Access policies

The Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies is open to the public. There are no fees for using any part of the collection in the reading room.

Most books in the Center's reading room collection may be checked out for a four-week period to qualified patrons. Circulation of Center library materials is handled by the Hiebert Library, which sets all circulation policies. All students, faculty and staff of Fresno Pacific University or the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary have check-out privileges. Other library users residing in the geographical limits of the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (i.e., Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington) may receive a special borrower's card for an annual fee of $25.00. The following groups of persons may receive special borrower privileges at no charge:

• Students and faculty at institutions with which Hiebert Library has reciprocal borrowing agreements
• Current FPU and MBBS board members
• Current members of the Presidents' Circles at FPU and MBBS
• Pastors of Mennonite Brethren Churches in the Pacific District
• Paid members of the California Mennonite Historical Society 

Reference books, periodicals, rare books and archival records do not circulate. Reference books and periodicals from the Center's reading room may be left at the Hiebert Library circulation desk for use in the library building during evenings and weekends when the Center is closed. Rare books and archival records, which are stored in a separate vault, may be used only in the Center's reading room during regular hours.

Photocopy facilities are available in the Hiebert Library. Books and journals from the Center's reading room may be photocopied on a self-serve basis. Copying fees are 5 cents/page cash. Rare books and archival records must be photocopied by Center staff, at 25 cents/page. The Center reserves the right to refuse to copy such items due to extreme fragility.

Microfilm reader/printers are available in the Center reading room and Hiebert Library. Copies cost 10 cents/page.