Library User Rights and Responsibilities Policy

The facilities and collections of UO Libraries are shared resources, serving thousands of students, faculty, staff, and community members every day. This library policy intends to serve and protect all users, with the understanding that current constituents of the university (students, staff, and faculty) have first priority for UO services and materials. As members of an academic community, library users as well as library staff are responsible for sustaining a scholarly environment, which the UO Libraries defines as an environment supportive of study, research, scholarship, creative production, and collaboration. In the case of disagreement over whether any use of UO Libraries space is scholarly, UO Libraries staff will rely on policy and context in making a reasonable determination.

As a library user, you have the right to:

  • Access a scholarly environment free from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment.
  • Respectfully ask others to lower their voices or end conversations in designated quiet areas.
  • Request and receive assistance from library staff in maintaining a scholarly environment.
  • Expect library staff to take your concerns seriously and make an effort to preserve or restore a scholarly environment.
  • Enjoy privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received, or resources consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted, as outlined in the UO Libraries Privacy Statement.
  • Appeal decisions about library policies with Library Administration by sending an email request to libadmin@uoregon.edu.

As a library user, you have the responsibility to:

  • Comply with library and university policies, and with staff directions and requests related to those policies.
  • Maintain a scholarly environment free from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Treating other library users and staff with dignity and respect.
  • Respecting the privacy and confidentiality of other library users.
  • Abiding by library and university acceptable computer-use policies. 
  • Help preserve library property and spaces. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Following the university guidelines regarding animals. Except by administrative rule, only service animals are permitted in campus buildings.
  • Using only designated locations to secure bicycles outside library spaces. 
  • Vending and soliciting in library space only with prior library staff approval.
  • Posting signs, notices, and flyers only in accordance with the UO Libraries Signs Policy.
  • Entering non-public areas only with library staff permission.
  • Checking out library materials before removing them from library spaces. 
  • Maintaining library spaces and furniture free from hazards and debris, and returning furniture and equipment to standard or original configurations.
  • Use library spaces in a way that does not disrupt the scholarly environment. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Using library spaces for their designated purposes.
  • Not using library facilities for residential purposes (e.g., prolonged sleeping, bathing, cooking, camping).
  • Not detracting from the scholarly environment with disruptive noise, odors, and behaviors.
  • Overseeing and maintaining control of your personal belongings.
  • Taking photographs and videotaping only in accordance with the UO Libraries Film and Video Policy.

Procedures for maintaining a scholarly environment:

Policies and expectations may vary among library spaces. UO Libraries staff, including security personnel, will identify themselves when asking that users comply with library and university policy. If users do not comply with an initial request or if they violate policy repeatedly, library staff, university security staff, or law enforcement may take additional measures. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Asking to see photo ID.
  • Issuing a verbal or written warning.
  • Requesting assistance from campus law enforcement and, if necessary, asking the user to leave library spaces.
  • Reporting problems to the appropriate university office or official.

In all cases, library staff will be respectful of the rights of all users in working to maintain a scholarly environment. Users who engage in serious violations may lose the privilege of using the UO Libraries, be subject to university-imposed discipline, charged for damage to materials or equipment, and/or be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution. The University of Oregon Libraries follows all relevant and applicable University of Oregon policies. 

Last updated January 14, 2022