PATRON CONDUCT – GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

To maintain a safe and welcoming environment for reading, learning, and other activities, the Division of Library and Archives requires patrons of any location to comply with the following General Rules and Regulations. Visitors must also comply with all SRSU policies.

Prohibited Conduct:

Patrons and visitors may not engage in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operations of the Library and Archives, its staff, or its use by other visitors. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to:

• Harassing or threatening behavior.
• Soliciting, petitioning, or canvassing.
• Selling or advertising any goods or services.
• Using obscene or abusive language or gestures.
• Making unreasonable noise, including loud talking on a cell phone or otherwise.
• Engaging in sexual conduct or lewd behavior.
• Possessing a knife, gun, or any other weapon in violation of University ordinance.
• Smoking, including electronic cigarettes.
• Using alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Bringing in an animal, unless it is assisting a person with a disability.
• Damaging, defacing, or misusing any Library materials or property. This includes disabling Library equipment, changing the hardware or software or settings on a Library computer, or using a Library computer for a purpose other than that designated by the Library.
• Engaging in any activity in violation of federal, state, or local law or University or Division policies.

For the safety and security of our users, excessive sleeping and camping is prohibited. This includes:

• Sleeping for an extended period (longer than 30 minutes) on a chair, couch, bench, floor or other surface. If library staff find patrons sleeping in this way, we will verbally wake the patron and ask them not to sleep in the building. This protects the patron from theft of their personal property while they are sleeping in a public space, and it also allows library staff to ensure that the sleeping patron is physically well and not in need of medical assistance. Library staff will NOT disturb students who are taking short naps or studying while lying down unless those behaviors disrupt other users or interfere with the operations of the library or its staff.
• Excessive use of seating or space that interferes with priority usage for students, faculty, or staff. This includes stacking furniture or books to create private study areas.
• Using the bathrooms for bathing, showering, or for more than casual grooming.
• Use of bedrolls, blankets, and other such covering; carrying on cooking activities; and other behavior that amounts to using the seating or space as a temporary shelter or living quarters.

Please also be aware that:

• The Library and Archives is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged on the premises.
• Library and Archives staff reserve the right to inspect bags or other personal property when visitors enter or leave the premises.
• Clothing and shoes must be worn.
• Some items in the Library and Archives cannot be duplicated because of copyright laws, poor conditions, or donor restrictions.
• The Library and Archives is not responsible for children who are left unattended on the premises.
• Photography and recording are not allowed on the premises without prior permission.
• Certain rooms and other spaces may have additional restrictions.
• Patrons and visitors may ask staff for reasonable accommodations.

Patrons and visitors who do not follow the General Rules and Regulations may be asked to leave and may lose their privileges. Patrons and visitors who violate SRSU policy may also be subject to arrest or other legal action.