Code of Conduct

The UC Davis Library seeks to provide all users with:

• A welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment that promotes intellectual exploration and learning
• Access to well managed and diverse collections of library resources
• Knowledgeable and helpful staff

Maintaining a pleasant and productive environment for study and research requires that all users follow the UC Davis Library Code of Conduct and refrain from specific abuses/offenses.

The University of California, Davis community is committed to the ideals and expectations embodied in the Principles of Community; the Code complements these Principles and other campus policies on behavior and interaction. The Code is applicable to all library users and enforceable by all library staff.

Violators of the Code may be asked to leave the facility and may be refused future access to any UC Davis Library facility. Violators may be subject to sanctions including suspension, prosecution, forfeiture, warning, restitution, criminal penalties and civil fines, and may be accountable to civil authorities (city, state or federal) and the University.

UC Davis students are expected to comply with this policy as well as all other campus and university student responsibilities and conduct standards.

Library Environment: Behavior and Use

Behavior: Users may not engage in disruptive activity or behavior that interferes with the ordinary use and operation of the libraries.

Users may not interfere with an employee’s performance of their duties. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal abuse
• Intimidation
• Sexual harassment
• Other types of harassment, including those based on, race, religion, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Selling, marketing and/or solicitation including but not limited to peddling or begging, pamphlet or other material distribution, petitions and/or conducting unauthorized surveys are prohibited within library building public areas. Such activities when performed outside library entrances must not hinder the convenient entry and exit of users or employees.

Smoke and tobacco-free: Consistent with University of California policy, smoking, vaping, and the use of smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes are prohibited both indoors and outdoors.

No marijuana use: Marijuana use, in any form, is also prohibited both indoors and outdoors consistent with UC policy.

Bulletin board use: Glassed-in bulletin boards are for UC Davis events only. Material must be approved and posted by authorized library staff. The bulletin boards located in the east wing of Shields Library are an exception to this rule; they are designated for campus activity announcements. Posting campus notices or campus promotional flyers to these boards does not require library staff authorization; however, the library reserves the right to remove postings from these boards at any time.

Mobile devices: As a courtesy to library users, cell phones and pagers should be switched to silent or the lowest audible settings to minimize disruptions to individuals who are seeking quiet study space. If it is necessary to use a cell phone or other audio-based communications device, select one of the following locations:

• At Shields Library: outside courtyard, lobby near the public telephones, or the outside plaza in front of the library
• At Blaisdell Medical Library: lobby near the information desk, or in the breezeway in front of the library

Building use/events: The library’s facilities may be used only for ordinary library activities and activities sponsored by the library. Certain facilities may be used for curriculum-related group activities, such as performances, exhibits, and meetings subject to approval in advance by Library Administration.

Photography and videography: Use of the libraries as a filming location must be approved in advance by Library Administration. See the library’s photography and videography policy for more details.

Any use of the names, marks, logos or trademarks of the University of California, UC Davis or abbreviations thereof is governed by UC policy and California and federal law.

Library Safety and Security: User, Building, and Equipment

Users are responsible for their personal property at all times, and should never leave personal belongings unattended. The libraries are not liable for loss or damage to personal property.

Bicycling, rollerblading, riding motorized scooters, skateboarding and skating are not permitted in or on library buildings. Wheeled vehicles other than strollers and those used by persons with disabilities are not permitted in the libraries unless they can be carried as personal property. Bicycles, motorized scooter and carts, and other large wheeled vehicles must be parked outside in authorized areas and not at library entrances. Section 6.07 of the UC Davis Traffic and Parking Code prohibits riding, parking, and storing wheeled vehicles inside of campus buildings.

Unauthorized firearms or other weapons, fireworks, explosives, or other dangerous devices or substances are not permitted in the libraries.

Animals are not permitted in library buildings, with the exception of animals trained or being trained to assist persons with disabilities.

Users may not vandalize, deface, damage, or destroy library buildings, furniture, or equipment.

Users may not enter unauthorized areas of the libraries at any time, or enter or remain in any library facility during times when that facility is closed to the public.

Users are required to leave the libraries at closing, during emergency situations and evacuations, and whenever requested to leave by library staff or public safety personnel.

Library Collections: Use and Protection

Library materials, equipment or property may not be taken from the libraries without proper checkout or authorization. Library materials must be returned on or before the expiration of the loan period or upon request by the library.

Library materials may not be concealed in the libraries for the exclusive use of individuals or groups.

Library materials must not be mutilated, defaced, or damaged in any way. This includes but is not limited to marking, underlining, or writing on pages; folding or removing pages or portions of pages; removing or damaging binding; removing electronic theft devices or labels; or applying sticky notes, paper clips, or other damaging materials.

Use of Library Computers

Use of library computers is governed by the UC Davis Acceptable Use Policy, UC policies on licensing and copyright, and the following UC Davis Library computer use policies.

• Library computers are made available on a priority basis to UC faculty, staff, and students for university research and instruction. Use of these resources by unaffiliated users is permissible if not in conflict with priority uses.
• Library computers may not be used to participate in activities not directly related to university and library research and instruction.
• Use is limited to 20 minutes when others are waiting for access.

Use of Electronic Resources

For detailed terms and conditions governing the use of a particular electronic resource, email the library’s Electronic Resources Support Team specifying the electronic resource and your affiliation with UC Davis.

Failure to comply with the terms of this policy may result in forfeiture of access to the library.

Electronic resources available through the UC Davis Library are licensed by the University for noncommercial use by UC faculty, staff, students and onsite users, for educational or research purposes only. Additional restrictions may apply to onsite users of certain databases. The terms and conditions of the UC and UC Davis agreements with the vendors and publishers of these electronic resources regulate the use of these resources. These conditions include, but are not limited to, restrictions on copying, republishing, altering, redistributing and reselling the information contained therein. Fee-for-service providers may not copy and resell texts from licensed sources to non-subscribing individuals, institutions or organizations.

Users must observe applicable intellectual property laws, including United States copyright law.