Mission and Policies

Mission of the Library

The mission of the Horrmann Library is to identify, acquire, maintain, preserve, and provide access to information and research in support of academic programs offered by the college. Library staff seek to enhance the information literacy skills of patrons through instruction, work cooperatively with faculty to build appropriate collections in a variety of formats, adopt advances in information technology to library operations, establish and maintain cooperative agreements for resource sharing with other libraries, and encourage research and continued learning.
Our goals are to:

  • Participate actively in the instructional process as a “teaching library” to promote information literacy.
  • Promote understanding of the library’s research capabilities and encourage the use of its resources and services.
  • Provide relevant, well-organized, and carefully selected materials for users of the library.
  • Facilitate access to off-campus sources of information.
  • Make the electronic resources of the library fully available to faculty and students both on and off the campus.
  • Solicit and secure appropriate financial support for the continuation and expansion of library operations.
  • Provide a positive, friendly, and inviting atmosphere for staff, students and faculty.

Policies



In order to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for reading, learning, and other library activities, Horrmann Library requires all library users, including students, faculty, staff, community patrons, and visitors, to comply with our General Policies and Code of Conduct.
Failure to comply with the Library’s General Policies and Code of Conduct may result in a warning, or termination of Library privileges, and/or immediate removal from the Library. Individuals who refuse to leave after a request by Library staff may be barred from using the Library in the future.
Prohibited Conduct
Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library, or that disturbs other Library users or staff, is not permitted. The following conduct is prohibited at the Horrmann Library:
1. Disregarding instructions given by Library staff.
2. Using obscene or abusive language or gestures.
3. Harassment or threatening behavior.
4. Engaging in sexual conduct or lewd behavior.
5. Using, possessing, selling, or appearing under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
6. Smoking, chewing, and using other tobacco products, including vaping and electronic cigarettes and other inhalants.
7. Damaging, defacing, or misusing any Library materials or property. This includes disabling or unplugging Library equipment, changing hardware or software, or using a Library computer for purposes not designated by the Library.
8. Trespassing on Library premises.
9. Selling any goods or services; soliciting, petitioning, or canvassing.
10. Distributing or displaying pamphlets, surveys, flyers, signs, or posters on Library premises, unless approved in advance by the Library.
11. Unhygienic behavior and activities that disturb other patrons. Visitors must wear clothing, including shirts and shoes, in the Library. Odor must not be so offensive that it offends others.
12. Prolonged sleeping or using the library as living quarters.
13. Making unreasonable use of the public restrooms, including laundering clothes and bathing.
14. Bringing Library property into restrooms.
15. Making unreasonable noise. This includes loud talking, using devices (with or without headphones) at a volume that disturbs others, and using a cell phone or other voice transmission device, except in designated areas. Please silence all cell phones.
16. Eating or drinking, except in designated areas and as outlined in the Food and Drink policy.
17. Monopolizing Library space, equipment or outlets to the exclusion of others.
18. Obstructing aisles, stairways, or reading areas with personal belongings including when charging personal devices. This includes actions that block access or exits to Library premises or create safety hazards.
19. Bringing in an animal, unless it is a service animal assisting a person with a disability.
20. Engaging in any activity that violates federal, state, local, or other applicable law or Library policies.


The Horrmann Library seeks to acquire materials in appropriate formats and in sufficient quantity, depth and diversity to support teaching and basic research in the subject areas of the curriculum. In order to foster intellectual partnerships with students, faculty and staff, the Library encourages you to become involved in building its collections by recommending Library purchases.
The Horrmann Library collection development policy is based on the principles of intellectual freedom, anti-censorship, and dispassionately representing a diverse range of viewpoints. Librarians do not select or reject materials based on personal biases, opinions, or the political affiliations of the author. To quote the ACRL statement on Intellectual Freedom for Academic Libraries:
“The development of library collections in support of an institution’s instruction and research programs should transcend the personal values of the selector. In the interests of research and learning, it is essential that collections contain materials representing a variety of perspectives on subjects that may be considered controversial.”
Recommendations are evaluated by departmental liaison librarians according to the following criteria:
  • Relevance to the curriculum
  • Support for the research needs of students
  • Support for faculty course preparation
  • Relationship to existing holdings
  • Departmental liaison librarians may initiate a dialogue with the requestor as they consider an item's cost, availability and format.
The Library currently acquires books, periodicals, audio-visual materials, and online resources. While every effort is made to provide a wide range of materials, the Library does not normally acquire the following:
  • Multiple copies of single titles.
  • Juvenile and young adult literature.
  • Vanity press publications.
  • Please note that the ordering, shipping, and processing of new acquisitions take approximately 6-8 weeks, and occasionally longer for hard-to-find or out-of-print titles. Please allow sufficient time when submitting requests. Requests may be submitted by phone or email to the designated departmental liaison librarian, or by using the online Materials Request Form.
For further information contact: Cathy Perkins at (718) 390-3377 or catherine.perkins@wagner.edu


Small packaged snacks and covered beverages ONLY are allowed on the Main and Upper levels of the library. All other food must be consumed in the hallway or study rooms on the lower level (food and drink is not permitted in the SmartLab).
Food deliveries are NOT permitted to the library.


Horrmann Library welcomes gifts and contributions for the development of the collection. Especially useful are materials that fill existing gaps and that support the curriculum. Gifts are evaluated by the same standard as purchased items to ensure that the collection maintains quality, consistency, and relevance to the needs of the college.
Gift materials are accepted under the following conditions:
  • The Library reserves the right to determine their retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations related to their use. Bookplates identifying the donor will be provided upon request. Items not appropriate for the collection will be discarded or sold.
  • In rare cases gifts will be refused if there are unacceptable conditions attached to the donation (i.e. restrictive borrowing limits) not in keeping with the mission of the Library.
  • A gift acknowledgement letter will be provided by the Wagner College Development Office on request. To protect the donor and the College and comply with U.S. tax laws, the Library cannot appraise gifts for tax purposes.
  • Gifts must be delivered or mailed to the library; the library does not provide pick-up service.
  • The donation of old textbooks, magazines, newspapers, Time Life series, Readers Digest, or items in poor condition is discouraged.
For further information contact: Lisa Holland at (718) 420-4219, or lisa.holland@wagner.edu


The Horrmann Library provides free interlibrary loan and document delivery services to all currently registered Wagner College students, faculty, staff, and others that are registered for borrowing privileges, including Friends of the Library, alumni, and community patrons.
Interlibrary Loan service is governed by the American Library Association’s National Library Code and US Copyright Revision Act of 1976(17. United States Code. 101 et seq.) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Interlibrary Loan requests are made through the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services website. Select the material type you would like to request from the left hand menu and fill out the form. You will be notified by email when your request arrives.
There is no limit to the number of requests that can be made at one time.
To make a request, gather information about a book, DVD, audio CD, or journal article that you would like to get. Then, log on to your ILL account and fill out the appropriate form from the new request form links on the left side menu.
The ILL department will notify you by email when your request is ready. Also, you can track your requests from your ILL account. Depending on the request type, materials are available for pickup at the Horrmann Library Circulation Desk, or are delivered to you through your Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services account online.
Most articles and document deliveries will be available to you through your ILL account within 24-48 hours. Most books are delivered to the library through UPS or courier and are usually available to you within 5 to 10 business days.
Most materials can be obtained through ILL request, though there are some things that are usually not available through ILL services. These include : text books, dissertations and theses, very old or very new books or DVDs, and very rare materials available through archives or special collections. Don’t count on being able to get these types of materials through ILL.
The loan period for ILL materials varies and depends on the lending library’s policies and procedures. In general, the loan period for ILL books, DVDs, and CDs is three to six weeks. While some libraries will renew, some will not. Renewal requests are made through your ILL account. Select the item you would like to renew and click the renewal request button.
Library patrons are responsible for reimbursement for lost or damaged books. Books kept beyond 3 months will be considered lost, and will be subject to replacement cost determined by the lending institution. Photocopies of journal articles do not have to be returned.
When ILL requests arrive, or more information is available about the request, the Horrmann Library staff will notify the patron by e-mail. Patrons can track the status of their requests at any time by logging into their ILL accounts.
For further information contact: Mary Walsh, Public Services Assistant, at 718-420-4005, or email interloa@wagner.edu.


Cell phones and other electronic communications devices must be placed on mute or vibrate mode. Cell phone conversations are allowed only outside the library, or quietly in stairwells where you will not disturb other users. Be considerate when using cell phones.


All notices, posters, and signs must be stamped and approved by the Office of Co-Curricular Programs. All print notices will be posted on the bulletin board at the entrance of the library on the main level. Digital notices will be added to the library digital display. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the library Director.


Personal belongings such as laptops, phones, bags, or other items may not be left unattended in the library. Library staff are not responsible for any loss of or damage to unattended personal belongings. We ask that all library users take their belongings with them when leaving the library. Any items left unattended are subject to being taken to Lost and Found in the Campus Safety office.


In New York State, the confidentiality of library records is controlled by New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 4509 which states:
Library records, which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films or records, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.
Horrmann Library promotes, and is committed to, the protection of the privacy of all Wagner College community members. Your rights of confidentiality and privacy include, but are not limited to:
  • Information about materials checked out or accessed, this includes information regarding database queries or information about any items checked out via the circulation desk, interlibrary loan, or course reserve.
  • The content of reference questions, interviews or consultations conducted in any format including in person or online visits.
  • Use of library facilities including any equipment or services used.<
  • Discussions with library staff concerning your account or use of the library facilities.
Please be advised that any information collected as described herein is subject to disclosure pursuant to subpoena, court order, or as otherwise authorized by applicable law.


The Spotlight Gallery exhibit space is not managed by the Library. Please contact Prof. Jennifer Toth of the Art Department at jtoth@wagner.edu for more information regarding current exhibits or booking the space.