Library Policy: Library Conduct

General Library Conduct

Patrons of the Georgia Highlands College Libraries have the right to expect:

• A library environment free of disruptive activity.
• Access to library materials.
• Newspapers, journals, documents, and books that are complete and unmarked.

Ensuring a pleasant and productive environment for study and research for all patrons requires that each user of the Libraries follows the Georgia Highlands College Library Conduct Policy and refrain from the following activities listed below:

• Removing or attempting to remove library materials or property without checking them out or without proper authorization.
• Use of any tobacco product.
• Mutilating library materials by marking, underlining, or removing pages or portions of pages; removing binding, or electronic theft detection devices; damaging or defacing library materials or property in any way.
• Concealing library materials in the Libraries for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
• Failing to return materials following the expiration of the loan period and/or on request for return of materials by the Libraries.
• Failing to pay Georgia Highlands College the value of lost or damaged library materials.
• Creating a disturbance (see Electronic Devices) or behaving in a manner which interferes with normal use of the Libraries (including, but not limited to rowdiness, noise, loitering, and offensive sexual behavior).
• Harassing library staff or patrons.
• Being in an unauthorized area of the Libraries; remaining in the Libraries after closing or when requested to leave during emergency situations or drills.

Persons who commit or attempt to commit offenses enumerated in the Georgia Highlands College Student Handbook, issued by the Office of Student Life, or in the Library Conduct Policy whether a member of the College Community or not, may be asked to leave, may be subject to sanctions or expulsion, suspension, prosecution, forfeiture warning, restitution, and may be accountable to both civil authorities (city, state, or federal) and to Georgia Highlands College.

Electronic Device Conduct

Electronic devices may be a part of quiet collaboration and are permitted in the library. It is expected, however, that people using those devices will be respectful of others. To provide an optimal environment for research and study, people are asked that the devices be silenced (set to vibrate) and that cell phone calls be kept very short and as quiet as possible.

We ask that:

• Upon entering the library, electronic devices should be set to silent, no ring, or vibrate.
• When answering or initiating a call, please move to a cell phone friendly location, such as the foyer or outside the building.
• There is no restriction on text messaging and library staff may suggest text messaging as an alternative to voice messages.

Headphones are available for in library use only and must be checked-out.