Library Code of Conduct

The rules and guidelines which all users are required to abide by in their use of the Service

Information Services seeks to provide a safe, secure and appropriate study environment for the benefit of all service users. The code of conduct details the rules in place and acts as a general statement of the conduct we expect from users of our services and facilities.

This code of conduct is endorsed by the Director of Information Services and Libraries, the Dean of Students and the Student Union President

Acceptance of the code is implicit in signing the University's regulations as part of your registration. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the code and to observe it.

• Your safety and security
• Identification
• Antisocial behaviour
• Noise
• Mobile telephones
• Portable audio equipment
• Eating and drinking
• Photography and filming
• Library transactions
• Theft and vandalism
• Use of resources
• IT facilities and use of Moodle and Edublogs
• Action taken after a breach of the code
• Additional code binding Nursing and Midwifery students
• Additional code binding Law students

Your safety and security

To ensure your safety and security whilst using the facilities, we operate closed circuit television cameras and engage staff to undertake routine patrols.  It is your responsibility to follow University health and safety procedures.

To ensure your own security and that of your belongings, you should:

• Label your own property and valuables and keep them with you at all times. Unattended bags will be considered a security risk and may be removed
• Be vigilant and report anybody acting suspiciously
• Ensure that you pack up your belongings and leave the service area before closing time.
• Familiarise yourself with escape routes and, in the event of an emergency, follow any instructions given to you by staff 

Identification

• You must carry your University ID card at all times; this is a University requirement
• You must hand over your ID card to university staff when requested; failure to do so will be dealt with under the university disciplinary procedures

It is unacceptable to:

• gain access to ISL facilities by means other than the designated entrance
• gain access to ISL facilities by means of a university ID card other than your own
• allow someone else to use your university ID card to gain access to the libraries

Antisocial behaviour

We ask you to treat Information Services staff and fellow users with respect and courtesy.  The university will not tolerate antisocial behaviour, this includes:

• demeaning, abusive, indecent or offensive language or comments
• shouting and / or use of aggressive or inappropriate gestures
• threatening behaviour
• verbal or physical harassment
• comments that discriminate on the basis of sex, race or any other irrelevant distinction

Such behaviour will result in an immediate ban from all services and will be referred to the Dean of Students under the university's disciplinary procedures.  The ban will remain pending the outcome of the referral.  

Noise

• Silence must be observed in all silent study areas.  Where group study space is provided, conversations must be kept at as low a level as possible.
• Conversation must be kept at as low a level as possible within the PC labs.
• Respect other users; help to maintain the study environment including at service areas.  

Use of mobile phones

• Mobile phones must be switched off or at least set to silent mode before entering any Information Services area.
• Mobile phones must be off when using areas designated as individual silent study; silent mode is not acceptable in these areas. 
• Mobile phone calls are permitted in group study areas of the University Library as long as they do not cause disturbance to other library users.  Telephone calls must not be made in any other area.
• You are not permitted to recharge your mobile phone in any Information Services area.

Portable audio equipment

Personal music players may not be used in individual silent study areas.  In other areas they may be listened to at low volume and must not be audible to others.  

Eating and drinking

Please follow local guidelines - these will be prominently displayed in all library and IT lab areas.
Hot food must not be consumed in any area. 

Photography and filming

The taking of photographs and filming (including where these features are available on mobile phones) are not permitted in any Information Services area, except with written permission from the local head of service.

Library transactions

• No transactions may be undertaken without your university ID card.
• Use of the university ID card is strictly non-transferrable.
• You are at all times liable for any transactions on your card and materials issued to you.

Theft and vandalism

• When you leave one of our libraries make sure that all the books or other materials that you are carrying have been properly issued to you.
• If the exit alarm sounds, you are required to allow staff to search your bag and / or person.
• If you are found in possession of material that has not been issued to you, this will be treated as a serious breach of the code of conduct.
• If you discover that property belonging to the university has been vandalised, report it to a member of staff immediately.
• Vandalism of any university property or premises is subject to disciplinary action.

Use of resources

• Use of electronic information resources (e-journals, e-books and databases) must conform to the copyright regulations indicated by each publisher or supplier.
• Copies of print material can only be made in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act (1988).
• Electronic information resources must only be accessed through your own library barcode and PIN or other appropriate personal username and password.
• You must not allow others to use your account.

IT facilities and use of Moodle and Edublogs

You are bound by the special conditions of use for all computing and networked facilities and those governing external electronic resources.

Observe netiquette guidelines in all e-communication and when using Moodle.

Specifically, the following activities are unacceptable:

• Use of another user's account or allowing others to use your account
• Making excess noise in workstation rooms
• Use of indecent / pornographic material or material that discriminates on basis of sex, race, religion etc.
• Tampering with hardware or software, including the introduction of viruses
• Playing computer games
• Unplugging any PC in our workstation rooms in order to plug in your laptop

Action taken after a breach of the code

Anyone persistently disobeying the Information Services and Libraries Code of Conduct and not complying with requests from ISL or Security staff can expect to have their names recorded.

Serious or persistent breaches of the rules will result in an immediate ban from Library and Student Union services.

Students will also be reported to their Schools and the Dean of Students for further disciplinary action.

Additional code binding Nursing and Midwifery students

Nursing and Midwifery students are also subject to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct, copies of which are available from the School of Health Sciences offices and the Whitechapel and West Smithfield Libraries.

Additional code binding Law students

City Law School students on the Bar Professional Training Course are also subject to the terms of the Code of Conduct for the Bar of England and Wales insofar as it is possible to apply the terms of the spirit of that Code prior to entry into practice. Students on the LPC course are also subject to Law Society Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors.