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Sterne Library Policies

Cell Phones

The Library's goal is to provide an environment that supports scholarship, research, and study. The use of cell phones in the Library is often distracting to others. Therefore, we request that cell phones be placed in a silent mode while in the building.

Use of cell phones is permitted in the first floor lobby area between the north and west entrances.

Circulation and Loan Policies

View all Sterne Library Circulation and Loan policies.

Internet and Computer Use

The UAB Libraries’ primary mission is to serve students, staff and faculty of UAB who come into the libraries or access resources remotely. The primary purpose of the computer workstations is for Library-related research.

It is important to note however that the UAB Libraries remain committed to serving the research needs of visitors (non-UAB affiliated users) by providing limited on-site access to electronic databases and journals.

Access to computers is available to:

  • Faculty, staff, and students from other colleges and universities with current college or university-issued photo IDs or proof of enrollment. If ID does not show an expiration date, guests will be required to verify enrollment or employment status online;
  • UAB National Alumni Society members with current membership cards
  • Individuals granted courtesy cards

Visitor workstation access is subject to availability and must be limited to research purposes. Visitors must comply with all aspects of the UAB Acceptable Computer Use Policy.

Examples of inappropriate use include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • violation of computer system integrity;
  • unauthorized tampering with computer hardware or software;
  • violation of software license agreements and copyright laws;
  • violation of another user's privacy;
  • use of sounds or visuals which might be disruptive to others.

Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.

Unattended Children

UAB Libraries provides an environment for research and scholarship in support of the academic programs of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This environment is not intended to provide Library staff to support unattended or unsupervised minors.

Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult. These adults are responsible for the conduct of these minors while on Library premises and must provide them with reasonable supervision.

Should an unattended or unsupervised child be discovered, the staff will try to locate or contact the parent, guardian, or other responsible adult. If unable to be located, a staff member may contact the UAB Police Department to report the situation and/or seek assistance with such children.

Access to Electronic Resources

The Library's electronic databases and journals may be accessed from any computer on the UAB campus.

UAB students, faculty and staff may access the electronic databases and journals from any computer in the world. A BlazerID is required.

Most of the Library's electronic resources are provided by publishers whose policies restrict remote access to current UAB students and employees. The Library is obliged to abide by the publishers' policies. The Library cannot offer remote access to UAB alumni or to students not currently enrolled in a class.

The following guests may use Library computers to access electronic databases and journals, the internet, and Microsoft Office:

  • Faculty, staff, and students from other colleges and universities with current college or university-issued photo IDs or proof of enrollment. If ID does not show an expiration date, guests will be required to verify enrollment or employment online.
  • UAB National Alumni Society members with current membership cards
  • Anyone with a valid Sterne Library Courtesy card.

Using Library databases and online resources is restricted off campus to those with active BlazerIDs and passwords (faculty, staff, and students). Other users including Alumni Society members and those with Sterne Library courtesy cards must access Library resources from inside the Library with a password obtained at the Sterne HUB service desk. Guest passwords expire each day at 10:00 p.m.

Room Policies

View all Sterne Library room policies.