Home / Academics / Library / About the Library / Library Patron Conduct Rules

Library Patron Conduct Rules

The first priority of the Melvil Dewey Library is to serve our students, faculty and staff. In adherence with the College’s mission, we also welcome our community members to become patrons and use our resources.

The library observes the general rules of conduct for students as outlined in the JCC Catalog. Specific to the library, there are general and computer use policies that must also be observed and adhered to by all patrons, including community patrons.

One of our primary goals is to ensure a pleasant learning environment for all library users. This means that the main use of the library is studying, researching, and learning. When you are in the library, please respect other users' needs to study, research, and learn by following the General Conduct Guidelines. Failure to follow the guidelines may result in denial of library privileges:

 

General Conduct

Any conduct that disrupts the library is prohibited. Examples of inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to:

Inappropriate Noise

  • Quiet, non-disruptive conversation is appropriate on the first floor of the library, and group study rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The second floor of the library is reserved for quiet individual study. Discussions and group study should be conducted on the first floor.
  • Loud audio content is not acceptable in the library. Listening to audio programs without headphones often disrupts other patrons. Please use headphones to play audio programs so that only you can hear the content. Headphones may be checked out at the circulation desk if you do not have headphones with you.
  • Cell phone conversations can also be distracting. Please turn off cell phone ringers or put phones on vibrate while in the library. Lengthy cell phone conversations should be conducted in the lobby of the library building.
Disruptive Behavior
  • Shouting across the room, horseplay, or engaging other users in unwanted interactions are examples of disruptive behaviors.
  • Damaging or stealing library property is not allowed.
  • Threatening, harassing or engaging in behavior that may result in injury to others is prohibited.
  • Illegal behavior of any type is not allowed.
 Common Courtesy
  • Please do not eat or drink in non-authorized areas (see computer conduct guidelines).
  • Do not leave young children unattended.

 Patrons who conduct themselves inappropriately will be asked to cease the conduct or may be asked to leave the library. Minor problems will be dealt with by library staff, recurring problems by the Library Director. A patron may be barred from the library if problems recur and cannot be resolved. If a patron is dissatisfied with the procedure, College Administration will become involved. The decision to bar a patron from the library lies with the College Administration. In addition, Security will be called when the conduct is illegal, when it poses a threat to an individual, or when an individual refuses to leave the library when asked to do so.

 

Computer Use Conduct

The library's computers are accessible to JCC students, faculty and staff and these users are granted priority. The computers may be used by members of the community or students of colleges other than Jefferson as available.

While specific log-on and printing procedures are required for community patrons, the following computer rules must be observed by all users:

  • No food or drink in open containers.
  • Users under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and kept under constant supervision.
  • Downloading games, software, or music is prohibited.
  • Selling, buying, gambling or otherwise conducting business for the purpose of personal gain is prohibited.
  • Accessing Internet sites that may be offensive to other patrons is prohibited, except for research reasons. The patron may then be asked to re-locate to a less public area to conduct research.
  • The library's headphones, available at the Loans & Reserves Desk, are provided for instructional use only.
  • Any activity which can be construed as criminal in nature is prohibited.

Violations of computer use conduct rules may be handled in the same manner as stated above, with the exception that Instructional Technology administration personnel will become involved if the conduct includes computer security issues.

 

Community Member Computer Use Guidelines

Community members and students from other colleges (16 and older, or accompanied by an adult) may use our computers. Guidelines for use include:

  • Valid Community Borrower card is required.
  • Community members may use a computer for up to two hours per session.
  • Any activity related to a profit making business is prohibited.
  • Community members are allowed 10 free sheets of printing per day. Additional sheets may be purchased at $.10 per page. Community members are responsible for paying for everything they have printed.
  • Software cannot be added, deleted or modified.
  • The library has the right to reserve all computers if library instruction class has been scheduled.
  • Any activity which could be construed as criminal is prohibited.
  • Access to computers will be suspended for community members with outstanding fines on their account.