Use and Conduct Policy

Welcome to the Libraries of University of Hawai'i at Manoa. The resources and services provided at Hamilton and Sinclair Libraries are designed to support and enhance all University programs. As part of the University, the Libraries support faculty and students in their scholarly, research and creative endeavors. We prepare students to enter and function in the information age. For the citizens of Hawai'i and the worldwide scholarly community, the Libraries support information needs and intellectual inquiries.

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa Library Use and Conduct Policy is published for the benefit of all users of the Hamilton and Sinclair Libraries and is applicable to all. Violations should be reported to Library staff who will take appropriate action. This policy is enforceable by all members of the Library staff. Violators will be reported and pursued to the full extent of federal and state laws. Disruptive behavior may result in expulsion from the Library.

The UHM Libraries seek to provide all users with a quiet atmosphere appropriate for research, study and reading. To ensure that the environment is conducive to study and research, all users are asked to abide by this Library Use and Conduct Policy.

General Rules of Conduct

1. Users must help to maintain a quiet environment and refrain from engaging in any behavior that interferes with the normal use of the Libraries by others.
2. Users must not interfere with an employee's performance of his/her duties.
3. Individuals -- either users or employees -- must not engage in verbal or physical abuse, intimidation, sexual harassment or harassment on account of race, religion, ethnic or national background, gender or sexual orientation.
4. Library materials are to be returned upon or before the expiration of the loan period or on request by the Libraries. Library materials, equipment or property must not be taken from library buildings without proper checkout or authorization. See Library Circulation Policy.
5. Library materials must not be concealed in the Libraries for the exclusive use of individuals or groups.
6. Users must handle library materials carefully so that they are not defaced or damaged in any way. Users must not mark, underline, remove or fold pages or portions of pages, remove binding, or use post-its and paper clips.
7. Users engaging in vandalizing, altering or damaging library buildings, furniture or equipment, including computer systems, networks, programs or data, are in violation of Hawai'i State Law and will be prosecuted to the full extent of that Law.
8. Users must follow the UHM Library Public Computer Use Policy. University and Hawai'i faculty, students, staff and other UH affiliated users have priority for accessing electronic resources and using library computer equipment in public areas. Community users may be asked to relinquish computers/terminals and other equipment to UH affiliated users with valid UH identification.
9. Users must obey applicable intellectual property law, including the U.S. Copyright Law.
10. Users are not permitted to consume food or beverages in the public areas of UHM Libraries. The only exception is plain water, which must be carried in a closed bottle subject to inspection by library staff (covered cups are not allowed).
11. Smoking is not permitted in the Libraries or within 20 feet of their entrances. See UH Tobacco Products Policy for further information.
12. Users are responsible for their personal property.
13. Users must not enter areas of the Libraries restricted to authorized staff.
14. Users are required to leave the Libraries at closing and during emergency situations, drills or following a violation of this Library Use and Conduct Policy.
15. Bicycles are to be parked outside the library buildings. Rollerblading, skateboarding or skating are not permitted in library buildings.
16. Only animals trained to assist persons with disabilities are allowed in LIBRARY buildings.
17. Firearms or other deadly weapons, explosives and/or explosive devices, or other dangerous devices are not permitted in library buildings.

Violation of Rules of Conduct

Any person who violates these rules of use may be asked to leave the library facility in which the conduct occurred, and may be refused future access to the library buildings. Such persons may be subject to the sanctions of suspension, prosecution, forfeiture, warning and restitution, as well as criminal penalties and civil fines, and may be accountable to University and civil authorities (city, state, or federal). The University of Hawai'i at Manoa Library Use and Conduct Policy supplements the University of Hawai'i Student Conduct Code and other University policies.

Signed: John R. Haak, University Librarian
Date: April 11, 2000