Policies & Procedures
The UMass Amherst Libraries strive to maintain a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment for anyone who enters our buildings. Users are expected to behave in a manner that respects the rights of others to study, conduct research, and work within library buildings, and to adhere to UMass Amherst policies as well as relevant state and federal laws.
Library building staff will ask users engaging in behavior that disrupts study and effective use of the Libraries to stop the disruptive behavior or leave the building. The Libraries reserve the right to determine what conduct constitutes “disruptive behavior.” Examples of disruptive behavior include but are not limited to: playing media without headphones or at a level that disturbs other users; making loud noises; loud cell phone conversations; competing noise levels amongst group study rooms; belligerent behaviors. If the disruptive behavior persists, Library building monitors or other staff will contact the campus police for assistance.
The UMass Amherst Libraries’ user behavior expectations are listed below.
Animals
Service animals assisting disabled persons may enter the Libraries; all other animals are not allowed. See the Assistance Animal Policy for more information.
Bicycles, Rollerblades, Skateboards, and Other Rideable Devices
Bicycles, including collapsible bicycles and motorized transportation, must remain outside the building, secured to bicycle racks. The Libraries will contact UMass police to remove any bicycles locked to the railings outside the Du Bois Library building. Rollerblades, skateboards, non-motorized scooters, unicycles, and other small carriable devices, except those needed by individuals with a disability, may be carried in but not used in Library facilities.
Carrels
Carrels are available in the Du Bois Library and assigned to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Refrigerators and heating or cooking devices (including coffee makers) are not permitted in carrels. The Libraries are not responsible for damage to or theft of personal items in carrels.
Cell Phones
Cell phone use is permitted in non-quiet study areas of the Libraries. Users are expected to be respectful of others while using their cell phones.
Closing Time
The W. E. B. Du Bois Library, warning bells ring several times before closing: once 30 minutes before closing, twice 15 minutes before closing, three times 5 minutes before closing, and one very long sound at closing time.
Science and Engineering Library, verbal warnings are given 30 minutes before closing and 5 minutes before closing. Users are expected to cooperate with staff and leave when the building closes.
Electronic Resources: Please see the Libraries’ Electronic Resources Usage Policy.
Event Spaces & Meeting Rooms
To submit a request, review the UMass Amherst Libraries Events Policy and fill out the form.
Food and Beverage
These buildings are your Libraries. Please help us to achieve the goals of preservation, cleanliness, and safety by observing the following:
- Nonalcoholic beverages are permitted if they are in closed, spill-proof containers or pull-top plastic bottles.
- Food should be consumed in the Procrastination Station in the W.E.B. Du Bois Library.
- Food and beverages are not permitted in Special Collections and University Archives or any other area designated by signage.
- Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the Libraries.
- This policy may be waived for special events with prior approval of the Dean of Libraries.
Freedom of Information
The UMass Amherst Libraries endorse the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, Library Bill of Rights, and Access to Digital Information, Services and Networks, which support access to information and oppose censorship, labeling, and restricting users’ access to information of all kinds.
U.S. copyright law and contractual agreements govern the access, use, and reproduction of the electronic resources the Libraries make available to authorized users. Use is limited to non-profit, educational purposes. The sharing of passwords and systematic downloading may result in suspension of service for the campus. For more information, please see the Electronic Resources Usage Policy.
Internet Viewing of Controversial Material
The UMass Amherst Libraries are not responsible for monitoring potentially controversial Internet materials displayed on workstations. Instances of displaying child pornography, which is illegal, will be reported to the police.
Lost and Found
Most items found in the W.E.B. Du Bois Library are stored for 30 days at the Library Information Desk (413-577-0840). Most items found in the Science and Engineering Library (413-545-7282) are stored at its Service Desk for 30 days. Any UCards turned in to the Libraries’ Lost and Found will be returned to the UCard Office. Electronic devices and items containing personal identification information, such as drivers’ licenses, credit cards, birth certificates, passports, etc., will be turned over to the UMass Police Department.
Personal Property
Users are responsible for their personal property at all times and should never leave personal belongings unattended. Personal items left unattended for 15 minutes or longer may be removed and sent to Lost and Found so the space can be used by others. Items removed are not the responsibility of the UMass Amherst Libraries. Lockers are available for short-term use on the 2nd and 5th floors of the W. E. B. Du Bois Library.
Posting Announcements
Bulletin boards in the UMass Amherst Libraries are intended for items announcing events sponsored by or of interest to the UMass and Four College community. No other surfaces or locations may be used for posting. Anyone wishing to post something to the bulletin board in one of the Libraries will give the item to a staff member at the Library Information Desk or the Learning Commons Desk. Users may post announcements on a small board located on the entrance level of the W. E. B. Du Bois Library. All materials posted shall clearly indicate the name of the sponsoring university unit, student organization, or employee organization. Any material to be posted must include a date. If written material is in a language other than English, it must provide sufficient information in English to identify the sponsoring group. Duplicate copies and outdated announcements will be removed daily.
Privacy and Confidentiality
The UMass Amherst Libraries are committed to protecting each Library user‘s privacy and confidentiality by keeping private any personally identifiable information about users. Information related to items checked out or billed to individual users is not given out over the phone. For additional information, consult the UMass Amherst FERPA policy.
Social Media
The social media policy for the UMass Amherst Libraries covers the official social media channels of the UMass Amherst Libraries: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The official social media channels will be maintained by the designated social media administrator for the purposes of promoting the mission and values of the UMass Amherst Libraries.
The UMass Amherst Libraries reserve the right to remove or not to post content that is malicious, inappropriate, spam, violates Copyright or other rights, or does not promote the mission and values of the UMass Amherst Libraries.
Soliciting and Tabling
The UMass Amherst Libraries are dedicated to providing an academic space for research, scholarship, and study. To respect the privacy, security, and comfort of all Library users, soliciting and tabling is not permitted in any part of the UMass Amherst Libraries whether by University or external groups. This includes the requesting of money, services, favors, goods, opinions, and signatures; petitioning; interviewing; offering paid-for services; or selling of any products or service. For survey taking and other exceptions, apply to the Dean of Libraries in advance for written approval.
Trash and Recycling
The University has an extensive program for the recycling of paper, metal, and plastic. Containers for this purpose are located throughout the Libraries. Users are expected to dispose of recyclables and other trash in an appropriate manner. Food waste should be placed in trash receptacles. Beverage and other recyclable containers should be rinsed out prior to disposal in labeled bins.
Vandalism/Destruction of Library Property
Graffiti and destruction of furniture, books, magazines/periodicals, etc., are considered destruction of university property and all incidents of this nature will be reported to campus police.