About the Library

PCC Library resources, services and facilities are provided to support the academic mission of Pitt Community College.

All patrons have the right to use the Library for academic purposes in an environment that is safe, comfortable, and respectful and that allows quiet study and research.

Library staff and/or Public Safety personnel will act to maintain or restore the quiet academic environment and will address any activity that disturbs others, interferes with library operations, damages the building or its contents, or any other behavior generally considered inappropriate in a public place.

Patrons are encouraged to bring any concerns to the attention of Library staff. Causing a disturbance, failing to comply with a request to restore order, and/or showing disrespect for fellow patrons or Library staff may result in restriction of Library privileges, removal from the Library, and/or removal from campus.

Enforcement of Patron Behavior Policy

The policy statement above does not address specific behaviors because it is impossible to produce a comprehensive list of all the possible disturbances that may occur. The objective is to maintain the integrity of the library. Acceptable behavior maintains a safe, comfortable, and respectful environment that allows quiet study and research. Unacceptable behaviors are those that, in the assessment of the Library staff, impair the safe and effective use of the library and its shared resources. Examples include:

• Misusing library facilities or property
• Interfering with another person’s use of the library or with the library staff’s performance of their duties

• Disrespect upon being asked to modify objectionable behaviors
• Loud, unreasonable, and/or disturbing noises, including
  • Loud, continuing conversations
  • Playing of audio equipment so that others can hear it
• Any ringing of or talking loudly into cell phones (permitted in the front and back lobbies of the Everett Building)
• Singing or talking to others or in monologues
• Whistling
• Behaving in a manner that reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons
• Obscene or abusive acts and/or language
• Smoking or other uses of tobacco
• Harassing or annoying others
  • through noisy or boisterous activities
  • by staring at another person
  • by following another person about the building
  • by uninvited conversation
• Obstructing or interfering with the freedom of movement through traffic patterns
• Playing of musical or entertainment devices without the proper use of headphones so that the noise can be heard by patrons other than the user
• Possessing or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing any library property or a patron's or employee's property
• Disorderly conduct, fighting or challenging to fight, or using offensive words likely to provoke violence
• Any type of weapons possession
• Leaving a child under 12 years of age unattended by a responsible adult
• Excessive displays of affection
• Littering in the library
• Using emergency exits or setting off fire, elevator, and/or exit door alarms when no emergency exists
• Any other illegal acts or conduct in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation

Some examples of “other unacceptable acts” are:

• Physically harming staff or patrons
• Verbally abusing staff or patrons
• Inappropriate sexual behavior
• Various types of harassment

Consequences of Violation of Policy

1^st offense—Patron is told that he is in violation of the policy and how to correct behavior. Patron is warned that if behavior continues, Public Safety will be called.

2^nd offense—Library staff contacts Public Safety and asks someone to come over to escort patron out of the library. Once public safety has arrived, a library manager gets the name of the patron and informs him that he is suspended from the library for the rest of the day.

Once a patron has been suspended for the day and returns to the library another day:

1^st offense—Patron is told that he is in violation of the policy and how to correct behavior. Patron is warned that if behavior continues, Public Safety will be called.

2^nd offense—Library staff contacts Public Safety and asks someone to come over to escort patron out of the library. Once public safety has arrived, a library manager gets the name of the patron and informs him that he is suspended from the library for the rest of the semester. Informational needs of the student will be met by the library staff working with an instructor.

If the Library staff determines that the misconduct is an extreme case of policy violation, including repeated warnings over a period of time, Public Safety will be called immediately without giving notice to the patron.

If a patron feels that he has not been treated fairly, the patron has the right to file a grievance according to the policy set forth in the PCC General Catalog.

In order to promote an atmosphere that is conducive to study, it is preferred that children aged 5 and under remain downstairs in the company of a parent or guardian.