The Rensselaer Research Libraries' primary functions are to support the teaching, research and
scholarly activities of Rensselaer faculty, students and staff. This includes providing facilities and services
conducive to personal study and research and sustaining the academic values of free and open intellectual inquiry.
PUBLIC ACCESS: Library general study and stack areas are open to members of
the Rensselaer community and the general public during posted service hours. The general public is also welcome to use
all materials in general stack areas as well as electronic resources that are not
restricted by licensing agreement to members of the Rensselaer community.
LOAN OF RESOURCES & USE OF FACILITIES: Loan of circulating materials and use of certain equipment,
computer software and other building facilities are restricted to persons meeting
particular identification requirements. Use of interlibrary loan and certain
reference services requires Rensselaer affiliation.
USE OF COMPUTERS: Library computers are provided in support of Rensselaer's
educational and research missions. Use of this equipment for other purposes
is not permitted. All library users are expected to adhere to Rensselaer's policies on
Electronic Citizenship.
Access to library computers by members of
the Rensselaer community takes precedence over access by unaffiliated individuals.
BASIC CONDITIONS OF ACCESS: All access and use privileges are contingent upon compliance
with published library policies and procedures. The most basic conditions of access
are as follows:
- Individuals may be requested to show to or leave on
deposit acceptable identification with library staff.
- Acceptable identification is defined as a current Rensselaer or other college ID, a Rensselaer Library
Courtesy or Library Research Card, a CDLC Library
Card, or an unexpired driver's license.
- Minors 16 years of age or
younger who are not accompanied by an adult (18 years+) may be excluded from the
building at the discretion of library staff.
A quiet study atmosphere is to be maintained in study
and meeting rooms, reading and stack areas at all times.
Individuals must leave promptly at closing time and
during all emergency evacuation drills.
- All individuals must leave through the 2nd Floor
Lobby exit doors via the Collection Security panels and be prepared to permit
an inspection by library staff of any and all briefcases, knapsacks, and other
items large enough to contain library materials.
Beverages in closed containers and snack foods are
permitted in general stack and study areas. Other foods and beverages must be consumed
in the 2nd Floor Cafe.
Smoking is prohibited.
With the exception of guide dogs, no animals are
permitted inside library facilities.
An electronic horn signals emergency evacuations. All library
users and staff are required to exit library buildings by the nearest designated
exit. New York State law requires periodic fire drills.
Library materials are protected by an electronic security
system. When the system's alarm sounds, the person exiting must return to the
Circulation Desk to permit Library staff to determine the cause of the alarm.
If unauthorized library materials are discovered, the incident is reported to
the appropriate administrative authority for disciplinary action. Such action
may include, but not be limited to, loss of library privileges, disciplinary warning,
disciplinary probation, expulsion from the Institute, or legal prosecution.
Thirty (30) minutes before closing time building lights
are flashed. During the next 15 minutes photocopy machines are turned off, reserve
materials must be returned to the Circulation Desk and books charged out for loan.
Circulation Desk services cease 15 minutes before closing time and the entrance
doors locked. Building lights are flashed again at 5 minutes before closing time,
and Library staff secures the building.
