The SRJC Libraries seek to provide environments that facilitate research and learning. As such, conduct guidelines and policies exist to ensure access to facilities and materials, the safety and comfort of users, and the protection of collections and materials.
To report a complaint or problem contact a service desk or the library chat. Staff will take action when a library user causes disruption. A disruption is anything (active or passive) that interferes with student ability to study or staff ability to work. The SRJC Libraries expect library users to comply and honor all conduct guidelines immediately and civilly.
Library users who fail to comply with conduct guidelines or District policies, to identify themselves or to leave the building when requested will be reported to District Police. Misconduct may result in limited or revoked library or District privileges for a specified period, a Student Conduct and Discipline Hearing, and/or a police investigation into possible violations of California Education, Civil, or Penal Codes.
Abuse of Materials, Equipment, Furniture, and Facilities
Malicious mischief or acts that deface, damage or destroy any part of the library, equipment, furniture, facilities, and materials are considered vandalism. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Education Code Title 5 Article 2 §19910) (California Penal Code Title 14 § 594)
Animals
Per state and federal regulations, the libraries permit service animals in the library, as well as animals with authorization from Disability Resources or Human Resources. Staff will ask owners to remove all other unpermitted animals from the building.
All service and authorized animals must behave in a manner that is not disruptive to the library environment including no barking, growling, whimpering, running around, or soliciting social attention through behavior or animal clothing uncharacteristic of a service animal. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that service animals be under the control of the handler at all times. The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the person's disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the person must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain control of the animal. If a service animal is out of control and the animal handler does not take effective action to control it or the animal is not house broken, staff may request that the animal be removed from the premises. (SRJC Board Policy 7.17, 7.17P, and 7.19) (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Bicycles/ Skateboards/ Skates/ Scooters/ Hover Boards
Bicycles are not allowed inside the library buildings. Parking wheeled vehicles near the library entrance is also prohibited. Bicycles parked in violation are subject to removal, fines, or impoundment. Skateboarding, rollerblading, skating, riding or rolling scooters, or hover boards (including charging of hover boards) in or on the library building is prohibited. These items must be carried when inside the building. (SRJC Board Policy 7.12P and SRJC Parking and Traffic Regulations)
Cell Phone and Personal Technology
Always set cell phones and other personal technology devices to silent or vibrate while in the library. Conduct all calls outside of the building, in a group study room, elevators, or in restrooms. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Penal Code Title 11 § 415 and § 415.5)
Community Members and Children
Visitors to all District facilities and events are subject to all relevant District policies, Education, Civil, or Penal Codes. Although the libraries are open to the public, the District reserves the right to restrict access to certain areas to staff and/or students only. (SRJC Board Policy 7.16 and 7.9)
Library users may not leave children unattended in the libraries. Children must remain under the continuous supervision of the adult responsible for them and must not detract from the educational environment. If disruptive, staff will ask that children be removed from the building. If a child is found unattended District Police will be notified. (SRJC Board Policy 7.16)
Computer Use
The libraries provide computers for uses that support education and learning at SRJC and priority use is for student study and research. Non-students must sign up for limited access at a service desk. Using computers for business or commercial purposes is prohibited. Priority access is given to library users who require computers with special equipment (e.g. scanners) or software. Tampering with computers or any District electronic resources is prohibited. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28 and 2.13P)
Copyright
Any use that violates copyrights, patent protections, or license agreements is prohibited. Specific examples of violations include unauthorized copying, downloading and using software, systematically downloading or printing entire journal issues or volumes or large portions of electronic resources. (Code of Federal Regulations Title 37, Part 201)
Disorderly Behavior
Acting in a way that interferes with, disrupts or obstructs the activities of library users, the respectful research and learning environment or staff performance of their duties is prohibited. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Penal Code Title 11 § 415 and § 415.5 and California Penal Code Title 8 Chapter 9 § 240) Disorderly behavior includes, but is not limited to:
- Disturbing other library users by loud and unreasonable noise.
- Physical, verbal, written, or image based abuse, using profanity, vulgarity or offensive words to provoke a reaction, harassment, threats of violence, or intimidation.
- Refusal to identify oneself when requested or failure to comply with the directions of staff acting in the performance of their duties.
- Participating in a challenge, fight or assault.
- Stalking behavior or following others in the library building for no legitimate purpose.
- Obstructing or failure to comply with directions of staff acting in the performance of or their duties or requiring inordinate drains on staff time, resources and supervision.
- Repeated requests for special consideration or engaging library users or staff in conversation which makes them uncomfortable, after being informed of that fact.
Filming, Recording or Photographing
Making a video recording, audio recording, taking photographs, or streaming audio/video of any person in a location where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that person’s knowledge and express consent is prohibited. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28). See Libraries' Policies for filming/photography policy.
Food and Drink
The libraries allow considerate consumption of food and drink in the buildings. Food should not be messy or have strong odors. Drinks should be in covered containers with secure lids. Always report spilled food or drink to a service desk immediately. Keep food and drinks away from computers and library materials. Library users must clean up and place all trash and recyclables in bins before leaving. Damages caused by food and drink are considered an act of vandalism. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Penal Code Title 14 § 594)
Harassment/ Discrimination
Harassment, bullying, or discriminatory behavior is defined as conduct that is objectively severe, pervasive, and offensive and that substantially impairs a person’s access to the library. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, conduct that is motivated on the basis of a person’s race, color, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, ancestry, service in the uniformed services, physical or mental disability, medical condition, citizenship, national origin, or perceived membership in any of the classifications or on the basis of association with, advocacy for, or identification with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28 and 2.7)
Hate violence is a specific form of harassment. No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, oppress, or threaten any other person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to them by the Constitution or laws of California or the United States in whole or in part because of one or more of the actual or perceived characteristics of the victim. (SRJC Board Policy 2.7) (California Penal Code Title 11.6 Chapter 2 § 422.6 and § 422.55)
Loitering/ Refusing to Leave
Loitering, going into unauthorized areas of the library, remaining in the library after closing, refusing or failing to leave, refusing to identify oneself or to account for one's presence when requested to do so is prohibited. Loitering is defined as wandering from place to place without apparent reason or business and refusing to identify oneself and to account for one's presence when requested to do so. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Penal Code Part 1. Title 15, Chapter 2 § 647 and § 653b)
Noise
The libraries seek to provide a balance of collaborative, quiet, and silent spaces. Signage indicates the level of acceptable noise. Disturbing other library users by loud and unreasonable noise is prohibited and includes loud conversations, snoring or using audio devices in such a manner as to disturb others. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Penal Code Title 11 § 415 and § 415.5)
Pornography
Viewing, accessing or printing any type of pornography is strictly prohibited. Pornography is defined as material the average person would consider objectionable such as sexually explicit or violently explicit pictures, movies, and/or videos. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Penal Code Title 9 Chapter 7.6. § 311 and § 313)
Prevention of Theft and Protection of Personal Belongings
By entering the library, users are agreeing to pass through a security system. To prevent theft of library materials, library users may be asked to present personal belongings for inspection if the detection alarm is activated, or when there is a power failure. (California Penal Code Title 13 Chapter 5 § 490.5)
Books, laptops, book bags, backpacks, briefcases, or other personal belongings, left unattended are at risk of being stolen. The Library is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property. If library users leave the library, they must take all belongings with them. Library staff retains the right to place unattended belongings in the Library “Lost and Found”, located at the Circulation Desk.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual misconduct including but not limited to lewd or indecent behavior, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual harassment, or threat of sexual misconduct as defined by law or policy of the District is prohibited. Conduct constituting sexual harassment may include willfully and lewdly exposing of a person, or the private parts thereof, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, questions about one’s sexual behavior, derogatory sexual or sexist comments, slurs and jokes, comments about one's body and/or clothing, sexually suggestive pictures or objects displayed to embarrass or humiliate, repeated, non-reciprocated propositions for dates, pinching, fondling, patting or kissing, other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature, and/or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28, 2.7, 2.7P, 2.15, 2.15P, and SRJC Title IX). (California Penal Code Title 9 Chapter 8 § 314)
Smoking/ Alcoholic Beverages/ Illegal Drugs
The Sonoma County Community College District is a smoke-free and a drug and alcohol free environment. This applies to smoking products of any sort including electronic or vapor smoking devices and the possession and/or use of alcohol or drugs of any kind while in the building. Unlawful possession, use, sale, offering to sell, or being under the influence of, any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, poison or unlawful possession of, or the sale of any drug paraphernalia are prohibited. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28, 6.8.4, 6.8.6, and 7.4.2) (California Penal Code Title 11 § 415.5)
Solicitation
Commercial solicitation is prohibited in the library building. Commercial solicitation includes all activities intended to result in a sale. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Administrative Code Article 9 § 42350.6)
Weapons
Carrying weapons in the library building unless authorized by law is prohibited. Possession or use of any deadly weapon, replica weapon, knife, firearm, explosive and other destructive devises, or any other object used as a weapon is prohibited. (SRJC Board Policy 8.28) (California Penal Code § 626)