Library Users Code of Conduct

The Jane Bancroft Cook Library is the center of research, learning and scholarship for the New College and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee communities. The Library is a safe and smokefree/substance-free environment that fosters interaction among students, faculty, librarians, staff, information resources and services. The following policy has been established to help achieve that purpose. Cook Library policies are guided by the American Library Association Code of Ethics.

Policy

1. Food is permitted in the Library; we recommend that drinks be in spill-proof containers, because individuals are responsible for any damage. Food and drink are not permitted while using Archival or Special Collection materials, and other designated materials.
2. Smoking and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes, and e-pipes) are prohibited in the Library, as well as the outside portico areas.
3. Cell phones should be silenced. Except in areas designated for collaboration, conversation and any other noise should be held to a minimum, in the Library as well as the outside portico areas.
4. Service animals are the only animals allowed in the building. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities; emotional support animals and comfort animals are not service animals (see Revised ADA Requirements: Service Animals).
5. Library resources, equipment and space are intended for nonprofit educational use. Other uses are expressly forbidden without permission of the Dean.
6. Children age 16 and under who are not enrolled in New College and/or USF programs or activities must be chaperoned by a parent or guardian.
7. All New College and USF Sarasota-Manatee policies and regulations apply to the Library.
8. No solicitation of any kind is permitted in the Library.
9. Any flyers or other marketing materials must be approved by the Dean prior to display in the Library.
10. Bicycles and other vehicles, other than wheelchairs and other assistive devices are not permitted in the Library.
11. Observe Copyright and Fair Use restrictions. (See the Association of College and Research Libraries Code of Best Practice in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries).
12. Violations of the Library Users Code of Conduct may lead to disciplinary action according to the New College Student Code of Conduct, the USF Sarasota-Manatee Student Code of Conduct, and relevant policies and laws.

Anyone engaged in disruptive behavior will be asked to stop the behavior or leave the building and the adjacent portico area. Continued disruptive behavior may result in disciplinary action, banning from the library and/or campus, and/or arrest and by Campus Police and criminal prosecution.