Guidelines and Policies
Conduct in the Colby College Libraries
The Colby College Libraries are meant for reading, studying, writing, and listening, and the libraries frequently host lectures and classes. All users must comply with the following rules for the library to be enjoyable for everyone. Please let us know if you see others disregarding these rules.
- Any acts in violation of federal, state, or local law or Colby College rules are prohibited.
- Possessing, consuming, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited.
- Possessing, using, or storing weapons of any kind is prohibited.
- Any behavior that disrupts other library users is prohibited.
- A parent or guardian must always attend people younger than age 16.
- Posting or distributing written materials is prohibited without prior library approval.
- Lewd or obscene conduct, or sexual misconduct, is prohibited.
- Viewing pornography on library computers is prohibited.
- Excessive personal use of the library for non-research activities (e.g., using computers to run a business or play a long computer game) is prohibited, as outlined here.
- Only service animals are allowed in the libraries.
- Misusing restrooms (e.g., changing clothes, shaving, or bathing) is prohibited; using library materials in the bathrooms is also prohibited.
- All patrons must leave the building at closing, and remaining in the building after closing is prohibited.
- Shirts and shoes are required, and offensive statements on clothing are prohibited.
There are consequences if you fail to respect library conduct:
- We will call Colby Security if a user does not follow the rules of conduct.
- We will contact the dean of students if a student violates the rules.
- We will bill the user for lost, missing, mutilated, or defaced items, including a processing fee.
- Violators will be removed from the building and may lose all library privileges.
Please keep the library quiet and productive for study by putting your phone on silent or vibrate and moving to an area away from library users if you need to take a call.
- When you enter the library, please silence your cell phone.
- If you need to make or receive a call, please move away from other library users (closed stairwells, Miller “Street” or the Bixler hallway).
- Keep your voice low.
- Persons talking on cell phones in study areas of the library will be asked to move out of those areas.
Each library has sections for silent study as well as for quiet conversation. These areas aren’t formally marked, but one can get a feel for the area by observing the behaviors of others. In all circumstances, keeping the conversation as quiet as possible is appreciated.
You are welcome to eat and drink in the Libraries, with the exception of our Special Collections and Archives spaces.
The Colby College Libraries provide a tobacco-free environment for all employees, patrons, vendors, outside contractors, and other visitors to library facilities. Please follow the link to read Colby’s campus-wide tobacco-free policy.
Yes. Faculty, staff, students, and partners of Colby College may borrow one (1) laptop and laptop charger at a time with their current Colby ID if their record is not blocked.
How long can I take out a laptop or laptop charger?
- You can borrow both laptops and laptop chargers for seven (7) days and may not reserve them in advance.
Where do I save my data?
- Save your projects in the cloud or to an external drive, and save as often as possible! When the laptop is shut down, all files on the hard drive are deleted forever. You must save to a USB, CD, external hard drive, or to cloud storage such as Google Drive and Dropbox.
- The library is not responsible for battery errors, data loss, or damage to a personal computer if you use our chargers.
What happens if I don’t return a laptop / don’t return it on time?
- If you do not return a laptop when it is due, you may lose all library privileges. Your library account will be locked and will not be able to check any library materials out.
Am I responsible for damage or theft?
- Yes, you are responsible for damage or theft, whether in or outside of the library. Please do not leave the laptop unattended or unlocked in any location!
- Do not use food or drink near your borrowed laptop.
The Colby College Libraries adhere to American Library Association (ALA) standards and ethics of facilitating, not monitoring, access to information. We do not collect information about patron activities beyond what is essential and necessary to conduct and fulfill the library’s mission. For additional information, please consult the ALA Library Bill of Rights.
Miller Library Building Use Policy
The Colby College Libraries are inclusive and welcoming. While the primary intention of the Libraries is to support the curricular and academic needs of the College, we have a limited amount of meeting and event spaces for use by Colby faculty and staff during the academic year.
This policy aims to maximize the use of the library spaces while balancing the needs of our patrons. The spaces listed below may be reserved by Colby staff and faculty by contacting the designated email below.
Meeting and Event Spaces
| Room | Contact | Max. Occupancy | Equipment Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miller 104 – Davis Classroom | [email protected] | 25 | Whiteboard, overhead projector, 25 Mac computers, 2 printers |
| Miller 134 – Brewster Reading Room | [email protected] | 50 | Tables, chairs |
| Miller 208 – Conference Room | [email protected] | 20 | Whiteboards, solstice pad wire conference system, Polycom phone |
Current Colby faculty, staff, and students may request use of the facilities for College-sponsored events.
Food and drinks are allowed in library spaces, excluding Special Collections. If food and drinks are brought in for an event, it is the responsibility of the event organizer to have spaces clear immediately afterwards.
We will accept cancellations at any time, but we prefer 48 hours’ notice.
The organizing party must make requests for audiovisual and special room arrangements. The organizing party is responsible for the cleanup of the room, including putting furniture (chairs and tables) back in its original location.
Other Building Policies
Service animals for people with disabilities are welcome in campus libraries. Other animals must remain outside.
Please set cell phones to non-audible signals. Please step outside or move to an area away from library users to make or take a call.
Children are welcome, but those under 13 years of age must be under adult supervision at all times.
Academic work has priority at library computers.
Please do not block or prop open exit doors.
You are welcome to eat and drink in the Libraries, with the exception of our Special Collections and Archives spaces and Davis Classroom.
Smoking is prohibited on campus.
Solicitation is prohibited in the library.
Only equipment used by mobility-impaired patrons is allowed in the library.