Policies: Responsible Use
Policies: Responsible Use
Core Values
We established our Responsible Use policy with the following values (goals) in mind:
- To promote recycling of appropriate food and drink packaging.
- To preserve our library collections and protect our facility from pests and harmful molds.
- To help to ensure the health and safety of all library users and a long life for library collections, furnishings, and equipment.
- To respect our hard-working custodial staff by taking responsibility for our personal behavior.
- To allow us to direct library funds to purchasing library materials that support the curriculum, rather than to replacing resources, furnishings, and equipment damaged by food and drink.
Policy Overview
The library’s Responsible Use policy is grounded in concepts of respect, reuse, and personal responsibility, in the context of the library as a resource shared by the entire Macalester community.
- Food: Food is allowed on the main and lower levels of the library, on levels 2 and 3, in the Link, and in staff work areas. Food is not allowed on level 4, at the service desk, in Rare Books and Archives, and in the library instruction classroom (except for special event situations).
- Drink: Drinks are allowed throughout the building, with the exception of the Rare Books and Archives areas. The library respectfully requests the use of spill-proof, reusable containers.
- Dispose of waste properly: Make sure to place recyclables in recycling bins, food waste in compost bins, and non-recyclable garbage in trash cans.
- Leave what you find: Leave library resources, furnishings, and equipment as you found them–or in better condition than you found them.
- Security: While we strive to maintain a safe and secure environment, it is up to you to be responsible for your own possessions. Please do not leave belongings unattended.
Overall, be considerate of other visitors: Respect the next library user and the next generation of library users.
Food and Drink
- Food is allowed on the main and lower levels of the library, on levels 2 and 3, in the Link, and in staff work areas. Food is not allowed on level 4, at Public Service Desks, in Rare Books and Archives, and in the library instruction classroom (except for special event situations). Drinks are allowed throughout the building, with the exception of the Rare Books and Archives areas.
- When possible, plan to eat your meals before you come to the library. If you do carry in snacks or drinks, try to avoid messy foods that may damage library materials and facilities, and bring drinks in spill-proof, reusable containers.
- Disposal–Place food and drink garbage in trash cans carefully to avoid splattering food and drink on the walls and library materials. If you must dispose of beverages, please pour liquids into a bathroom sink before recycling or throwing away the containers. Make sure to place recyclables in recycling bins.
- Spills–We anticipate spills will happen. Please report accidental spills to library staff as soon as possible.
- Special Events–Food and drink are permitted in library meeting spaces for library and campus functions. Hosts for events are responsible for clean-up and removal of all leftovers.
Security and Safety
- Please do not leave belongings unattended. While we strive to maintain a safe and secure environment, it is up to you to be responsible for your own possessions.
- To increase security awareness, library staff may temporarily confiscate personal belongings that have been left unattended.
- If you witness theft or believe a personal possession has been taken, please report the incident to library staff immediately.
- Behaviors deemed inappropriate, such as the destruction of library spaces and facilities, will not be tolerated and may lead to suspension of library privileges.
- Leave library resources, furnishings, and equipment as you found them–or in better condition than you found them.