The Library strives to provide patrons and employees with a clean,  comfortable, quiet, welcoming, and safe environment that is conducive to engaging in scholarly activities and conducting Library business.

The Library is committed to protecting the rights of individual users and sustaining the integrity of its collection.

The Library abides by University policies and procedures as enumerated in the following documents: Copyright and Duplication Policy, Guidelines for Responsible Computing, Student Handbook, University Regulations and Disciplinary Procedures, other University policies, and applicable State and Federal laws.

Guidelines:

Animals

No animals are allowed in the Library except those assisting persons with disabilities.

Attire

Appropriate clothing is required.  Shirts and shoes must be worn in the Library.

Bicycles, Scooters, Roller or Inline Skates, and Skateboards

For safety reasons, the use of bicycles, scooters, roller or inline skates, and skateboards in the Library is prohibited.  Bicycles should be parked in designated outside areas.

Cell Phones and Pagers

In order to maintain an atmosphere conducive to scholarly activities, patrons are asked to set cell phones and pagers on inaudible signals upon entering the Library.  Cell phone use should be restricted to designated public telephone areas.

Children

For their safety, individuals under the age of fourteen (14) must be accompanied by an adult in the Library.  Adults who bring children into the Library are responsible for monitoring their activities and regulating their behavior.

Computers

Public computers are intended for academic use, and such uses have priority.  The computers should be used for accessing the Library’s collection and other information resources, and not for sending personal e-mail messages, visiting chat rooms, and playing games, etc.  Patrons should observe all of the University’s computer use policies and follow posted guidelines or instructions for computer use.  Modifying or tampering with computer hardware, software, or peripherals is prohibited.

Controlled Substances and Alcohol

The use of controlled substances and alcohol in the Library is prohibited.

Copyright

Copyright law should be strictly observed by all Library users when making photocopies of library materials.  The user is responsible for the appropriate use of copyright-protected materials.

Denial of Access to Library Resources

Deliberately concealing or mis-shelving library materials in the Library for the exclusive use of an individual or group is unacceptable.

Disruptive Behavior

Causing a disturbance or engaging in behavior that interferes with Library activities or operations is prohibited.  Disruptive behavior, includes, but is not limited to the following: abusive behavior (harassment, intimidation, offensive language, verbal abuse, and violence); excessive noise (loud or prolonged conversation, use of portable radios or digital music players without headsets); inappropriate physical intimacy; loitering; recklessness; and rowdiness.

Library users should report any disruptive behavior to the Library Guard or other Library employee.

Distribution of Literature and Posting of Advertisements

The distribution of literature and display of advertisements by students are restricted to the Bulletin Board located in the Lower Level.  Individuals who wish to distribute literature or post materials related to events or information of University interest must first obtain permission from the Office of the Dean of Library Services.

Emergencies

In the event of fire, power outages, severe weather, or other emergency situations, Library staff will alert building occupants and inform them of the procedures for evacuation.  Everyone should quickly follow these instructions and leave the Library immediately via the nearest staircase and Emergency Exit.  Fire alarms require the immediate exit of all occupants.  Use of the public and staff elevators during an emergency or drill is not advised.     

Food and Beverages

Spilled food and beverages are damaging to the Library’s collection and equipment, and degrade its facilities.

The consumption of food and uncovered drinks is restricted to the Lounge Area in the Lower Level. Covered drinks, however, are permitted in other areas of the building.  Spill-resistant containers such as travel mugs are recommended.  All beverage containers must be securely covered while in transit.

Food containers and refuse are to be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles or recycling bins.

Licensed Electronic Resources

Use of the online databases and e-journals provided by the Library is governed by license agreements.  These agreements require the Library to permit access only to MSU students, faculty, and staff (although they also allow use by visitors who are physically present in the Library).  These contracts also place certain obligations on the individual user. Among these are the following: to use the information contained in these products for personal, non-commercial purposes only; to refrain from systematically downloading significant portions of the online content; to refrain from redistributing the content to others outside the University community; and to refrain from copying or tampering with the software by which the information is organized and displayed.

Photography and Film-making

In order to preserve an atmosphere conducive to scholarly activities, ensure respect for the privacy rights of patrons, and avoid disruption of normal Library activities or operations, the Library requires that individuals who wish to take photographs or shoot films or videos in the Library first obtain permission from the Office of the Dean of Library Services.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Library patrons have the right to expect privacy and confidentiality with respect to their use of the Library’s resources and services.  Consistent with this philosophy, the Library has implemented policies and procedures to  protect each user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to the following: information sought or received, resources consulted, materials borrowed from Sprague Library, books borrowed from other libraries via reciprocal borrowing arrangements, articles obtained via Interlibrary Loan Services (ILS), documents received electronically from the Library (e.g., E-Reserves, Sprague Library website) or from library-subscribed services, and other uses of library services or facilities.  Additionally, protocols are in place for limiting access to and safeguarding the user’s Student or Employee ID number. 

Patron information will be held in the strictest confidence by Library staff.  Generally, the Library will not share patron information with anyone but the patron.  However, there are certain circumstances when the Library will disclose this information to other MSU staff and professionals outside the MSU academic community as follows: the Library will share patron information with MSU officials in an effort to resolve a patron problem; the Library will share patron information with other libraries where reciprocal borrowing arrangements are in place when such information is needed to enact a transaction or solve a patron problem; the Library will respond to court-ordered warrants for patron information from law enforcement agencies. 

Security

The Library has an electronic security system to safeguard materials and to assure that they have been properly checked out.  Patrons leaving the Library should return to the Circulation Desk immediately if the alarm at the exit rings.

Smoking

Smoking in the Library is prohibited.  Violators are subject to fines (NJS 2C:33-13).

Soliciting

Selling merchandise or services in the Library is prohibited, as is soliciting for donations or signatures on petitions and distributing unsolicited materials.

Theft

Removing or attempting to remove library materials, equipment, or property without following proper checkout procedure or without official Library authorization is prohibited.

Theft of the property of other patrons or Library employees is unlawful.

Witnesses to crimes in the Library should notify the Library Guard or other Library employee immediately.

Unauthorized Access

Opening emergency exits except in emergency situations is prohibited.

Entering or being in a restricted area of the Library, remaining in the Library after closing or when asked to leave the building during an emergency or a drill is prohibited.  Unauthorized individuals are not permitted in staff areas unless invited to enter by staff as necessary for conducting Library business.

Vandalism

Mutilating library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages or portions of pages, removing binding, removing security devices or barcodes, using post-it notes and paper clips or in any other way damaging or defacing Library property is prohibited.

Defacing the Library building, furniture, or equipment or in any other way damaging Library property is prohibited.

Witnesses to crimes in the Library should notify the Library Guard or other Library employee immediately.

Weapons

Unauthorized firearms and other weapons, including explosives, fireworks, knives, and other dangerous and deadly devices are not permitted in the Library. 

Library users who do not adhere to the above guidelines may be asked to leave the building and may be subject to a loss of borrowing privileges, appropriate disciplinary action within the University, and/or prosecution under NJ and Federal statutes.

Last updated: April 30, 2004