The Ronald Williams Library seeks to provide its services with a minimum of regulations and restrictions, adopting only those which are absolutely essential to maintain a safe, and appropriate environment conducive to quiet individual study as well as appropriate group study. All Library users, whether affiliated with NEIU or not, are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner in accordance with all University and Library policies. Failure to comply with these policies may result in loss of library privileges, University-imposed discipline, and/or criminal prosecution or other legal action as appropriate. The Library reserves the right to notify the University Police regarding any violation of these policies. The policies contained within this document refer to all NEIU Library locations including El Centro and CCICS.

Access to the Library

  • Library facilities and services are intended primarily to support members of the Northeastern Illinois University Community including: students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
  • The Library is open for use by members of the general public, when such use does not unreasonably impede service to NEIU students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
  • The Library reserves the right to limit access and services provided to users who are not affiliated with Northeastern Illinois University.
  • The Library provides open access to the resources of the Government Information Center to the general public, as provided for in the United States Code, 44 USC 1911.

Children in the Library

  • Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
  • The Library is not responsible for the safety of children left unattended in any part of the Library. Children under the age of 14 left unattended in any part of the Library may be considered neglected minors.

Damage to or Theft of Library Property

Protection of Library materials is defined in the Illinois Compiled Statutes, 720 ILCS 5/16B-1.

Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to:

  • Defacing Library buildings or furnishings, including graffiti or vandalism
  • Deliberate misuse or damage to Library equipment
  • Defacing or damaging Library materials including books, journals, or newspapers
  • Theft of Library property
  • Concealing Library materials for the exclusive use of an individual or group

Disruptive Behavior

Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to:

  • Conduct which threatens or endangers another person including any hostile or rowdy behavior, fighting, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or abusing Library staff or Library users
  • Bringing excessive amounts of personal property into the Library, including, but not limited to, bicycles, shopping carts, and other large items
  • Posing a sanitary or health risk to others

Noise

  • Users receiving or initiating conversations on cell phones must go to designated areas or outside the building in order to answer or talk on a cell phone.
  • Devices that play music or otherwise make sound require the use of headphones. Volume levels must be set to levels that cannot be heard by others.
  • Library users are expected to keep noise to a reasonable level in all areas of the Library. See floor signage at the front of each floor for floor-specific noise levels.

Food and Beverages

  • Covered beverages and individual meals or snacks are permitted, unless otherwise posted. Patrons are responsible for cleaning up after themselves so that we may maintain this privilege. The Library is not responsible for providing cleaning supplies to patrons.

Personal Property

  • The Library will not take responsibility for theft of personal property in the Library.
  • The Library maintains a set of lockers for temporary storage of library users' personal property but does not take responsibility for such property. Items left in lockers after closing time will be moved to lost and found, which is not secured.

Posting of Materials

  • Fliers or other announcements may not be posted anywhere in or around the Library, aside from the foyer. Table tents or other special displays need to be approved in advance by the Dean of Libraries.
  • Posting of non-University related materials in the foyer of the Library must be approved by the Student Leadership and Development Office.

Restricted Facilities

  • Library users may not use staff telephones or computers without staff permission.
  • Library users may not enter areas of the Library marked “Staff Only.”

Solicitation

Conduct not permitted includes:

  • Buying or selling goods or services, or soliciting donations of any kind
  • Passing petitions to Library users, distributing pamphlets or other materials directly to Library users or staff
  • Conducting unauthorized surveys. Potential researchers must be affiliated with NEIU and may request authorization by visiting the Library Administration Office and completing a Request to Conduct Original Research in the Library form.

Use of Restrooms

  • In accordance with the University’s “Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination” policy, individuals are permitted to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender with which they identify.

Service Animals

  • The amendments to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) state that a service animal is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Service animals can accompany the person in the classroom and public spaces.

Smoking and Vaping

  • As mandated by state law (Public Act 098-0985, Statutory Reference 110 ILCS 64), all Northeastern Illinois University property is smoke free. The policy prohibits carrying, smoking, burning, inhaling or exhaling any kind of tobacco product. It also prohibits the use of e-cigarettes.

Approved by the Department of the Library Faculty, 12/2/2015

Revised by the Department of the Library Faculty, 5/10/2018

See also the Intellectual Freedom Statement.

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