It is the mission of the Design Studies Institute Library to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment dedicated to empowering, educating, and enriching the DSI community through its available resources.
Library Services Fee
Library services are covered by students’ mandatory Library Service Fee each term. Students are automatically assessed a Library Service Fee if the student is enrolled in an academic program. This fee is required unless an exemption is granted. Students who are able to provide proof of access to their own local library (or equivalent resources/services) are eligible for exemption (i.e. a library card or personal database subscription). The request for exemption should be emailed to support@dsi.edu.ai.
Intellectual Freedom Statements
In support of its mission, the Design Studies Institute Library affirms the principles on freedom of opinion, expression and access to information for all human beings as outlined in the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ Code of Ethics. The Library upholds the fundamental right of the individual to acquire information through available materials, regardless of their beliefs and/or differences. The Library remains impartial to any and all viewpoints found in its collection, which neutrally presents a diversity of perspectives, allowing students the freedom to seek materials on their own initiative.
Collection Statement
The Library’s collection includes digital and physical media formats.
The Library’s primary objective for collection development is to ensure that the materials therein fulfill the needs of DSI’s diverse community in a timely manner, going forward with the knowledge that the community is always shifting. The Library fulfills its objective by selecting, acquiring, organizing, preserving, maintaining, and providing access to a collection of general reference resources and information.
The Library provides digital services through its online catalog, database subscriptions, and collection of e-media that currently includes e-books, e-audiobooks, and periodicals. E-resources are available to any Library Access-enrolled student through the Library’s website.
Selection Criteria
Patron Requests for Addition or Reconsideration
The Library proudly welcomes input from the community regarding materials in the collection. Suggestions that a particular item, subject, or new format be purchased may be submitted by emailing the Library via support@dsi.edu.ai. All requests are subject to the same selection criteria as other purchased materials. The Library seriously considers requests for addition during collection development in the effort to better serve the interests and needs of the community.
Similar to requests for addition, the Library encourages the right of the community to appropriately express concerns about the collection. Individuals who have a concern with certain materials in the collection are welcome to submit a written appeal to the Library via email to support@dsi.edu.ai. The appeal should include relevant information or documentation that may support the reason for appeal. The Dean or the Dean’s designee will review the appeal and may request additional information or a meeting to discuss the case. The Dean or the Dean’s designee will then issue a decision in writing.
If the individual is not satisfied with the Dean or the Dean’s designee decision, they may request a further appeal. This appeal will be reviewed by a panel composed of two faculty members appointed by the Faculty Council. The appealing individual may be asked to provide additional written, spoken, or recorded testimony and may need to participate in synchronous video meetings with the panel. The panel will then issue a final decision, which is binding and not subject to further appeal. The outcome of the re-evaluation will stand for five years. According to the principles outlined in the Library’s Intellectual Freedom Statements, the Library will not automatically withdraw selected resources from the collection before due consideration, and materials will remain in circulation during the reevaluation process.
Physical Asset Circulation
The Library hosts a collection of physical resources available for circulation for a defined period of time. Full borrowing privileges are provided to any Library Access-enrolled student, whose DSI email account serves as their library card. Patrons may request items in the catalog that are available for check out. If the item is in the library, then they will receive a notice when the item is available. If the item is checked out a notice will be sent when it is returned.
All physical assets have a term-long (8 week) loan period (unless recalled for reasons provided in an advance notice), and every borrower has a limit of five items at a time. Due to the length of the loan period, items generally may not be renewed and must be returned by their due date (unless a request for special exception is granted by the Library). Patrons with overdue items are subject to late fees and a hold on borrowing other assets. Overdue items may be charged a late fee at a rate of $1.00 USD per day, and not to exceed the replacement cost of the materials. All payments are handled through student billing.
Patrons should contact the Library concerning any lost or damaged materials as soon as possible. Materials not returned in their original condition because of patron negligence may result in a fine or overall replacement fee. Library notices are sent out via Institute email only. Checking out materials indicates acceptance of responsibility for returning items on time and in original condition, as well as paying any fees incurred. It is the responsibility of the borrower to be aware of due dates and not to rely solely on emailed library notices.
To increase access to the collection, the Library offers reproduction services of specific physical assets owned by Design Studies Institute through scanning and digitization. The practices are applied in compliance with Anguillian law and in alignment with international standards and best practices. Reproduced materials are provided solely for personal study, research, or teaching purposes. Library patrons are responsible for ensuring that their use of reproduced materials complies with applicable laws and regulations. The Design Studies Institute assumes no responsibility for unauthorized uses of reproduced materials by patrons.
Gifts and Donations
Due to the digital nature of the accessible collection, the Library does not accept physical gifts or donation of materials. However, monetary gifts to the collection are welcome. The Library may also choose to accept subscription-based gifts as long as the donor provides sufficient funding for the desired subscription period, with no obligation on the Library’s part to continue the subscription beyond the conclusion of donor funding. The Library is not responsible for the appraisal of donations for tax or any other purpose.
