York University Libraries is dedicated to providing a welcoming, accessible, and harassment-free space for everyone. We offer inclusive environments for research, studying, and group activities, ensuring equitable access to resources, technology, and support services that empower learning and collaboration. We are committed to supporting and upholding the University’s Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities, Policy on Sexual Violence, Policies on Human Rights and the Senate's policy on Computing and Information Technology Facilities.
The Library Rules outline expectations for library users, and YUL's commitment to library users, as well as our Safer Spaces principles. By entering into York University Library spaces, you agree to abide by the Library Rules and Safer Spaces Principles.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions or comments about the Library Rules, send an email to libraries@yorku.ca. If you need to report an incident please follow the procedures for reporting issues.
Safer Spaces
Our Safer Spaces principles apply to all library spaces, both online and in-person, and are intended to create a welcoming and safer space for all library users and library staff.
We are committed to ensuring that all community members are encouraged to learn and create in all of our library spaces regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, language, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic standing, or otherwise. Our community does not tolerate harassment, intimidation or abuse in any form. Anyone who violates this safer spaces commitment may be sanctioned.
The goal of safer spaces is to encourage everyone to work together to prevent or reduce harm, particularly for those who are often the targets of violence and harassment.
Behaviours that are unsafe or that make others feel unsafe will not be tolerated. Such behaviours include, but are not limited to:
- Offensive, derogatory, threatening, aggressive, or silencing comments (related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, language, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic standing, or otherwise);
- Violence, intimidation, stalking, or unwanted following of a person;
- Persistent, abusive, and non-constructive criticism regarding any event, space, project, display or program;
- Persistent micro-aggressions in the form of comments, jokes, material, or otherwise;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Disruption of events, programs, or space functionality;
- Inappropriate physical contact;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Behaviours that violate York’s policy on Sexual Violence; and
- Advocating or encouraging any of the above behaviours.
If you experience any of the above issues while in a physical or virtual library space, please report issues when observed.
Our Expectations
- Treat all students, staff and faculty members with respect and dignity;
- Do not consume alcohol or smoke, vape or consume any substances listed in the Smoke Free Ontario Act;
- Do not interfere with the enjoyment of library space by others; this includes behaviours or activities that are distracting or disruptive to others;
- Respect library signage including Learning Zones which include Quiet, Silent, Online-Class and Conversation zones;
- Treat library spaces, furniture and equipment with respect and care;
- Enjoy food only in designated areas of the university;
- Do not film or record in library spaces without expressed permission. Students completing course work please seek approval via the Student Filming/Photography Request Form;
- Respect library policies on bookable spaces by using the booking form;
- Safeguard your belongings and do not leave them unattended; and
- Dispose of garbage in designated receptacles and leave spaces as you found them. Report issues when observed.
Our Commitment
- Provide a welcoming, accessible and harassment-free space for everyone;
- Provide courteous and effective service to everyone;
- Listen to your concerns and do our best to resolve issues that arise or refer you appropriately;
- Provide assistance in research, teaching, and learning;
- Demonstrate use of our facilities, resources and technology; and
- Develop collections that support research, teaching, and learning.
Rules and Procedures
Throughout the libraries you will find signs that designate the use of spaces.
Conversation Zone:
- Low volume group conversation area
- Collaborate and work on projects
Online-Class Zone:
- Headphones are required
- Low volume conversation
Quiet Zone:
- Headphones are required
- No phone calls
- Whispering only
Silent Zone:
- No noise allowed
- Phones must be on silent
- No conversations
Library staff and Campus Security Spaces conduct regular tours of all library spaces. For space, noise, technology related issues and rule/policy violations call the Library Facilities Hotline at 416-712-2703, visit a circulation desk or reach out to our virtual chat service.
If you witness a crime being committed or you feel unsafe, please call 911 if appropriate and York University Security Services:
- 416-736-5333 for emergencies and
- 416-650-8000 for non emergencies.
Library staff will engage patrons who are not following the Library’s Rules, the policies of York University, or any other behaviour that is disrupting the regular use of the space. Staff members will ask that this behaviour stop, and if it continues, patrons may be asked to relocate or leave the space for the rest of the day.
Sanctions patrons may face for repeated or egregious failure to follow the Library Rules include:
- being restricted from spaces or services within the Library;
- fines for damage or loss of Library resources or equipment;
- escalation to Office for Student Community Relations (OSCR); or
- escalation to Community Safety and Security Services if the matter is serious, excessive, continuing or otherwise requires their expertise.
All sanctions are decided by the Dean of Libraries Office. Whenever possible, sanctions are intended to be corrective and educational, linked to the specific misconduct and the personal circumstances of the patron. These sanctions will be communicated to library patrons by letter, email or in person, including what behaviours took place that were contrary to the regular use of the space and appropriate actions that can be taken to remove sanctions.
Inquiries concerning the application of these sanctions and appeals of these sanctions may be made to the Dean of Libraries at 416-736-5601 or deanoflibraries@yorku.ca. Additional information, including extenuating circumstances, can be provided and the appeal of the sanctions will be considered.
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Reviewed: May 23, 2025