Code of Conduct

Welcome to the Albert S. Cook Library at Towson University. The Library strives to provide excellent service, resources, and facilities for all authorized users. To support this commitment, the library has established a Library Code of Civil Conduct for the benefit of users that is applicable to all. In addition, the Library also abides by and holds its users accountable to Towson University’s Code of Student Conduct and Academic Affairs Civility Code.

Users of the library are entitled to have:

• A productive, secure library environment conducive to research and free of disruptive activity
• An environment free from incivility, harassment, or bullying.
• Reasonable access to library materials according to library policy.
• Journals, books, documents and newspapers that are complete and unmarked.
• Access to technology for the purpose of performing research.

Employees of the library are entitled to have:

• A productive, secure work environment conducive to completing job-related tasks.
• A work environment free from incivility, harassment, or bullying.
• Access to space and technology for the purpose of performing tasks that do not conflict with our code of conduct (see list of prohibited behaviors).

Ensuring a pleasant and productive environment for study and research also requires that all users have responsibilities. Library staff are authorized to request identification of library patrons and respond to complaints; all users are expected to be considerate of the information needs of others in a shared resource environment.Library users and employees are to be treated with respect and actions will be evaluated not only by an individual's intent, but also by what the recipient perceived or felt.

The Library Environment

• Cell phones: Cell phones should be used only in areas where conversations do not disturb others (foyers, entrance halls, enclosed stairwells, etc.). Please silence cell phone ringers in all study areas.
• Computers: The open display of some materials may create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for some library users. Patrons should be aware of and respect others’ desires not to be inadvertently exposed to images they find offensive.
• Food and drink: Food and drink are permitted in the library in reasonable amounts. Dispose of all trash in waste baskets. Notify a staff member at service desk about spills.
• Group work: Talking and socializing are permitted in designated group study areas and lobbies. Loud talking, socializing and disruptive behavior that interferes with the study and research needs of others are prohibited in any area of the library.
• Photography and Filming:
  • Any use of the libraries as a filming location (including still photography) must be approved in advance by the Dean of Libraries. This includes shoots that are conducted by university entities, groups, courses, and any commercial enterprise.
  • Any photographic images or video captured/recorded within Cook Library and sold for profit, commercial gain, or in return for any form of compensation, constitutes a ‘commercial enterprise’. 
  • Individuals may take photos or videos for personal non-commercial use provided they have obtained permission from any identifiable individuals depicted in the images or videos. 
  • Please be respectful of the space and the library’s open hours. Photography and videography should not violate Libraries users’ reasonable expectations of privacy.
  • Those filming or taking photographs within Cook Library are prohibited from removing, relocating, modifying, or attaching any item to any structure or other property of Cook Library.
  • Photography or videography should not interfere with or disturb any library activities, nor should they in any way restrict visitors from using any area of the library.
• Quiet areas: The Quiet Room on the 2nd floor (room 200C) is reserved for absolute quiet with no group study allowed. There are also quiet areas on the north study carrel side of the 2nd and 4th floors as well as the north and south facing sides of the 5th floor.

Prohibited Behaviors:

• Prohibited behavior also includes (but is not limited to) verbal abuse, threats of violence, sexual harassment, hate speech, hostility, rudeness or excessive noise.
• Harassment will be evaluated not only by an individual's intent, but by what the recipient felt or perceive and includes (but is not limited to) unwanted attention, requests for personal information and following library users or employees around the building, and on or off campus.
• Child pornography, a felony in the state of Maryland (MD Code Criminal Law, Sec. 11-207), is illegal and the Towson University Police will be contacted immediately.
• Children under the age of 16 years must be supervised at all times by a parent or other responsible adult.
• Animals, other than those trained or certified to assist persons with disabilities, are not permitted in the library.
• Smoking of any kind (including vapor cigarettes) is prohibited in all areas of the library building.

Use and Protection of the Collections

• Users may not remove or attempt to remove library materials, equipment or property without official library authorization.
• Users must return library materials when due.
• Library materials may not be concealed in the library for exclusive use of an individual or group. Library materials may not be mutilated by marking, underlining, removing pages or portions of pages, removing binding or security devices, folding pages or using paper clips or post-it notes in any way damaging to library materials.
• Library users must adhere to copyright laws and not download, print, or disseminate content from TU-licensed electronic resources in violation of copyright laws. See Towson University Policy on Intellectual Property.
• Library personnel are authorized and may inspect bags and other articles for concealed library materials.

Use and Protection of the Building and Library Equipment

• Users are restricted from unauthorized areas of the library and may not remain in the library after closing or when asked to leave under emergency situations, drills or when not abiding by the Library’s conduct policy. Current faculty, staff and students may use the 24/7 study room after the library closes.
• Emergency exits may not be opened except under emergency situations.
• Vehicles may not be parked in unauthorized areas outside the building.
• Users may not vandalize or deface the library building, furniture or equipment.
• Users may not alter computer settings, software or peripherals.
• Users must follow Towson University’s Acceptable Use Policy.

Posting of fliers in the library is only permitted in the designated kiosks in the third (main) floor lobby area. Fliers are removed once per week and/or when the event date has passed.  Any inappropriate fliers or materials found in unapproved areas will be discarded immediately.

The following rules apply to all fliers posted in the library:

1. Fliers must have the SGA Affiliated stamp, the official TU logo, the Towson University Athletics logo, or logo of the sponsoring organization clearly visible on the flier.
2. Post only one flyer to allow for ease of reading and to give others equal opportunity to post.
3. Fliers should not be hung where they cover up previously posted current materials.
4. Due to fire and safety codes, it is prohibited to post fliers in stairwells, on doors and on stair rails.

Sanctions

All library users are expected to comply with these guidelines for conduct and acceptable use. Failure to do so may subject a library user to the following sanctions:

• Being asked to leave the building.
• Being banned from the library.
• Being reported to the TU campus police or Baltimore County police.
• Being reported to TU Student Conduct.
• Being subject to legal prosecution.
• Library employees have autonomy to remove themselves from unwanted interactions at any time.