Code of Conduct, Enforcement Guidelines, UCB Library

The Library Code of Conduct has been created in order to clearly state responsibilites of library users, and to provide staff with a written code which can be referred to during interactions with patrons.

Each member of the Library staff is responsible for helping to enforce the Library Code of Conduct. If you see behavior which is against the Code, or if such action is reported to you, you should respond to the situation. It is not acceptable for staff to ignore patron violation of the Code. Each situation is different, and staff will need to use discretion. Student assistants and their supervisor should determine a student's best response when working in a unit without a supervisor present.

The following general guidelines may be useful for library staff when enforcing the Code:

If at any time in the process you feel unsafe, or believe that others or library property may be in danger, call the UC Berkeley Police at 9-911. If you are in Doe/Moffitt Library, also call Doe/Moffitt Building Security at 3-9296 (during open hours) or 9-381-6690 (after hours). Avoid any possibility of physical contact. Do nothing to escalate hostility.

1. Observe/investigate. Evaluate whether abuse of the code is, in fact, occurring. Note details which support your evaluation. Generally, it is wise for 2 people to agree that behavior is disruptive. This can be you plus a reporting patron, or you and any other patron or staff member willing to answer questions if they should arise in the future.

2. If safe, approach the person and tell them that what they are doing is against the Library Code of Conduct. Ask them to stop the behavior. Provide them with a copy of the Library Code of Conduct.

3. If the persons refuses or is abusive, ask them to leave the premises. If they refuse, decide on one of the following courses of action:
   • to call the UC Police at 9-911 and ask them for backup,
   • to refer the subject to your supervisor,
   • to pursue the situation yourself (Get enough information to complete an incident report which will be referred to the Librarian's office, including the person's name, residence address, residence phone, student identification number if applicable, California driver's license #. Write a brief description of the incident including the date and time it occurred. Obtain the name of any witness willing to answer questions if this should be required in the future.)

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