Patron Conduct
Adopted: 3/18/2009
Purpose
The George H. and Ella M. Rodgers Memorial Library welcomes the community to the library. The Library serves various functions for patrons, including that of a community information center, a place to study, and a place to find cultural and recreational materials and activities. Patrons are expected to engage in activities normally associated with the use of the public library while in the building such as reading, studying, using library materials or services, attending programs. Parents are responsible for their children’s safety and conduct.
General Guidelines
In order to provide an environment in which all patrons may safely and freely use and enjoy the library, some expectations regarding patron conduct will be enforced.
Conduct prohibited in the library includes, but is not limited to:
- Damaging library property or the personal property of any other patron or staff
- Possessing weapons unless in performance of official duties
- Possessing alcohol or any illegal substance or being intoxicated (whether by alcohol or other mood altering drugs) to the point of impairment of mental or physical abilities
- Using the Library’s computers or network for illegal activity or violating the library’s internet use policy(see internet use policy for more details)
- Exhibiting disruptive, unsafe, or inappropriate behavior
- Smoking
- Sleeping
- Eating, drinking, or displaying food in open containers except in designated areas
- Disturbing or annoying anyone by loud/unreasonable noise or movement
- Using abusive, threatening, harassing, or insulting language
- Bringing animals into the building (except trained assistance animals, or for a library event)
- Committing improper acts which are subject to prosecution under criminal or civil codes of law
- Placing objects adjacent to any exit or entrance on the inside or outside of the facility which pose a safety hazard to persons entering or exiting the facility
- Not being fully clothed, including shirts and shoes
- Personally monopolizing library space or equipment to the exclusion of other patrons or staff
- Presenting bodily hygiene that is distracting to patrons or staff to the point that it interferes with patrons’ use of library resources or with staff's ability to perform work
- Misusing the restrooms (i.e. using as a laundry or washing facility)
- Soliciting, selling, or begging
- Leaving children under the age of 11 unattended in the library building or grounds (see unattended children policy for more details)
- Using roller skates, skateboards or other similar devices in or on library property
- Disobeying the reasonable direction of a library staff member
Violation of Policy
Patrons who violate the library’s Patron Conduct Policy will be made aware of the violation. Patrons who do not correct the behavior, or that of their children, immediately will be asked to leave the building, and prohibited from returning for a specific amount of time as determined by the Library Director or their designee. Failure to leave the building when asked will be considered trespassing, and may result in the police being contacted. Patrons who engage in illegal behavior will be reported to the appropriate legal authority.
Anyone known to have violated the principles of conduct and prohibited activities of the Library may be excluded from the Library and its programs as a matter of administrative policy.
