AUC Libraries Acceptable Behavior Guidelines

The AUC Libraries strive to provide a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for collaborative and individual study that is conducive to scholarly research. To succeed in this mission, the AUC Libraries team and their community of users must observe a relationship of reciprocal rights and responsibilities that allows library users to focus on their work. Most users conduct themselves responsibly and protect the rights of others. It is necessary, however, to define what constitutes an infringement on those rights. All patrons must abide by all University Policies and the Code of Student Conduct.

Some examples of inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Deliberate vandalism or destruction of library property
2. Abuse of library assets, equipment, furniture and materials, such as:
   • Placing feet on tables and chairs
   • Standing on furniture
   • Mishandling equipment or computers
   • Sticking chewing gum to furniture 
3. Mutilating or defacing books or periodicals, including the following:
   • Highlighting text
   • Annotating in pen or pencil
   • Making dog ears on pages
4. Deliberately misplacing library materials within the library to restrict their use by others
5. Moving, reconfiguring, modifying or attaching external devices (other than storage devices, such as flash drives) to any library computer
6. Leaving with library collections without checking them out, as this will trigger an alarm at the security gates 
7. Refusal to leave the library at closing time or during building evacuations or refusal to respond to emergency and security gate alarms as instructed by library staff
8. Refusal to show the University ID upon request of library staff and/or library security
9. Disrespecting the rights of others. Verbal or physical abuse, harassment of library users or library employees or other actions that interfere with the use of the libraries are prohibited
10. Loud or disorderly conduct
11. Leaving phones to ring or talking on mobile phones, except in the foyer and enclosed stairwells, where users may make brief and quiet calls
12. Sleeping for extended periods of time
13. Leaving personal belongings unattended at any time. The library is not responsible for any lost or stolen items
14. Consuming smelly or messy food and drinks in any library space. Single-serving, dry snacks and covered beverages are the only food categories permitted in the library
15. Leaving trash within the library

For the comfort and safety of users and the protection of library property, staff have the authority to uphold these guidelines and expect cooperation from all users. Users engaging in disruptive behavior will be warned and, if the behavior continues, they may be asked to leave the library.