The UNH Library provides shared spaces designed to support the academic mission of the University of New Hampshire by providing expertise and resources in a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment that is conducive to research and study. While the UNH Library is open to members of the public, library spaces are primarily designed to support the research, scholarship, and study needs of UNH students and employees. To achieve this purpose, certain standards of behavior are expected of all library patrons in order to foster an environment of civility and respect.
In order to protect the inclusivity and safety of our spaces, individuals who use the UNH Library will not engage in harassing behavior. Harassment is “behavior that occurs in person, in writing, or in electronic and social media that unjustly, substantially, unreasonably, and/or consistently interferes with an individual’s work, academic, or residential environment” (University of New Hampshire Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities).
The UNH Library has a variety of spaces available for individual, quiet, or collaborative work. Posted quiet study areas are not meant for conversation, online class participation, or cell phone use. Collaborative work is acceptable in all other areas. Library users should respect quiet spaces and be considerate of those around them by not engaging in disruptive behavior in any library space. Please move to another location if your work might disturb others and use headphones for online class participation and collaboration.
Please respect all library spaces by cleaning up your workspace and disposing of trash before you leave. Fliers and other materials should not be left on tables, doors, walls, or other surfaces.
Be careful not to block aisles or doorways, and do not leave your belongings unattended. Skateboards, non-motorized scooters, roller-skates, and rollerblades may be carried into library spaces, but they must be stored out of the way and may not be ridden inside. Bicycles and motorized vehicles, including electric scooters and unicycles, should not be brought into library spaces. These restrictions do not apply to ADA assistive devices.
The USNH Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) provides guidelines for the acceptable use of the University's IT resources. The purpose of the AUP is to ensure that the information technology infrastructure promotes the basic missions of the University in teaching, research, administration, and service. Patrons may be asked to review and confirm an understanding of the AUP before accessing UNH IT resources.
The UNH Library Copyrightinformation provides guidelines for the acceptable use of University resources in accordance with the Copyright Law of the U.S. (Title 17 of the U.S. Code).
Animals are not permitted in UNH Libraries with the following exceptions: (1) service animals as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which are trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, and (2) emotional support animals, only if prior approval for library entry is granted by the Student Accessibility Services (for students) or the Civil Rights and Equity Office (for employees) as a reasonable work or academic accommodation. Animals must be under the control of the owner or handler at all times and may be removed if the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it.
Per the UNH Tobacco, Smoke and Nicotine-free Policy, the use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or smoking of any kind is not allowed anywhere in the library.
Library users are responsible for the materials they use and can help ensure they are available for future generations by not defacing or damaging items by underlining, highlighting, writing on, creasing, or removing pages.
Thank you for your efforts to maintain a shared and welcoming environment in the library. UNH Library personnel established this statement of community standards to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of everyone using library spaces and resources.
The Library's Associate Dean is responsible for monitoring and updating this policy as needed. Questions about this policy can be sent to ask@unh.libanswers.com.
Updated by K. Sweetman & T. Lauder 7/23
Reviewed by UNH Library Faculty: 7/23
Approved by the Dean of the UNH Library: 7/23
