Young children left alone at the library often become frightened and anxious. Young children may be able to occupy their time for a short while but being children, soon become bored and restless, disturbing the work and study of others. It is not the library’s intention to seek out unattended children but rather to have a reasoned response prepared as problems present themselves. The following policy and procedures seek to address these concerns for the children in a responsible manner.

An UNATTENDED CHILD is any young person using the library facility unaccompanied by a responsible adult.
A VULNERABLE CHILD is any unattended child twelve years of age or younger whose safety or well-being would be endangered if he/she were sent out of the building. Examples of vulnerability might include the child being too young to be on his/her own, the child being sent out into an unsafe area, or being left alone in the dark outside the facility after business hours.

1. Library staff is not responsible for the supervision of children left unattended by their parents. Disruptive children will be required to leave after receiving a warning. Library staff may notify the appropriate authorities if they have a reason to suspect that there is significant evidence of abuse or neglect.
2. An unattended child found frightened or crying in the building should be reassured by the staff and should try to identify and contact the parent or attending adult.

If a parent is in the building:

1. Accompany the child through the library to seek the adult.
2. Upon location of the parent or attending adult, reunite the child with the adult and explain the library policy regarding unattended children.

If the children is alone in the library:

1. With the child’s help attain the parents name and telephone number.
2. Call the parent, inform him/her of the library policy and request that the parent pick up the child.
3. If library staff cannot reach the parent or if the parent does not respond, the librarian on duty will call campus police.

If a child is alone at the library at closing time and appears to be vulnerable:

1. Library staff will attempt to call a parent. If staff cannot reach an adult responsible in the first attempt, the librarian on duty will call campus police.
2. The librarian on duty and a staff member will remain with the child inside the library until a parent or the campus police arrives.
3. The library policy will be explained and a copy of the written policy will be given to the parent.
4. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will library staff transport or take the child away from the library building.

1. No person shall damage, destroy or deface any property and/or materials belonging to the library.
2. Any person abusing or threatening to abuse other patrons or members of the staff may be expelled from the premises at once.
3. No person while on the premises of the library shall conduct him/herself in a violent or disorderly manner, use abusive or profane language, engage in lewd conduct, disturb any public meeting or assembly, or be found under the influence of alcohol or drugs in such a condition as to threaten the safety and rights of others. The library premises include not only the building, but all associated property, such as sidewalks, parking lots and yards.
4. No person may smoke anywhere in the building or consume food or drink in the public areas of the building. Exception may be made for specific library programs, when refreshments may be permitted.
5. No person while on the library premises shall engage in disruptive conversation or conduct or unruly behavior which inhibits the use of the library by others, nor shall any person refuse to obey the reasonable requests of an employee of the library, including a request to present identification.
6. No person may play any audio equipment on library premises without using headphones or earphones which make the sound inaudible to others. If sound is heard, despite the use of earphones or headphones, the patron must turn the audio device off. Persons receiving or making calls on cellular phones may do so only outside or in the library's entrance lobby.
7. No person while on the premises of the library shall obtain or attempt to obtain signatures to a petition or conduct surveys or investigations or distribute printed material. No posters or flyers and other forms of material none related to university events may be posted without the express permission of the Library Director or his representative. Solicitations for charitable, religious or other purposes, selling of tickets, magazines or merchandise of any kind are prohibited on library premises. The only exceptions to this rule are the on-going book sales and other fund-raising events sponsored by the Library or the Arnulfo Oliveira Literary Society, or by similar groups authorized by the Director.
8. No person shall bring animals into the building, except for those needed to assist a patron with a disability, or any animals used in library programs.
9. No person shall leave children under the age of 12 unattended for any periods of time on library premises. Parents or guardians are expected to look after their children while visiting the library with them.
10. Members of the public who violate these regulations may be expelled from the library premises and/or have library privileges withdrawn by the Library Director or Campus Police for a specific or indefinite period of time.
11. Proper attire is required to enter the premises.

1. Computer workstation access is provided by the library to meet research and academic needs.
2. Research and workstation assistance is available at the Reference Desk located in the Reference and Information Center.
3. Computer use is a privilege. Library computers may not be used for illegal, unauthorized, unethical, or commercial purposes (see the Texas Penal Code, Chapter 33). Library staff has the right to determine appropriateness of workstation use and can, at any time, require the patron to leave the workstation.
4. No food or drinks are allowed in the library.
5. Computers should not be reset or turned off, and printing settings may not be changed.
6. Beepers, cellular or digital phones should be silenced or turned off so that other library users are not disturbed.

• To provide a statement of philosophy and a list of objectives for the guidance of those involved in the procedures of selection.
• To define the role of those who share in the responsibility for the selection of instructional and research materials.
• To set forth criteria for selection and evaluation of these materials.
• To outline the techniques for the application of the criteria.
• To clarify, for the UTB/TSC community the philosophy, and procedures used in evaluating and selecting instructional and research materials.
• To provide a procedure for the consideration of objectives for the use of particular materials in the various academic programs.

• To provide reference, research, and general materials in print and non-print formats, and to make available the necessary equipment for the adequate use of these resources in a desirable academic environment.
• To aid and instruct students, faculty, and staff in the use of the library, and to provide bibliographic guides for better access to the collection.
• To develop collections of materials that support and enrich the present and projected curricula of UTB/TSC, with the assistance of recommendations for purchase from faculty, students, and staff.
• To encourage the use of the library and its facilities by faculty, students, and staff.
• To cooperate with other libraries, such as through TexShare, as much as possible without financial restraints.

• The library is not obligated to retain any gifts which fail to meet its criteria for selection.
• The library has the right to discard any gifts which fail to meet its criteria for selection.
• The library has the right to offer to another agency or sell any gifts which duplicate materials already in the collection that are not needed for replacement or copies.