The purpose of this document is to provide all patrons of the Hilda C. Landers Library with behavior guidelines so everyone can enjoy Library resources in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.

It is intended to supplement the “Code of Student Conduct” and the “Basic Rights and Responsibilities” outlined in the To the Point Student Handbook.

The Code of Student Conduct states:

St. Mary’s College of Maryland strives to allow students to grow as persons and to learn, and works to provide an environment that serves that goal. It is important that all members of the College community conduct themselves in a responsible manner that is consistent with the mission of the College. When a student becomes a member of the College community, they agree to comply with the College’s policies and rules. When these are violated, the community is harmed. (To the Point Student Handbook, 2023-24, p.10)

The Basic Rights and Responsibilities states:

Students, as members of the College community, shall have certain rights. These rights shall include the freedom to pursue educational goals, the freedom of expression and inquiry, the right to privacy and confidentiality of records, and the right to due process as established in the Code of Student Conduct. These rights are subject to the limitations of the Code.

Students also have certain responsibilities:

• • The responsibility to act in such a manner as to ensure that other students may enjoy the rights mentioned above.
  • The responsibility to respect and comply with College rules and regulations.
  • The responsibility to respect and comply with local, state, and federal law.
  • The responsibility to act in a manner which promotes an atmosphere of learning and free expression.
  • The responsibility to respect the human rights, dignity, and worth of every individual in the College community. (To the Point Student Handbook, 2023-24, p.7)

Definitions and Guidelines

• These behavior guidelines apply to the Hilda C. Landers Library and to all patrons in or on the premises.
• “Library employee” includes professional staff, faculty librarians, and student employees.
• Patrons violating these guidelines will be asked by any Library employee to alter their behavior. Patrons that do not comply with employees’ directions to cease disruptive behavior after sufficient warnings will be asked to leave the library for the remainder of the day. Sufficient warnings may be one or two warnings from Library employees depending on the nature of the behavior.
• Student patrons are required to provide student IDs to Library employees upon request.
• Library employees will provide an incident report documenting any violations of these guidelines.
• Repeated violations of these behavior guidelines by student patrons will result in reporting to the Student Conduct Board.
• Any dangerous, threatening, or illegal activity will be reported to the Office of Public Safety and/or law enforcement immediately.

Alcohol, Drug Use, Fighting, Threatening Behavior, Unauthorized Weapons

The Library does not tolerate any behavior that violates the Student Code of Conduct. Any patron engaging in these behaviors will be immediately reported to the Office of Public Safety and/or law enforcement and asked to leave the Library.

• Fighting
• Alcohol or drug use
• Threatening behavior. Behavior is considered threatening if it suggests the possibility of violence and physical harm including stalking and harassment.
• Unauthorized weapons are prohibited on College property. A weapon, for purposes of these guidelines, can be defined as any object or device intentionally designed, modified, or used to inflict harm, injury, or death upon a living being or to threaten or intimidate individuals or groups.

Disruptive Behavior

Behavior is considered disruptive if it interferes with the operation of the Library, infringes upon the rights of others to freely access spaces and services, or poses a risk to Library employees, facilities, equipment, or collections.

Any patron engaging in these behaviors that do not comply with Library employees’ directions to cease disruptive behavior after sufficient warnings will be asked to leave the Library for the remainder of the day.

Disruptive behavior may include (but is not limited to):

• Refusing to comply with Library employee directions (e.g. refusing to leave the building at close or vacate a study room when there are reservations)
• Talking loudly, yelling, or singing
• Rough housing
• Smoking or vaping
• Blocking Library employee access to study rooms or classrooms
• “Claiming” a public area (table, study room, etc.) by leaving personal effects for extended periods of time when the owner is not actually in the facility
• Attempts to intimidate others to obtain preferential treatment or access to services
• Unwanted advances towards patrons or Library employees
• Masturbating, indecent exposure, and any other sexually explicit behavior

Service & Comfort Animals

• Service Animals are allowed in the Library as long as they remain under the control of the handler at all times.
• Pets, comfort animals, or emotional support animals are not considered service animals and are not allowed in the Library.

Any questions, comments, or concerns should be sent to Amanda VerMeulen, Director of the Library & Archives, aavermeulen@smcm.edu

Updated 10/12/2023