Library Policies

The University Library is responsible for providing patrons with a pleasant and productive environment for study and research, as well as to protect the library materials and facilities. The following policies apply to Library users in all public service areas:

Food and Drink

It is the policy of the Library to maintain an environment appropriate for the protection of library materials and conducive to study in all library locations.

You are welcome to bring your food and drink into the library.

Exceptions: No food or drink allowed in Special Collections, the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Library, or the Maker Studio, except during University sponsored events. No food at computer stations. When bringing food into the library please be responsible and considerate of others.

We ask you to adhere to the following Food and Drink guidelines:

Avoid consuming messy or strong-smelling food in the library since this can disturb other library users.
Keep your food away from computers and other equipment.
Clean up your spills or crumbs and throw your trash away.
No group meals or alcoholic beverages are permitted in public areas, except during University sponsored special events.
If you see a mess in the library, please report it to a service desk right away.

The Library reserves the right to ask any patron to remove food and/or beverage from the Library based on this policy. In addition, failure to comply with posted restrictions or staff instructions regarding the consumption of food and beverages constitutes a violation of the Library Code of Conduct.

Animals in the Library

Bringing animals into the library building is not permitted, except for an individual accompanied by his/her service animal or by someone who has received permission from the University. Please refer to the University's Assistance Animal Policy.

Flyers/Magazines/Newspapers, i.e., Poly Post, Latino University, Young Money, etc.

Per the order of the State Fire Marshall, the Library Lobby is considered a required egress which prohibits us from having any type of newspapers, combustible material that adds fuel to the fire (in the event of a fire)/hazard that will prevent any individual from exiting.

Campus policies on posting and chalking are available in the Student Handbook.

Disorderly Behavior

Please DO NOT engage in disorderly behavior of any kind, including verbal abuse, threats of violence, sexual harassment, or the activities that interfere with the activities of library staff and patrons. Behaving in a way that interferes with an employee’s performance of his/her duties, including, but not limited to, verbal abuse, intimidation, sexual harassment or harassment on account of race, religion, ethnic background, gender, or sexual orientation, violates the California Penal Code Sections 415 and 415.5.

Noise

Designated "Quiet Floors" are 1st, 5th, and 6th Floors).

Excessive noise includes: loud conversations, snoring, moving any and or all types of furniture, and using audio devices (cellular phones, radios, CD/MP3 players, etc.) in such a manner as to disturb others. This type of behavior is in violation of California Penal Code Sections 415 and 415.5.

Cell Phone Use

In order to maintain a respectful study environment, the Library asks that all cell phone users set their phones to vibrate while they are in the building. If you must talk on your cell phone, do so only near campus phones, near elevators, in stairwells, and in restrooms, so you do not bother other people.

Viewing Stations with VHS/DVD Equipment

These cubicles are reserved for VHS/DVD viewing. If the cubicle is being used for any other purpose, you may be asked to give up the station in order for a patron to use the viewing apparatus.

Abuse of Materials, Equipment, Furniture, and Facilities

Mutilating library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages or portions of pages, removing binding, removing barcodes, removing call number labels, removing electronic theft devices, using post-it’s and paperclips or in any other way, damaging or defacing library materials. Maliciously accessing, altering, deleting, damaging, or destroying any computer system, laptop, network, computer program, or data. Such acts may be construed as vandalism and violate California Education Code Section 19910 and California Penal Code Section 594.

Smoking/Alcoholic Beverages/Illegal Drugs

Smoking products of any sort (including e-cigarettes), drinking alcoholic beverages and using illegal drugs are prohibited. Student violators will be subject to CSU (California State University) student disciplinary procedures established pursuant to Title 5, Section 41301, of the California Code of Regulations.

Prevention of Theft

To prevent theft of library materials, Library users may be asked to present book bags, backpacks, or briefcases, etc. for inspection. By entering the library, users are agreeing to pass through a security system. Library users will be asked to present book bags, backpacks, or briefcases, etc. for inspection if the detection alarm is deactivated, or when there is a power failure. To prevent theft of books, and library materials, state law authorizes the detention, for a reasonable period, of any person using the facilities who is suspected of committing “library theft.” (California Penal Code Section 490.5)

Personal Belongings

Books, laptops, book bags, backpacks, briefcases, or other personal belongings, left unattended on tables or study carrels are at risk of being stolen. If you leave the library, you must take ALL belongings with you. Library staff retains the right to place unattended belongings in the Library “Lost and Found”, located at the Circulation Desk. The Library is NOT RESPONSIBLE for personal belongings. DO NOT leave your belongings unattended at any time.

Solicitation

Commercial solicitation is prohibited in library facilities without prior written authorization. “Commercial Solicitation” includes all activities intended to result in a sale. (California Administrative Code Section 42350.6 of Article 9, Subchapter 4, chapter 1 of Title 5)

Loitering/Refusing to Leave

No loitering. 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 by any peace officer to do so, if the surrounding circumstances are such as to indicate to a reasonable person that the public safety demands such identification." (California Penal Code Section 647(e)) Also, being in unauthorized areas of the library, remaining in the library after closing, refusing or failing to leave when requested to leave during closing procedures or emergency situations or drills, or not abiding by the Cal Poly Pomona Library Conduct Policy.

Prohibited Conduct

Parking wheeled vehicles in unauthorized parking areas near the library entrance, or bringing them in to the library building. (California Civil Code Section 600.05)
Rollerblading, bicycling, skateboarding, skating, or riding/use of scooters or hoverboards (or the charging of hoverboards) in or on library building. (California Civil Code Sections 600.01 & 600.02)
Carrying weapons in the library building unless authorized by law. (California Penal Code Section 626)

Failure to Comply

It is expected that library staff requests for compliance with these rules will be immediately and civilly honored. Depending upon the seriousness of the infraction, refusal to comply with library rules may result in:

A request to leave the building.
A police investigation of possible violations of State Education, Civil, or Penal Codes.
A University Code of Student Conduct and Discipline Hearing.

This social media policy defines best practices for maintaining the University Library’s social media outlets, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Google Plus, and YouTube.

All posts to library social media are intended to support the University Library’s mission. In general, posts to social media will include information related to the library’s services, building, or patrons. The overarching goal of the University Library’s social media is to increase reach and interaction with current, past, and potential library users.

Administration of Social Media Channels

The University Library’s social media channels are monitored and maintained on a daily basis by members of the Library Outreach Committee. Those maintaining the social media should remember that all posts represent the University Library and the University and should adhere to the following general guidelines (adapted under a CC-BY-SA 3.0 license from CUNY Academic Commons):

Write compelling headlines that are precise and/or funny
Lead with the good stuff by giving a solid overview in the first phrase
Keep it simple. Less text is preferable (140 characters or less) with links to the full story. Where possible include short links (from services such as TinyURL or SnapURL).
Provide context. Use keywords and hashtags, i.e. #TBT for Throwback Thursdays.
Use an image or graphic whenever possible that visually describes your headline. Scan an image or take a picture if necessary.
People make things interesting: use a conversational tone.
Politics and political issues should be avoided
Write for the specific social media platform, i.e. adhere to Twitter character post suggestions, more frequent hashtags on Twitter, etc.
Featuring any specific library employee (student, staff, or faculty) requires previous permission, preferably written permission via email.
Featuring collections or services from a specific library department requires previous permission from that department, preferably written permission via email.
Any posts related to emergencies, evacuations, or topics that may be damaging to the library’s reputation must first be approved by Library Administration.

Publicizing Content from the University and/or the Community

Outside groups including campus departments, student groups, or community groups may request that the University Library publicize something for them via the library’s social media channels. Non-commercial publicity related to Cal Poly Pomona students, staff, or faculty is acceptable; commercial publicity is not accepted unless it is something supported by a CPP program. For instance, products sold by a CPP sponsored program in support of student learning could potentially be publicized; however, apps developed by people not associated with any official CPP group would not be publicized.

Rules for Online Behavior on Social Media

The Library will not post items or comments that are obscene, racist, derogatory, or similarly objectionable in their content:

Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
Potentially libelous statements
Plagiarized copyrighted material
Commercial promotions or spam (adapted under a CC-BY-NC-SA license from CSUSM Library)

We appreciate feedback and discussions related to the Library. We also welcome promotional announcements for groups and interests affiliated with the University. Cal Poly Pomona University Library reserves the right to add, remove, and edit content on this page. If you find inappropriate content, please notify us via email or text at : library@cpp.edu.

Library Outreach Committee; Approved by the Library Outreach Committee on 12/16/14; Approved by Library Administration on 01/07/15; Revised on 4/03/15

1. Statement of Purpose: The University Library at Cal Poly Pomona has three classrooms designated primarily for its use. These classrooms are 15-1828 (capacity 30), 15-2907 (capacity 45 with computers, 60 without), 15-2913 (capacity 15 with computers, 25 without). The primary purpose of these classrooms is to provide Library faculty and staff with designated spaces for providing information literacy instruction to Cal Poly Pomona students.

2. Learning Resource Center: In accordance with long-standing agreements with the Learning Resource Center, these classrooms are also made available to their instructors for the providing of classes, workshops and preparatory sessions for the GWT.

3. Athletic Study Hall: In accordance with long-standing agreements with Athletic Affairs, classroom 15-1828 is made available Monday-Thursday between the hours of 4pm-10pm.

4. Orientation Services: Also in accordance with long-standing agreements, the library classrooms are made available to Orientation Services during the Summer months to assist in new student orientation.

5. Other Authorized Uses: Beyond these two primary purposes, access to these classrooms may be provided for the following purposes upon request:

a. Training and/or orientation sessions provided by specific academic departments or divisions on campus.
b. University courses requiring a computer lab for a specific activity (test, etc…)
c. Faculty Committees requiring a computer lab for a specific activity.

6. Approval of Requests for Use: Any and all requests for classroom usage in the above categories is subject to review and approval by either Library Administration or the Library Instruction Coordinator. Approval of usage is subject to the following policies:

a. Library Instruction have precedence over all other classroom users and shall not be rescheduled for outside users. All other users are to be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- i. Library instruction courses have precedence over Athletic Study Hall in classroom 15-1828. Should instruction sessions be scheduled in 15-1828 during the designated hours for Athletic Study Hall, the Library Instruction Coordinator should be informed at least one week prior to the class taking place, so that they may inform the Assistant Athletic Director, who can then make arrangements for Study Hall to be held on that date at an alternate location.
b. All approved classroom activities (including Library Instruction and LRC/RAMP Classes) must be placed on that specific classroom's Outlook Calendar.
c. All activities in Library classrooms must be supervised by a responsible party. This party may include:
- i. A Librarian or designated Library Staff member.
- ii. A LRC/RAMP instructor.
- iii. A designated supervisor for Athletic Study Hall.
- iv. A designated Faculty member, instructor, staff member
  - 1. Designated responsible parties not listed in sections 5.c.i, 5.c.ii or 5.c.iii shall be provided with a copy of these policies and shall be required to sign that copy in agreement to abide by these policies.
d. Any of the above designated personnel will be responsible for:
- i. Orderly conduct and behavior of the individuals using the classroom.
- ii. Responsible use of computers and classroom furnishings
- iii. The prompt termination of activities, classes, workshops, etc. at the close of their scheduled time.
- iv. Clean up of any materials, handouts, food, trash etc… used by the class.
- v. Return of any hardware to its designated location (see policies for Classroom 15-1828)
- vi. Turning out the lights and locking the door upon completion of classes, activities, etc.
e. The use of food in the classrooms requires prior authorization by either Library Administration or the Library Instruction Coordinator.
- i. Should food be authorized, classroom users are to be guided by the University Library's Food Policy as to the types of food permitted in the classroom.
- ii. Classroom users will also be responsible for the clean up of any and all food brought into the classroom.
- iii. In the event of spills/messes, classroom users are responsible for the immediate reporting of these events to Circulation and to initiate any and all reasonable clean up measures (use of paper towels to clean up spills, etc…)
f. Use of computers/hardware in library classrooms is granted to classroom users on a good faith understanding that they will use them in accordance with existing University policies regarding the usage of technology that is state property. Approved classroom users accept liability for damage to computers/hardware resulting from usage in a manner that violates said policies.
g. Classroom 15-1828
- i. Classroom 15-1828 is a classroom with moveable furniture, providing 30 Microsoft Surface Pro tablets as its computers. These tablets are locked in a cart located in 15-1828. The key to this cart is available from the Circulation Desk. The following personnel are authorized to request this key:
  - 1. Library Administrators, Faculty and Staff
  - 2. LRC/RAMP Instructors
- ii. Due to the fact that this classroom lies outside of the University Library's security perimeter, access to these computers shall not be granted to other classroom users without a Librarian or Library staff member present to supervise their use.

7. Failure to Comply with Policies: Failure to abide by any of these policies may result in a user's access to the library classroom for a class, workshop, event, etc. being revoked.

8. Public Availability of Policies: A copy of these policies shall be publicly available on the Library Website.

It is the policy of the Cal Poly Pomona University Library to respect the privacy of all users to the extent physically and logistically possible and permitted by law. The Library will not reveal the identities of individual users (names, addresses, telephone numbers, Bronco ID numbers) or reveal what information sources or services they consult (books checked out, websites visited), to anyone outside the library organization unless required to do so by law. Also, this information is only shared within the Library on a need to know basis. This policy applies to all resources regardless of their format or means of delivery as well as to all services offered by the Library.

For examples of how this policy applies to specific library services, see below.

Circulation

The Library does not reveal the names of individual borrowers nor reveal what materials are charged to any individual, except as required by law. The Library does not keep a permanent ongoing record of borrowing for any individual: however, the Library catalog's back-up files may retain borrowing information for up to a week after an item is returned. When the catalog retains the checkout history of an item, that information remains confidential within the Library. The Library PIN/Password is encrypted. Access to “My Library Account” is a secured login. For your protection, you will be asked to come to the Library in person and to present identification if there are problems with your Library PIN/Password.

Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan

Documentation of requests is retained as necessary for the Library to comply with auditing, copyright or other regulations. Because of the software the Library uses this documentation will include names of borrowers. Personal information provided in order to request ILL service might be forwarded on to other library lenders. In some cases, information about requests may be shared with other library staff for collection development and fine collection purposes; however, it remains confidential within the library.

Library Surveys/Assessment Projects

Information and data obtained by the Library through surveys or other means, whose intended use it to provide assessment of services, collections, facilities, etc., are considered confidential and will not be shared except in aggregations, to protect the privacy of individual participants.

Online Access

Information collected from the Library Web site is not made available to any other entity outside the Library except as required by law. There are different types of information that the Library may collect during your visit to our web site and associated web sites, including the following:

Web Visit Logs: The Library will use web server log information to create internal summary reports about web site use. These web server logs are permanently archived. The Library's web server logs will identify the host name and/or the IP address of the computer that you use, record date and time information, as well as pages viewed. We do not attempt to identify individual visitors from this information. Records of searches in the Library Catalog are kept in a detailed log, but no information identifying individual users is logged in the catalog. The Library creates summary reports of these transactions for internal analysis. Any personally identifiable information is not released to external parties, unless required by law.
Cookies: The Library servers use cookies to provide access to restricted databases. A cookie is a small piece of data that is sent to your browser from our web site's server and stored on your computer's hard drive. These cookies may remain on your computer's disk. The cookies are used only to allow you to access licensed databases when you are not using a campus computer. You may delete cookies from your computer, but they must be allowed by your security settings to allow access to our databases remotely. The Library does not gather and store personal information using cookies.
Information Voluntarily Provided by You: The Library may use personal information provided in email requests (such as "Comments”, “Ask A Librarian”, and “Suggestion for Purchase"), web forms, authentication sessions with library servers, and other electronic transactions to contact you, to provide the requested service and to analyze the effectiveness of services provided. Personally identifiable information from these activities is not released to external parties unless required by law.
The Library Web site contains links to Web sites maintained outside of the Cal Poly Pomona Library. The Library is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these external web sites. Some of the websites require you to provide private information in order to fully use their websites. These websites are covered by their own privacy policies.

Public Workstations

While the Library will endeavor to protect the privacy of patron use of Library computers, patrons should be aware, when using Library computers, that the Library cannot and does not guarantee privacy. Patrons should not have an expectation of total security in a networked system of shared public-access computers. Since the computers are located in public areas, other users or Library Staff members may observe what is on the computer screen. Patrons who enter private information while using a Library computer should logoff and close browser programs when they are finished with their transactions.

Donor Privacy

Gifts and contributions make an important contribution to building and shaping the Library's collections. These donations can be made in an anonymous or private manner if so desired.

Cal Poly Pomona's Appropriate Use Policy for Information Technology begins with the statement:

The purpose of this Policy is to help ensure reliable and proper user access to Cal Poly Pomona Information Technology (University IT) resources and the lawful use of these resources.

This includes the appropriate and responsible use of electronic resources provided by the Library – the electronic journals, electronic books, and databases many of you use on a daily basis.

Publishers and content providers require us to sign license agreements as part of the subscription process. License agreements generally include provisions intended to prevent unauthorized use or redistribution of the licensed content.

What is unauthorized use or redistribution?

Details vary, but here are some general guidelines:

Usually it's OK to:

Make limited print or electronic copies
Use the material for personal, instructional, or research purposes
Share with Cal Poly Pomona students, faculty, and staff
Post links to specific content

In general, our license agreements DO NOT allow:

Excessive or systematic downloading or copying; for example, copying, downloading, or printing every article from an issue of a journal
Commercial use
Sharing copies with non-authorized users (people not affiliated with Cal Poly Pomona)
Posting content or articles to websites or listservs
Use in coursepacks without appropriate permissions

Inappropriate use impacts the entire campus.

The consequences for violating terms of the licensing agreements can be very serious. When publishers and content providers detect inappropriate use of their content they will generally cut off our access to the journal or database. Often this impacts access to all journals from that publisher for the entire campus community.

For example, if a publisher detects that a member of the Cal Poly Pomona community is downloading every article from a journal, access to that journal will be suspended. If the journal is part of a publisher's package (e.g., Springer, IEEE), the publisher might also suspend access to all journals in the package. If the publisher's website hosts journals from other publishers, access to journals from those publishers might also be impacted.

Repeated violations can result in a license being permanently revoked.

Has this happened at Cal Poly Pomona?

Yes. We have had several license violations in recent years. For example, in late summer our access to all journals on the American Institute of Physics website was suspended because of excessive downloading from one AIP journal.

What are we doing to prevent this?

We are trying to educate the Cal Poly Pomona community about responsible use and the serious consequences of license violations. This webpage is part of our effort. We will periodically send informational emails to all faculty, staff, and students. Librarians will address responsible use of electronic resources in classes and workshops. We encourage faculty to address responsible use of electronic resources when making research assignments.

In addition, when the Library is able to determine that an individual is responsible for a license violation we will take steps to contact the individual and inform him or her about the license violation. We believe that most license violations are unintentional, that the individuals do not realize that their actions are viewed as violations by the publishers.

If repeated violations occur however, we will have to take further action by referring the case to Judicial Affairs, Faculty Affairs, or Human Resources. This is necessary to protect access for all Library users.

Publishers and content providers are very serious about responsible use. We need to take it seriously as well.

If you have questions about license agreements for specific resources, please contact Brinna Pam Anan: bpanan@cpp.edu or (909) 869-4142.

Library Policies