FSU Ort Library Guidelines: Codes of Conduct

Link to FSU's Policy Statements for Students, Faculty, and Staff

These policies were developed with the following goals in mind:

• To promote recycling of appropriate food and drink packaging.
• To preserve our library collections and protect our facility from pests and harmful molds.
• To help to ensure the health and safety of all library users and a long life for library collections, furnishings, and equipment.
• To respect our hard-working custodial staff by taking responsibility for our personal behavior.
• To allow us to direct library funds to purchasing library materials that support the curriculum, rather than to replacing resources, furnishings, and equipment damaged by food and drink.

Users need to partner with Library staff to assure that Ort Library remains clean and well maintained for everyone.

Library users are expected to follow this code of Library behavior.

FOOD & DRINK POLICY

Food deliveries (e.g. pizza and/or Chinese food) are prohibited. Open plates of food and take-out foods are prohibited. Small snacks such as granola bars, pretzels, apples, and chips are permitted. 

Beverages in closed containers (cups with lids, cans or bottles with narrow openings, squeeze bottles, etc.) are permitted. Cups or glasses with wide mouths are not permitted.

Food of any kind is not permitted in the following areas:

• Special collections and archives (4^th Floor)
• Library Instruction Center (3^rd Floor)
• Computer workstations (2^nd and 3^rd Floors)
• Microfilm and microfiche machines (2^nd Floor)
• Preview room and listening booths (2^nd Floor)

REPORT ALL SPILLS! If you spill something, please report it to a service desk (Circulation, Reference or Media) so we can help you clean it up and provide paper towels, etc. We will not blame you, and in fact, will thank you for telling us about it!

Library personnel reserve the right to ask individuals to remove food or drink from the library.

Library personnel reserve the right to determine a food's status and a beverage container’s permissibility.

Please use recycling receptacles when appropriate and dispose of all garbage promptly.

NOISE POLICY

The Library’s noise policy is determined by location. Library users are encouraged to report disturbances to members of the Library staff who will address noise violations. Signs are posted on each floor designating areas for silent, quiet or group study.

Silent Study (4^th Floor):

• No talking above a whisper anywhere on the floor.
• No extended conversations, even at a whisper.
• No other noise sources are permitted (e.g. sounds from speakers, cellphones or emitting from headphones).

Quiet Study (2^nd and 3^rd Floor):

• Talking, studying and working as a group at a hushed and non-disruptive volume is permitted.
• Extended conversations and cell phone calls at an appropriate volume are permitted.
• No other noise sources are permitted (e.g. sounds from speakers or emitting from headphones).

Group Study (5^th Floor, Group Study Rooms on 2^nd Floor):

• Out-loud and extended study, conversations, group work is permitted
• Cell phone use is permitted.
• No other noise sources are permitted (e.g. sounds from speakers or emitting from headphones).

ADDITIONAL POLICIES

THEFT

Removing or attempting to remove Library materials, equipment, or other property without proper checkout or other official Library authorization is prohibited.

Theft of the property of other patrons and/or Library employees is unlawful.

Witnesses to crimes in the Library should notify a Library employee immediately.

Library patrons are responsible for their personal property. Do not leave belongings unattended. 

SECURITY

The Library has an electronic security system to safeguard materials and to assure that they have been properly checked out. Patrons leaving the Library should return to the Circulation Desk immediately if the alarm at the exit sounds. 

OTHER

Being in an unauthorized area of the Library, remaining in the Library after closing or refusing to leave during emergency alarm situations is prohibited.