Conduct Policy

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Library is committed to providing spaces where individuals may learn, network, and enjoy the company of others in an atmosphere of mutual human respect as a means of promoting health equity and counteracting historic and current systems of oppression.

Everyone is entirely responsible for their own behavior, regardless of intentions, and is expected to adhere to the UCSF Library Conduct Policy, which is based on UCSF Campus Administrative Policies, such as the University of California San Francisco Campus Code of Conduct, Nondiscrimination Policies, UCSF Authorized and Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources, UC Policies on Information Technology, and the Sexual Violence Sexual Harassment Policy.

This policy applies to all UCSF Library spaces, including, but not limited to, service desks, learning areas, meeting spaces, events, phone, and electronic communications.

It is UCSF policy that all UCSF employees have their UCSF badge visible at all times.

By entering and/or utilizing UCSF Library environments, individuals agree to abide by this UCSF Library Conduct Policy. Policy violations may result in loss of library privileges and/or referral to the Library Executive Council (LEC), employee’s department, or UCSF Security or Police Department for further action.

To report a violation incident, please see “Incident reporting.”

Personal Conduct

To foster and maintain a positive and inclusive learning environment, individuals are prohibited from the following:

  • Illegal behavior.
  • Verbal abuse, harassing, intimidation, threats, or violence toward library patrons or staff.
  • Sexual violence, sexual harassment, indecent exposure or unwelcome sexual attention or physical contact.
  • Displaying sexual or violent images.
  • Harassment or discrimination based on: race, religion, color, citizenship, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, sexual orientation, physical size (height and/or weight), physical or mental disability (including a history of a disability or being regarded as being disabled), medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), predisposing genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, age (at least 40 years of age in employment context), or veteran or military status.
  • Disrespectful language or actions towards individuals’ lived experience, including lived names, pronouns, or different viewpoints.
  • Misuse of restroom facilities, including laundering and bathing.
  • Illegal use, possession, buying/selling, or distribution of controlled substances. Unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of controlled substances.
  • Using, buying or selling, legal substances such as alcohol or marijuana, on the premises.
  • Smoking or using smokeless tobacco or electronic cigarettes. Smoking is prohibited on university-owned or leased property and in buildings, vehicles and moving equipment. This applies to all members of the campus community, including faculty, staff, students, patients and visitors, at all UCSF sites.
  • Possession or control of any item that is deemed unsafe, including firearm, deadly weapon, or prohibited knife, as legally defined, except as required in the lawful course of business or as authorized by the UCSF Police Department.
  • Any disruptive behavior that interferes with normal operations.

UCSF Library spaces and environment

In order to connect people to stimulate inclusive learning, advance scientific inquiry, and enable open access to historical and current health sciences information resources, individuals are expected to refrain from the following:

  • Leaving personal property unattended at any time. The UCSF Library is not responsible for personal belongings and unattended items may be removed.
  • Discussing Protected Health Information (PHI) in open or shared library spaces, including common areas and informal meeting zones.
  • Entering unauthorized areas of library spaces or staying in spaces after areas are closed or when requested to leave during an emergency.
  • Damaging library equipment or materials by marking, underlining, removing pages, or in any way vandalizing or defacing library property, including damage to borrowed items, furniture, computer systems, networks, programs, or data.
  • Violating guidelines for the use of equipment and UCSF Authorized and Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources, as well as UC Policies on Information Technology.
  • Leaving spaces, furniture, and equipment in a disrupted state or different location than they were originally found/intended.
  • Bringing carts or other vehicles designed to transport property inside the library, except for: (1) baby carriages intended for transporting children, or (2) conveyances or assistive devices needed as accommodations for disabilities.
  • Bringing bicycles and scooters inside the library. Items should be secured at bike lock stations located throughout campuses.
  • Bringing non-service animals into library spaces. Service animals are individually trained to perform work or tasks that benefit persons with disabilities and are the only animals allowed inside library facilities or within 10 feet of any entrance. Emotional support animals do not meet qualifications under California law.
  • Causing or contributing to unacceptable or disruptive noise levels. Noise Zones are indicated on the Study Spaces webpage as well as on signage within spaces. Zones include interactive learning, mobile-friendly, considerate study, and quiet study.
  • Leaving unaccompanied minors under the age of 14, or children or adults requiring supervision or support. NOTE: The University Police Department will be called for unaccompanied children to ensure the safety of the child and to assist in locating a parent or guardian.
  • Abandoning food/drink and associated trash. Food is not allowed in some library spaces. Look for signage indicating No Food zones. NOTE: Accidents can happen. If food or drink is spilled it should immediately be contained. Paper towels are available from restrooms and service desks. If the spill includes damage to a book or journal, it should be brought to the service desk as soon as possible.

Posting or distributing materials

The UCSF Library provides designated boards near the service desk in all library locations for the posting of campus activity announcements. This policy ensures that posted materials align with the library’s mission and provide the campus community with relevant content. The UCSF Library does not guarantee space to post materials and reserves the right to remove postings that are out-of-date or deemed to be in violation of policies and regulations. Flyer subject matter is not endorsed by the UCSF Library.

Materials eligible for posting must meet the following criteria:

  • Flyers must be for campus activity announcements by UCSF groups and recognized affiliates and may include notices and promotional flyers.
  • Flyers may not promote commercial products or services
  • Content must comply with UCSF policies and regulations.
  • Flyers must not exceed 8.5″ x 11″.
  • Flyers must include the name and contact information (email or phone number) of the organizer and clearly indicate the name of the department, organization or group.
  • Flyers must include a date. If no date is included, the flyer will be removed at the end of the current month.
  • Flyers that include a QR code must also include the web address in text.

Posting process and locations

Organizers may post materials using the available pushpins in the designated areas. Printing flyers is the responsibility of the person posting. The library will not print flyers on a person’s or group’s behalf.

Designated posting spaces:

  1. Parnassus
    • Cork board across from the Library Service Desk on the main (third) floor of the Kalmanovitz Library
  2. Mission Bay
    • Cork board by the entrance of the FAMRI Library
    • Cork boards within The Hub in Mission Hall
  3. Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
    • Cork board across from Library Services Desk at the ZSFG Library

Removal of materials

Library staff will regularly monitor and remove posted materials based on the following criteria:

  • Flyers will be removed once they are out of date OR on the last Thursday of each month.
  • Flyers that do not meet the established criteria will be removed without notice.
  • Flyers posted outside of designated bulletin boards, such as in classrooms, bathrooms, doors, windows, hallways, and other surfaces, will be removed.

Coordination for event signs

To post signs for an event in non-designated spaces, coordination with UCSF Library staff is required. Please contact librarynews@ucsf.edu.

UCSF Library collections

The UCSF Library provides a wealth of knowledge, history, and information via robust collections. To preserve library collections, individuals are expected to adhere to the following policies and refrain from:

  • Stealing library materials (including loanable equipment and property). All items must be checked out or users must receive written authorization to remove them from UCSF Library
  • Keeping materials beyond the appropriate lending period.
  • Hiding library materials or concealing them, including for the exclusive use of an individual or a group.
  • Utilizing library collections or materials to violate applicable intellectual property laws, including the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17).

Incident reporting

Violations of the Library Conduct Policy may result in loss of library privileges and/or referral to the Library Executive Council, employee’s department, or UCSF Security or Police Department for further action.

The privilege to use library facilities and services may be revoked for an extended period of time or indefinitely for chronic rule breakers. Illegal behavior is not tolerated and is subject to removal by the UCSF Police Department and/or arrest.

For policy violations, individuals can report details through any of the following mechanisms:

  • Speak with the nearest security guard or library staff member
  • If a security guard or library staff member is unavailable, or outside of regular business hours, call the non-emergency UCSF Police Department number: (415) 476-1414
    • At the ZSFG Library, call the Sherriff’s Office: (628) 206-4911 (x64911)

For illegal or violent behavior, individuals can report details through any of the following mechanisms:

  • Via the UCSF Safe app
  • Call the UCSF Police Department emergency number: 911 from any campus phone or (415) 476-6911 from a non-campus phone
    • At the ZSFG Library, call the Sherriff’s Office: (628) 206-4911 (x64911)

Violations by individuals may result in:

  • Warning
  • Removal from the library, with or without warning
  • Removal/suspension from UCSF Library spaces and/or the University campus for a period of time or permanently
  • Restraining orders

Contact us with questions or comments regarding the UCSF Library Conduct Policy.

This Conduct Policy was revised with a trauma-informed lens after extensive training and consultation with key partners from Library Access Services, Library Leadership, UCSF Police Department, UCSF Legal, and external consultants with the Harm Reduction Center.

Updated by the UCSF Library Executive Council on September 25, 2025