Library Policies and Public Services

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Policies

Access: NYSNA ’s library is open between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (EST), Monday through Friday. While appointments are not required, individuals with complex research questions may wish to consult with staff prior to their visit.

Borrowing Materials: Certain items in the collection may be borrowed by staff and members; however, the bulk of the research collection does not circulate. Some materials may be obtained on interlibrary loan through the library’s participation in the National Network of Libraries of Medicine and the New York State interlibrary loan system. Photocopies are produced under guidelines of current copyright law. Restrictions may apply; contact staff for details.

Reference and Research: The library responds to brief reference and factual questions free of charge. More lengthy reference questions and complex research services may incur a charge. These charges, and the manner in which services are provided are guided by the library’s public service policy (see below) and the association’s board policy on Guidelines for Fees for Association Services.

Public Services

The Association’s library provides a wide range of services such as photocopying, bibliographic verification, quick reference, research and interlibrary loan. The level of service, and the priority specific services receive, is governed by NYSNA’s Policy on Public Services:

Date Established: Pre-1990 (revised 1999)

1. The primary clientele are the staff and organizational units of the New York State Nurses Association. Services provided to primary users take priority over services to users in all categories and include:
   
   
   • instruction and assistance in using the center resources and services
   • verification of bibliographic citations
   • preparation of bibliographies on current topics of concern to the Association and nursing
   • document delivery
   • interlibrary service
   • quick reference service such as provision of directory-type information (questions requiring no more than 10 minutes to answer)
   • current awareness and selective dissemination of information services
     
     
2. Clientele in the second category include nurses who are members of The New York State Nurses Association. Services provided to this category of users take priority over services to tertiary users. The services which may be provided at no charge as time permits include:
   • instruction and assistance in using library resources and services at no charge
   • direct access to the library, and
   • quick reference and referral service.
   
   Other services may be provided on a fee-for-service basis partially subsidized by membership dues.
   
   
3. The third level of users includes non-members and students. Services which may be provided to individuals in this category at no charge as time permits are the same as those for secondary users. Fees for additional services will be on a full cost recovery basis. Although staff will provide students with research assistance, this is not intended to replace direct student research which is considered to be a part of the educational learning process.
   
   
4. Staff will facilitate access to archival records located at the Foundation of NYSNA.  Non-staff or “public users” are not permitted access to records in the records management system.

Contact NYSNA's Library at 518.782.9400, ext. 266 or by e-mail.