While visiting the library, please follow posted signage and library policies, as well as any instructions provided by library staff, Campus Safety officers, and other authorized Avila employees.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are permitted in the library. Please clean up after yourself and dispose of trash and recyclable materials in the appropriate bins.

Vending machines, microwaves, a water fountain, and a Keurig coffee maker are available near the Circulation Desk. Trash and recycling containers are located throughout the library for your convenience.

If a spill occurs and you are unable to clean it up yourself, please notify the Circulation Desk immediately.

Noise

The Avila Library is designed as a Learning Commons where visitors can study, collaborate, and meet in groups. Conversation is welcome, but please be respectful of others. You may be asked to move to another space if your noise level exceeds what library staff consider appropriate for the area.

Audio: Public playing of audio is not permitted except in designated library spaces. If you need to listen to audio, please use headphones or reserve a room. Headphones are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk.

Phones and Calling: Please silence your cell phone when you enter the library. If you need to take a call, please be mindful of your volume and consider moving to a different room or briefly leaving the library.

Quiet Study Areas: The library has several dedicated areas for silent study and work, including The Quiet Study Area and (when not reserved) The Marsh Inspirational Learning Center. Please be especially mindful of noise levels in and around these areas.

Study Rooms: Study room walls are not soundproof. Conversations and audio may be heard in nearby rooms and offices. Please observe normal library noise expectations while using these spaces.

Personal Belongings

Please keep track of your personal belongings and avoid leaving items unattended. The library is not responsible for lost, stolen, or unattended property.

Personal belongings, furniture, and equipment must not obstruct walkways, doorways, exits, or access to library facilities.

Lost and Found: Items turned in to library staff are held at the Circulation Desk. Unclaimed items may be discarded, donated, or made available for free at the end of a semester or academic break, or earlier if space is needed for new items. Items of significant value or those containing personal information may be transferred to Campus Safety or otherwise handled at the library’s discretion.

If you believe you have lost an item, please visit the Circulation Desk. Before returning a lost-and-found item, library staff may ask you to describe the item, provide evidence of ownership, or share your contact information for library records.

Occupied Rooms: Unreserved study rooms may be used on a first-come, first-served basis. Occupants must vacate the room before a reservation begins. If a reservation is made while the room is occupied, current occupants will be given at least 15 minutes’ notice before they must vacate the space.

Making Reservations: Current Avila students, faculty, and staff can reserve study rooms by visiting the Circulation Desk, calling (816) 501-3621, or using the library’s online reservation site. Reservations must be made at least 15 minutes in advance, or 24 hours in advance if using the reservation site.

Group Size: Study Rooms 2-5 and the Inspirational Learning Center may only be reserved by groups of 3 or more. There is no minimum group size necessary to reserve Study Rooms 1 or 6.

Reservation Length: Reservations are limited to four hours. The reserving group must begin using the room within 15 minutes of the reservation start time.

Room Condition: Reserving groups are responsible for leaving study rooms and other reservable spaces in good condition. Please dispose of trash, return furniture to its original arrangement, and report any damage or maintenance concerns to the Circulation Desk.

Cancellation: Library staff may cancel a reservation if minimum group size requirements are not met, if the group arrives more than 15 minutes late, or if occupants are not following library policies or staff instructions.

Exceptions: Library staff may make exceptions to these rules to support university activities and library operations.

Spaces and Furniture

First Come, First Served: All library spaces except the library’s seven reservable rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Users may use these spaces for as long as the library remains open, provided they follow library policies.

Care of Library Property: Please treat library collections, furniture, equipment, and facilities with care and respect. If you notice damaged equipment or facilities, please notify the Circulation Desk.

Furniture: Please ask the Circulation Desk for permission before moving furniture between spaces. Many pieces of furniture have built-in power outlets or network connections that may be damaged when moved. Please return furniture to its original configuration before leaving.

Maximum Occupancy: All library spaces except the library’s seven reservable rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Users may use these spaces for as long as the library remains open, provided they follow library policies.

Posting Materials: Please ask the Circulation Desk for permission before posting decorations, signs, flyers, or other materials. Approved items should be affixed using tape provided by the Circulation Desk. Materials posted without permission, in unapproved locations, or using unapproved methods may be removed without notice.

Writeable Walls

The library includes several writeable walls for collaboration and brainstorming.

Appropriate Use: Please keep all writings and drawings appropriate for an educational environment and respectful of other library users.

Markers: Writeable walls may only be used with dry-erase markers. Markers and erasers are available from the Circulation Desk upon request.

Permitted Surfaces: Please write only on clear glass walls with white backing. Do not write on frosted or textured glass, painted walls, brick, siding, furniture, or other non-designated surfaces.

Saving Your Work: Writeable wall content is temporary and may be erased at any time after you leave. If you would like to save your work, please take a photo before leaving the space.

Additional library policies and procedures are available below:

• Collection Development Policy
• Faculty Resource Request Policy