Mission Statement
The mission of the UWM Libraries is to provide an organized and accessible collection of relevant research and instructional materials, access to remote sources of information and data, and the physical and human resources required to satisfy the information needs of the university and urban communities, in support of the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a Research II institution.
In order to fulfill its mission of providing and protecting resources, the library has established this policy on library user rights and responsibilities.
All library users are entitled to:
- courteous assistance from library staff
- access to library resources
- library materials that are in good condition
- a quiet research and study environment free of harassment
- a clean physical environment
All library users have the obligation to:
- interact courteously with other users and library staff
- maintain accessibility of library materials by:
- -properly checking out materials that leave the library
- -returning books by the due date
- -responding promptly to recall requests
- keep library materials clean, unmarked and intact
- maintain a quiet environment
- abide by campus guidelines for use of public workstations
- maintain a clean, pest-free environment by not eating, drinking, spitting or smoking in the library
- refrain from any behavior which hinders the library staff or its users in operating or using the library for its intended purposes of study and research.
All library users are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with these Library User Rights and Responsibilities. Users who do not comply may be required to show valid identification and may be asked to leave the building by library or university authorities.
All UW students, staff, faculty and researchers have borrowing privileges for resources held by the UWM Libraries. For information on borrowing, please inquire at the Circulation Desk. Members of the community are welcome to use the library. Access to resources will not be denied or abridged because of race, religion, sex, national origin, disability or age. The library may require valid identification for access to certain materials.
Library workstations are provided for academic research. Uses inconsistent with this mission are not permitted. Students, faculty and staff with current UWM IDs or users accessing government information on the Internet have top priority for use of the workstations. During periods of heavy demand, use may be limited to 30 minutes and current users asked to yield their workstation to persons waiting for access.
The display of inappropriate materials on library workstations which others can see may be construed as constituting a form of harassment prohibited by Federal and State Laws. Access and use violations of computer resources, including the above, are prohibited and will be treated seriously by this institution with commensurate sanctions.
The UWM Libraries operate according to the following building regulations to ensure the safety, security and comfort of everyone using the facility.
- Excessive noise or other disruptive behavior which hinders the normal operation of the library is not permitted. UWS 18.06(30) and UWS 18.06(42)
- Food and beverages are not permitted in the library.
- Marking in, or vandalism of library resources, including the equipment and the building, is prohibited. UWS 18.06(4) and UWS 18.06(50)
- Young children must be under the immediate supervision of an adult for safety reasons.
- Personal belongings left unattended for an extended period of time will be collected and placed in lost and found. (First Floor, West Wing, Circulation Desk)
- Except for local movement of chairs and tables, no movement of, or alteration to, library furniture and fixtures is allowed.
- Except in a public emergency, every one but library staff must enter and leave the building by the approved entrance and exit only. The library has installed theft detection equipment, but is still authorized to perform a manual exit inspection for library materials and to contact campus police if attempted theft is suspected. UWS 18.06(6)
- During an emergency evacuation of the building, all occupants of the building must follow the directions of the library staff and public safety personnel. UWS 18.06(11)(g)
- No person may enter or remain in the library after the posted closing hours except those so authorized. UWS 18.06(7)(d)
- Threatening behavior or unwanted attention toward another individual is prohibited. Persons who behave in such a manner may be referred to campus police. UWS 18.06 (30)
- Animals are not allowed in the building with the exception of animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities. UWS 18.06(5)
- Bicycles, skateboards, roller blades and other forms of mechanized transportation are not permitted in the building, excepting equipment for individuals with disabilities. UWS 18.06(8) and UWS 18.06(29)
- Blocking stairwells or aisles in the library stacks for extended periods is not permitted. UWS 18.06(24)
- Soliciting, selling or displaying of items for sale is prohibited. Placement of any material from outside groups is not allowed in the entrance or inside the library without prior approval. UWS 18.06(16) and UWS 18.06(17)
- Possession or use of weapons, alcoholic beverages or illegal substances is prohibited in the library. UWS 18.06(13), UWS 18.06(10), and UWS 18.06(35)
- Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times, and proper hygiene is required.
Individual service units may have established more specific policies for the use of their collections and facilities. Please check at a public service counter for further information.
1 October 1999: 10/31/2002
