Persons using the buildings and reading rooms
of the Library of Congress must conduct themselves in a manner consistent
with the purposes and functions of the Library and avoid detrimentally
affecting the peace, tranquility, and good order of the Library.
Public reading rooms and research facilities
are to be used only for quiet scholarly research or educational purposes
requiring use of Library materials. In addition to the general standards
of conduct required for anyone on the premises, those using the reading
rooms shall avoid disturbing other readers and shall refrain from
various restricted behaviors, including, but not limited to, the following:
Protection of Library Materials and Government
Property
Persons in violation of federal laws and Library regulations
relating to the Library's property, including its collections, are
subject to removal from the premises, to arrest, and to any additional
penalties prescribed by law. Under federal statutes, any person who
shall steal, wrongfully deface, injure, mutilate, tear, or destroy
Library materials, or any portion thereof, shall be punished by a
fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than 3years, or
both (18 USC 641; 18 USC 1361; 18 USC 2071; and 22 D.C. Code 3106).
Federal statutes provide further that any person who embezzles, steals,
purloins, or, without authority, disposes of anything of value of
the United States, or willfully injures or commits any depredation
against any government property, shall be punished by a fine of not
more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both; but
if the value of such property does not exceed the sum of $100, he
shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one
year or both (18 USC 641 and 18 USC 1361).
Any instance of mutilation or theft of Library materials
or other Library property may be prosecuted in accordance with the
provisions of applicable statutes. In addition to arrest and prosecution
by appropriate authorities pursuant to law, persons violating the
rules and regulations prescribed by the Librarian of Congress which
provide for the protection of Library property shall be subject to:
Suspension, revocation, or other curtailment of reader
or borrower privileges; or
Restriction of further access to the Library buildings
and use of its reader and reference services and other facilities.
In addition, any person who wrongfully defaces, injures,
mutilates, tears, or destroys
Library materials, or any portion thereof, shall be required to replace
such material either in kind or make restitution to the Library of
Congress for the cost of replacement or necessary restoration.