Public Use of Library Facilities Policy

The mission of the Wichita State University Libraries is to make available information resources necessary for teaching and research and to provide services that enable students, faculty, and staff to use those resources.

In the pursuit of this mission, we:

• Create a welcoming place for study, research, and lifelong learning for the whole campus community
• Protect and preserve collections, regardless of format
• Support the University's service mission by providing community access to the Libraries' resources

Library users are expected to:

• Treat other users and staff with courtesy and respect
• Refrain from disturbing others with loud, disruptive, or threatening behavior
• Treat materials and facilities with care, and refrain from activities that will cause harm or damage
• Be aware of and follow all policies and procedures

The following rules have been established to help ensure a conducive environment for study and research. Library users who violate these rules may lose their privilege to use the University Libraries and may be subject to University-imposed discipline, and/or be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.

ANIMALS

With the exception of assistance animals, animals are not permitted in any University library facility.

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

Criminal behavior will result in the immediate notification of law enforcement authorities. Examples of illegal behavior:

• Assault and other crimes against persons, including verbal threats, as detailed in K.S.A. 21-3401-22 and K.S.A 21-4101
• Disorderly conduct including brawling or fighting (K.S.A. 21-4101)
• Theft of personal property or of the University Libraries collections or equipment (K.S.A 21-3701, K.S.A. 21-3702)
• Vandalism including defacing or mutilation of the Libraries' buildings, collections, or equipment (K.S.A. 21-3702(4), K.S.A. 21-3720)

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

The University Libraries does not permit disorderly conduct (see Criminal Behavior) or other behavior on its premises that is disruptive to others and incompatible with its mission or the WSU Student Code of Conduct. Specific examples of disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• Creating noise that disturbs others, including loud talking, using radios, or using other sound generating devices without headphones that prevent sound leaks
• Using cell phones to initiate or receive calls in designated quiet areas
  
• Hostile or rowdy behavior such as fighting, threatening, intimidating, stalking, harassing, or abusing library users or staff with words or actions
• Running, excessive movement of chairs or other furniture, throwing items, or other unwarranted movement that disrupts or could possibly injure self or others
• Hiding or deliberately misshelving books to prevent their use by others
• Bringing weapons or explosive materials, simulated or real, into any library facility
• Engaging in sexual harassment or overt sexual behavior
• Exhibiting signs of substance abuse, including drunkenness
• Bringing any excessive amount of personal property, including, but not limited to, bicycles, shopping carts, or bedding into any library facility
• Using skateboards, skates, scooters, etc. within any library facility
• Entering areas of the library marked “Library Staff Only” without permission
• Selling goods or services, or soliciting donations of any kind
• Passing petitions, unauthorized surveys, pamphlets, or other materials directly to library users while in any library facility
• Posing a sanitary, health, or safety risk to self or others, including offensive body odor

FOOD AND DRINK

Spills and food residue can damage expensive library materials and equipment. To avoid damage to library resources, only cold food items (such as those purchased at the Book n Bean) and drinks with spill-proof lids may be brought into Ablah Library. Hot food items (e.g. pizza, fried chicken) and drinks without spill-proof lids are prohibited. No food or drink are permitted in the Music or Chemistry Libraries. Library clients are asked to dispose of all trash in the trash receptacles located throughout the building.

PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOTAPING, OR AUDIOTAPING

University Libraries reserves the right to limit the use of photographic, videotaping, or audiotaping equipment within the facilities. Persons wishing to photograph, conduct videotaping, or audiotaping within the libraries should contact the Dean's Office for permission before proceeding with the activity. Any supervisor may temporarily suspend, pending review by the Dean's Office, such activity if the activity is perceived as being disruptive or encroaching upon the privacy of individuals.

UNATTENDED MINORS

The University Libraries provides an adult, unsupervised environment and is not responsible for the safety of minors left unattended in the libraries.

A parent or guardian must accompany and supervise any child under the age of fourteen. Parents or guardians may authorize an adult eighteen or older to serve as their substitute. Parents, guardians, or other responsible adults are responsible for the conduct of minors under their care while on the Libraries’ premises. They must provide reasonable supervision and assure that the minors under their care abide by the Libraries’ public user policy. Children must stay within sight of the accompanying adult.

Children under the age of fourteen who enter the library without adult supervision will be required to leave the Library. The Campus Police will be contacted for assistance when an unattended child is very young (e.g., under 10).

Exceptions to the parent/guardian accompaniment will be made for children participating in University-sponsored activities scheduled to occur in the Libraries.

Approved October 1, 2003

Amended August 17, 2006