Patron Conduct Policy – General Information

The University Library provides its users, including faculty, staff, students, visitors, and community members, with an environment conducive to teaching, learning, research, study, and to the conduct of University business. Library users are expected to act responsibly, appropriately, and courteously in order to preserve the Library’s environment, facilities, and collections.

The Library has established policies in the following areas in accordance with the Library mission and broader policies and regulations enforced on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus:

Possession of Weapons
Smoking and the Use of Tobacco Products
Animals
Food and Drink
Disruptive Behavior
Vandalism and Damage to University Property
Use of Bicycle and Laptop Locks
Use of Electrical Outlets
Use of Staff Telephones and Workstations
Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices
Reporting Criminal Behavior
Unattended Children

Persons who violate any of these policies, or any other University policies, may lose their privileges to use the Library, be subject to University-imposed discipline, and/or be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.

Finally, please remember that the possible theft of personal property is an unfortunate feature of the Library environment. The Library is not responsible for the security of personal belongings brought into Library facilities. The Library encourages its users to take every precaution to ensure the safety of personal belongings, and to remain alert to their immediate surroundings. With the exception of the Main Stacks entry lockers, the Library has no facilities to store the personal property of its users, and may take no responsibility for theft, damage, or loss of personal property.

The Library reserves the right to temporarily suspend these policies, as appropriate, in order to accommodate meetings, receptions, and other events sponsored by the Library or the University.

Possession of Weapons

Possession of weapons is prohibited in all facilities of the Urbana-Champaign campus, including all Library facilities, except as outlined in the campus policy on possession of weapons.

Smoking and the Use of Tobacco Products

Smoking of any material is prohibited by the campus smoking policy in all U of I facilities as noted in the campus smoking policy, including all Library facilities. The use of any tobacco product may pose a threat to Library collections, and is likewise prohibited.

Animals

Animals are prohibited in all Library facilities, except as outlined in the campus policy for pets and animals.

Food and Drink

The introduction of food and drink to Library facilities may pose a threat to Library collections. Food is prohibited from Library facilities, except in designated areas (e.g., staff lounges, retail service areas). Non-alcoholic drinks may be allowed in Library facilities in spill-proof, covered, plastic, or metal containers. Individual Library units may impose stricter policies on food and drink in order to protect unique collections or in order to adhere to the policies governing the buildings where they are housed.

Disruptive Behavior

The Library is committed to providing an environment conducive to teaching, learning, study, and research, and to providing a safe and secure environment for its users and its staff. Disruptive behavior is detrimental to that environment, and may pose a threat to the safety of Library users and staff. For the purpose of this policy, “disruptive behavior” is understood to include, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:

Arguing, fighting, and/or any activity that creates excessive noise or commotion detrimental to the work of Library users
Abusing, threatening, or intimidating Library users or staff through language or action
Engaging in sexual harassment or overt sexual behavior in any Library facility
Bringing weapons (real or simulated) into any Library facility
Displaying overt signs of substance abuse, including drunkenness
Use of musical instruments in any Library facility
Use of audio device or other electronic device that creates excessive noise or in any other way disrupts the work of Library users
Use of bicycles, skateboards, or other manually-propelled wheeled vehicles in any Library facility, except as outlined in the campus policy on use of in-line skates, roller skates, and skateboards
Bringing bedding into any Library facility
Entering areas of the Library marked as “Staff Only”
Refusing to leave a Library facility at closing time, or as directed by Library staff
Refusing to identify yourself to Library staff, when requested
Soliciting goods, services, or donations
Petitioning, conducting unauthorized surveys, or direct distribution of non-Library materials to Library users or staff

Library staff will take appropriate action to remedy disruptive behavior, including, if necessary, notifying the University of Illinois Police.

Vandalism and Damage to University Property

Any behavior that damages Library equipment, facilities, or collections is prohibited. The protection of Library materials is provided for by Article 16B of the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/Art. 16B) “Protection of Library Materials.” State statutes and University regulations provide penalties for theft of, tampering with, defacing, or unauthorized possession of municipal, state, University, or Library property, or the private property of members of the University community and public. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:

Defacing Library equipment, facilities, or collections
Deliberate misuse of Library equipment, facilities, or collections

Use of Bicycle and Laptop Locks

Bicycles should be parked in designated bicycle racks, and should not be secured to, or parked in, buildings, building entrances, steps, stairs, ramps, or walls.

Laptop computers may be secured using laptop locks for short periods of time while patrons are in the building (e.g., while retrieving materials from the Library collections or requesting assistance from a Library staff member). Laptops should not be secured in any fashion that constitutes a personal hazard or that obstructs the use of identified emergency exits and/or fire doors. Laptops should not be secured to windows.

Bicycles, laptops, and other personal items secured inappropriately to Library furniture or facilities may be removed by Library or University staff.

Use of Electrical Outlets

Electrical outlets provided in Library public service spaces, including study carrels, may be used to power approved devices, including laptop computers, devices loaned to users by the Library, and other mobile devices. They may not be used for powering small appliances, e.g., coffee pots, or any other electrical device that may pose a hazard to Library equipment, facilities, and collections, e.g., space heaters. Electrical cords and power strips attached to approved devices may not be draped across aisles, or arranged in any fashion that constitutes a personal hazard or that obstructs the use of identified emergency exits and/or fire doors. Library patrons may not unplug Library equipment, e.g., copiers, workstations, or other peripherals, in order to access an outlet for personal use.

Use of Staff Telephones and Workstations

Library users may not make use of telephones, workstations, or other resources reserved for the use of Library staff.

Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices

The Library is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to teaching, learning, research, and study. Recognizing that cell phones and other mobile devices are an important part of the learning environment–and an official means of emergency communication between the University and its faculty, staff, and students–Library users are reminded to be courteous of others in their use of cell phones and mobile devices, and to set cell phones and mobile devices to “vibrate” or “silent” modes while in Library facilities.

Reporting Criminal Behavior

The Library will notify the University of Illinois Police of any criminal activity conducted in any Library facility or any activity that makes unauthorized or inappropriate use of Library equipment, facilities, collections, or network resources. Among the areas in which the Library will be particularly vigilant and pursue legal action, as appropriate, are:

Theft of Library equipment or collections;
Vandalism of Library equipment, facilities, or collections;
Deliberate misuse of Library equipment, facilities, or collections;
Exhibitionism, sexual harassment, and/or overt sexual behavior;
Intimidation, including verbal threats, of Library users or staff,
Assault and battery,
Emails, IMs, or other electronically communicated threats to the safety of people on campus or to campus facilities.

Unattended Children

The safety of children in libraries is of paramount concern. Library staff cannot assume responsibility for children. The Library assumes no responsibility for the safety of children left unattended in any Library facility. Children under the age of 11 may not be left unattended by parents or guardians for any period of time. Library staff will take appropriate action upon discovering unattended children, including, but not limited to: