Code of conduct

The University of Arizona is a community of scholars and students. One of the requirements of a scholarly community is to be free of disruptive, threatening and illegal behavior. The UA has rules for the conduct of faculty, staff, students and invited guests while on campus, in part to provide an environment conducive to scholarly activity. This code of conduct is in place to help library staff assure the safety of all library users. All patrons using University Libraries facilities are subject to this code of conduct.

This list is not comprehensive and we reserve the right to address perceived negative conduct as necessary.

Violation of any portion of this code, or of any laws, shall subject the offending party to liability for loss or damage, summary suspension or permanent deprivation of the facilities and privileges of the library, or other such disciplinary action.

This code of conduct applies to the following in the University Libraries system:

  • Main Library/Information Commons

  • Special Collections

  • Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library/Information Commons

  • Fine Arts Library/Information Commons

  • Health Sciences Library

Contents

Library users are subject to all applicable laws, as well as Arizona Board of Regents and University of Arizona codes, procedures, processes, and other ordinances, including, but not limited to, the following:

Article I. Behavior

Section 1.01    Disruptive behavior
Section 1.02    Food and drink
Section 1.03    Hygiene
Section 1.04    Quiet spaces
Section 1.05    Sexual offense
Section 1.06    Sexually explicit materials/images
Section 1.07    Sleeping/loitering
Section 1.08    Smoking
Section 1.09    Substance abuse
Section 1.10    Theft
Section 1.11    Threatening behavior
Section 1.12    Unattended belongings
Section 1.13    Videotaping
Section 1.14    Weapons

Article II. Access

Section 2.01    Age
Section 2.02    Animals
Section 2.03    Bicycles and non-pedestrian devices
Section 2.04    Restrooms
Section 2.05    Trespassing
Section 2.06    Unauthorized off-hours access

Article III. Identification usage

Section 3.01    Failure to present ID
Section 3.02    Sharing ID

Article IV. Computer access/use

Section 4.01    Failure to vacate a computer upon staff request
Section 4.02    Misuse of electrical outlets
Section 4.03    Use of Libraries’ licensed electronic resources
Section 4.04    Using University Libraries computers for commercial use
Section 4.05    Violation of the University’s computer use policies

Article V. Library materials & facilities

Section 5.01    Damage
Section 5.02    Distribution of literature
Section 5.03    Facilities
Section 5.04    Posting of signs and banners

Article I. Behavior

Section 1.01 Disruptive behavior

Section 1.02 Food and drink

Leave no trace. The libraries have adapted the following Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics to its food and drink policy:

  • Plan ahead and prepare: When possible, plan to eat your meals before you come to the library. If you do carry in snacks or drinks, try to avoid messy foods that may damage library material and facilities, and bring drinks in appropriate containers.
  • Dispose of waste properly: Make sure to place recyclables in recycling bins and non-recyclable garbage in trash cans.
  • Leave what you find: Leave library resources, furnishings, and equipment as you found them--or in better condition than you found them.
  • Be considerate of other visitors: Respect the next library user and the next generation of library users.

Section 1.03 Hygiene

Section 1.04 Quiet spaces

The following areas are designated quiet study areas: Main Library 4th and 5th Floors; Science-Engineering Library 1st and 5th Floors; Health Sciences Library 3rd Floor.

In these areas, you should:

  • limit conversation
  • speak quietly
  • turn cell phones & beepers to vibrate
  • use cell phones only in elevator lobbies

Signs are posted on each quiet floor. If a customer or group isn't following this rule you may point it out to them. If you are not comfortable doing so, please report it to a library staff person. Be sure to give a specific location and descriptive information about the noisy party. While other areas in the Libraries may not be designated as quiet spaces, customers should still be respectful of others who are trying to use the facility.

Section 1.05 Sexual offense

Section 1.06 Public display of explicit sexual materials on library computers

Section 1.07 Sleeping/loitering

Persons found loitering or sleeping will be asked to leave. 

Section 1.08 Smoking

Section 1.09 Substance abuse

Section 1.10 Theft

Section 1.11 Threatening behavior

Section 1.12 Unattended belongings

Users are solely responsible for their belongings and personal items shall not be left unattended. Any unattended belongings are subject to be taken to the Libraries' Lost & Found.

Section 1.13 Videotaping without permission

For information and permission, contact Kenya Johnson, Director, Marketing Communications & Events at (520) 621-3617, kdjohnson@arizona.edu.

Section 1.14 Weapons

Article II. Access

Section 2.01 Age

Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The only exception is if the minor is making a bona fide use of the government documents collection.

Section 2.02 Animals

Section 2.03 Bicycles and non-pedestrian devices

Do not park your bike in a restricted area, including University buildings.

University of Arizona prohibits electric scooters (except mobility scooters). Electric scooters may not be operated on campus nor brought into campus buildings.

Non-pedestrian devices (except prohibited electric scooters) may be ridden on sidewalks, bike paths, and in any area not restricted by signs or regulations. They may not be ridden in the building. Non-pedestrian devices are: motorized or non-motorized equipment designed to propel or transport people using human power, electricity, or fuel. Examples of non-pedestrian devices include:

a. Roller and inline skates

b. Scooters (electric and non-electric, owned by either an individual or shared-use mobility company)

c. Segway® personal transporters

d. Skateboards

e. Hoverboards (a self-balancing one or two-wheeled board)

UA Policies: Bicycle and non-motorized transportation parking & traffic regulations

Section 2.04 Restrooms

Bathing or other misuse of restrooms is not allowed. 

Section 2.05 Trespassing

Section 2.06 Unauthorized off-hours access

For the safety of our customers and the security of our collections, building access is restricted to current University of Arizona students, faculty and staff after 9 pm. To enter Main or Weaver library after 9 pm you must swipe your CatCard at the door the building. Library staff may also request proof of your status as a current UA student, faculty or staff member.

Article III. Identification Usage

Misuse of any card or account is not allowed.

Section 3.01 Failure to present ID

Section 3.02 Sharing ID

Article IV. Computer Access/Use

As a land grant institution, the University Libraries are strongly committed to providing the community full and open access to their rich collections and information resources. This includes access through our computers. However, as an institution of higher education, current UA students, faculty and staff are our primary customers.

Section 4.01 Failure to vacate a computer upon staff request

Library computers require a valid UA CatCard or library card. Misuse of any card or account is not allowed. The following exceptions are in place:

  1. Main Library public computer area – timed-session computers are available for all users with a computer card.
  2. Non-UA users may be asked to vacate a computer (including those in the public computer area) by a library staff member, either directly or through the computer desktop message system (used by desk employees to send messages directly to all computers), should staff determine that current UA students, faculty or staff are waiting for computer access.
  3. Customers may be asked to vacate computers designated for a particular use or clientele (scanning, GIS software, computers outfitted for use by those with disabilities) if they are not using the machines for the intended purpose and there is a legitimate need from another customer. 

Section 4.02 Misuse of electrical outlets

Customers may use available electrical outlets only if the outlets are not servicing library equipment or being used by maintenance personnel. The library is not responsible for any damage, lost data, etc. resulting from power surges, electrical outages and other such acts.

Section 4.03 Use of Libraries' licensed electronic resources

Section 4.04 Using University Libraries computers for commercial use

Section 4.05 Violation of the University’s computer use policies

Article V. Library materials & facilities

Section 5.01 Damage

Section 5.02 Distribution of literature

Section 5.03 Facilities

Section 5.04 Posting of signs and banners