Policies and Forms

Dahlgren Memorial Library [DML] welcomes gifts that strengthen and support the library’s mission and collections as well as the mission of the Georgetown University Medical Center. However, DML is in the forefront of health sciences libraries in moving from a 20th Century print based collection to a 21st Century electronic only collection. Our available resources are broader and deeper in scope than ever before, but we no longer acquire journal / serial publications in print, and acquire very few print books.

Space for print materials is extremely limited and shrinking on a daily basis, so accepting donations of print materials is a complicated decision process. Therefore, donors may also want to consider the Better World Books organization as an option for print material donations.

Process
Prospective donors must provide a detailed, written inventory list of the materials they wish to give to DML. Unfortunately, except on very rare occasions, we do not have staff to assist in preparation of the list. We do not have space to accept and review materials in the library; on receipt of the inventory list, DML staff will review it, and notify the donor of materials that we are able to accept.

It is a condition of acceptance that DML reserves the right to retain, dispose of, or sell materials at its discretion with no notification to the donor.

Donors who wish to receive a tax deduction for gifts should seek professional tax accountant or estate counsel prior to making a gift.   DML does not provide appraisals for donated materials, but will provide a letter of appreciation and include the total number of items donated.   The IRS prohibits librarians and other staff from appraising materials or for paying for or arranging for appraisals. Pertinent information is available in IRS Publication No. 561 “Determining the Value of Donated Property”.

Archival / Historic Material
Dahlgren Memorial Library does not collect or retain materials of an archival or historic nature; we do not have a “history of medicine” program, mission or collection.

If material is believed to be of historic value or significance, DML may work with the Georgetown University Lauinger Library Special Collections Department to review the materials for potential acquisition, but DML reserves the right to sell that material and retain the moneys collected to benefit DML programs.

In some circumstances, Dahlgren Memorial Library may refer donors directly to Lauinger Library.

For further assistance, please contact Linda Van Keuren or call 202-687-1187.

Please consult the Electronic Resources Policy for responsible use of all of DML’s electronic resources.

Food and drinks are permitted throughout Dahlgren Memorial Library. Library users are expected to be responsible and adopt the “leave no trace” philosophy in their use of food and drink in the library by properly disposing of all trash, recycling whenever possible, removing any traces of food and drink, and cleaning all surfaces. This will help prevent critters from visiting the library.

No cell phone use in DML; please take outside as a courtesy to your fellow students.

If you have lost or found an item in Dahlgren Memorial Library, please go to the Information Services Desk. All lost and found items will be discarded or sent to the Department of Public Safety quarterly.

• DML has limited amount of seating and study areas – 343 seats to be exact – serving an average of over 1,000 people entering the building everyday.
• For the sake of fairness, study carrels and tables must be available on a first come basis, and cannot be reserved when not in use.
• Please do not attempt to hold a space by leaving personal items unattended for extended periods of time.
• When leaving DML, please take your items with you or place them in the cubbies located on the 2nd floor. However, if you do leave your items in the cubbies, please be aware that theft unfortunately occurs and that the library is not responsible for stolen items.
• A member of the DML staff walks through all four floors several times daily, in the morning and evenings. If they come across unattended belongings, they will leave a note reminding you about this policy.
• If the items remain unattended *12 hours after leaving that note* a staff member removes them and leaves a sign indicating they are at the Information services Desk Lost & Found bin.
• A recent survey conducted by the student users indicated that nearly 50% of GUSoM classes agreed with this policy and wanted it in place. The Dean for Medical Education, Dr. Mitchell, also supports this policy.

Study/Group Teaching Spaces:

Lower Level: LL1-LL10
First Floor: GT1-GT10

Study Rooms:

Lower Level: A-E
Ground Floor: A & B

Study/Group Teaching Spaces and Study Rooms are available only to Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) patrons.

• You will first need to authenticate using your Georgetown NetID before signing up for a room.
• Reservations must be made when on campus and while connected to the campus network on the day of the reservation.
• To make reservations, you must sign up with your @georgetown.edu or @gunet.georgetown.edu email address. Please enter your legal first and last name.
• Study spaces may be reserved up to a 4-hour period. Sequential or multiple time blocks over 4 hours may not be reserved at one time (i.e. It’s 10am and you reserved LL1 from 10am-2pm, you will need to wait until 2pm to reserve for another 4 hours).
• Non-consecutive reservations (i.e. It’s 12pm and you want to reserve LL-1 from 12-2pm and 9-11pm) in a single day will need to be submitted as separate reservation requests.
• When your time is up, please vacate the room for the next patron. If the space has not been reserved, you may renew your reservation for an additional 4-hour period.
• If you are asked to vacate a room for someone who has reserved it, please do so.
• Reserved spaces must be claimed by 15 minutes past the time that the reservation begins. After 15 minutes, DML reserves the right to cancel your entire reservation and the room will be considered open and available for use by other patrons.
• Please keep the spaces clean including erasing the whiteboards and being courteous to others. This includes not leaving your belonging unattended. DML is not responsible for unattended belongings.
• Failure to comply with any aspects of this policy can lead to cancellation of all room reservation privileges within DML. The following are examples of violations of the room reservations policy:
  • Using another patron’s GU NetID and password.
    Reserving more than 4 hours at one time (i.e. It’s 8am and you reserved GT-1 from 9am-1pm and 3pm-5pm).
  • Reserving different rooms at one time (i.e. It’s 6:30am and you reserve LL-2 from 6:30am-10:30am and LL-3 from 10:30am-2:30pm).
  • Reserving under inappropriate names, fake names, initials, or another patron’s name.

*GUMC/MGUH faculty and staff who want to reserve study rooms for a special event, please fill out the DML Study Room Reservation Request Form. Requests must be at least 1 week before the event date.