Library Policies

A limited area of the library is open around the clock! Here's what you need to know:

• The 24/7 area is intended to be a place for PTS students, staff, and faculty to study, meet, and collaborate beyond regular library hours.
• The 24/7 area is only on the first floor and includes the lobby, the cafe, the meeting room, the Kelly - Orr Lounge, and the computer lab. The print collection, items on reserve, and library services will not be available.
• When regular library hours are over for the day, library patrons will be asked to either exit the building or move to the 24/7 area. Only library materials that have been checked out may be brought into the 24/7 area.
• Only patrons with current PTS OneCards will be allowed to use the 24/7 area. Please do not let in people who don't have PTS OneCards.
• To enter the 24/7 area, swipe your PTS OneCard below the red light on the post outside the front door, and then open the door on the right.
• Security will be including the 24/7 area in their rounds throughout the night, and can be contacted at all times by calling 412-889-2208.

We are excited to provide this new service, and hope that it will be helpful! Please let a library staff member know if you have any questions.

Children are welcome in the library with appropriate and adequate supervision. Our Fred Rogers Room, designed for patrons with younger children, houses our growing children’s collection, puppets/toys, and coloring supplies.

Library computers do not have any filtering software and are only for the use of adults 18 years and older.

In order to foster an inclusive, accessible, and respectful environment conducive to research and learning, patrons should:

• Follow the library’s Health and Safety Guidelines which operate in accordance with the Seminary’s Health and Safety plan. This includes using the LiveSafe Daily Health Check and sharing the green checkmark to staff at the front desk before proceeding beyond the library lobby;
• Use the library space and collections with care;
• Engage with other patrons and library staff courteously;
• Use computers and other technology in accordance with the seminary’s computer/acceptable use guidelines. Library computers have no filtering software and are for use by adults 18 years and over only;
• Observe copyright restrictions and fair use guidelines;
• Observe quiet study in the Reference Room. Indoor-level conversation and noise is permitted in all other areas of the library;
• Food and covered drinks are permitted throughout the building with the exception of the Reference Room (covered drinks permitted only);
• Supervise children that are with them.

Prohibited behaviors include:

• Disrespectful, abusive or threatening language or behavior toward other patrons or library staff
• Disregard for borrowing policies: not adhering to due dates for materials; not paying fines/fees for overdue, lost or damaged materials; incurring frequent excessive fines; returning library items with excessive wear and tear or repeated loss of library materials;
• Damaging/defacing library materials: marking, underlining, highlighting, cutting, bending pages, or breaking book spines to make photocopies;
• Theft of library materials;
• Smoking anywhere in the library;
• Unreasonable noise levels;
• Inappropriate use of library space or equipment, such as disruptive activities and inappropriate use of computers/internet access.

Library staff reserves the right to reject or revoke library privileges and/or request removal from library or campus grounds for flagrant breaking of campus rules, library policies, or other legitimate reason.

Barbour Library offers the use of desktop computers in the first floor computer lab, or at the stations on the ground and second floors. The computer lab includes two public access computers (no PTS login required) with internet connection in the computer lab.

Library computers are not equipped with filtering software and are to be used by adults aged 18 years and older only.

Visitors bringing their own laptops or Internet-enabled devices may also freely use the seminary’s wireless internet access.

Use of library computers or wireless internet access on personal devices is subject to our Code of Conduct. Library computers should not be used for profit-making or commercial purposes. Employees and students are also subject to the seminary’s acceptable use policy for the PTS community. Inappropriate or harmful use may result in library staff rescinding access to library computers and internet access at any time.

Barbour Library follows all policies for copyrighted materials in all formats as well as guidelines fair use. Patrons must also abide by these polices and guidelines when copying, scanning, printing and downloading print and electronic resources. For more information, visit our Copyright and Fair Use guide.

Donations of many types of items have often benefited the Barbour Library collection and the PTS community. The Library is grateful to accept donated items for the collection when such items are included in the scope of the collection development policy, and are in good condition. The Library may also accept items to be given to students for free.

Donations must be arranged through the Library Director (412-924-1408, mspomer@pts.edu). The following guidelines will be used to determine whether or not the donated books or other media will be added to the collection:

• Items should be related to the academic programs and curricula of the seminary.
• Duplicate titles will generally not be accepted due to limited shelf space.
• Outdated titles in particular disciplines will generally not be added.
• Journals, magazines, and newspapers will not be accepted.

The Library will not accept the following:

• Books with underlining, highlighting, or any other marks (names or dedications in the front of books are okay)
• Paperback books that are printed on low-quality paper (i.e. mass market paperbacks, books with yellowing pages, etc.)
• Items that don’t support PTS coursework, programs, or history
• Items in poor condition
• Items older than 1980 (there may be exceptions to this, so just ask if you’re unsure)
• Obsolete media (unless it might be a candidate for the institutional archives)
• Vanity press and self-published items are generally not desirable for the collection, unless they are written by a PTS alum (these will be added to the Alumnae/I Collection)

While the Library does not provide appraisals of gifted items, donors may receive upon request a Deed of Gift form that provides proof of the donation, and includes a brief description of the items.

Our Event Guidelines are intended primarily for events that use spaces and/or furniture outside the reservable rooms in 25Live, as well as events that use several library spaces at once.

In general, when considering holding an event in the library, please note the following:

• Events outside the 24/7 space (Kelley-Orr Lounge, Meeting Room 105) must be held when the library is open.
• In addition to when the library is closed, events in the library should be not be planned during the following times:
  • Ordination and Bible content exams
  • Mid-term reading weeks
  • Reading/Final exam weeks
• Events should be requested and arranged well in advance.
• As the library building functions primarily for research and study, there may be activity and conversation from patrons and staff nearby or at the front desk.
• Similarly, reserving a space displaces library users, so other available spaces on campus should also be considered for your event.

After placing a reservation request for your event in 25Live, the user services librarian will contact you (or your designated contact person) for a walk-through and to discuss furniture, food, and setup options and answer any questions you may have. This is required for the first time you have a particular event in the library. If you have the same or similar event in the future, a walk-through is not necessary as long as the setup and event size is the same.

For full guidelines and procedures for holding events in the library, please see our Event Guidelines.

Food and covered drinks are permitted throughout the building with the exception of the Reference Room (covered drinks permitted only). Patrons should refrain from bringing food that is messy or has a strong odor.

Peters Café

The café is located on the first floor of the library. Bottled beverages, snack items, and entrees such as wraps, salads, sandwiches, and ready-to-heat meals prepared by Metz Food services are available for purchase. There is also a Starbuck machine offering coffee and other hot drinks.

• Payments for food and drink can be made online.
• A microwave is available for heating food items.
• The coolers in the café are for vendor-provided food and drink only. Patrons are prohibited from storing their own food and drink in these coolers.

Leftover Food and Drink

At times, there may be leftover food and drink from meetings and events at the library or elsewhere on campus. While the library generally welcomes the sharing these with the library/campus community, please speak to library staff for permission before leaving any leftover food and drink in the Peters Café.

Read the Library's complete Health and Safety Guidelines. 

There are 40 lockers available for the use of all Barbour Library patrons. They are located on the first floor in the hallway between the circulation desk and the computer lab.  Each locker has an electric outlet and 2 USB ports. They are approximately 17” tall by 10” wide and 10” deep.

Lockers are keyless and self-service. At this time, the locking mechanisms on each unit are non-functioning. Patrons are welcome to make use of them at their own risk for loss or damage.

Library staff reserve the right to check lockers for food and non-checked out library materials and will do so at least twice a year.

• The library is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• Only use one locker at a time.
• Lockers may not be used for:
  • Food and drink
  • Perishable items
  • Items from the library collection
  • Hazardous materials
  • Drugs and other contraband

In order to facilitate a library environment that is conducive to research and study, pets or other animals of any kind are not permitted in the library, except by permission of the Library Director, which must be obtained in advance. Service and assistance animals are the only exception to this policy.

The library has two bulletin boards for public display, one in the Peters Café on the first floor, and one in the second floor Active Learning Space. Flyers, brochures, and other materials may also be displayed in the library lobby and at the circulation desk.

All materials must be approved by the user services librarian before they are posted or displayed.

Priority will be given to Seminary-related events, activities, and programs. Outdated and unauthorized materials will be removed.

Review complete information about Barbour Library room reservations. 

There are nine individual closed study carrels on the ground and second floors of the library. These carrels may be reserved for short-term periods (hourly/daily) through 25Live. See Room Reservations for more information. 

General Guidelines for Use

• Carrels are to be used for research and study purposes.
• No furniture or equipment is to be moved from or introduced into a carrel.
• As the carrels are shared spaces, do not affix personal materials to the walls, door, or windows. Bulletin boards may be used for the duration of a closed carrel reservation.
• Return all library materials that are not checked out to a return cart or the circulation desk when you leave.
• Personal items may not be stored in carrels between uses. The library cannot guarantee the security of personal belongings.

Long-term study carrel reservations for ongoing study and research (up to one academic term at a time) are subject to availability and are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional guidelines for use apply for long-term reservations. Patrons must provide a signature agreeing to follow these additional guidelines with the library before carrel keys can be issued. Contact the User Services Librarian if interested in a long-term carrel reservation.

Carrel responsibilities and liability reside with the reserved carrel holder, including issues that may arise from informal carrel sharing. Violation of any of these guidelines may result in termination of carrel privileges.

This policy applies to visiting faculty and independent scholars who wish to spend sabbatical or extended study leave at PTS to work on research and writing projects.

Applying for Visiting Scholar Status

At least nine months prior to the desired period in residence, those seeking visiting scholar status should submit the following two items to the dean of faculty:

• A letter of interest to the dean of faculty which includes:
  • A clear description of the scholarly project
  • Rationale re: why Pittsburgh Theological Seminary?
  • Length of visit (not to exceed two semesters/nine months)
• A letter of recommendation from the department head/dean of visiting scholar's institution or from a PTS administrator or faculty member

Approval Process

Visiting scholar materials are considered by the Academic Affairs Committee of the faculty on a case by case basis. If the AAC approves the candidate as a visiting scholar, a representative of the Seminary sends a letter of welcome, noting the following stipulations:

• A background check from Castle Branch is required
• Proof of health insurance is required¹
• Visiting Scholars are subject to all campus policies re: harassment and discrimination

Visiting Scholar Benefits

Once approved, visiting scholars are granted the following privileges:

• Housing
• Access to food services
• Class/lecture attendance (must be approved by instructor)
• Meetings with faculty (arranged with faculty)
• Barbour Library access including:
  • Use of a closed carrel
  • Borrowing privileges
  • Access to library databases
  • Interlibrary loan

Visiting scholars may also:

• Attend/lead in chapel worship services (arranged with the director of the worship program)
• Participate in Seminary community events

¹An international visiting scholar doing independent research will require a B1 Visa (or Visa Waiver). Basic health insurance coverage is required by the U.S. government for all international visitors.