Some of the more noticeable differences between a public library and an academic library have to do with aspects like noise level, the absence of children, and the cross-section of society that frequents a public library. Generally speaking, behavior-related issues are not part of the conversation in an academic library. However, a couple years ago, it was a behavioral issue from a member of the community that became glaringly apparent in Southeast Missouri’s Kent Library. “Oh no!! A community patron whose conduct doesn’t come under the same rules and regulations of the university’s Student Code of Conduct! What do we do??” Most librarians figure that any overt reprimand for misbehavior needs to be backed up with some kind of policy, especially if the consequences involve banning the patron or a course of action where retribution might be involved. And the policy needs to be something that can be pointed to on the website! In my role as Director of Public Services at Southeast Missouri State University’s Kent Library I took it upon myself to address this problem. Hence, the genesis of a conduct policy in a medium-sized academic library!
