The Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification system for all materials. Books and government documents can be located by using the Library Catalog, also accessible from the Library website. The Library houses over 160,000 bound volumes (books and journals), over 110,000 government documents, and over 10,000 multimedia titles (sound and video recordings). As an academic library, we own many books and materials relating to the full range of human experience, some of which you as an individual may, or may not find appropriate. Therefore, we ask that what you view in the Library remain private. As a parent of a minor we also ask that you sign a waiver form for any minor requesting a library card. The Pendergraft Library places no restrictions on the type of materials an individual may checkout once they have a library card.

Pendergraft Library is a selective depository for U.S. and Arkansas documents. These items are cataloged and shelved in a separate collection. The Library also provides a list of government related sites on the Internet. Assistance with all government documents can be requested at the Reference Desk or in the Government Documents Department. Further inquiries may be addressed to Frances Hager at fhager@atu.edu.

The Library subscribes to over 1000 current periodicals. The most recent issues of these titles may be found on the first floor. Periodicals cannot be checked out. Shelved in the same area are print indexes to various subjects and several newspapers. An alphabetical list of the Library's periodicals holdings may be found located in the Reference Area or located by using the Library Catalog.

Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center seeks to provide an environment that supports a wide range of academic endeavors for Arkansas Tech University students, faculty and staff. Some Library users require quiet areas for individual research and study, while others need to interact with others or to study in groups. In an effort to meet these varied needs, Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center has established zones for designated levels of noise, conversation, and cell phone use:

Blue Zones designate quiet areas for individual study. Conversations and noise should be kept to a minimum in the blue zones. No Cell Phone use is permitted. Calls should be taken in designated policy-free zones (white areas on the map) or in Green Zones within the guidelines below.

Green Zones designate active learning areas for moderate conversation, low-level group study, and minimal cell phone use. Moderate noise levels are to be expected in green zones. These areas include Library or Technology Center service points, staff activities, and most computer clusters.

Upon entering the building, Pendergraft patrons are asked to set their cell phones on silent or vibrate and to refrain from excessive conversation and noise. Cell phone use is discouraged in the Blue Zones and is to be kept to a minimum in the Green Zones.

Maps are available at the Circulation and Reference desks. These maps illustrate the layout of the Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center and are color-coded to denote the Blue Zones, Green Zones, and policy-free areas (white).

Patrons are asked to respect the guidelines for the quiet/study areas (Blue Zones) and active learning areas (Green Zones). Excessive noise that is inappropriate to a designated zone should be reported to the nearest service desk.

All building users, including staff and visitors going to and from meetings and classes, are expected to comply with these efforts to create and preserve a better study environment for everyone.

In keeping with the Ross Pendergraft Library's mission, the Library participates in various "social software" applications whereby library staff and community members can interact through virtual communication. These information tools, summarized below, allow all members of the community access to the Ross Pendergraft Library without mandating a visit to the physical library. The Ross Pendergraft Library regards online social software applications in the same way as its other information resources in accordance with its mission of serving Pendergraft's needs for informational, educational, cultural and recreational pursuits.

Social software is defined as any website or application which allows users to share information. Social software can include, but is not limited to, blogging, instant messaging, social networking sites, and wikis. Many social networking sites allow users of those sites to become a "friend", "fan" or otherwise associate their own "profiles" or virtual presences with the Library's profile on these sites. Examples of such sites are Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and various blogging sites like Blogger and WordPress. As with more traditional resources, the Library does not act in place of or in the absence of a parent and is not responsible for enforcing any restrictions which a parent or guardian may place on a minor's use of this resource.

The Library does not collect, maintain or otherwise use the personal information stored on any third party site in any way other than to communicate with users on that site, unless granted permission by users for Library contact outside the site. The purpose for contact outside the site may include program promotion, volunteer opportunities, reference help, or other similar activities. Users may remove themselves at any time from the Library's "friends" or "fan" lists, or request that the Library remove them. Users should be aware that third party websites have their own privacy policies and should proceed accordingly.

Comments, posts, and messages are welcome on Ross Pendergraft Library social networking sites. While the Ross Pendergraft Library recognizes and respects differences in opinion, such interactions may be regularly monitored and reviewed for content and relevancy before publishing. All postings which contain any of the following will be removed and the poster barred from posting any subsequent messages to library social networking sites:

In addition, the Ross Pendergraft Library reserves the right to edit any postings or comments for space or content, while retaining the intent of the original post. The Library shall also be granted the right to reproduce comments, posts, and messages in other public venues. For example, a response to a YouTube book review may be quoted in a newspaper or on the library website. Identifying information, other than first name or other appropriate user name, will be removed unless prior approval is granted by the user.

The Ross Pendergraft Library assumes no liability regarding any event or interaction that takes place by any participant in any Library-sponsored social networking service, and does not endorse or review content outside the "pages" created by Ross Pendergraft Library staff. Participation in Ross Pendergraft Library social networking services implies agreement with all Library policies, including its Social Networking Policy and Appropriate Use of Computer Resources, and the Terms of Service of each individual third-party service. If a user does not agree to these terms, they are not to use the services provided.

The role and utility of social networking sites will be evaluated periodically by library staff, and may be terminated at any time without notice to subscribers.