By Kirk Blad
kirk@newsroom.byu.edu
The rules of proper library etiquette are vague. Nevertheless, security in the Harold B. Lee Library is ready to bust.
Senior Dave McCune, 23, majoring in civil engineering from Omaha, Neb. had a run in with library security during his freshmen year after he and his buddies constructed a pyramid of 300 to 400 books.
'They barricaded both entrances, caught us and then hauled us off like common criminals,' said McCune. 'I understand that the unwritten law in libraries is to be quiet. Well, we were quietly stacking books.'
For McCune and other BYU students the rules of the library are gray.
'I understand that proper behavior in the Lee library is to follow the Honor Code, be quiet, be respectful, and to not bring in food and drink,' said Jinii Thatcher, 20, a junior from Salt Lake City majoring in broadcast journalism.
David Brough, a security guard in the library, said, 'There is no written code of ethics.'
Along with no food and no drink, Brough said the 'no-no's' of the library include: no making out, no sliding down stair rails, no playing with elevators, no studying outside designated areas, no sitting on the stairs, and no book mutilation.
There are some exceptions. Food that will not leave crumbs, such as gum and hard candy is allowed. Lunch bags and boxes are permitted assuming that they will not be opened. Bottled water is also acceptable.
Brough also mentioned that due to the large number of outside visitors, they do not enforce dress standards within the library.
When library security witnesses an infraction of these unwritten rules, they take action.
That action includes a small interrogation and a field interview. A field interview entails the asking of student information (name and student number).
After they take a field interview, they enter the information on the library's computer system. It remains there indefinitely.
When multiple field interviews are collected, measures are taken to correct the problem.
The measures may include an interview with the security supervisor, Sergeant Wayne Beck, a revoking of library privileges, a ban from the library, a referral to the Honor Code office, or legal action depending on the severity of the infraction.
Beck said, 'It all depends upon the infraction and if it is a crime or not.'