This Code of Conduct applies to the whole service community of the Saint Louis University Libraries. In matters of general conduct, patrons shall be governed by the ordinary and reasonable rules of behavior observed by law-abiding and self-respecting citizens.

Each patron is responsible for regulating his/her own conduct in a positive, proactive, mature manner and therefore expected to:

1. Refrain from any disparaging remarks or verbal abuse towards staff and library patrons. Use courteous language at all times.

2. Respect the rights of other patrons and staff and shall not harass others anywhere on the premises by:

a. Noisy or boisterous activities;

b. Behaving in a manner, which reasonably can be expected to disturb other patrons or staff;

c. Soliciting funds or offering any goods or services for sale (unless authorized by the Director of Libraries);

d. Disruptive use of personal communications or entertainment devices such as cell phones, headphones or radios;

e. Excessive public display of affection;

f. Initiating unwanted conversations with other library patrons or staff; and

g. Engaging in or displaying profane and obscene language, images or conduct.

3. Abide by the following prohibitions:

a. Eating;

b. Littering;

c. Sleeping;

d. Smoking;

e. Physically assaulting or encouraging to assault any person within the library premises;

f. Abusing or vandalizing library facilities or equipment, which includes changing the configuration of library computer terminals;

g. Removing and/or erasing official notices, announcements, signage and posters in the library;

h. Forging, altering, tampering and/or falsifying library documents or records;

i. Rearranging/disarranging library furnishings or materials;

j. Entering restricted areas such as staff work rooms, offices and storage;

k. Taking surveys, asking patrons to sign petitions, or distributing pamphlets within the library premises without the permission of the Director of Libraries;

l. Using incendiary devices, such as candles, matches and lighters;

m. Using library restrooms unreasonably; and

n. Giving money, gift or token of any kind or giving a treat to library personnel in order to obtain any kind of favor or benefit, or leniency in the use of library facilities, equipments and materials.

The following additional guidelines shall likewise be strictly applied:

1. No pets shall be allowed inside the library building;

2. No library property may be misused, mutilated, damaged, or defaced, nor may any material be taken out from the library without having been issued properly;

3. The Library Management is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended;

4. Personal possessions should not take up seats or space needed by other library users;

5. Library patrons must not block library entrance/exit areas, aisles, doorways, and stairways or interfere with the free flow of pedestrian traffic in such areas; and

6. Patrons shall promptly leave the building at closing time.

An incident report will be kept on all violations of unacceptable behavior and shall be taken on a case-by-case basis and the penalty shall be based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the case. The penalty shall be known upon deliberation by the Library Staff. If proven accountable, he/she is subject to the withholding of library privileges without prejudice to the pertinent provisions of the SLU Student Handbook and other applicable policies, rules and regulations of the University.