Library Conduct Policy
Library patrons are expected to be engaged in the productive use of the library’s resources. Patrons have the right to use the library undisturbed and library employees have the right to work without undue interference.
All library users and employees should be free of any threat of harm, invasion of property, or gross indignity which disturbs or interferes with the legitimate use of the library, including – but not restricted to – the following rules:
1. Willfully annoy, harass, or threaten another person.
2. Behave in a disorderly, loud or boisterous manner.
3. Campaign, petition, interview, survey, solicit or sell unless authorized by the Director or his/her designee.
4. Picture taking or video taping of people, except at events, unless authorized by the people involved or their parents, if minors are present.
5. Consume or possess alcoholic beverages, or use or possess controlled substances on library grounds or be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances in a manner that causes public disturbance.
6. Possess any firearm, knife, or any device which could be used as a weapon or other weapon prohibited by City Ordinance or State Statutes.
7. Deface or destroy library property.
8. Eat, drink, smoke, or vape in the library (unless eating or drinking is specifically allowed in an area or at a particular activity).
9. Sleep in the library.
10. Remain in the library after regular closing hours.
11. Interfere with patron’s use of the library through poor bodily hygiene which is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance.
12. Earphones are required for any audio played in the library. Conversations (including cell phone use) must be kept at a minimum volume and not be disruptive to others.
13. Impeding access to the building or an area of the building. This includes but is not limited to, bicycles or personal items in the library or on the library property that disrupts normal library business. This also includes leaving animals (except as required by physically disabled persons, or for library – sponsored programming) tied up on the library lawn.
14. Intentionally or unintentionally leaving personal items in the building overnight. The library assumes no responsibility for any belongings left unattended.
15. Use skates or a skateboard in the library.
16. Willfully expose patrons and staff to offensive images or language.
17. Entering a non-public area, unless accompanied by a staff member or through prior authorization from a staff member.
18. Using the library grounds for any activities not in accordance with the city ordinance.
19. Interfere with the library’s right to maintain a clean, pleasant and safe facility.
Enforcement of these rules for persons aged nine and over may take the form of any of the following actions, depending upon the severity of the misconduct which will be determined by the staff on duty at the time. Patrons under age nine are covered under the Safe Child Policy.
1. In cases of minor disruption, the patron receives one warning. At the second offense or continuation of the first offense, the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.
2. In the case of any misconduct that, in the judgment of a staff member, is extreme, the offender may be ordered to leave the building immediately, or the police may be called. Whenever possible, but not required, two staff members, including the highest-ranking staff member present, should agree that the conduct merits the drastic action of expulsion or police notification without warning.
3. Patrons causing disruption on repeated visits will be warned by the Director or designee that they will not be allowed to enter the building if the behavior continues. If a correction is not made, they will be barred from the library for one month. If, when their library privileges are reinstated, the disturbance continues, they will be barred from the library for one year.
4. Exceptions to the above may be authorized by the Director and/or designee.
5. All incidents in which patron conduct receives an expulsion by a staff member or police will be recorded by library staff.
Related Library Policies: See also Internet Use and Computer Policy and Safe Child Policy
Adopted: July 2, 2013
Amended: June 4, 2019
Reviewed: June 4, 2019
Reviewed: May 3, 2022
Scheduled for Review: May 2025