About the Library

Visitor Guidelines & Behavior Expectations

Ensuring library spaces that are conducive to learning and reflection is the responsibility of all staff and visitors. All library users are expected to follow local, state, and federal laws, as well as College and Library policies and behavior expectations. All library visitors must comply with reasonable requests by library staff regarding use of the facility and materials.

As a facility open to the public, the library welcomes visitors with diverse perspectives, but does not endorse the activities that occur in the library, nor the materials that are collected to reflect our diverse community.

In order to provide equitable library services for our diverse community, we expect all library visitors to exercise appropriate decorum while using library facilities, materials, and services. Some important guidelines are listed below. Ask library staff if further clarification is needed.

• No loud conversations, music from headphones or speakers, cell phone usage, or other noise that might disturb nearby library visitors.
• Activities by those using library spaces must not interfere with the normal functioning of the library as a place for study and contemplation. Meeting rooms are not sound proof and those using the spaces should make sure that they keep conversations to a normal level that does not disturb those outside of the spaces.
• Filming and photographing library users is not permitted without their permission. This violates the campus policy of interfering with the educational mission of Jefferson College and the requirement to abstain from creating a hostile learning environment. Libraries are limited public forums and some expressive activities are not permitted in order to support the functions and services provided by the library. Ask staff for guidance.
• The Second Floor is reserved for quiet study or computer use; no audible conversations, music, or noise is allowed.
• Collaborative work is allowed in these designated areas: first floor computer area, group study rooms, and open spaces on the first floor.
• Jefferson College is a Smoke Free Campus. Smoking and vaping or use of other tobacco products is prohibited at Jefferson College.
• Food is allowed in the collaborative spaces that have hard surface flooring and other designated areas; beverages must be in covered containers. Food is not allowed in the study rooms, on areas with carpets, or at the computers.
• Animals must follow campus guidelines. Service animals are permitted, but pets and emotional support animals are not permitted.
• Solicitations are not permitted.
• Distribution of materials is not permitted in the library. The library is a "limited public forum" and the distribution of outside materials is not permitted in library spaces.
• Gambling is prohibited at Jefferson College.
• Commercial activities are not permitted in the library, including the study rooms.

Students

Please review the above listed general library behavior guidelines, study room use policies,  and refer to the Student Code of Conduct Board Procedure VII-007 and the Student Handbook for additional information.

Faculty & Staff

Please review the above listed general library behavior guidelines, study room use policies,  and refer to the Faculty & Staff Handbook.

Community Visitors

Visitors not affiliated with the College are not required to have a Community Library Card to use the public access computers, but must comply with all local, state, and federal laws, as well as College and Library policies. Visitors may consult the collections, use Jefferson County History Center resources, or book meeting rooms without obtaining a library card. However, a Community Library Card must be obtained to check out materials, including meeting room electronics and all library policies and procedures, including Community Room Use Agreement, must be followed. A Community Library Card may be obtained with proof of Jefferson County residence and a valid photo ID.

Government Information Seekers

Jefferson College Library is a designated Federal Depository Library. As is stipulated in Title 44 USC Ch. 19, are welcomed at Jefferson College Library during regular operating hours and may access print and electronic government information sources with the assistance of a librarian or other staff member. Visitors in need of specific government information are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Government Document Coordinator, Lisa Pritchard (lpritcha@jeffco.edu) in order to ensure that information needs are met.

Jefferson County History Center Visitors

If you would like to use materials located in the Jefferson County History Center Archives for local history or genealogy research, please contact Assistant Director of Library Services Joette Klein (jklein1@jeffco.edu) to schedule an appointment or set-up a consultation. The Jefferson County History Center's webpages provide additional information about use of the space and collections.

Jefferson College Board Policy

Jefferson College Library has designated meeting and study rooms for use by individuals or organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities. Jefferson College Board Policy IX-001: Use of College Facilities states that 1. “Educational programs, functions, and events of Jefferson College shall take precedence in all cases over requests for community use… 2. College administration is authorized to exercise control over time, place, location, and levying charges regarding requests for community use.” Accordingly, community use of library study and meeting rooms requires adherence to applicable library policies and procedures.