RULES OF CONDUCT FOR LIBRARY USERS Rev. 6/4/2025
It is the responsibility of the library staff to maintain library environments in a pleasant manner for as many people as possible. It is important that the staff be tolerant of a patron who behaves unusually, but who does not disturb others. Conversely, Library staff and/or law enforcement personnel will intervene to stop prohibited activities or behaviors which disturb others.
Users who act in a disruptive manner will be given one warning. Upon a second occurrence, the offender will be required to leave the library for the remainder of the day. If the offender continues to violate the rules of conduct upon their return, the offender will lose library privileges for a term to be determined by the library director. A person barred from the Library for a period of time can be prosecuted for trespass if he or she returns to the Library within that period of time.
11.1 Inappropriate Library Conduct Rev. 6/4/2025
The following are examples of actions not allowed on Library property. Taking part in any of these behaviors will result in appropriate disciplinary actions being taken by library staff and/or law enforcement personnel:
- Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, local or other applicable law, or Library policy.
- Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs.
- Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff, including stalking, staring, lurking, or offensive touching.
- Engaging in sexual misconduct, including but not limited to displays of physical affection, indecent exposure, sexual acts or displaying pornography.
- Soliciting or conducting surveys/petitions not authorized by the Library.
- Altering or inappropriately using Library property, including computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones, and other equipment.
- Trespassing in nonpublic areas, being in the Library without permission of an authorized Library employee before or after Library operating hours.
- Entering the Library after having privileges suspended.
- Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing things.
- Using profanity.
- Creating disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards.
- Using cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others.
- Using restrooms for bathing or shampooing, doing laundry, or changing clothes.
- Littering.
- Smoking, chewing, e-cigarette/vape use and tobacco product use.
- Entering the Library barefooted, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.
- Consuming food or drinks in the public areas of libraries except in specific designated areas or during appropriate library activities or public activities as covered in this document. Drinking beverages in a container with a lid that prevents spillage is allowed in public areas.
- Bringing in garbage, articles with a foul odor, or articles which, alone or in their aggregate, impede the use of the library by other users. Creating disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards.
- Using cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others.
- Bringing pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for disabilities, into the Library, except as authorized by the Director.
- Using a Library for childcare purposes. Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children. See next Section.
11.2 Unattended Children Rev. 10/24/2018
Children are welcome in all of our libraries and we are concerned about their safety and welfare. However, parents and caregivers are responsible for monitoring the activities and regulating the behavior of their children while the children are in the library. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
If an unattended child is being disruptive or is deemed to be at risk of coming to harm (as in the case of a child being left unattended when the library is ready to close) the Library will take action. An effort will be made to locate the responsible parent, guardian or caregiver. If necessary, appropriate law enforcement or child protective authorities will be notified to take custody of the child.
We respect the privacy of all library patrons and will intervene only when, in the opinion of the library staff, the safety and well-being of a child is threatened.
