We are committed to making the University of Toledo Libraries a welcoming, safe, and comfortable space for everyone. Here are some guidelines when using our buildings, services, and other resources.
The University Libraries is dedicated to providing a safe, professional, and accessible environment for all students, faculty, staff, and guests. The following summarizes the Libraries' policy on service animals in all library facilities.
Please direct any questions about this policy to The Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources (e-mail: studentdisability@utoledo.edu; phone: 419.530.4981).
Cell phones ringers should be turned off or set to vibrate in the Carlson Library. Cell phones may be used in the elevator lobby on the 5th floor, on the lower level, and in the concourse area away from the Information and Circulation Desks.
The Mulford Library is a quiet study-intensive area. Please set all cell phones on silent or vibrate mode. When making or receiving calls, please do so in the cell phone zone (on the fifth floor), in a restroom, or outside of the Library.
We reserve the right to ask anyone whose phone conversations are disturbing other users to leave the Library.
Children under the age of 14 must be supervised and accompanied by an adult at all times while in any University library. The buildings are open to the public, and as is true of any public facility, an individual's personal safety cannot be guaranteed. If library staff members notice children left unattended, they will notify University Police.
A Family Resource Room is located on the second floor of Carlson Library in room 2700. The room is open to any patrons who have their children with them while using library resources. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please be respectful of other library patrons and mindful of noise. The Family Resource Room closes one hour before the library closes. A code to access the room can be obtained at the circulation desk on the first floor.
An Infant Care Room is located on the second floor of Carlson Library in room 2038. The room is open to library patrons who need a private space to nurse a child or use a breast pump. Please knock before entering the room. Patrons are responsible for their own nursing equipment. Refrigeration and storage are not provided. An access code for the room can be obtained at the circulation desk on the first floor. The Infant Care Room closes one hour before the library closes.
The University Libraries will remain open and continue to provide service in all but the most serious weather or security situations. If classes are canceled, both Carlson and Mulford Libraries will be closed. Closure of Carlson Library does not necessarily mean that Mulford Library is closed (or vice versa). Factors influencing decisions to unexpectedly close include:
When the decision is made to close, library staff will notify users who are currently in the building at least 30 minutes prior to closing. However, some situations may require immediate evacuation. To ensure the safety of all, users are asked to follow the directions of staff members regarding exiting the building.
Signs about unexpected closures will be posted on Carlson Library’s concourse and entrance doors. At Mulford Library, signs will be posted on the fourth floor front doors, first floor lobby doors, and inside each building elevator. A message on Carlson Library's Circulation Desk line (419.530.2323) will inform callers of the closure. Messages on the Mulford Library's information line (419.383.4225) will inform callers of any closure.
The Libraries' web sites are provided for the use of University Libraries' patrons engaged in library research. University Libraries provides instructions on how to use the resources available from this site. Library patrons are authorized to make selections and to follow keystroke instructions as provided by on-screen displays, handouts, and signs.
Any attempts to leave the menus or local system through keystrokes not suggested by the system or a librarian may be interpreted as unauthorized use of the system. In keeping with The University of Toledo's Responsible Technology Use Policy unauthorized use or using these workstations for personal profit is prohibited, and is subject to prosecution, suspension or termination.
Electronic mail, word processing, spread sheet software packages, and other Internet applications are provided on some library workstations and in the Student Computing labs on campus.
Concerns or complaints regarding service received, a bill, or the performance of a library employee should be addressed to the appropriate library director or coordinator. To assist in investigation of the incident, please include the date, time, library department, and employee's name (if applicable) in your correspondence. We also like to hear positive comments on our services and staff members; they too can be addressed to a library director or administrator.
The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." The same is true for material requested through Interlibrary Loan. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order or interlibrary loan request if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order or request would involve violation of copyright law.
Users of copyrighted materials accessible in and through the Library are obligated to adhere to the guidelines regarding fair use for educational institutions. Library users bear personal responsibility for abiding by the copyright laws of the United States when using photocopiers, computers, software applications, reserve material services, when making slides for presentations, or when requesting material through Interlibrary Loan.
The University Libraries are safe spaces where everyone can work free of disruptive behavior. Library staff members reserve the right to ask anyone to leave who is disrupting the study atmosphere or work of library users. University Police will be contacted about disruptive or threatening patrons who refuse to leave.
Please report disruptive behavior to the Carlson Library Circulation Desk on the first floor (phone: 419.530.2323) or the Mulford Library Circulation Desk on the fourth floor (phone: 419.383.4225).
While the University Libraries appreciate offers of donations to the collection, anyone wishing to donate materials must first speak with the Acquisitions and Collection Management Librarian who will assess the potential donations against needs of the collection. Please do not leave boxes or bags of materials at either Carlson or Mulford Library without prior approval. We reserve the right to discard donations (approved or otherwise) that are not needed. Note: Copyright laws do not permit us to accept donations of current personal journal subscriptions as substitutes for library-purchased institutional subscriptions.
Please review our complete donations policy before contacting the library about possible donations of books, journals, or other physical items.
At Carlson Library food and drink are allowed on the second floor. Covered beverages are allowed on other floors.
At Mulford Library food and and drink are allowed on all floors.
In accordance with University policies on harassment, the University Libraries will not tolerate harassment of library users or library employees. If you feel you are being harassed, please report the incident immediately to the library's circulation desk, Mulford Library Administration (room MLB417), or the Carlson Library Administrative Offices (room CL1005).
Neither Carlson Library nor Mulford Library have "house" (internal) phones for public use.
See also information about cell phones.
Laptops may be used in the Libraries and WiFi (wireless access) is available. Laptops may be checked out from the IT Help Desk at Carlson or the Circulation Desk at Mulford for a period of 5 hours. The laptops must be used in Carlson or Mulford Library. Please do not leave your laptop unattended!
See also: Computer Use Policy
Computers in Carlson Library and the fourth floor of Mulford Library are open to members of the University community. These workstations provide access to the Library's online resources: databases, online books and journals, etc. and the basic suite of programs provided in all campus computer labs. A limited number of computers are available for the general public with access to most of the library's subscription databases.
See also: Computer Use Policy
Items that are left or lost in the Carlson or Mulford Libraries will be placed at the Circulation Desk and kept for a two week period. All food/drink containers are discarded immediately.
Your privacy is important to us. It is also protected under state law.
Ohio Revised Code Section 149.432 explicitly protects information contained in library records, including patron records, borrowing records, and usage records. Library staff members are thus prohibited from disclosing such information as:
Any requests for releasing library records information will be referred to the Dean of Libraries.
Access to OhioLINK and other library resources is governed by memoranda of understanding and licensing agreements with vendors. In general, remote access (such as from home and office) is granted to currently enrolled UToledo students as well as faculty, staff, and visiting scholars who are actively involved in instruction or research benefiting the University of Toledo. Remote access will be granted only for the period of time the individual is enrolled as a student, employed as a faculty or staff member, or are actively involved in research and/or instruction that benefits the university.
Some users may require access to be granted through specific procedures. These include:
College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and College of Nursing community-based faculty (preceptors). These are health care providers who educate and supervise UToledo students in clinical settings. Access to library resources is granted through the Director of Faculty Affairs on the Health Science Campus by permission of the department chair, and is for the period of time of the volunteer faculty member’s appointment.
Emeriti faculty. Emeriti faculty are retired faculty who have been granted this special title by their departments and deans. Not all retired faculty have emeritus status. Emeriti faculty must request that their chairs complete a form accessible from the library website http://www.utoledo.edu/library/serv/docs/RemoteAccessRequest.pdf which affirms the faculty members are actively engaged in education and/or research benefiting the university. Access is granted for a specific time period, and must be renewed each July 1.
Visiting scholars. Visiting scholars from other institutions who are in residence at the University of Toledo can request access through their chairs for the period of time they are actively engaged in instruction and/or research at the University of Toledo. Chairs must complete the form available at this address: http://www.utoledo.edu/library/serv/docs/RemoteAccessRequest.pdf. Regardless of the time period for which the scholar is in residence, access will need to be renewed by the chair each July 1.
Walk-in users can access most subscribed resources. Users who are residents of Ohio can also request a free State Library of Ohio card that will permit borrowing privileges for OhioLINK printed materials. To apply for the card, please complete the form here.
The following groups are ineligible for remote access to library resources: retired faculty, retired staff, alumni, and individuals involved in for-profit ventures assisted by the University.
Please direct any questions you may have about accessing the library’s resources to the Carlson Library Reference Department or Mulford Library Reference Department.
Smoking and tobacco use of any kind are prohibited on all University campuses. This includes electronic cigarettes. See the University of Toledo Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy for additional details.
Most library study spaces (e.g., tables, carrels, rooms) are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In Carlson Library, numerous small group study rooms are available on the second, third, and fourth floors. In Mulford Library, small groups can use the study rooms on the fifth floor (502, 505, 511, 511, and 519C); rooms 420 and 520 are available for larger groups. Small groups can also use the collaborative learning space on the sixth floor north. Please remember to keep conversations low to avoid disturbing other library users. All study spaces are cleared once a day of unattended personal items, which are sent to lost-and-found.
Some University Libraries classrooms and conference rooms are available for reservation. Please review specific room details and policies before making reservations.