Code of Conduct LRC@TCC

Values Statement

Learning Resources Center (LRC) staff are committed to providing access to information, protecting the rights of users, sustaining the integrity of collections, and maintaining a quality study and research environment.  Services are provided on the basis of equality of access for all, regardless of age, race, sex, religion, nationality, language or social status.  To ensure a pleasant and productive environment for study, the following code has been formulated.  The following policies cover all services of the LRCs, including libraries, labs, and computer facilities.

Purpose

Learning Resources Centers (LRCs) are intended for research and study, and to support the curriculum and information needs of the college.  Members of the college community (students, faculty, staff and consortium members) have first priority access and use of the LRC facilities, resources and services.  The college has adopted the following policy for LRC use to protect the rights of both users and staff, to assure the effective delivery of services, to foster respect and civility between patrons and staff, and to maintain a quality study and research environment. 

Policy
This policy adresses the access and use of the facilities, resources, and services of the Learning Resources Centers. There is an additional policy in place for the Norfolk Campus LRC.

LRC staff may reserve areas, tables, study carrels, materials, equipment or services for use only by students, faculty, staff and consortium members.

All users must be respectful of others. All LRC users (TCC faculty, staff, students, consortium members and community patrons) must adhere to the following rules and regulations pertaining to library behavior.  

The following actions are prohibited in Tidewater Community College Learning Resources Centers:

• Bringing bags of personal items and baggage into the LRC. Only bags for books and containers for educational materials are permitted.  Unattended bags will be removed as a security precaution.
• Bringing animals or pets into inside the library, other than assisted living trained animals.
• Consumption, or use, of alcohol, drugs, or other substances causing impairment.  Patrons intoxicated or impaired by these substances shall be required to leave the LRC.
• Damaging or defacing library property.
• Distributing or posting printed material or literature that has not been approved by the library staff.
• Eating, drinking, smoking or the use of tobacco products.
• Having personal hygiene that is offensive to others and does not meet reasonable standards.
• Use of the LRC by children less than 12 years old unless accompanied by a responsible adult. The adult must accept responsibility to supervise the child at all times.
• Using cell phones in the LRC.
• Using restrooms for purposes other than those for which they are intended, such as bathing.
• Selling or soliciting for money, items or services.
• Sitting/lying on floors.
• Any acts or conduct in violation of the Statutes of the Commonwealth of Virginia, city codes, or federal laws.
• Any acts or conduct in violation of College rules, procedures, and policies that govern the conduct of all persons on college premises.

LRC users must respect areas reserved for use by students, faculty, staff and consortium members.

LRC staff or campus security personnel may request any patron to provide identification.

Patrons who are loitering in the LRC shall be required to leave the facility.

The college reserves the right to revoke or restrict the LRC privileges of any patron for behavior that does not adhere to the standards of this policy. Failure to comply with the above rules and regulations may result in exclusion from the LRC.

Implementation

The Vice President for Information Systems shall be responsible for developing and maintaining procedures that are consistent with this policy and that comply with applicable policies and procedures of the Virginia Community College System and the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Vice President for Information Systems may implement the Policy for the Use of LRC Services in a manner that meets the individual needs of students and faculty at the college's four campuses and Visual Arts Center. 
 
The policy shall be posted in each Learning Resources Center.  The policy applies to all materials, and services offered by the LRC, including libraries, labs, and computer facilities.  Inquiries concerning the college’s policy for access to LRC services by community patrons should be directed to Mary Mayer-Hennelly, Associate Dean for Learning Resources.

Authorized by: Richard F. Andersen, Vice President for Information Systems 
Effective: March 14, 2002