The mission of the Health Sciences Library and Biocommunications Center is to provide an environment conducive to student learning and the biomedical information resources necessary for teaching, research, service, and patient care and to support efforts to improve the health of Tennesseans. As part of a public university, the Health Sciences Library is open to University affiliates and the general public. Both groups may use most of the library's materials within the building at any time the library is open.
The Health Sciences Library is committed to maintaining a quiet and safe environment conducive to research and study. To meet this end, all library patrons are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner. Disciplinary action for violating library policy shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the student policies, the Faculty Handbook, UT Personnel Policy manuals, and local, state, and federal laws.
Disruptive Behavior
The Health Sciences Library does not permit any behavior that is incompatible with use of the library by its patrons or staff. Specific examples of disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to,
Creating excessive noise or using audible Walkmans®, MP3 players, or other sound generating devices (see also Use of Cell Phones)
Any hostile or rowdy behavior including, but not limited to, horseplay, fighting, threatening, intimidating, or abusing library staff or patrons with words or actions
Harassment of patrons or staff, including sexual harassment
Overt signs of drunkenness or other substance abuse
Bringing bedding or excessive amounts of personal property into the library
Overt sexual behavior
Bringing weapons into the library (other than law enforcement officials with appropriate identification)
Entering areas of the library marked “Staff Only” without permission
Posing a sanitary or health risk to others, including but not limited to offensive hygiene or the absence of shirts and/or shoes while in the building
Using the restrooms for purposes other than those for which they were intended, including, but not limited to, bathing
Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices
Out of courtesy and consideration for other patrons, please silence all cellular phones and pagers while in the library. Only quiet, brief cell phone conversations should be held inside the library building. Longer or louder conversations should be held outside or in the library foyer.
Children’s Use of the Library
The Health Sciences Library is not responsible for the safety of children left unattended in the library.
Children under the age of 12 must be in the immediate vicinity of and in visual contact with a parent/caregiver age 18 or over. Security may be contacted if the responsible adult is not present.
At the discretion of library staff, unattended minors aged 12-17 may be permitted to remain if they are using the library for research and are behaving in an appropriate manner.
Any person (including children accompanied by adults) behaving in an unacceptable manner (see Disruptive Behavior) will be asked to leave the library.
Groups of people under the age of 18 (including university-sponsored summer groups) must:
- Have at least one adult chaperone per 15 children
- Be actively assisted with research by their chaperones
- Be supervised by at least one chaperone on each floor of the library where students are working
- Comply with all Library policies and procedures
- High school groups requesting instruction sessions must arrange such with library Instructional Services.
Food and Drink
Consumption of food is allowed only in the designated student eating area on the second floor of the library. In all other parts of the library, please keep food contained within your book bag, briefcase, etc.
Room 371 has been designated as a student lounge, where food and beverages may be used and equipment is available for heating food. Access is restricted to UTHSC students.
Beverages are allowed in spill-proof containers with re-sealable lids. Cans, disposable cups, and glass containers are not permitted.
Absolutely no consumption of food or beverages is permitted while using any library computer, copy machine, or other equipment.
Food and beverage may be confiscated by library staff and/or campus police.
Please dispose of all litter in the appropriate containers.
Alcohol and Tobacco
In compliance with campus University policy, the use of alcohol and tobacco products is not permitted in the library.
Unattended Personal Items
The library is not responsible for personal items left unattended in the Library.
Unattended personal items may be subject to removal, search and/or confiscation by UT campus police. Personal items removed may be found at the Circulation Desk, where there resides a Lost and Found repository.
Animals
Animals are not permitted in the Library with the exception of properly identified assistance animals.
Library Conference Room
Due to space limitations for groups larger than six, the Library Conference Room is restricted to use for instructional classes and library-related purposes; other use of the conference room must be approved by library administration.
Students can reserve a third-floor study room at the Multimedia Lab or Circulation Desk. For more information on reserving third floor small-group study student rooms, contact the Library Multimedia Lab; for information on individual student carrels, contact the Circulation Desk.
Power Outlets
Devices needing electrical supply can be used only at designated outlets. Power cords may not be strung across walkways.
Posting of Signage by NonLibrary Groups
A public bulletin board is located in the foyer outside the library’s main entrance. Any library patron may post materials to this board:
- Materials advertising an event will be removed following the date of the event.
- Materials that are not dated will be removed each Monday.
- Materials may be removed at any time at the discretion of library staff.
All other library bulletin boards are for library news and official library postings. Only library staff may post materials to these boards.
Inclement Weather / Emergency Closing Policy
In the case of inclement weather [1] or other emergency, please contact the Circulation Desk at 448-5694 or the library web page for library hours. For notice of official University closing, call UT number 448-8423. In general, the library uses the following guidelines:
- If UTHSC is officially closed, the library will be closed.
- If UTHSC’s opening is officially delayed, the library will open at the same time as the University.
- If UTHSC officially closes early, the Library will close at the same time as the University.
- For special situations, Library hours will be determined by the library director.
Multimedia Lab Use
Access to the Multimedia Lab is 24/7 for use by UT students, faculty, and staff. Special permission may be granted for a visitor who has a legitimate reason for the using the lab (e.g., visiting student or educator from another institution) doing healthcare, or educational or biomedical research. The Multimedia Lab is restricted via card reader access 24/7.
Visitors may use the public computers in the main reading room of the library to search for biomedical information.
As stipulated in the revised Computer Use Policy for Visitors, after normal business hours and during weekends, the Circulation staff monitor the use of restricted computer areas (i.e., E-classroom, Multimedia Lab), and if special visitor permission is granted to use these facilities, their names will be entered in a log of visitors.