation Desk and present a Whitman College ID and a signed Senior Privileges Form to a Circulation Supervisor.
Failure to comply with the locker policy may result in the loss of locker privileges.
- Library books must be checked out to a student or they will be removed.
- No food, beverages, alcohol, or illegal substances may be kept in lockers.
- Lockers are subject to periodic inspections by Library staff.
- Library journals, reference books, or other restricted library materials may not be retained in lockers. If any of these materials are found in the lockers, they will be removed and returned to the collection.
- Students who do not return the key by the due date will be fined. A $10 replacement fee will be charged if the key is lost or stolen.
Inappropriate Use of Library Materials
Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:
- Writing upon, defacing, tearing, cutting, mutilating, or destroying books or other library property
- The willful concealment of a book or other library property on one's person or among one's belongings while attempting to leave, or leaving the premises of the Library without formal borrowing through the Circulation Desk
- The willful concealment of a book or other Library property within the Library
- The willful removal of a book or other Library property in contravention to Library regulations
- The intentional alteration or destruction of library ownership records
Engaging in inappropriate use of materials will jeopardize library borrowing privileges.