LIBRARY STANDARDS OF PATRON BEHAVIOR
Behavior becomes unacceptable when it
impinges on the rights of others. Unacceptable behavior includes any form of
harassment which could result in physical, or emotional, or mental injury to
oneself or others, or when it could result in damage to the facilities,
equipment or materials. Patrons behaving in an unacceptable manner will be asked
once to modify their behavior or, upon failure to do so, to leave the library
facility. Police will be called if there is not compliance, or if staff feels in
any way unable to handle the situation or feels threatened.
Failure to follow the directions of
library staff when directed, to abide by these rules or other specific
instructions, will result in expulsion from the library.
Examples of unacceptable behavior
include:
- Abandonment/leaving of young children unattended
- Abuse/vandalism of library facilities, equipment or material
- Behavior or language that is offensive to others
- Bringing pets into the library (“working” dogs are allowed)
- Chewing tobacco
- Drinking
- Eating
- Entering library without shirt or shoes
- Excessive noise/noise which disturbs others
- Harassment/physical, sexual, or verbal abuse, in any form, of other library users or library staff
- Intoxication
- Illegal activities within the library or on library grounds
- Loitering
- Obscene language or activity
- Roller blading, skating or skateboarding
- Smoking
- Spitting
- Soliciting
- Unruly/offensive behavior
- Use of cell phones (phones should be set to silent mode)—except in library foyer
- Using library computer equipment for purposes other than those permitted under the Computer Resources Access and Internet Safety Policy, or performing any act that damages or disables computer hardware or software
Adopted by the Richland Library Board:
September 2, 1987
Revised: July 6, 2000
December 4, 2003
Updated June 24, 2004
