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Library Policies

Here you can find several policies which govern both staff and users of the Reg Erhardt Library.

• Reg Erhardt Library Code of Conduct
• Children In the Library
• Computer Use
• Courtesy Phone
• Food and Beverage
• Noise in the Library
• Study Rooms

Reg Erhardt Library Code of Conduct

The Library will:

• Treat all users with respect and courtesy.
• Provide friendly, efficient and expert library service.
• Provide access to as many resources as possible to support the curricula offered at SAIT.
• Provide a safe and clean environment for use by all members of the SAIT community.
• Provide access to the Library for as many hours as possible.
• Provide a variety of study spaces, including those for group use and those for quiet study, to meet the learning needs of students.
• Respond to user concerns in a timely manner.
• Enforce the Code of Conduct in an equitable manner.

You will:

• Treat other users and the Library staff with respect and courtesy.
• Acknowledge that academic work has priority over personal work when using the Library facility.
• Take responsibility for your personal belongings. Clear your work space of garbage and recyclables before leaving the space.
• Refrain from disruptive, offensive or inappropriate behaviour or language Keep noise to a minimum especially in the Level 0 Quiet Study area.
• Minimize damage to the facility and collection by not consuming food in the Library and only consuming beverages stored in securely closed containers.
• Ensure that exits and aisles are not blocked in case there is an emergency so others can move around freely.
• Refrain from rearranging or moving furniture and equipment.
• Use library materials carefully so as not to damage them.
• Use the computers and wireless access in a manner that complies with the SAIT Computer Use Policy.

Consequences

Staff will monitor behaviour within the Library to ensure that users are complying with the Code of Conduct and all other policies. Failure to comply with the Code or library policies may result in loss of library privileges and/or expulsion from the Library.

Children In the Library

The supervision of children is the responsibility of parents or caregivers not the library staff. Unsupervised children under the age of twelve are not allowed to visit or use any library facilities or resources. Parents or caregivers are not permitted to sign on their under-aged children to library workstations.

Computer Use

The SAIT library is a modern learning and research centre providing numerous computer workstations to our patrons. These workstations do not require that users sign-up for computer time, nor are special usernames or passwords required. Though intended primarily for use by the SAIT community, others may use the workstations when not in demand by staff or students.

The library classroom is available for computer access on weekdays. This space is intended for individual work and discussions among users should be kept to a minimum. A calendar beside the classroom door allows patrons to see when the classroom is being used for instruction. Computer users are expected to leave 10 minutes prior to the start of a class.

Patrons using any library workstation are expected to be considerate of the needs of others and to comply with the computer use policies listed here:

Guest Use
The term “guest” refers to library visitors who are not current SAIT students or staff.

Guest workstation use must conform to the “SAIT Acceptable Use Policy”. This policy is available at log on and in the library reference collection (378.712338 S727P). Guests must also conform to the “Reg Erhardt Library Computer Use Policy 3.2”. The text is available at the Information desk and on posters throughout the Library.

The Library has six guest/student workstations, including one disabled access priority workstation, and one scanner workstation (LIB 117). Students have priority status. Guests will be asked to vacate their workstation if a student requires access.

Guest use is limited to a one hour/day maximum and may be restricted further at busy times.

Guests must show library staff an identification card or document that includes the persons name and the name of the issuing agency. If picture ID is not available, staff will accept two pieces of ID with the guest’s name and issuing agency. IDs without expiration dates are acceptable. The guest will complete a sign in at the Information Desk which includes their printed name and signature. Staff will record the use start time and workstation number.

Examples of acceptable identification include:

• Driver’s license
• SAIT alumni
• SAITS-ALIVE
• Student card
• Charitable society
• Passport.

Library staff will log on guest workstations with the LIB username and password. The guest login password is confidential and available only to library staff.

Demand
Workstations are often in high demand. Limit your usage to one hour when people are waiting. Some workstations, designated by signs, are for quick-use only (e.g. checking email or printing a document) or restricted to particular resources (such as library catalogues and databases).

Food and Drinks
Computer areas in the Library are treated as computer labs. Food and beverages are not permitted at the workstations. This is a SAIT campus wide policy.

Game Play
Game play is not permitted on library workstations.

Saving Files
Files must be saved on your own disks or on your personal drive (usually H). Any personal files left on workstation hard drives are removed daily.

The library is not responsible for data lost due to human error or system failure. Save your work often.

Software
Use the software we have provided. Do not load additional software or delete programs. It is not your computer.

Acceptable Use
Users must respect the "SAIT Acceptable Use Policy" available through mySAIT or in the SAIT Policies and Procedures Manual available in print format in the Library Reference collection (call number 378.712338 S727P).

Acceptable use includes, but is not limited to, such issues as intellectual property rights and the accessing of materials which may be deemed offensive.

Closing
At closing time users are expected to log off and leave promptly.

Compliance
Patrons who do not abide by these policies will be asked to leave.

Library staff are the final arbiters of appropriate use whether the issue be game play, accessing pornography or any other concern regarding the fair and proper use of library workstations. Complaints about computer users should be referred first to Library Information Desk staff. Follow-up, if necessary, should be referred to the Customer Services Librarian or the Library Manager.

Courtesy Phone

There is a phone for use by patrons located near the photocopiers. Patrons using the phone should keep their conversations brief (less than 5 minutes) and speak in a low tone of voice.

This phone cannot be used to receive calls or contact long distance numbers.

Food and Beverage

This policy applies to all public areas of the library and is intended to ensure that:

• the Library provides a clean, aroma free environment for all users,
• our space remains pest-free,
• the physcial collection is preserved,
• litter and garbage are reduced,
• and Library equipment is not damaged.

Food
No food of any kind is permitted in the library.

Beverages
Beverages may only be brought in if the container has a secure lid. Acceptable containers are closed spill-resistant travel mugs, pop-up sports bottles and screw top bottles. Disposable cups with secure lids are also permissible.

Beverage cans or open containers are not permitted.

Garbage/Litter
Library users are responsible for picking up and disposing of their garbage. Please notify library staff of spills so that they may be cleaned up quickly.

Equipment
No beverages or food of any kind are permitted around any of the electronic equipment in the library, including:

• computer workstations
• video viewing stations
• photocopiers
• printers

This is a SAIT campus-wide policy.

Compliance
Library staff have the final approval over any sort of beverage container, or food item, being brought into the library.

The Library Manager may waive the policy for special events.

Library users who do not respect this policy will be asked to leave the Library. Complaints about food or beverages should be referred first to Library Information Desk staff. Follow-up, if necessary, should be referred to the Customer Services Librarian or the Library Manager.

Noise in the Library

The Reg Erhardt Library is a centre for learning, research and study.

Some people learn best when working in a small group while others want quiet space for individual study. These differing needs require that the Library provide both collaborative work space and individual quiet study space.

Also, the library is a place for people to get assistance with locating and using information; thus, staff will have to talk with patrons about the use of resources and services. Equipment such as photocopiers, printers and the courtesy phone generate noise as well.

There will always be a certain amount of noise in the Library.

To help provide an atmosphere conducive to both quiet and group study needs, library users should not engage in behaviour which interferes with other’s use of the Library

• loud and/or prolonged conversations
• rowdiness
• the use of audio devices at volumes audible to other patrons

Quiet Study

Level 0 has been designated for quiet study. There are fewer tables and more individual study carrels on this level. Library users are asked to keep conversations to a minimum and at a low level.

Study Rooms

The 8 small study rooms are intended for use by groups students working together on projects or studying. The rooms are not soundproof and users are asked to keep their discussions at a reasonable sound level.

Cell Phones

Cell phone and pager ringers are often loud and disruptive. Please set your device to silent alert before entering the library.

Talking on cell phones is treated as a noise issue, in accordance with the guidelines presented here. As with other modes of behaviour, patrons may be asked to leave the library or move to another area to continue their conversation.

A courtesy phone is provided to patrons as an alternative for patrons who need to make a brief call.

Compliance

Library users who disrupt or disturb others will be asked to leave the Library.

Complaints about excessive noise or disruptive behaviour should be referred first to library Information Desk staff. Follow-up, if necessary, should be referred to the Customer Services Librarian or the Library Manager.

Study Rooms

There are eight Study Rooms located in the SAIT library, four on each level. Students may reserve rooms online using the room booking service.

Use of this service requires annual registration with the library.

• Study rooms and the room booking service are for use by current SAIT students only
• Each registered user is allowed to book a maximum of 2 hours in a calender week (Sunday – Saturday).
• Students who made bookings they no longer require are asked to cancel those bookings using the online service
  • Cancelled bookings do not count against a student’s 2 hours per week allotment
• Bookings that do not comply with library policies will be cancelled without notice
• There is no set number of users for study room use, for example:
  • A student wanting a quiet work space could book up to 2 hours of room time during a calender week for solitary study, or
  • A group of three students—each registered for study room booking—could book up to 6 hours of room time each calender week.
    

No Shows

Demand for study rooms is often heavy.

• Students are given 10 minutes from their booking’s start time to claim the room
• After 10 minutes has passed the booking is forfeited and the room is available to other students
• Study room time lost due to late arrival, or a “No Show”, does count against the 2 hour per week allotment

Drop-in Use

Students who have used up their 2 hours per week allotment, or who have not registered for online booking, may use study rooms on a drop-in basis, subject to the following rules:

1. A drop-in user cannot request that anyone already occupying a room leave
2. Drop-in users must leave the room immediately when a student with a booking arrives
3. If a student with a booking arrives more than 10 minutes late (see No Shows, above) at a room occupied by a drop-in user, the drop-in user has priority for the room
   

Student Responsibility

The student view of the online room booking service shows who created a booking. It is each student’s responsibility to check the booking page for their time/date/location.

Annual Registration

In early July the library will delete our list of registered users. Students will have to register for this service each year.

Compliance

Library staff monitor room use through the day and are the final arbiters of appropriate use and any other concerns or conflicts that arise from bookings or use of library study rooms.

Students who commit severe or regular breaches of library policies, will be barred – without prior notice – from room booking for the remainder of the academic year. A note to this effect will be added to the student’s library account.

Complaints related to room bookings should be referred first to Library Information Desk staff. Follow-up, if necessary, should be referred to the Customer Relations Librarian or the Library Manager.

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