Patron Guidelines
Library Services seeks to provide a safe, comfortable environment that is conducive to the use of all patrons. Library Services expects patrons to behave in a civil, considerate, and courteous manner in the library, to observe the rights of other patrons and staff members, and to use the library for its intended purposes. Library Services staff will warn or ask to leave the library disruptive or abusive patrons as appropriate. If necessary, Library Services staff will call campus security or the local police for assistance.
Disruptive Behavior
The following are examples of behavior that will not be allowed in the library:
- Any behavior that endangers the safety and health of others
- Violation while in the library of any local, state, or federal law
- Vandalism or deliberate destruction of library materials
- Theft of library materials or the personal property of other patrons or staff members
- Deliberate disruption of library procedures
- Use of abusive language
- Loud talking or laughing that disturbs or could disturb other patrons
- Smoking, eating or drinking
- Use of electronic or other devices, such as radios, pagers, or cell phones, that may disturb other patrons
Children
Library Services hold minors to the same standard of behavior as adult patrons. Library Services staff members will ask the parents or guardians of disruptive minors to leave with the minors if the parents or guardians are unable to control their children.
Library Services holds the parents or legal guardians of a minor responsible for the actions of the minor.
Children under the age of 14 left unattended in the Library raise concerns of safety, liability and responsibility, and motivate the library to address this potentially serious problem. Library Services requires that parents or guardians not leave children under the age of 14 unattended in the library. When a Library Services staff member finds a child under the age of 14 unattended in the library, the staff member will contact campus security.
Destruction of Library Materials or Property
Destruction of library material can include ripping out pages from books or magazines, defacing the pages or covers of books or magazines, or the damaging of video or audiocassettes. Library Services will charge patrons found damaging materials for their repair or replacement as set forth in the circulation guidelines.
Destruction of College property encompasses defacing walls, writing or carving on tables, chairs, or other furniture, abusing computer hardware, or tearing or otherwise damaging library property.
Library Services staff members will immediately call campus security when a patron is found damaging College property. A Security report will be completed by the staff member on duty and forwarded to Security. The Director of Library Services will receive a copy of this report.
Theft of Library Materials or Property
Theft of library material includes deliberately leaving the library with books and magazines without checking them out at the Circulation Desk. Library Services staff members will immediately call campus security when a patron is found stealing College property. A Security report will be completed by the staff member on duty and forwarded to Security. The Director of Library Services will receive a copy of this report.