Policy on Conduct and Acceptable Use
Mission Statement
The University Of Connecticut School Of Law Library supports the educational, research, instructional and technological needs of the School of Law faculty, students and staff by providing:
o an exceptional collection of information resources;
o innovative services for faculty and students;
o a variety of spaces conducive to the needs of a diverse campus population.
Who we serve
The Law Library’s collections and services are designed to primarily meet the needs of the faculty, students, staff and others officially connected to the School of Law.
In addition, the Law Library strives to meet the needs of other University of Connecticut faculty, students and staff. The Law Library is also available to attorneys and members of the general public who have a legitimate need to use the Law Library’s collections.
Users of the Law Library expect:
o An environment free of disruptive activity
o Ready access to print and online materials
o Access to microform collections
o Printed materials free from markings and without missing pages
o Surroundings conducive to research, reading and study
In order to meet these goals and to provide equitable service to all legitimate library users, the Library has established policies related to conduct and acceptable use. Any patron who fails to follow these policies is subject to sanctions including:
o Removal from the Library premises
o Reporting to police or other law enforcement
o Legal prosecution
Code of Conduct
The Law Library, as part of the University Of Connecticut, expects our law school patrons to abide by the Law School’s Code of Conduct as well as the University Of Connecticut Code Of Conduct and the Student Code of Conduct.
Access
The Law Library is open to law faculty, students and staff. In addition, attorneys and the general public may use the library for the purpose of conducting legal research.
Children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian.
Exception: To accommodate the legal use of Federal Depository materials in the Law School Library, any unaccompanied child under the age of 16, who self-identifies the need to access Federal depository materials for research will receive mediated searching assistance from library staff to identify and make available this material. Depending on the time of the request, the mediated searching will take place in one of two ways:
o During reference hours, the child will be directed to the Reference Desk to receive reference assistance from a Reference Librarian.
o During all other hours, the child will receive mediated searching assistance from the Circulation desk staff. Any questions that cannot be answered by Circulation Desk staff will be referred to the Reference Department who will respond to the request for assistance by phone or email within one to two business days.
Unacceptable Conduct
In order to meet the needs of our patrons, we ask that all library staff and patrons work to create an appropriate atmosphere. In keeping with its goals, the Library prohibits the following conduct and behaviors as well as behaviors and activities not listed, which are prohibited by law or University policy.
Library materials:
o Removing or attempting to remove Library materials, equipment, or property without authorization.
o Failing to return Library materials when due or recalled.
o Concealing materials in the Library for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
o Mutilating, defacing, or otherwise damaging library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages or portions of pages, removing theft detection devices, or using post-it notes or paper clips on library-owned items.
o Failing to allow the search of possessions when security gate alarm sounds upon exiting.
o Failing to adhere to copyright laws when copying library materials.
o Using library equipment to engage in activities not directly related to legal research.
Personal Conduct
o Creating noise that disturbs others, including, but not limited to: excessive talking and noise bleed from electronic equipment such as earphones.
o Consuming food in the public areas of the library.
o Using any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or smokeless tobacco in the library.
o Placing or receiving calls on cellular phones in quiet study areas.
o Soliciting or loitering in or around the library building.
o Sleeping in the library. This does not include the occasional study-induced nap.
o Having bodily hygiene so offensive as to cause a nuisance to others.
Disruptive or Illegal Behavior
o Bringing animals other than working guide/assistance dogs into the building.
o Being in unauthorized areas of the Library
o Remaining in the Library after closing or during emergency drills or evacuations.
o Opening emergency exits except in emergency situations.
o Vandalizing or defacing the Library building, furniture, or equipment, or engaging in behavior that could do so.
o Exhibiting disorderly conduct while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances.
o Creating a disturbance or an environment in which others feel threatened.
o Making continual, harassing, unrealistic demands of library staff for any reason, including seeking inappropriate types of assistance with legal research or legal questions.
o Engaging in behavior that disrupts the activities or safety of others, such as physical abuse or assault, and using abusive, insulting, intimidating, or threatening language.
o Carrying weapons of any kind unless authorized by law.
o Moving library furnishings to inappropriate locations.
o Accessing, altering, or damaging any computer system, workstation, network, program, or data without authorization from IT or Library staff.
o Engaging in improper acts which are subject to prosecution under the code of law.
o Failing to abide by established policies and procedures of the Library as it strives to provide service to all patrons.
These guidelines for unacceptable conduct are derived from current University policy, legal considerations, and standards of decency and common sense that apply to the use of shared resources.
