The following policies dictate use of library resources, services, and spaces. They are enforced to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for the college.
For policies relating to Circulation (loan periods, overdue charges, etc.), view our Borrow Materials page.
E. H. Butler Library welcomes patrons of all ages. However, concern for the safety of children as well as proper stewardship of library resources prompts the following:
Library staff members are not expected to act as police officers nor are they expected to search for accompanying adults or determine the ages of children. All problems or issues will be reported to University Police.
General Criteria
The E. H. Butler Library will focus on collection development efforts in three areas:
Changes in and additions to the Buffalo State curricula will occur. As an integral contributor to the educational process, academic departments will work with the Library as curricula change to ensure that the collection will continue to support the needs of Buffalo State students. The Library will actively seek information about curricular changes, so that it can respond to the evolving needs of Buffalo State.
Faculty research interests will be considered in the building and maintenance of the Library collection. However, even the largest libraries cannot hope to provide all the resources its graduate students and faculty researchers might require. Hence, the Library will augment its resources through collaborative arrangements such as resource sharing, interlibrary loan, cooperative collection development, and consortial purchasing and licensing.
“Special Collections and Archives” are housed in the E. H. Butler Library building along with the general collection. These collections play different roles on campus. The role of the general collection is to provide current, up-to-date information for students and faculty. The role of the special collections and archives is to provide a more historical view of the campus and the library.
The Library considers reviews to be the most desirable category of selection tool for current materials, especially those reviews which offer evaluation of the resource in question, rather than only description.
Media Licensing
In addition to collection development for the Library, the Information Management department will provide media licensing to support the curriculum. This licensing will in part be funded with Technology Fee funds.
Due to the increasing demand for streaming media and reduced funding, the library has imposed the following restrictions:
The library strongly discourages the use of copyright infringing material or use of sources where copyright is uncertain.
Requests for media licensing should be submitted with this form: https://forms.office.com/r/16sz2dbPqy
The library can license content with three content vendors:
Who May Access Computers
Computers in E. H. Butler Library are for the use of Buffalo State students, faculty, staff, and emeriti faculty and staff. Buffalo State usernames and passwords are required to log on to a computer.
Guest logins are available for individuals with a temporary educational affiliation with Buffalo State, such as visiting scholars. They are only available for computer use within the library and are issued by the IT Help Desk in the library. All other guests are welcome to bring in their personal devices and access the guest Wi-Fi in the library.
Acceptable Use
Computers are intended for the academic use of students, faculty, and staff. Playing games, while permissible, may be cause for a staff member to ask the user to transfer the computer to another who needs it for academic use.
Computers which feature specialized software may be reassigned if the patron is not using the specialized software and another patron needs it.
Using New York State resources to operate a for-profit enterprise is strictly prohibited. Displaying, downloading, or printing sexually explicit pictures, cartoons, or the like may be considered sexual harassment. Butler Library will report to University Police any complaints of sexual harassment that may result from displaying, downloading, or printing sexually explicit materials on the computers in the library.
Additional links to campus computer policy information for students, faculty, and staff:
The purpose of the E. H. Butler Library copyright policy is to provide a summary of U.S. copyright law, particularly as it relates to the use of other people’s copyright-protected materials, including published works, and to provide procedures for obtaining copyright permission that will be used consistently throughout E. H. Butler Library. Copyright laws are generally not straightforward, and they have many gray areas. The goal of this policy is to provide guidelines to addressing complex copyright issues.
See the full E. H. Butler Library's Copyright and Fair Use Policy for details.
In supporting the mission of Buffalo State College to foster cultural enrichment, intellectual development, and social awareness, E. H. Butler Library provides several exhibition areas for faculty, staff, students, and the community to present artwork, informational displays, or scholarly works. Glass cases or wall space for hanging pieces or sculpture can be reserved, normally on a monthly basis. A few pedestals are available for sculpture displays.
Contact library@buffalostate.edu with questions.
Consumption of food and drinks in Butler Library is restricted to the following spaces:
Covered beverage containers are permitted throughout the entire library.
Library patrons with food or uncovered beverage containers will be directed to the designated areas indicated above.
Why is eating and drinking restricted to certain areas of the library?
Food attracts mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, and other insects. These unwanted guests not only destroy library materials, but also pose a health hazard to library users and staff. Extermination of rodents and insects can be costly, toxic to the environment, and inhumane.
Spills cause stains and damage books, journals, library equipment, and furnishings. The moisture from a spilled drink is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Mold growth physically destroys materials, may produce offensive odors, and can produce adverse health effects, especially in individuals with allergies or asthma.
By restricting food to a few locations away from books and computers and requesting that beverage containers are covered, we limit the chances of infestation and damage, and our custodial staff can more easily keep the building clean.
E. H. Butler Library constantly strives to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and casual but, above all, conducive to reading, research, and study.
Library users are expected to be considerate of other users by keeping noise to a minimum.
The use of cell phones contributes to noise problems in the library. Library users are asked to:
The Academic Commons, StudyQuad, and QuietQuad all offer computers for student use. Library staff members are available to assist students with using these resources, so a certain amount of conversation is to be expected. Computers, keyboards, printers, and copiers in these areas also contribute to general background noise.
One should expect a certain level of noise at service desks where staff must converse with patrons and each other.
Occasionally, a special event is scheduled in the library. There may be some noise or other disruption during the event.
The posting of signage (flyers, banners, posters, signs, etc.) is prohibited in all areas of Butler Library except on the designated bulletin boards located in StudyQuad.
Signage specifications:
Removal of signage:
Why do we have a policy about posting signage in the library?
This policy helps us avoid clutter and damage to library facilities. This policy also enables us to comply with broader SUNY and campus wide policies, including those related to freedom of speech.
Please contact library staff, if you have any questions.
Riding bicycles, scooters, hoverboards, skateboards, rollerblades and other wheeled devices is not permitted in Butler Library.
Smaller wheeled devices such as skateboards, roller blades, and hoverboards should be carried or stored in a safe manner when in the building.
Racks are available by all library entrances for safely securing larger wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and e-scooters when not in use.
These restrictions do not apply to assistive mobility devices, strollers, or to university staff and contractors in the course of their work.
Why do we have a policy about using wheeled devices in the library?
This policy helps ensure a safe environment for everyone in the library. The use of wheeled devices in the building can also damage our carpet and floors.
Please refer to the campus-wide wheeled vehicle policy for more details.
