Noise Policy

The UNT Libraries have an obligation to ensure that students, faculty, and other researchers find a place for quiet concentration and study.  However, the Library is also a dynamic university community center that offers a wide range of services, materials, and environments.

Thus to this end, we provide the following noise policy to benefit our users:

• General Noise Guidelines
• Noise Level Designations
• Designations for UNT Libraries - subject to change as needed
• Enforcement of the Noise Policy

General Noise Guidelines

• Noise levels vary widely within the libraries. If you find one area too noisy, please try one of the lower noise areas as listed below.  Areas near the  service desks generally will be noiser than elsewhere.
• Headphones may be used if noise from the headphones is not audible to others.
• Laptop computers may be operated, but all sound or audio features must be turned off.
• Cell phones and pagers should be turned to silent or off.  If you must use your cell phone to make or receive a phone call while in the libraries, you are encouraged to use the stairwells or go outside.  Be considerate of others.  
  

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Noise Level Designations

• Low Noise Area - Minimal talking, no group study, cell phones and pagers should be turned off or set to silent, normal conversation noise.
• Medium Noise Area - Low talking, small group studying, cell phones and pagers turned off or set to silent, normal conversational noise.
• High Noise Area - Group studying,  cell phones and pagers turned off or set to silent, group conversational noise.
  

These designations are meant only as a guide to give patrons an indication of the noise levels they may encounter in different areas of the libraries. Areas are not desginated by signage.

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Noise levels usually found in the UNT Libraries:

•  Willis Library

      Lower Level - Low

      First Floor - High

      Reserve Room, 1st Floor - High

      Cyber Cafe - High

      Second Floor - Medium

      Third Floor - Medium

      Fourth Floor - Medium

•  Science and Technology Library

      Lower Level - Medium

      First Floor - High

      Mezzanine - Medium

• Discovery Park Library

      Room B112 - Medium

      Learning Center, Rm. B135 - Low

      Collection Area, Rm. M130 - Low

•  Media Library

      Entire Library - Medium

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Enforcement of the Noise Policy

When groups become overly disruptive, such as playing personal audio equipment at too high of a volume, laughing loudly, shouting or any other outburst, the group or individual will be asked to discontinue the disruptive behavior or leave the library.

Enforcement By Staff: All library employees are empowered with the responsibility to approach disruptive groups and individuals and ask them to discontinue the disruptive behavior or move to the first floor. Each Department will establish procedures designating responsibility for enforcement of the noise policy.

• Personnel from the nearest department to the disruption, or the employee who first notices the disruption, should approach the disruptive library user(s) and ask them to discontinue the disruptive behavior or move to a floor with a higher noise designation.  After 7:00 p.m. during the long semesters, a library security guard is on hand if needed.
• Library users who become belligerent or refuse to discontinue disruptive behavior will be asked to show their student IDs.  If a staff member is uncomfortable asking the individual to show ID, s/he may radio the library security guard or call the UNT Police and ask them to take over the situation.
• When an individual's ID is checked, the name should be written down and brought to the Circulation Desk where a file should be kept.  This will allow staff to track problem library users.
• If a library user does not have a student ID or refuses to show an ID, he or she will be asked to leave the library immediately.  If s/he refuses to leave the library when asked, the UNT Police will be called.
  

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