The university offers library services to assist students and employees as they “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:118; 109:7, 14). This policy governs how the university manages its library services.

BYU Library means the Harold B. Lee Library.

Specialized Library means a formally established library that has been approved by President’s Council and operates separately from any other library. Each Specialized Library has its own budget, collection, location, management, staff, and reporting line.

Unit Library means an informal library that is created and managed by a campus unit, staffed by the campus unit, and located separately from a Specialized Library.

The university offers library services to the campus community through the BYU Library and Specialized Libraries. The BYU Library is charged with providing library services to the BYU community as a whole. The following Specialized Libraries also provide library services:

• the Howard W. Hunter Law Library,
• the School of Medicine Library,
• the Salt Lake Center Library,
• the Jerusalem Center Library, and
• the London Centre Library.

Specialized Libraries cannot be created by campus units; they can be created only by President’s Council.

Unit Libraries risk creating confusion for students and employees and can lead to unnecessary duplication of effort and expense. If a campus unit desires a Unit Library, the unit should counsel with the university librarian. A Unit Library is subject to final approval from the academic vice president. Each Unit Library bears all responsibility for managing its own collection and services.

The administration of the BYU Library and each Specialized Library is primarily responsible for determining that library’s policies and practices regarding

• collection development,
• patron access and services,
• receipt of donations (in coordination with the advancement vice president), and
• other issues relevant to and necessary for library administration.

Unit Libraries should establish similar policies and practices commensurate to the scope of their operation.

Library patrons are expected to use library materials and resources responsibly and appropriately. Examples of inappropriate use of library materials and resources include

• intentional misshelving,
• book or material mutilation,
• placement of uncirculated or non-circulation materials in patron lockers,
• theft,
• disruptive behavior, and
• violations of the Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources Policy.

Library employees generally do not interfere or attempt to prevent a library patron from using self-service copy machines, even if they suspect the copying may be inappropriate or infringe on copyright laws. Library employees may decline to assist patrons or fulfill patron requests in support of actions they believe to be unlawful or unethical.

The university may take any action under its policies and applicable laws in response to any inappropriate use of library materials and resources.

Except as required for business purposes, library employees do not disclose or share any information regarding patrons’ use of library materials or resources, including circulation records, with any campus unit or employee. Law enforcement requests for patron information are referred to the Office of General Counsel.

If a campus unit has a reasonable belief that a library patron has deliberately used library materials or resources in a way that violates university policy, including research misconduct, and the campus unit has a legitimate need to verify that information, the campus unit’s responsible vice president may request permission from the academic vice president to access the necessary library information.

Individuals interested in donating materials to a particular library should contact that library’s administrative office.