Policies: Students

The library recognizes diverse students require diverse study environments. Therefore, the library is clearly divided into three color-coded zones. Noise levels will be enforced. 

Nelson University students may utilize Interlibrary Loan to obtain resources to which Nelson does not already have access. Students are limited to four (4) ILL books at a time. There is no limit to the number of simultaneous article requests one may place. Students are responsible for returning physical items to the Library in a timely manner (by the posted Due Date) and will be billed for any lost/not returned items and blocked from obtaining physical items through ILL in the future.

ILL Limits:

• eBooks: Due to licensing, the library is unable to obtain whole eBooks through ILL, though we can frequently obtain an individual chapter through ILL.
• Distance: Students living outside of driving range of the Waxahachie campus are encouraged to work through their local public library to obtain physical books through ILL.
• Textbooks: Because ILL checkout lengths vary depending on the lending library, the library is unable to guarantee access to textbooks for an entire semester. Therefore, the library does not knowingly request textbooks through ILL.
• Media: Media materials such as videos, music, or audio books cannot be obtained through ILL. Requests for such material will be discarded.
• Digital media: Digital materials such as videos, music, or audiobooks may not be obtained through ILL. Requests for such materials will be discarded.

Checkout lengths/due dates for physical items vary depending on the lending library's policies. Patrons may request a maximum of one (1) extension/renewal per book.

Physical items (books) cannot be sent to Online/Distance Education students living outside of driving distance from a Nelson University campus.

Copies/scans of an individual chapter or specific pages from physical books can be sent to Online students, however. these students are encouraged to work with their local public library to obtain physical items through ILL.

ILL books that arrive in the library will be available for pickup for one week after arrival. Any books not picked up in that week will be promptly returned to the owning libraries. If pickup within one week is not possible, please contact the library to discuss the situation; the book may be picked up later at the librarian's discretion.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of copies or other reproduction of copyrighted material. If a user makes a request for or later uses a copy or reproduction for purposes in excess of fair use, that user may be liable for copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse a request if, in our judgment, fulfillment of the order involves violation of copyright law.

The Nelson Memorial Library (Waxahachie campus) is happy to transfer any of our books to the Dorothy Cummings Memorial Library (AIC campus) for Nelson AIC students to check out. Contact Keilah Villa in person at the Dorothy Cummings Memorial Library, or by email at aiclibrary@nelson.edu. You can search the Nelson Memorial Library's books in our catalog.

The Nelson Memorial Library participates in two reciprocal borrowing programs, available to all students, staff, and faculty: TexShare and the Association of Christian Librarians. 

TexShare: This program allows users to borrow items from almost all Texas libraries free of charge (each library sets their own policy for how many items users may check out). This is especially useful for Online/Distance Education students residing in or near Texas who can easily drive to a nearby university library, for example; the TexShare card enables the student to check out books from that university library where they normally could not. To acquire a TexShare card, contact us by email at library@nelson.edu or phone 972.825.4766. 

The Association of Christian Libraries Reciprocal Borrowing Program: The ACL program allows users to borrow materials from other ACL libraries free of charge. You may see the list of participating libraries below. Of specific relevance to students residing near Nelson's Waxahachie campus, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and the Paul Quinn College in Dallas participate in this program. Nelson users could check out materials directly from either of these libraries without having to go through our Interlibrary Loan program. Users interested in obtaining an ACL card may request one by email at library@nelson.edu or phone at 972.825.4766.

The standard for all library interactions is kindness and courtesy. Please remember to treat each other with respect and to be aware of the quiet zones. Downstairs is for collaboration and normal level talking. Upstairs is for quiet research and deep quiet areas. There should not be any loud phone conversations upstairs when others are present. It is appropriate to have conversations, phone calls, and meetings in the study rooms. The two study rooms can be reserved by scanning the QR code on the door, or on the website.

Snacks and drinks and allowed in the library as long as the drink has a lid. Students are expected to clean up after themselves. Please leave your area free of trash and use a paper towel or Kleenex to wipe off the table as needed.

In the computer labs, please do not drink or eat near the computers. Students may have water if it is covered with a lid. Please wait until after class or during a break to eat snacks. This will help us to keep the carpet, furniture, and hardware clean and in good working order for the next student.

Nelson students are encouraged to borrow responsibly, returning resources in a timely manner so that other students have a chance to use those resources, too. The library does not charge overdue fines, although a replacement fee will be assessed if library materials are not returned within 30 days of the due date. This fee will be waived if the materials are returned. 

We don't want a library fine to stand between you and research. If you have any questions or concerns, please email a librarian at: library@nelson.edu.

Waxahachie's Nicholas P. Sims Library now offers Nelson students access to public library eResources! Simply bring your Nelson ID and a valid driver's license/ID into the Sims Library to apply for a free e-Library card, which will allow you to access all their databases and use their computers.

This e-Library card grants you access to these great resources (and more!):

• Overdrive/Libby eBooks (thousands of fiction and nonfiction eBooks)
• Mango Language Learning
• Ancestry: Library Edition
• Salem History (1941-1970 Great Events)
• DAR History of Ellis County, Texas
• Cypress Resume
• TumbleBooks Library
• Chilton's Online Auto Repair Database
• DrivingTests.org