Purpose of behavior requirements:

• To provide a welcoming environment where all are equally and safely entitled to use of the facility
• To give staff support for consistently enforcing proper behavior

Behaviors that are encouraged:

• Respect for other patrons and staff
• Respect for library facility, equipment, materials

Unacceptable behaviors:

Illegal:  Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state, or local criminal statue or ordinance.

• Be under the influence or in possession of any intoxicating drug or alcoholic substance, firearm, knife or other weapon prohibited by City Ordinance or State Statutes on library grounds.

Disruptive:  Any behavior or physical obstacle that unreasonably disturbs others or interferes with library operations and services including but not limited to:

• Speaking in a loud voice
• Noise making of any kind
• Running, horseplay, fighting
• Unwelcome contact between library users
• Stalking, staring or invading personal space
• Interfering with other patrons' use of the library through poor personal hygiene
• Physical impediments such as bicycles, backpacks, large groups of people, etc. that prohibit access to the facility or its contents
• Loitering or sleeping without using library resources or services
• Entering the library with animals or vehicles, except in the instance of service animals
• Playing any audio equipment that can be heard by others
• Soliciting funds, panhandling, gambling, selling, advertising or petitioning for contributions or support
• Use of restrooms to bathe, shave or change clothes where it unreasonably interferes with other patrons use or staff use of the restroom, or involves willful and lewd exposure in violation of ordinances and state law. (It is not a violation of this rule for a woman to breastfeed or a person to change a child's diaper).

Abusive: Any willful behavior that will annoy, harass or threaten another person with the potential to cause harm to users, the staff, the building, its contents, or inhibit use of resources

• Abusive, harassing, annoying or threatening  treatment of staff or other library patrons
• Obscene, abusive, or racially charged language or clothing
• Failure to obey the reasonable direction of a library staff member
• Inappropriate use of restrooms, furniture, library materials
• Computer abuses:  see Internet Use Guidelines

    -    Using another patron’s library card for access

    -    Viewing sexually explicit images

    -    Darkening screens

    -    Changing settings that need professional attention to restore

    -    Tampering with or unplugging library equipment

Unsafe: Any behavior with the potential to cause physical harm to users or staff

• Children age five and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children ages six through nine must be accompanied by an adult in the library building. Staff will attempt to locate an unattended child’s caregiver. If the caregiver cannot be located, or if the library is closing, law enforcement will be notified.
• Climbing, running or jumping on library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures or buildings