Access Services Policies

Open to the Public

During hours of operation, the library building is open to all -- the community as well as members of the SHSU campus.

Minors

We welcome children under 16 years of age who are attended by a responsible adult.

Entering the Building

Patrons may not access the library building prior to the officially posted opening time. The library building ordinarily opens at 7:30am on weekdays when classes are in session. Opening hours vary on weekends, between semesters, and for various holidays and events. Current and upcoming hours are always posted at the top of the library homepage.

Patrons may no longer enter the building as of 10 minutes before the officially posted closing time. Entrances will lock automatically on a timer to prevent entry after this time.

Please note that specialized areas and services within the building may have their own hours of operation and may not be accessible to patrons during all building hours. Additionally, some areas of the building are reserved for personnel access only at all times.

Exiting the Building

Patrons must exit the building before the officially posted closing time, unless they are sanctioned to remain for a university-sponsored event supervised by personnel from the Newton Gresham Library or the Academic Success Center.

Library staff will broadcast announcements at 20 minutes before, 10 minutes before, 5 minutes before, and exactly at closing to notify patrons of the need to exit.

The computer labs and Service Desk close at 10 minutes before closing; patrons are instructed to log out of computers by this time, and personnel may speak individually to patrons who have not yet done so.

Patrons should not expect to conduct their library business up until closing time and cause personnel to work past the end of their shift while waiting for patrons to gather their belongings and exit.

Additionally, patrons must exit the building if an alarm system instructs them to do so, or if they are directed to do so by library personnel who are enforcing policies or addressing emergency situations.