The Lafayette College Libraries endeavor to provide welcoming, safe, respectful, and inclusive environments for collaborative and individual study and learning. Lafayette alumni and members of the public are welcome to use Skillman and Kirby Libraries. Please see our FAQs for Visitors for more details.
Personal Conduct
To ensure that all patrons and visitors are able to use library resources and services effectively, patrons must take responsibility for their behavior.
Some behavior and activity limits the Libraries’ ability to offer services. Therefore, patrons of the Libraries are prohibited from activities including, but not limited to:
The Libraries ask that all patrons respect the rights of each individual to study and do research in a peaceful environment. People who are found to be violating these policies will be asked to refrain from such behavior.
If a person’s actions continue to disturb library patrons or staff, the person will be asked to leave. Public Safety may be notified in instances where a person’s actions or behavior might jeopardize the safety of any library patrons or staff member, the property of the College, or for continued noncompliance of the above policy.
Spontaneous Uses of Library Spaces
The Library is an important site on campus for civil discourse, conversations across difference, and peaceful protest. Demonstrations and other spontaneous uses of library spaces are permissible within parameters of the library code of conduct. The Library may post on outreach venues to make patrons aware of demonstrations in library spaces.
Lafayette College Student Code of Conduct
Students are expected to be honorable, ethical, and mature in every regard, and to have consideration for the welfare of others as individuals and for the community as a whole. In addition to exhibiting maturity and self-control, students and student organizations are expected to conduct themselves so that they cause no physical, emotional, or mental harm to others; that they neither break laws nor contribute to the delinquency of others; and that they do not destroy property. (Excerpt from the Lafayette College Code of Conduct)
Children in the Libraries
Children are welcome to accompany their parents to the libraries. Children 16 and under must be supervised by their parents at all times.
Food and drink
Food and all types of beverage containers are allowed in Skillman’s coffee shop located on the main floor of Skillman Library. Beyond the coffee shop, small snacks and beverages with tight-fitting lids are permitted in Skillman and Kirby Libraries provided they are consumed neatly and all remainders are disposed of properly. Library staff reserve the right to prohibit eating or drinking that disturbs users or is detrimental to Library property. No food or beverages are allowed in Special Collections and College Archives.
Theft & defacement of materials
The theft, mutilation, or defacement of library materials is a serious offense against the academic mission of the College as such acts deprive others of access to these materials. A student who steals, mutilates, or defaces library property is subject to disciplinary action and any patron may be liable to legal action. In the state of Pennsylvania, some cases of library theft are classified as felonies. Acts of mutilation include removing pages from or otherwise damaging library materials; acts of defacement include highlighting, underlining, or writing in books.
Unattended belongings
In order to guard against theft and for public safety, do not leave your belongings unattended or blocking library entrances or aisles.