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TEST PROCTORING
As a public service and as part of our effort to support the goal of lifelong learning, the Thomas Crane Public Library provides supervision of student examinations, subject to the availability of authorized staff, according to the following conditions:
Contacting the Library
All requests for proctoring must come to the Library in writing. Students who need a test proctored at the Library should direct the testing institution to contact the Reference Department in advance by email at quref@ocln.org. Telephone inquiries either from a student or testing institution must be followed by written requests to quref@ocln.org. The Library will inform the institution if we are able to meet the restrictions they require. If we are unable to do so, the Library reserves the right to deny this service. Exams may be sent to us by mail, email, or fax.
Scheduling the Examination
If the Library agrees to proctor the test, the student must contact us by telephone (617-376-1316) or email to schedule a time. Students and testing institutions should be advised that the exam will be proctored by whichever staff is working at the reference desk at the time the exam is scheduled. We do not assign specific staff to proctor exams. If the staff person who gives the student the test materials and records the start time must leave before the student has completed, he or she may designate another staff member to sign any required documentation.
Supervision
Before administering the examination, the monitoring librarian will verify the identity of the student by requiring a picture ID. The librarian will read and follow the proctor instructions on the test, and seat the student in sight of the reference desk and in view of a clock. The Library does not permit the use of cell phones in the reference area.
Limitations of Supervision
Due to the daily business demands of a public Library, Library staff cannot ensure a quiet environment; nor can they ensure that staff will be closely observing the student during the entire exam. We cannot restrict or enforce restrictions on the use of textbooks, notebooks, notes, or handheld electronic devices. The student will be responsible for following the test instructions and keeping track of his/her own time.
Returning the Exam to Testing Institution
The Library will not pay for postage or other shipping charges. We will not photocopy or keep copies of exams on file. We cannot fax or scan completed tests. We cannot fax any correspondence, forms, or letters of confirmation outside of our local area codes. If Library staff is required to mail the completed exam back to the testing institution, the student or testing institution must provide the envelope or package, as well as postage and the cost of a tracking number if such is required by the student or testing institution.If the student is allowed to fax a copy of test back to the testing institution, please include a note to that effect with the testing materials you send the Library. We do not offer fax services at the Library.
Online Exams
Online exams can be completed using Library computers in the computer lab if scheduled as dictated above. The Library cannot guarantee the speed of its Internet connection, or that the Internet connection will not be interrupted during the test. The Library cannot allow the installation of any special software that may be needed to complete the examination on a Library computer. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that the Library's computers are adequate for their test taking requirements. Students may bring their own laptops and connect to our wireless network, but Library staff will not advise or assist in configuring personal laptops or software.
Cost
The Library does not charge for proctoring exams. Nor do we accept requests from testing institutions that charge a fee for proctoring. We do accept and appreciate donations in support of the Library's collections and services.
Deadlines
Examinations must be completed by the student within 30 days of the Library receiving the exam. Unless the student or testing institution contacts the Library about rescheduling an exam, the Library will discard exams that are not taken within that thirty days.
General limitations
The Library cannot commit to proctoring an entire course of study or single exams requiring multiple sittings. Requests for exams in series will be treated as separate requests. Due to legal and ethical considerations, reference staff will not sign a proctoring statement that attests to any supervision other than that described in this policy.
If these guidelines do not meet your needs, other public or academic libraries in the South Shore or Greater Boston area may offer the assistance you require.
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