The DePaul University Library provides its users, including faculty, staff, students, visitors, and community members, with an environment conducive to teaching, learning, research, study, and to the conduct of University business. Library users are expected to act responsibly, appropriately, and courteously in order to preserve the Library's distinctive environment, facilities, and collections. This Policy establishes standards for patron conduct while using the physical facilities and electronic resources provided through the DePaul University Library.
The DePaul University Library has established standards in the following areas in accordance with the library mission and broader policies and regulations enforced by DePaul University:
- Access to Library Facilities
- Use of Electronic Resources
- Disruptive Behavior
- Firearms, Weapons, Explosives, and Fireworks
- Animals
- Vandalism and Damage to University Property
- Smoking and the Use of Tobacco Products
- Food and Drink
- Sales and Solicitation
- Sign Posting
- Photography and Filming
- Use of Electrical Outlets
- Use of Staff Telephones and Workstations
- Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices
- Unattended Children
Anyone found to be in violation of any of these policies, or any other policies of DePaul University, may lose their privileges to use the DePaul University Library, may be subject to University-imposed discipline, and/or may be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.
The DePaul University Library is not responsible for the security of personal belongings brought into library facilities. The library encourages its users to take every precaution to ensure the safety of personal belongings, and to remain alert to their immediate surroundings. With the exception of limited facilities provided in the Richardson Library Information Commons, 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.
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
The DePaul University Library provides access to its facilities 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.
In accordance with the DePaul University Policy on Access to University Buildings, and in order to promote a safe and secure environment for its users, the library reserves the right to limit access to its facilities, as appropriate.
In accordance with the DePaul University Library Policy on Access to Library Facilities, access to library facilities is limited between the hours of 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. to DePaul University students, staff, and faculty holding a valid DePaul ID card.
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: Acceptable Use Policy/Network Security; Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Response; Information Security Policy; Legal Hold and Record Preservation.
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.
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:
- arguing, fighting, and/or any activity that creates excessive noise or commotion detrimental to the work of library users or staff;
- abusing, threatening, or intimidating library users or staff through language or action;
- engaging in sexual harassment or overt sexual behavior in any library facility;
- displaying overt signs of substance abuse, including drunkenness;
- using musical instruments in non-designated areas;
- using audio devices or other electronic devices that create excessive noise or in any other way disrupt the work of library users or staff;
- using electronic or other devices to make a photographic, audio, digital, or film recording of any person without his/her prior knowledge or his/her effective consent;
- using bicycles, skateboards, or other non-medically-related wheeled vehicles in any library facility;
- bringing bedding into any library facility;
- entering areas of the library marked as "Staff Only";
- 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;
- refusing to leave a library facility at closing time, or as directed by library staff or by members of the Department of Public Safety;
- and refusing to identify oneself to library staff, when requested, or to members of the Department of Public Safety.
Library staff will take appropriate action to remedy disruptive behavior, including, if necessary, notifying the Department of Public Safety and/or the Chicago Police Department.
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.
Animals
With the exception of service animals, animals are prohibited in all DePaul University facilities, including 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: (1) defacing library equipment, facilities, or collections; and (2) deliberate misuse of library equipment, facilities, or collections.
Smoking and Use of 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 collections, and is likewise prohibited.
Food and Drink
The introduction of food and drink into library facilities may pose a threat to library collections or to information technology housed in the library, and may have a detrimental impact on the library environment conducive to teaching, learning, study, and research promoted in the library.
In order to limit the potential damage caused by the introduction of food and drink into library facilities, the DePaul University Library has an established policy regarding the consumption of food and drink, the DePaul University Library Food and Drink Policy.
In accordance with the DePaul University Policy on the Drug-Free Workplace and Legal Drinking Age Compliance, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages within the library are prohibited, excepting of-age guests at approved library or University events.
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.
Sign Posting
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 in any library facility by the DePaul University Library.
Filming in the Library
View
policy page.
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. 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. 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. Users of the DePaul University Library may not unplug library equipment in order to access an outlet for personal use.
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.
Cell Phones and Other 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.
Unattended Children
The safety of children in libraries is of paramount concern. Library staff may not assume responsibility for 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 11 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.
Procedures
Reporting Violations of this Policy
Violations of this Policy may be reported to any member of the library staff.
Disciplinary Procedures
Individuals failing to comply with this Policy may be asked to leave the library.
Individuals
Failing to comply with this Policy or with library staff directions may be reported to the Public Safety Department and/or to local authorities, as appropriate.
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