Personal Conduct Code

This code of conduct relates to the Avery Hill and Stockwell Street libraries. The Drill Hall Library is a shared service with a similar code of conduct.

In brief:

• Always carry your valid Greenwich ID card (no ID no entry)
• Do not let anyone else use your Greenwich ID card or network login
• Consider the people around you - Ensure that you are polite, respectful and considerate of library staff and other library users
• Cold food only is permitted in the libraries. Hot drinks must have lids
• Mobile phones and video calls are permitted in quiet and group study spaces if they do not cause disturbance to other library users. Never take or make calls in silent study areas
• Use headphones when appropriate and keep the volume inaudible to others
• Do not leave your possessions unattended at any time

Introduction

The Code of Conduct details the rules in place and is a general statement of the conduct we expect from users of our library facilities and services. Acceptance of this code is confirmed when you agree to the university's regulations as part of your online registration. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the code and to observe it.

If you use your University of Greenwich card to access another library, such as through membership of SCONUL Access and any reciprocal arrangements at other University of London institutions, we expect you to read and comply with the local policies and regulations in place at those institutions.

Members of the university should read the Code of Conduct in conjunction with the University’s General Disciplinary Regulations

1: Your Greenwich ID Card

• You must carry a valid Greenwich card at all times, as a form of identification and a means of access to the libraries and show it when requested by members of university staff or library security staff.
• To gain access to the library facilities, you must touch your ID card at the entrance gates.
• Never allow someone else to use your ID card to gain access to the library facilities.

2: Your safety and security

Safety

• Leave the building promptly when asked to do so by staff, or when an emergency alarm sounds.
• Familiarise yourself with fire escape routes.
• When plugging in laptops avoid trailing leads across walkways.
• Be vigilant and report anybody acting suspicious.
• The university uses SafeZone which is a free app designed to put you in touch with the on campus first aider, security or emergency response team more quickly, when needed.
• Library staff are empowered to stop any activity in the library which they consider prejudicial to the safety, well-being, or security of readers or library staff or to the preservation of the collections.
• Large bicycles, scooters and e-scooters should not be brought into the library. Secure locking facilities are available on our campuses.

Wellbeing

• Our libraries offer extended opening hours throughout the year; please take regular breaks and go home to get enough sleep.
• Sleeping in our libraries is not permitted. If staff find you asleep, they will politely wake you and suggest you leave and take a proper break from your studies.
• We have no prayer rooms in our libraries; however, praying is not prohibited. Please use a space that does not cause inconvenience to other users. Should you require one, there is a prayer room available on each campus.

Security

• Ensure that you pack up your belongings and leave the library before closing time.
• When you leave the library, make sure that all the books or other materials you are carrying have been checked out to your library account.
• We take no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property which, if left unattended, may be removed by library staff.
• If you discover that property belonging to the University of Greenwich has been vandalised, please report it to a member of staff immediately.
• Vandalism or theft of any university property or premises is subject to consideration under the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

3: Your library community

You are expected to behave with consideration for others in a manner appropriate to a study environment. The university will not tolerate:

• Demeaning, abusive, indecent or offensive language or behaviours
• Shouting and/or use of aggressive or inappropriate gestures
• Threatening, intimidating behaviour or physical harassment
• Comments that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other grounds.

Users behaving inconsiderately or inappropriately in university library spaces may be asked to leave immediately. Persistent inappropriate behaviour will be referred to your faculty under the Student Disciplinary Procedure and may result in an immediate suspension from library spaces.

4: Your library environment

Noise

• Silence must be observed in all silent study spaces. Where group study space is provided, conversations must be kept at a quiet level. Calls are not permitted in silent areas.
• Mobile phones must be set to silent mode before entering silent areas
• Mobile phone calls and video calls are permitted in quiet and group study spaces if they do not cause disturbance to other library users.
• Use headphones when appropriate and keep the volume inaudible to others.

Eating, drinking and smoking

• Users must adhere to our food and drink policy.
• Users must not use alcohol or other drugs in University Library spaces. Please refer to our Alcohol and Drugs Policy.
• Smoking or vaping in libraries is a serious offence. It is not permitted anywhere on the premises, or within 5 metres of the building. This includes the use of e-cigarettes. Offences will be referred to your faculty immediately under the Student Disciplinary Procedure and may result in an immediate suspension from library spaces.

Photography and filming

• You may take photographs in a library; if the picture contains identifiable people, you must always gain written permission before using it for marketing or promotion.
• Filming (including on mobile phones) is not permitted, except with written permission from the Library Manager.
• Students should read the guidance on our Filming in the Library LibGuide before submitting filming requests.

5: Your library account and resources

Library transactions

• No transactions are possible without your Greenwich ID card.
• Use of your Greenwich ID card is non-transferable and must not be shared.
• You are liable for any transactions on your Greenwich ID card and items on loan to you.
• You are responsible if you lose or damage library materials on loan to you.

Use of resources

• Your Greenwich account is for your sole use only and other people must not use it.
• Online resources (e-journals, e-books and databases) must only be accessed through your own University of Greenwich username and password, or other login credentials provided by Library Services. Access details must not be shared with any other parties.
• Use of online resources (e-journals, e-books and databases) must conform to the Copyright Regulations indicated by each publisher or supplier. Please refer to our guide to complying with copyright law.
• Copies of print material can only be made in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act (1988).

6: IT Policies

When you use our computing facilities, you agree to comply to the current university IT policies: https://www.gre.ac.uk/it-and-library/about/policies-and-procedures/it-policies

7: If you do not observe this Code of Conduct

Library staff will always attempt to deal with all library users professionally and fairly, and we will try and resolve issues informally in the first instance. However, serious or persistent breaches of the Library Services Code of Conduct may result in suspension from access to library buildings, or have other disciplinary consequences as required.

• For students, this would be dealt with under the university’s Student Disciplinary procedure.
• For university staff this would be dealt with under the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.
• For external users, you may be asked to leave the library immediately, and your membership may be suspended or terminated following an investigation overseen by the Head of Library Services or their delegate. If your membership and your home institution will be contacted, as per the rules of the access scheme under which you became a member.