The DePaul University Library Code of Conduct has been established to maintain an environment conducive to teaching, learning, research and study. Library users are expected to act responsibly and courteously in order to preserve the Library's equipment, facilities, and collections.
All Library staff are authorized to enforce this policy. Failure to comply with this policy or with Library staff directions may be reported to Public Safety, the Dean of Students and/or to city, state or federal law enforcement, as appropriate. Also see
Compliance below.
The DePaul University Library has established standards in the following areas in accordance with the Library’s mission and broader policies and regulations enforced by DePaul University.
The DePaul University Library reserves the right to suspend one or more provisions of this policy for special events hosted by the library and/or the University.
Access to Library Facilities
See the
Access to Library Facilities policy.
Animals
The DePaul University Library recognizes the importance of service animals in assisting people with disabilities and service animals are welcome in library facilities. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities, as defined by the American with Disabilities Act.
Other animals, including emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals, are not permitted in the DePaul University Library. See
Service Animals and Assistance Animals on Campus for more information.
Disruptive Behavior
The DePaul University Library provides an environment conducive to teaching, learning, study, and research, as well as a safe and secure environment, for the faculty, staff, and students of the University, as well as to visitors to the University and to members of the general public. Disruptive behavior is detrimental to that environment, and may pose a threat to the safety of library users or staff.
For the purposes of this policy, "disruptive behavior" is understood to include, but is not limited to:
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arguing, fighting, and/or any activity that creates excessive noise or commotion;
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abusing, threatening, or intimidating library users or staff through language or actions;
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engaging in sexual harassment or overt sexual behavior in any library facility;
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displaying overt signs of substance use, including drunkenness;
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using musical instruments;
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using electronic devices that create excessive noise or in any other way disrupt the work of library users or staff;
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using electronic or other devices to make a photographic, audio, digital, or film recording of any person without their prior knowledge or consent;
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using bicycles, skateboards, or other non-medically-related wheeled vehicles in any library facility;
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entering areas of the library marked as "Staff Only";
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refusing to follow reasonable directives, either verbal or written, issued by library staff, or obstructing library staff from the carrying out of their assigned duties or responsibilities;
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refusing to leave a library facility at closing time, or as directed by library staff or by members of Public Safety;
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and refusing to identify oneself to library staff, when requested, or to members of the Public Safety.
Use of Electrical Outlets
The DePaul University Library provides access to electrical outlets in order to power approved devices, including laptop computers, devices loaned to users by the Library, and other mobile devices. The following guidelines apply:
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Outlets 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.
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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.
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Do not unplug library equipment in order to access an outlet for personal use.
Use of Electronic Resources
The DePaul University Library provides access to freely-available and licensed electronic resources to the faculty, staff, and students of the University, as well as to visitors to the University and to members of the general public, in order to promote the use of library resources and to support teaching, learning, research, and study at DePaul University.
The use of these electronic resources is governed by DePaul University policies including, but not limited to:
Furthermore, the use of licensed electronic resources for which access is provided by the University to library users may be governed by additional standards and restrictions, as mandated by the contract between the University and its information service providers. All users of the DePaul University Library are required to adhere to any access and use restrictions on licensed electronic resources agreed to by the University as a condition of accepting the license to access those resources.
Filming and Photography
See the
Photography, Filming, and Audio Recording policy.
Firearms, Weapons, Explosives, and Fireworks
Possession of firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives, and fireworks is prohibited in all DePaul University facilities, including the DePaul University Library.
Food and Drink
See the
Food and Drink policy.
Hate, Bias, and Discrimination
The DePaul University Library condemns hate, violence, exclusion, and/or discrimination of any kind including racism, xenophobia, sexism, able-ism, classism, homophobia, trans-phobia, and religious intolerance. We embrace a community of members that are diverse; with many intersectionalities, and strive to respect, learn from, and celebrate those differences.
Mobile Devices
The DePaul University Library provides an environment conducive to teaching, learning, study, and research for the faculty, staff, and students of the University, as well as to visitors to the University and to members of the general public. Although cell phones and other mobile devices are an important part of the learning environment, as well as an official means of emergency communication between the University and its faculty, staff, and students, their use may be detrimental to that environment.
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. Headphones are required for listening to music, attending classes or other uses of technology that require audio. Headphones are available for checkout at the Access Services desk.
The Library provides
reservable solo booths for private phone and video calls.
Noise
See the
Noise policy.
Personal Belongings
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. Library staff cannot be responsible for monitoring personal belongings. Laptop lockers with outlets for charging are available on the first floor of the John T. Richardson Library. You can check out the key at the Access Services Desk. In the Loop Library, there is a locking charging station for small devices near the Research Help Desk.
Personal property or items may not take up an excessive amount of space. Patrons are not allowed to bring bedding into any library facility.
The DePaul University Library is not responsible for the security of personal belongings brought into library facilities. The Library strongly encourages its users to take every precaution to ensure the safety of personal belongings, and to remain alert to their immediate surroundings.
Sales and Solicitation
The use of any space in library facilities for any commercial purpose, including, but not limited to, soliciting goods, services, or donations, is prohibited, unless approved by the DePaul University Library.
The use of any space in library facilities for petitioning, conducting surveys, or direct distribution of non-library materials to library users or staff is prohibited, unless approved by the DePaul University Library.
Vandalism and Damage to University Property
The DePaul University Library prohibits any behavior that damages library equipment, facilities, or collections. Article 16B of the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/Art. 16B) ("Protection of Library Materials") provides penalties for theft of, tampering with, defacing, or unauthorized possession of library materials. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:
- defacing library equipment, facilities, or collections
- deliberate misuse of library equipment, facilities, or collections.
Smoking, Vaping and Use of Drugs or Tobacco Products
Smoking is prohibited in all DePaul University facilities, including the DePaul University Library.
In accordance with the
DePaul University Policy on Smoking on University Premises, smoking is prohibited within all university buildings whether using a natural, battery operated, or other device requiring activation. This includes any apparatus that emits smoke, gas, vapor, steam, or mist.
The use of any tobacco product may pose a threat to library equipment, facilities, and collections, and is likewise prohibited.
In accordance with the DePaul University Policy on
Drug-Free Workplace and Legal Drinking Age Compliance, the use and possession of cannabis is prohibited. In addition, unlawful possession, use, distribution, sale, or manufacture of any controlled substances prohibited by State law, federal law, or other applicable law is prohibited on any premises owned or controlled by DePaul University, including the DePaul University Library.
Signage (Posting and Distribution)
In accordance with the DePaul University Policy on the Display of Materials, all non-library fliers, advertisements, or other materials must be approved for posting and/or distribution in any library facility by the DePaul University Library. Visit the Library Administration office (John T. Richardson Library, 116; enter from Kelly Hall) or the Access Services Desk in the Loop Library during business hours to request approval.
Use of Staff Telephones and Workstations
The DePaul University Library provides public workstations for its users. Library users may not make use of telephones, workstations, or other resources reserved for the use of library staff.
Unattended Children
The DePaul University Library may assume no responsibility for the safety of children left unattended in any library facility. Children under the age of 14 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 contacting parents, the Department of Public Safety, and/or the Chicago Police Department.
Compliance
Reporting Violations of this Policy
Violations of this Policy may be reported to any member of the library staff or to Public Safety.
Disciplinary Procedures
All library staff are authorized to enforce this policy. Individuals failing to comply with this Policy may be asked to leave the library.
Failing to comply with this Policy or with library staff directions may be reported to Public Safety, the Dean of Students and/or to local authorities, as appropriate.
DePaul University faculty, staff, and students found in violation of this policy may be reported to the appropriate university authorities according to the procedures outlined as follows:
Faculty, staff, students, visitors and other members of the public violating this Policy may be reported to Public Safety and/or the Chicago Police Department.
Individuals failing to comply with this Policy may lose their privileges to use the DePaul University Library, be subject to University-imposed discipline, and/or be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.
Contact Information
DePaul University Library Administrative Offices
John T. Richardson Library, Room 116
2350 N. Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 325-7849