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Library Principles

Library Values from Principles of Community

  • Integrity
  • Fairness
  • Cooperation
  • Professionalism
  • Respect

The Library adopted the above principles from the UC Merced Principles of Community, which state:

We maintain a working and learning environment based on integrity, fairness, cooperation, professionalism and respect.

Although the UC Merced Library has a number of specific policies that the govern the use of Library space and information resources, all of these derive from, and are subservient to, our principles.

The Library As a Shared Resource

There are two parts to the UC Merced Library. First, the Library is a space where people come to do a variety of things: study, work on group projects, think, relax, socialize, etc. Second, the Library is a collection of print and electronic information resources that support the education, research, and service missions of UC Merced. Because both parts of the Library are shared resources, cooperation is especially important to the success of the Library and its users. No one has the right to use either Library spaces or Library resources in such a way that the good of either is denied to other Library users.

Library User Rights And Responsibilities

Users of UC Merced Library enjoy certain rights; with these rights come certain responsibilities.

Library User Rights
Library User Responsibilities
You have the right to access the information resources provided by the Library. You have the responsibility to use these resources so that they are not damaged or made unavailable to other Library users.
You have the right to expect prompt service from Library employees. You have the responsibility to plan your work so as to allow sufficient time for the identification and delivery of information resources.
You have the right to intellectual freedom as well as to privacy. The topics you wish to research, as well as the information resources that you access in the Library or via computer, are your private business. You have the responsibility to respect the intellectual freedom and privacy of other Library users.
You have the right to use Library spaces for a variety of learning and social purposes. You have the responsibility to not monopolize Library spaces or to use them in such a way that use of Library space is unfairly denied to others.
You have the right to a Library environment that is clean. You have the responsibility to put your trash where it belongs and to notify Library staff of spills, trash, and vandalism.
You have the right to a Library environment that is safe. You have the responsibility to act in a safe manner and to report any unsafe or threatening situations to Library staff.
You have the right to a Library environment that is not hostile. You have the responsibility to treat others with respect and courtesy.
You have the right to use technological devices to access information resources while you are in the Library. You have the responsibility to use such devices—computers, audio & video devices, cell phones, and so on—so that they do not unduly disturb others.