User Policy

Preamble

These policies govern the use of the library facility, the material within, acceptable standards of behaviour, and actions to be taken in the event that these policies are not complied with.

The library will attempt to provide:

Resources that are complete, undamaged and properly filed.

Reasonable access to library material.

Services that are both cost effective and cost efficient.

An environment free from disruptive activity.

Book stacks and other areas housing library materials, as well as study areas which are free from food and the resulting problems.

A facility designed to enhance study and research activities, and devoid of damaged or defaced resources, furniture and equipment due to vandalism.

Loans

External loans are available to registered users only. However, due to the limited number of books currently in the collection, a limited number of print resources may be borrowed at a time.
For most categories of users, the standard loan period for print books is 21 days.
For Faculty members, the standard loan period is approximately one Term. Faculty loans may be recalled after a period of 21 days, if necessary. See 'Recalls' for details of the Recall policy.
Registered users may borrow Library Use Only resources for specified time periods.

Appropriate Behaviour

It is expected that patrons will engage in normal activities associated with the use of an academic library while in the library facility or on the premises of the library.
Professional behaviour, which includes due regard for the rights of other patrons engaged in normal library activities on or about the library premises, must be observed at all times. Incidents of inappropriate behaviour will be dealt with by Library staff and may be brought to the attention of the Chief Librarian. If necessary, the Chief Librarian or designee may refer the patron(s) to the Associate Dean of Students. This may result in the matter being raised at the next APC meeting as a non-cognitive issue. Withholding of grades and/or other appropriate consequences may result.

Library Conduct

The library is provided for the purposes of academic study and research. Users are urged to keep discussion and unnecessary movement to a minimum to enable others to work without distraction.

The facility is divided into QUIET, SILENT and DISCUSSION Zones as follows:

QUIET ZONES - Main Study Hall, Restroom
SILENT ZONE - Old Computer Laboratory
DISCUSSION ZONES - Group Study Room, Library Office

The Main Study Hall is for quiet, individual study. Group work and discussion should not take place there or in the Old Computer Laboratory.
Patrons are encouraged to make use of the Group Study Room for quiet group work and discussion.
In the Silent Zone of the library, there should be NO TALKING except in emergency situations. Non-verbal communication should occur only when absolutely necessary. Patrons are encouraged to restrict unnecessary movement and noises.
While in the library, patrons must place their cell phones on SILENT and to step outside to make or answer calls.
Electronic listening devices fitted with earphones are allowed in the library, once the volume is controlled to a level audible only to the user.
Personal belongings left in the library in the absence of the owners, must be stored on the Patron Bag Shelves provided. Personal items should not be stored on the library bookshelves, carrels or tables. The library is not responsible for the loss or damage of personal property, particularly items left unattended or overnight in the library.
Eating and the storage of food items in the library are deemed inappropriate behaviour. The drinking of water and other non-alcoholic beverages is permitted once stored in covered containers, such as covered cups, soda cans, or water bottles. However, these items should not be stored on the library book shelves or brought into the Library Office, and must be kept away from all electronic equipment.
Access to the Internet is provided for educational purposes only. The Library Computer Workstations are not to be used for non-educational activities. Students should demonstrate the expected courtesies, andshould be cognizant of the fact that other patrons may be waiting to use the facilities. Installation or change of any hardware or software should be authorized by the IT Department.
Patrons are asked not to rearrange the furniture in the library.
Patrons are asked not to interfere with the air conditioning units in the library. Manual manipulation of these units by unauthorised persons causes damage to the system. Patrons should use the AC remote controls provided to raise or lower the temperature between 19 - 23 degrees C.

Prohibited Activities

The following activities are prohibited:

Failure to return materials following the expiration of the loan period and/or on request for return of materials by library staff.

Failure to pay the library the value of lost or damaged materials.

Harassment of library staff or users.

Removal or attempted removal of library materials or property from the library without authorization.

Mutilation of library materials by marking, underlining, highlighting, removing pages or portions of pages, removing binding or staples, removing security devices, tampering electronically, or in any other way defacing or damaging library property.

Deliberately concealing or misfiling library materials in the library for the exclusive use of an individual or group.

Misusing or tampering with computing or media equipment or Internet connections.

Misusing Internet resources.

Consumption of food and the bringing of food items into the Library.

Storage of food items on the Library Compound.

Littering

Loitering.

Gambling.

Obscene language.

Loud talking/discussion, especially in the Study Hall and additional study space.

Loud music.

Smoking.

The use of alcoholic beverages.

Solicitation.

Running or skylarking.

Manual manipulation of the air conditioning units.

Rearranging and the removal of library furniture.

Access to or use of any restricted library facilities, equipment or service without proper permission by authorized personnel.

Access to or use of any restricted area of the library.

Remaining in the library after closing or when requested to leave, particularly during an emergency situation or drill.

Refusal to abide by regulations pertaining to health, safety and security.

Refusal to abide by the library's regulations, and any disturbance or behaviour that interferes with normal library use.

Disciplinary Action

The Chief Librarian reserves the right to eject and/or suspend temporarily from the library premises, and to refuse admission temporarily to any individual and or groups who:

violate the rules and regulations of the Trinity School of Medicine Library,

infringe upon the rights of any of the library staff or patrons in the proper use of the library’s facilities, or

create disorder on the premises of the library in any situation so as to interfere with the functions for which the library was designed.

In case of violations, the Chief Librarian may refer the patron to the Office of the Dean of Students for action.

Accommodation

Currently, the library offers seating for approximately 63 patrons at a time in the general study areas. Study tables and carrels are designed for individual study.
Users may occupy the spaces provided on a first-come basis, and should refrain from storing their belongings on the table tops, shelving units or on adjacent chairs.
The Group Study Room offers seating accommodation for 8 patrons at a time, and is available by reservation.
Personal belongings left in the library in the absence of the owners, must be stored on the Patron Bag Shelves provided. Personal items should not be stored on the shelving units, carrels or study tables.

Printing

The printing of Lecture Notes is a service offered in the library.
Patrons are asked to follow the printing and Copyright Compliance guidelines posted near the library computer workstations, and to conserve paper and ink wherever possible.

Use of Computers

Currently the patron computer workstations situated in the TSOM Library facility are intended to provide access to information and to lecture notes provided by faculty members.
Computer workstations and the network are the property of the Trinity School of Medicine. As such, users are not guaranteed anonymous access and use. The library and TSOM reserve the right to monitor and investigate workstation use without the user's consent or knowledge.
Patrons may not use library workstations for illegal activities or tamper with workstation configuration, software, hardware or the operating system.
Any act of unauthorized access or illegal use of workstations will be reported immediately to the campus authorities for disciplinary action.
Patrons may utilize laptop computers for study purposes in the library facility. However, patrons may not access the library student printer via laptop or personal computers.

Photocopying and Scanning

Photocopying and scanning services are available to patrons via the Student Government owned printer located in the Main Study Hall.
Patrons are asked to advise library staff of the need for toner or drum replacements and servicing.

Lost and Found

Materials and personal items found in the library will be held temporarily in the Library Office for not more than two (2) working days. If not collected during this time period they will be relocated to the Lost and Found are in Reception.

Security Measures

Personal belongings should not be left unattended in the library.
The library is not responsible for the loss or damage of personal property occurring in the facility.