The J. Paul Leonard Library endorses the American Library Association Code of Ethics and the Association of College and Research Libraries statement on “Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries.”
Goals and Philosophy
The J. Paul Leonard Library adheres to the principles articulated in the Library's mission and values statements to:
- Create a learning environment that promotes study, research and scholarly interaction in the context of a diverse campus community;
- Provide a healthy and safe work environment for library users;
- Preserve the integrity of our collections and our building.
Access Rules
To ensure fair access to the library's facilities and equipment, individuals are expected to adhere to the following:
- Create a learning environment that promotes study, research and scholarly interaction in the context of a diverse campus community;
- SF State OneCard ID is required to use computer or study areas designated for SF State students, faculty and staff only.
- Use your own ID number only to sign on to one computer at a time. You may not use a computer previously used by another user without signing in with your own ID number.
- Show your SF State OneCard ID to the Library Community Service Specialist when identification is required for late night access.
- Use only one seat at a time — no occupancy of multiple computers or study seats by individual users.
- Do not leave personal items unattended — unattended items may be removed by University Police.
Personal Behavior
Individuals should be respectful of others and behave in a manner that supports an atmosphere conducive to study and research.
- Verbal or physical abuse, sexual harassment and other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
- Viewing materials that create a hostile, intimidating or offensive learning or working environment is not allowed.
- You are expected to adhere to the Library’s policies and procedures posted on the Library web site and/or on signage in the building.
- You are responsible for removing food/drink brought into the Library and keeping areas clean. Ask at service desks for paper towels to clean up spills.
- You are expected to stay within authorized areas of the library building and leave after areas are closed or when requested to leave during emergency situations.
- Emergency exits or security/emergency alarms should be used only in emergency situations.
- Personal hygiene should not be disruptive, unpleasant or interfere with the use of the library by others.
Research Environment
The Library offers a variety of study areas to support quiet and group study. The Library floor plans show the location of various study areas.
- Electronic mobile devices should be set to silent mode in the Library or used with headphones; cell phone conversations are allowed in elevator, staircase, restroom and lobby areas.
- In group study areas conversations are expected but courtesy to others in open areas is still expected.
- In quiet study areas, conversations should be kept to a minimum and at a low level.
Posting or Distributing Materials
The Library provides bulletin boards for posting announcements on the ground floor — library staff monitor and remove posted materials on a regular basis. The Library Building Coordinator reserves the right to remove and dispose of materials.
- Distribution of flyers and leaflets in the building is prohibited.
- Materials posted anywhere outside of the bulletin boards will be removed.
Use and Protection of Library's Collections and Equipment
Individuals are expected to handle library materials and equipment appropriately.
- Materials and equipment (laptops) must be checked out in order to remove from the premises. Removing or attempting to remove library property without library authorization is in violation of library procedures.
- Materials must be returned or renewed when due or fines will be imposed on borrower.
- Mutilating library materials by defacing or removing pages or bindings, tampering with electronic theft prevention devices or in any other way defacing or damaging library materials is not acceptable.
- Individuals are expected to adhere to copyright laws.
- Concealing library materials for the purpose of exclusive use by an individual or group is considered unacceptable behavior.
Social Media
The Leonard Library’s use of social media is intended to complement and augment other communication and outreach efforts aimed at the SF State community. Public social media communication by the library and feedback from our users should be honest and respectful. Social media communication will be monitored by the library and any communication that uses discriminatory, derogatory, or hateful language; directly names an individual without their consent; and/or infringes copyright will be evaluated and removed at the sole discretion of the Leonard Library.
Use and Protection of Library Building and Library Environment
Individuals are expected to respect the library building and its contents. Prohibited behaviors include:
- Vandalizing or defacing any part of the library building complex, its furniture or equipment.
- Tampering with or destroying any library computer system, network, computer program or data.
- Utilizing skateboards, scooters, bicycles or any motorized recreational vehicle within the library. There are designated parking areas for bikes on campus.
- Blocking or obstructing a library entrance, lobby area, staircase or passageway, either in person or by placing objects in areas that cause blockage or obstruction.
- Bringing into the library any live animal with the exception of animals assisting disabled persons.
- Filming or videotaping without previous approval of Library Building Coordinator.
- Bringing a weapon of any kind into the library complex.
- Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes (or "vaping"), in or near the Library building. SF State is a Smoke-Free Campus.
- Soliciting, marketing, petitioning inside the library.
- Camping or extended sleeping in the building.
- Searching through trash, recycling or compost bins.
- Placing collection bins for food, clothing or other donated items inside the library.
Enforcement
Individuals are also expected to adhere to the codes and regulations governing San Francisco State University, CSU, and the State of California.
Failure to follow the code of conduct may result in the loss of library privileges and referral to the University Police or Library Community Service Specialist.
The privilege to use the Library facility and services may be revoked for an extended period of time for chronic rule breakers; specific cases will be referred to the Library Community Service Specialist and Building Coordinator.
Updated October 2012