Policies

Safety & Respect for Others

• Threats, bullying, or intimidation of any kind is prohibited, including but not limited to: verbal abuse, threats or acts of violence, carrying or displaying weapons, or harassment.
• Behavior that contributes to excessive noise levels is prohibited, including talking in designated quiet areas, audible electronic devices, and loud talking,
• Cell phones are to be set to silent or vibrate in the library and phone conversations are to be limited to designated areas; texting is allowed throughout the library.
• Library users will not engage in any sexual activities on library premises.
• Indecent exposure and unwanted or inappropriate touching or advances will not be tolerated.
• Users may not disturb others with strong, pervasive odors, including perfume, cologne, body odor, or alcohol.
• Vending, peddling, soliciting, and petitioning are not allowed in the Library or at its entrance.
• Personal belongings should not be left unattended in the Library; the Library does not assume responsibility for personal belongings but reserves the right to place unattended belongings in the Lost and Found and/or turn them over to UWT Campus Safety.
• Library staff or Campus Security may wake sleeping users for safety and health checks.
• Users will not leave children unattended.

Respect for Library Property

• Misappropriating, misusing, vandalizing, stealing, monopolizing, deliberately misplacing, or obstructing the use of library equipment, resources, or facilities is prohibited.
• Users will not create unsanitary conditions or health hazards.
• Only Library staff may post materials in the Library.
• Animals, with the exception of identified service animals, are not allowed in the Library.

Use of computers and equipment

• First priority for computer use is always given to UW students, staff, and faculty.
• Academic uses of computers and equipment have priority over other uses. The Library reserves the right to discontinue patron use of computers at staff discretion.
• Computers and other equipment may not be used for destructive or illegal purposes, including but not limited to: loading file-sharing software, releasing viruses, using computers for network attacks, making illegal copies.
• Tampering with the Library’s computers or other equipment is prohibited, including disconnecting or unplugging cords, opening panels, etc.
• Use of personal equipment, such as extension cords, adapters, or power cords, must not pose a safety hazard for others.

Food, drink, and tobacco

• Drinking beverages from covered/lidded containers is permitted in the library.
• Food consumption is allowed in the library as long as it does not create a mess or hazard. Deliveries are to be met outside the library.
• Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other controlled substances in the library is strictly forbidden.

Proper use of identification

• Users will adhere to policies governing the appropriate use of University identification by not allowing others to use their UW identification card or UW NetID.
• Users will present identification upon request.
• Users must have valid UW ID to access the Library during Late Night Hours (9pm-12am, Mon-Thursday).

Bias Incidents

• If Library staff witness bias incidents or receive reports of bias incidents, staff will report the event through the campus Bias Incident Reporting process

Response to non-compliance

Library users found to be in violation of this code of conduct will be asked to stop non-compliant behavior. Continued failure to comply with the Library’s rules, regulations, and policies may result in removal from the premises or other disciplinary sanctions. Criminal behaviors will result in immediate action from Campus Safety or law enforcement without prior verbal warning.

Last updated May 2019.

• Group Study Rooms in the Library are for UW student use only
• Only UW students with a valid UW NetID can reserve Group Study Rooms using the online reservation system
• Library staff can not reserve rooms for students
• Faculty and staff who want to reserve a room should first check if there are rooms available in other locations on campus through the UW Tacoma Space Scheduling Page. In rare instances, the Library will book a room in the Library for Faculty and Staff.
• Public users cannot reserve the Group Study Rooms. To reserve a room on campus, the public must apply with Conference Services

Library Group Study Room Rules

• Group Study Rooms are intended for groups, defined as two or more users actively using the room.
• Groups may make up to two reservations per day.  Each reservation can be made for a period of 30 minutes up to a maximum of two hours.
  • Be considerate of other groups and DO NOT book rooms for more than the maximum time by using the names of different group members.
  • Your reservation is void if you are more than 15 minutes late. Another group may claim the room.
  • Personal property may not be left unattended in the room to hold the room reservation for a group.
• Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance.
• Reservations made for single users are not valid; priority will be given to groups with or without a reservation.
• When not reserved, Group Study Rooms are open on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Group Study Room users without a reservation must vacate the room when requested by Library Staff or a group with a valid reservation.

Library Study Room users are expected to follow the UW Tacoma Library Code of Conduct, including:

• Maintain a moderate noise level - rooms are not soundproof, and loud talking disturbs other users in adjoining rooms and outside the rooms.
• Personal belongings should not be left unattended in the Library at any time; the Library is not responsible for patrons’ personal belongings.
  • Library materials checked out to your account should be treated as personal belongings. You may be assessed overdue and replacement fees if they go missing from a study room.

Purpose:  

To provide users the opportunity to consume food and drink in the Library and TLC while maintaining a clean and safe environment for study.

Policy:

Food and covered beverages are permitted in the TLB and SNO buildings

• Dispose of any trash or recyclables
• Immediately report spills, messes, or hazards to Library or TLC staff
• Be considerate of those around you and of building facilities
• Deliveries should be met outside the buildings  
• Vendors and marketing are not allowed inside TLB or SNO buildings

Staff have final approval of any food or beverages allowed in the buildings

The UW Tacoma Library strives to establish and maintain a critical role in the educational processes of our students, staff, faculty, and community members. The UW Tacoma Library's computer equipment is provided to enable library users to access the collections and other information resources and services in support of teaching, learning, and research at UW Tacoma. The following rules apply to the use of UW Tacoma Library computer equipment and supplement and interpret University-wide and University Libraries' policies on the use of computing resources.

• Electronic resources usage guidelines
• University-wide policies
• UW Libraries' policies

The research and academic needs of current University of Washington students, faculty, and staff have first priority for all computer equipment at the library

Use of computer equipment for recreational purposes such as game playing deters others from using workstations for educational or research purposes and otherwise makes the Library less conducive to study. These activities are therefore prohibited, and recreational users will be asked to relinquish their use of computer equipment.

Due to the public nature of the Library, individuals should demonstrate respect for individuals' rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation or harassment. Users are asked to be sensitive to the fact that some on-screen images, sounds, or messages might create an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment for others. The Library may take steps to maintain an environment conducive to study and research.

At times, the demand for library computer equipment exceeds the number available. Users are asked to be sensitive to the needs of others and limit equipment use during times of heavy demand. The Library may take additional steps to regulate computer use, such as restricting email access or setting time limits.

Downloading from library databases is permitted and encouraged within the provisions of copyright law and contract provisions. Interested users should provide their own properly formatted diskettes.

Users may not use library equipment for destructive purposes or in ways that might slow down the network. Activities such as loading file-sharing software, releasing viruses, or using the Library's computers for network attacks is strictly forbidden. Violators can be reported to the authorities, banned from the library, or simply banned from using the Library's computer equipment.

Users may not make changes to computer settings or configurations, except for those permitted by the Library. Users may not create or use their own electronic files on Library public computer equipment unless otherwise permitted.

Use of computing resources is a privilege that depends on individuals using the resources appropriately and in accordance with University policies and local, state, and federal laws. These laws and policies cover such areas as illegal access to computer systems, networks, and files; copyright; and harassment issues.

Library users failing to comply with the conditions of this Policy may be subject to actions outlined in the Policy on Libraries Disruptions (Operations Manual, Vol. 1, Section B, No. 4).

The UWT Learning and Research Commons (LARC) is available to the public. You are welcome to use the UWT Library’s information resources and services for purposes of research and learning. UWT Library staff seek to provide services and facilities that support and foster the free flow of learning, information-gathering, and other related activities.

Temporary Access to UW Tacoma Wireless Network

Visitors from campuses and institutions participating in the Eduroam network can use Eduroam to access the UW's Wi-Fi network. Users affiliated with an institution of higher education or a Federal, State, or local government agency can sign up for wireless access at any time. To sign up, visit one of our service desks in the UW Tacoma Library. During the sign-up process, users will be required to present two forms of ID.

Please bring:

1. Either current higher education identification, OR current Federal, State, or local government employee ID. Examples of acceptable ID for this first category include; Tacoma Community College ID, Military ID, and State Department of Ecology ID.

AND

2. State driver’s license, state identification card, or a passport. There is an option for “library card” on the online form but this is not an acceptable form of picture ID at UW Tacoma.

Public users without educational or government affiliations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by UW Tacoma Library Staff. Users are directed to fill out the Request for Wireless Access Form, which includes a brief description of their research, justification of why the public computers are not suitable for their needs, the amount of time needed to complete the research, and contact information. Library users requesting special access to the wireless network will generally receive an answer from the Library within 3 business days. If approved, users will need to come to one of our service desks with a valid form of government ID and their approval email to sign up for their wireless access.

Free WiFi Hotspots

As a courtesy, the library has compiled a Google Map which shows the locations of all known free WiFi hotspots in Tacoma/Pierce County. A hard copy of this map is kept at the Reference desk for quick Reference.