Building & Space Use Policies

Atkins 124 and 125: Classroom Use Policy

Faculty members may schedule research instruction sessions for their classes with a subject librarian. Atkins 124 and Atkins 125 are instructional spaces intended for this purpose. For faculty needing meeting space for a class, rooms may only be scheduled if they are available one week or less in advance.

To request a classroom, please submit the Library Classroom Request Form.

For more information, please contact Catherine Tingelstad, Head of Instruction & Curriculum Engagement (ctingels@charlotte.edu).

Purpose: To provide currently--enrolled UNC Charlotte students with library spaces appropriate for collaborative work.

• Currently-registered UNC Charlotte students (not faculty and staff) can reserve study rooms in the Atkins Reservation System; Niner-Net log-in is required.
   
• Study rooms reservations are for a minimum of 30 minutes up to a maximum of three hours per day. An individual user may not exceed three hours per day of study room use. For example, a student may not book a room for three hours and later in the same day book another three hours. A student can book a room up to two weeks in advance.
   
• Groups and individuals may only reserve one room at a time.
   
• If groups finish early, the room reservation may be released and made available for other users. Reservations are forfeited after 15 minutes if no one is present.
   
• Use study rooms exclusively for curriculum or research-related activities.
   
• For student safety, Atkins security and staff must be able to see into and access study rooms at all times. The doors are not to be blocked, lights are to remain on, and the view through the window cannot be obscured.
   
• Please be mindful that study rooms are not sound-proof. Keep voices to a moderate level so that nearby persons cannot hear your conversations. Avoid playing loud music or engaging in noisy or disruptive behavior.
   
• All library policies apply to persons using study rooms. For example, group and individual behavior must always be appropriate to the Library setting in accordance with the “Atkins Patron Conduct Policy.”
   
• Do not bring furnishings from other parts of the Library into study rooms. Removal of furniture or equipment from study rooms is not allowed.
   
• Students registered with Disability Services may book areas equipped with disability software and equipment in advance, with no time limit, and use these areas on an individual basis.
  
  Please contact the Information and Research Desk on the first floor (704-687-0491) if you have any questions or need assistance.

The computers in J. Murrey Atkins Library are provided to support the educational and curriculum-related research needs of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Atkins Library supports free access to research materials and the use of computing technologies to identify, locate and use scholarly resources.

• Use of Library computers is governed by UNC Charlotte Standard for Responsible Use and local, state, and federal laws. These laws and policies cover such areas as illegal access to computer systems, networks, and files; copyright; and harassment.
• Library computers serve as access points for catalogs and databases which assist UNC Charlotte students and faculty in their library research and class assignments. Library staff also use some library computers to teach individuals and groups how to conduct research. UNC Charlotte students, faculty and staff working on course-related projects and research have first priority in the use of Atkins Library computers.
• At times, the demand for library computers exceeds the number of devices available. Users are asked to be sensitive to the needs of others and limit use during times of heavy demand. 
• Community visitors must use the designated “guest computers.”
• Due to the public nature of libraries, individuals should demonstrate respect for individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation or harassment. Users are asked to be sensitive to the fact that some on-screen images, sounds, or messages might create an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment for others.
• Downloading from library databases is permitted within the provisions of copyright law and license provisions.
• OneIT monitors usage of library computer workstations to ensure security and operating performances of its systems and networks. Any problems should be reported immediately to OneIT Help.

• Make a reservation in the Group Study (Atkins Reservations) web app for one-hour
• For use exclusively by active UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff with a valid university ID
• Quiet Zone. No talking. Headphones required.
• Borrow corded headphones to listen to the pod music from the Information & Research Desk on the First Floor
• Exercise care in safeguarding your personal property, and do not leave valuable items unmonitored while using the Nap Pod. Atkins Library is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
• One person per pod.
• Wipe down pod with provided sanitizer wipes before and after use.

Atkins Library has several areas designated as areas for SILENT study. No group study or conversations are permitted in these areas. Phones are to be muted, and headphones/earbuds should be worn:

• Ground Floor - Compact Shelving & Graduate Study Area 
• 1st Floor - the Graduate & Silent Study Room

Currently, the west side of the 3rd floor (overlooking the SAC) is designated for QUIET study. Here, independent study and brief, whispered conversations only are allowed. Phones should be muted, and headphones/earbuds should be worn.

Please report any violations to the Information and Research Desk or Security Office on the 1st floor, or through the Ask Atkins chat.

You may bring and consume food and drink (nonalcoholic) throughout the library with the exception of the following: 

• No food or drink in the Dalton Dalton Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room on the 10th Floor
• Only closed water bottles in the Area 49 Makerspace on the 2nd floor

We ask that you dispose of any food- and drink-related trash before you leave, out of respect for those using the space after you.

Immediately report any spills or damage to the 1st floor Information and Research Desk or through Ask Atkins chat on the website.

Posting in Atkins

Posting of non-library notices (including posters, table tents, announcements, flyers, advertisements, signs, handbills, cards, etc.) in the public areas of the library is prohibited. Public areas include study rooms, lobbies, classrooms, doors, elevators, hallways, windows, restrooms, stairwells, book stacks and the public building entrances. Notices posted in these areas will be removed and recycled on sight by Library personnel.

Digital Signage

The primary purpose of digital signage in the J. Murrey Atkins Library is to inform students, faculty, staff, and visitors about library announcements, hours, services, resources, and events.

The library’s digital signage may include content for other campus units or departments to promote events or broadcast announcements that are directly related to UNC Charlotte’s activities and mission.

Digital signage content in Atkins Library is managed through the Library Communications office.

Atkins Library offers tours of the library to local high school groups. These tours include points of interest throughout the building. Please note that the library does not conduct research instruction classes for visiting high school groups due to the limited number of online resources available to non-UNC Charlotte students. 

The library can only accommodate groups of up to 30 students per visit. Students must be accompanied by a teacher or chaperone.

Visiting high school groups are welcome to use the limited number of public access computers on the first floor of the library and utilize available print materials while they are in the building. The library does not conduct, coordinate, or schedule other events such as full campus tours.

All requests for high school group visits must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired visit date. Groups must make their own parking arrangements when visiting campus. The Cone Visitor Deck is located within walking distance of the library. The library cannot reimburse groups for parking costs. Groups arriving in buses will need to be dropped off on campus and the bus parked off campus.

For more information or to schedule a tour please contact Marcus Bess (mcbess@charlotte.edu)

For more information on scheduling an outside group visit to Area 49, please see their policy on outside visits.

Please be respectful of others: make sure that your cell phone ringer is silenced (set to vibrate) and that any calls are very short and as quiet as possible. If you need to have an extended conversation, please go outside the library to do so.

No phone calls are permitted in or near the Library’s designated silent study areas:

• Ground Floor Compact Shelving Area
• Floor 1: Graduate & Silent Study Room

Please report any violations to the Security Office on the first floor or phone Security at 704-687-1120.

In order to maintain a facility conducive to study and research, library patrons are expected to adhere to the relevant library and University Policies and refrain from the following activities:

1. Stealing, defacing, mutilating, or destroying (or attempted destruction) of library materials, buildings, property, equipment, or personal property. NCGS 14-398 and 14-455, NCGS 14-72, UNC Charlotte Code of Academic Integrity, and UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility.
2. Moving library furniture or equipment in a way that interferes with the operation of the library. This includes blocking safe travel into and through the building, or access to fire exits. University Policy 601.13.
3. Concealing or moving library materials, property, or equipment within the library for the exclusive use of an individual or group or to circumvent library procedures. NCGS 14-398, UNC Charlotte Code of Academic Integrity, and UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility.
4. Disruptive behavior which disturbs library use (including rowdiness, excessive noise, loud or inappropriate cell phone conversations, and offensive or inappropriate sexual behavior). NCGS 14-132, NCGS 14-288.4, NCGS 14-190.9 , 14-196, 14-202, UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility, UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility.
5. Being in the library while unsupervised and under the age of 16. Children under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult at all times when in the building. Unaccompanied minors under the age of 16 will be asked to leave if they cannot provide identification to indicate that they are participating in a UNC Charlotte program or activity. UNC Charlotte Policy 716.
6. Being in an unauthorized area, including refusing to leave at closing time, during drills or emergencies, or when asked to do so by a library staff member. NCGS 14-159, NCGS 14-288.4, UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility. 
7. Smoking, using tobacco products, or using e-cigarettes/vaping. UNC Charlotte Policy 707.
8. Harassing (both verbal or physical) of library patrons or staff. NCGS 14-277.1, UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility Chapter 5(a)(3).
9. Failing to provide valid identification when requested to do so by a library staff member. UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility Chapter 5(h), (i), and (m).
10. Bringing in animals other than service animals. UNC Charlotte Policy 704.
11. Littering. NCGS 14-399.
12. Soliciting, including soliciting for donations, business, or signatures on petitions. Collection boxes may not be placed in the library; students may request placement in the Student Union. Student Union Policy, UNC Charlotte Policy 601.9.
13. Distributing or posting signs, flyers, posters, etc., in the library, without approval of library administration. UNC Charlotte Policy 601.9.
14. Bringing weapons NCGS 14-269.2, UNC Charlotte Policy 702, UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility Chapter 5(b) and fireworks NCGS 14-410, UNC Charlotte Code of Student Responsibility Chapter 5(b) into the library.

Persons who commit or attempt to commit any of the above acts will be subject to disciplinary action by the library and/or the University. Persons may be asked to leave the library and/or may be subject to criminal prosecution, if appropriate.

J. Murrey Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte affirms that privacy is an essential element of intellectual and academic freedom. It is the policy of Atkins Library to respect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality regarding information sought or received; resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted; and services used, while remaining in compliance with federal and state laws, library and University policies, and professional standards. Atkins Library is committed to protecting the privacy of personal and confidential information submitted by employees, students, and visitors to our website and our libraries. We do not share personal information gathered, unless required by law to do so.

Wherever personal information may be held within Atkins Library or on its behalf, we will take reasonable and appropriate steps to protect the information shared with us from unauthorized access or disclosure. However, unless specifically protected by law (e.g., FERPA-protected student education records, HIPAA-protected health information, certain personnel records) the University may disclose information held at Atkins Library in accordance with governing law. Reasons for disclosure could include a requirement of a valid search warrant or subpoena; pursuant to a public records request; where there is a substantiated reason to believe that violations of a University or library policy have occurred; where failure to disclose might result in significant bodily harm or property loss; where disclosure is necessary for the reasonable operation of the library and conduct of library or University business; or with the written consent of the user. Please see the UNC Charlotte Privacy Statement for more information about privacy at UNC Charlotte.

Community members are welcome between 7:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. 

UNC Charlotte IDs are required from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.