Library Code of Conduct

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees on July 21, 2020.

The library staff strives to make this facility a warm and inviting place for all people. It is the intent of the library that all library customers should be able to use its facilities to the maximum extent possible during its regularly scheduled hours.

This Code of Conduct has been developed to minimize situations in which any library customer interferes with the legitimate library business of other customers and staff, to protect the safety of all library customers and staff, and to protect library property. Library customers shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building. Library customers shall respect the rights of other customers.
 

Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Obstructing the entrance, aisles and passageways of the library, either inside or outside the building.
• Bringing in an animal, unless it is required to assist a person with a disability, or those allowed at a library approved event.
• Running, rollerblading, skateboarding, and similar activies.
• Soliciting, conducting a survey, or posting materials without prior permission of library administration.
• Photographing or recording without prior permission of library administration and those photographed or recorded.
• Using or abusing furniture or equipment, in a manner for which they are not intended, including standing or lying on tables or chairs, or putting feet on any furniture.
• Replacing library copy paper with any brought from outside of the library.
• Use of restrooms for bathing, washing hair and laundry.
• Sleeping.
• Consumption of food and beverages outside of designated areas. Consumption of snack food and beverages in lidded containers are allowed in all areas of the library except at computers, and only lidded beverages are permitted in the Quiet Study rooms. All other food must be consumed in the café area. It is expected that customers will dispose of litter and debris in trash containers and leave table tops and chairs clean.
• Disruptive use of electronic equipment, including cell phones.
• Use of tobacco products, vaping and lighting devices.
• Mutilating library materials, engaging in vandalism, or attempted theft of library property.
• Engaging in any activity not in compliance with the library's Internet Acceptable Use Policy, including attempting to hack into, damage, attack, or otherwise exploit library computer hardware and software.
• Carrying a weapon or anything that can be reasonably construed as a weapon, unless authorized by law. Any patron authorized to carry a weapon must notify the staff.
• Possession, distribution, or use of controlled substances or alcohol; no one under the influence of alcohol or such drugs will be permitted into the library.
• Engaging in sexual activity, contact, or any act of lewdness or exposure.
• Engaging in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating or hostile environment for library staff and customers, including bullying and cyberbullying.
• Verbally, physically or sexually harassing or assaulting library customers or staff.
• Failing, as the guardian, to safeguard a youth: see "Children and Their Guardians at the Library" below.
• Leaving children or adults who are in need of supervision unattended.
• Engaging in any illegal activity not otherwise listed.
• Patrons shall respect the rights of other patrons and shall not harass or annoy others through noisy or boisterous activities, by staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, by following another person about the building with the intent to annoy that person, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, by singing or talking to others or in monologues, or by behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons.
• Patrons shall not interfere with the use of the library by other patrons, or interfere with library employees’ performance of their duties.
• Patrons shall not be permitted to enter the building without a shirt or other covering of their upper bodies or without shoes or other footwear.  Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other persons shall be required to leave the building.
• Patrons are expected to observe all personal safety restrictions mandated by the government during a public health emergency while using library services. Restrictions may include, but are not limited to:
  • Wearing a face mask or covering while inside the library, unless unable to for medical reasons
  • Complying with social distancing guidelines, including maintaining 6 feet of distance between themselves and other customers, and by observing directional signage and social distancing markers
  • Adhering to maximum occupancy limits in the building
  • Complying with staff directives relating to safety and social distancing