[Filed October 20, 2023, 8:02 a.m., effective November 20, 2023]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: Bellevue College proposes updates to the current library media center (LMC) policy 3550 and related WAC regarding fines. Changes are proposed to comply with SSHB [2SHB] 2513 (this bill prohibits colleges from withholding a student's official transcript for debt collection), remove and/or update outdated information, and clarify rules.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending chapter 132H-136 WAC.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.50.140(13); chapter 34.05 RCW.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-10-005 on April 20, 2023.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 4, Repealed 1.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: October 20, 2023.

Associate Director Policies and Special Projects

Chapter 132H-136 WAC

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER ((CODE))

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-17-013, filed 8/4/05, effective 9/4/05)

WAC 132H-136-010Title.

WAC 132H-136-010 through ((132H-136-040))132H-136-030 will be known as the library media center policy of Community College District VIII.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-17-013, filed 8/4/05, effective 9/4/05)

WAC 132H-136-015Purpose.

The library media center (LMC) provides ((the)) information resources ((needed by students, faculty, staff and the community to encourage learning, innovation, intellectual integrity and civic responsibility. The LMC resources and services support the college's mission to provide accessible services and meet the changing educational needs of our diverse community))to accomplish Bellevue College's mission and goals by being student-centered and committed to teaching excellence. In order to advance the lifelong educational development of students, the LMC continually strengthens its collections and services in breadth and depth, supporting increased curricular offerings and varied instructional modes of delivery. This policy applies to all ((BCC))BC employees, students, and library users who use any of the ((library media center))LMC resources and facilities.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-17-013, filed 8/4/05, effective 9/4/05)

WAC 132H-136-025Services.

The ((library media center))LMC maintains a website ((and publishes a brochure)) summarizing information about the LMC, including:

• Hours of service((,));

• Circulation of collections (((including print and nonprint materials), and));

• Services and resources available (((including media, equipment, and facilities))).

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-17-013, filed 8/4/05, effective 9/4/05)

WAC 132H-136-030Fines.

((Charges are levied for overdue, lost, damaged materials and equipment.

(1) Replacement charges will include cost of replacement plus a processing fee. Replacement costs for items that are no longer in print or not available for purchase will be based upon the cost of a similar item plus a processing fee.

(2) Charges for overdue materials will be according to a fee schedule that is posted in the circulation desk area and the LMC website and brochure. Students may appeal charges by following the library fines appeal procedure as detailed in the LMC manual of policies and procedures, a copy of which is available in the reserve collection.

(3) When materials are not returned, or charges not paid, holds are placed on the transcript records of those involved—only as a sanction to cause the ultimate return of library media material in order to protect the integrity of the library collection.

(4) In extreme cases, when expensive or valuable items are involved, the provisions of RCW 27.12.340 may be invoked.))Fines are not charged for overdue materials, except for reserve materials and equipment. A fine schedule is posted at the circulation desk area and the LMC website. Charges are levied for lost or damaged materials and equipment. Replacement charges for different types of items vary.

Students, employees, and other library users may appeal the imposition of a library charge, fine, or penalty by filing a written notice of appeal with the director of LMC or their designee within 21 days of receiving notice of the charge, fine, or penalty.  An individual who fails to file a timely notice of appeal will be deemed to have waived their right to appeal.

The appeal will be heard as a brief adjudicative proceeding, pursuant to chapter 132H-108 WAC.  Before issuing a decision, the director of LMC or their designee will conduct an informal hearing and provide both the person challenging the charge, fine, or penalty and a representative from the LMC (collectively, "the parties") an opportunity to present their views on the matter.  The director of LMC or their designee will serve the parties with their initial decision within 10 business days of the informal hearing.  The initial decision will briefly set forth the reasons for the decision and information about how to seek administrative review of the initial decision. If no request for review is filed within 21 days of service of the initial decision, the initial decision will be deemed the final decision.

An initial decision is subject to review by the dean or their designee, provided the impacted student, employee, or other library user files a written request for review with the dean's office within 21 days of receiving the initial decision.  During the review, the dean shall give each party an opportunity to file written responses explaining their view of the matter and shall make any inquiries necessary to determine whether the findings or sanctions should be modified. The decision on review will briefly set forth the reasons for the decision and will typically be served to the parties within 21 days of receiving all responsive documentation from the parties. The decision on review will contain a notice that judicial review may be available.

The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed: