Library Policies and Guidelines

The Ohio University Libraries provide an adult, unsupervised environment for the purpose of academic research and support of the University’s curriculum and research activities.

Minor children in the Libraries must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian or other responsible adult (18 years or older). Responsibility for the safety and behavior of minor children within the Library rests with the parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.

An adult (18 years or older) must provide direct supervision of children under the age of 12. Supervising adults will be asked to remove minor children who create a disturbance.

Children who are 12 years of age or older may use the library unsupervised as long as their behavior is appropriate to a library environment. Staff may ask unaccompanied children who are disruptive or behaving inappropriately to leave the premises.

University-affiliated individuals or groups engaged in research projects who wish to administer surveys, questionnaires, or use other methods to collect research data in the Libraries may contact the Libraries for permission. Such activities must be limited in duration and have a well-defined purpose.  The application must identify the nature and purpose of the research, provide details of the data collection method(s) to be used, and the proposed dates and locations of data collection. Student projects must have the approval of a member of the University faculty and the faculty name and contact information should be included in the application.  The Libraries may require confirmation of IRB approval.

Customers whose behavior is disruptive to the Libraries’ operations or services, or infringes the rights, safety or well-being of others, may be asked to leave the facility, referred to The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility, and/or have their library privileges revoked.

Read the Disruptive Behavior Policy

All filmmakers and photographers other than the University Photographer are required to sign our release form and get permission from a staff member in the Libraries before any shooting takes place. Ask for a release form at the Alden Library 2nd Floor Desk.

Once permission is received, filmmakers and photographers must carry a signed copy of the form while shooting in the Libraries. Library staff who observe people filming or photographing in the building should ask to see a copy of the form.

In agreeing to the terms of the release, the University Libraries and the Filmmaker/Photographer affirm the following:

• We support the notion that privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association. In a library, the right to privacy is the right to open inquiry without having the subject of one’s interest examined or scrutinized by others.
• We support the development and presentation of exhibits, displays, performances, lectures and recordings (video and audio) that enhance the academic experience, contribute to a trusted and welcoming library environment, stimulate creativity and curiosity, and enrich the intellectual and cultural life of the University’s community.
• We do not support works which are purely defamatory, willfully false, obscene, blasphemous, inciting to hatred, or purposefully discriminatory.

To film or photograph in Alden Library, The Hwa-Wei Lee Library Annex, or the Music and Dance Library, visit the library desk to obtain a release form.

This neutral space on the 5th floor of Alden Library is open to all students, staff, faculty, and visitors of Ohio University whenever the floor is open. The room is a quiet place to meditate, pray, or just enjoy a few peaceful moments to melt away stress. We encourage visitors to refrain from extended stay, eating, drinking, talking, sleeping, or using electronics.

Guidelines:

• Silence and mutual respect are expected at all times.
• Use of the space is on a first-come basis. Please be respectful of others desiring to use the space and refrain from extended stay.
• Use of the space is only for quiet meditation, prayer, or silent reflection. Please do not use this room as a lounge, study room, or meeting room.
• This is a quiet space. Cell phones should be on silent.
• With respect for all, we request that footwear be removed, if possible. A shoe rack is offered for your convenience.
• Food and beverages are discouraged.
• Signage and other advertising may only be posted on Alden Library’s 2^nd and 4^th floor bulletin boards.
• Candles, burning oils, incense or any other flammable items are not permitted.
• Please do not remove anything from this room.
• Please leave the room in the same condition as it was prior to use.

Failure to comply with the guidelines is a violation of the University Libraries’ Disruptive Behavior Policy and may result in loss of library privileges and/or disciplinary action.

Alden Library proactively controls for pests.  Using a canine inspection team, the entire building is swept as a matter of precaution against bed bugs twice a year.  If the canine team identifies an area of potential concern, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) staff conduct a thorough inspection.  While canine inspection can be extremely effective at finding positive cases, there will occasionally be false positive alerts.  Treatment is quickly and aggressively staged as a standard response to the canine alert regardless of results of the EHS inspection.  To date, no physical evidence of bed bugs has been found by EHS staff or the contractors who have applied treatment following a canine inspection in Alden Library.

Bed bugs are not known to carry diseases.  The best way to avoid a bed bug infestation is to regularly conduct inspections.  For more information, visit About Bed Bugs (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or contact Chad Keller (EHS) (kellerc@ohio.edu) or Robin Wooten (Library).

The University Libraries is not responsible for personal property left unattended in the Libraries.

Staff at the public service desks are not permitted to hold or watch personal items for library users.

Items left unattended for an extended period will be considered abandoned and placed in lost and found.

Lockers may be available for personal storage.

The University Libraries prohibit solicitations within the Alden Library or outside its entrances (i.e. on the porches or steps of the library building), within the Music and Dance Library or at the Library Annex in compliance with University Policy 42.550: Solicitation. The Libraries permit the posting of signs and the distribution of materials in accordance with our policy (linked below) and University Policy 23.050: Posting of Materials for Advertisement or Notification.

Read the Policy

Ohio University Libraries recognize the need to balance an individual’s right to privacy and the need to ensure the safety and security of our employees, users, visitors and property. Surveillance cameras are in use at marked locations in the Libraries in order to deter crimes and to assist in investigation of specific safety and security incidents. The Libraries comply with Ohio University Policy 44.119(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) on Video Surveillance Systems.

Use of tobacco products of any kind in the Libraries is prohibited.

The Libraries comply with the Ohio University Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus policy which states:

Ohio university [has] a smoke- and tobacco-free campus in compliance with the resolution of the Ohio board of regents in July, 2012, which called for Ohio’s universities to establish their campuses as tobacco-free....The prohibition applies to all members of the university community, including employees, students, visitors, volunteers, patients, and customers.