Conduct in the Library

All faculty, staff and students should familiarize themselves with the Drake University Emergency Procedures Manual. Red binders containing the print version of this document are located in several locations throughout the library.

General Conduct

Cowles encourages scholarly research by maintaining an environment conducive to study. Library users are expected to act responsibly, appropriately, and courteously to preserve the libraries’ facilities, environment, and collections, as outlined in Drake University’s Student Handbook, and in the following Library General Conduct Policies. Persons who violate any of these policies may lose their privileges to use Cowles Library, be subject to University-imposed discipline, and/or be subject to criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.

Public Use of Library Facilities

The public is welcome to use the library facilities as long as such use does not interfere with the scholarly atmosphere we strive to provide to Drake students, faculty, and staff. Public access to the Cowles Library ends at 6PM during open hours. Please check with the Information Desk concerning current public access hours. The Cowles Library offers Guest User Cards to visitors who are not current Drake students, faculty or staff. Guest users can apply for a library card if they are at least 18 years of age and provide a picture ID. Public users are required to follow the same rules of conduct as all Drake users and may be asked to show ID at any time. Violation of any policy may result in the user being asked to leave the facility temporarily or permanently, loss of any granted library privileges, and/or the possibility of legal action as appropriate.

Examples of several types of behaviors that violate this policy include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Misuse of any area of the building that has been designated for specific use.  Maps & signs are posted explaining these uses. Patrons are expected to follow the rules of conduct for study in these areas at all times.
  • Creating excessive noise in any form that can reasonably be expected to annoy other patrons or library staff (e.g. talking, cell phone, computer audio, iPods, etc.)
  • Animals (except for assistance animals) are not permitted in the library.
  • Theft, defacing or deliberate misuse of buildings, materials, or equipment.
  • Disruptive behavior of any kind, which endangers the perpetrator or others, or interferes with the library business of other patrons or staff.
  • Sexual misconduct, including exposure, offensive touching, the viewing of illegal pornography,or sexual harassment of patrons or library staff.
  • Using threatening, intimidating, or abusive language or physical posture towards patrons or library staff.
  • Consumption of alcohol or illegal substances within the library.
  • Carrying weapons, fake or real, into the library.
  • Misuse of restrooms.
  • Removing library materials from the library without following established lending procedures.
  • Concealing library materials in the library for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
  • Unauthorized entry into private staff areas.
  • Using skateboards, skates, rollerblades, scooters, or other recreational wheeled equipment in the library in an inappropriate manner
  • Fighting
  • Stealing personal belongings. (Cowles Library is not responsible for theft, damage, or loss of personal property, including property left on tables, in carrels, or offices. Library users should take every precaution to ensure the security of personal belongings, especially purses, wallets, backpacks, books, portable computers, and other electronic devices.)
  • Placing signs, posters, etc. on surfaces other than designated bulletin boards.
  • Not adhering to public user access hours.
  • Soliciting without prior authorization from the appropriate library staff.
  • Having drinks in un-covered, spill-able containers, or eating food in the computer areas.  (See the Food & Drink policy for complete details.)
  • Any other behavior prohibited by the University’s Student Handbook (whether committed by a student or another) or any behavior that is deemed by the library staff to interfere with the scholarly atmosphere of the library.