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Patron Behavior Policy PDF Print E-mail

BESSEMER PUBLIC LIBRARY PATRON BEHAVIOR POLICY

 I. Introduction The Bessemer Public Library is open for specific and designated uses, including reading, studying, writing, participating in scheduled library programs, and using library materials. In order to provide resources and services to all people who visit the Bessemer Public Library facilities in an atmosphere of courtesy, respect, and excellent service, the Library Board has adopted this Patron Behavior Policy. The purpose of the Library Patron Behavior Policy is to assist the Bessemer Public Library in fulfilling its mission as a community resource providing quality materials and services which fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs.  The following rules of conduct shall apply to all buildings –interior and exterior –and all grounds controlled and operated by the Bessemer Public Library and to all persons entering in or on the premises. 

II. Rules for a Safe Environment 

A.  Violations of Law. Committing or attempting to commit an activity in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation is prohibited. 

B.  Weapons. Carrying weapons, except bona fide officers of government jurisdictions or individuals with a lawful permit, is prohibited. 

C.  Alcohol; Drugs. Possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming any alcoholic beverage, illegal drug, or drug paraphernalia is prohibited. 

D. Under the Influence. Persons noticeably under the influence of any controlled substance or intoxicating liquor are not allowed on library property. 

E. Use of Library Buildings and Grounds. 

  1.       Use of skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, or scooters is not allowed in the library or on library premises, other than those required by persons with disabilities.
  2.      Library patrons must park bicycles or other vehicles only in authorized areas.
  3.      All doors and entrances must remain obstacle-free.
  4.      Animals or personal transport vehicles are not permitted in the library other than those required by persons with disabilities or those used in law enforcement or for library programming.
  5.       Smoking inside library facilities is prohibited and smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any entrance. Smokers must use exterior ashtrays and refrain from littering with cigarette butts.
  6.       Shirts and shoes are required for health reasons and must be worn at all times inside the library.
  7.       The use of incendiary devices, such as candles, matches, and lighters, is prohibited inside the library.

III. Rules for Personal Behavior 

A. Personal Property. Personal property brought into the library is subject to  the following: 

  1.   The Library personnel may limit the number of parcels carried into the library.
  2.    The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended.
  3.      The Library does not guarantee storage for personal property.
  4.    Personal possessions must not take up seating or space if needed by others. 

B. Food and Beverages. Food and drink must be consumed in designated areas. 

C. Unauthorized Use. Patrons must leave the library promptly at closing time. Further,     any patron whose privileges to use the Library have been denied may not enter the     Library. Any patron whose privileges have been limited may not use the Library in any     manner that conflicts with those limits placed on the patron by the Director, his or her     designee, or the Library Board. 

D. Engaging in Proper Library Activities. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated     with the use of the Library while in the building.  Patrons not engaged in reading,      studying, writing, participating in scheduled library programs, and using library     materials shall be required to leave the building. 

E. Considerate Use. The following behavior is prohibited in the Library.  1.      Spitting2.      Running3.      Putting feet or legs on furniture.4.      Using obscene or threatening language or gestures. 

F. Panhandling or Soliciting. Panhandling or soliciting library staff or patrons for money,     products, or services inside the library or on library property is prohibited. 

G. Interference with Staff. Patrons may not interfere with the staff’s performance of duties     in the Library or on Library property. This includes engaging in conversation or      behavior that monopolizes or forces the attention of staff for an inappropriate period of     time, inappropriate personal comments, sexual advances, or physical and/or verbal     harassment. 

H. Campaigning and Similar Activities. Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing are prohibited in the Library building.

 I. Sales. Selling merchandise on Library property without prior permission from the Director is prohibited. 

J. Distributions; Postings. Distributing or posting printed materials/literature   on Library property not in accordance with Library policy is prohibited. 

K. Restrooms. Misuse of restrooms, including laundering, sleeping, shaving, hair cutting or trimming, bathing, and sexual activity is prohibited. 

L. Harassment. Staring, photographing, following, stalking, harassing, or threatening library users or staff while in the Library or on Library property    so that it interferes with the Library patrons’ use of the Library or the ability    of the staff person to do his or her job is prohibited. 

M. Loud Noise. Producing or allowing any loud, unreasonable, or disturbing    noises that interferes with other patrons use of the Library which can be    reasonably expected to disturb other persons, including those from    electronic, entertainment, and communication devices, such as cell    phones, headphones, and radio is prohibited. Cell phones and pagers    should be answered promptly. Patrons should speak in low tones and     keep conversations brief. If phone calls cannot be completed quickly,     patrons should move away from reading, research, and study areas. 

N. Body Odor. Offensive body odor due to poor personal hygiene, overpowering perfume, or cologne that causes a nuisance is prohibited. 

IV. Rules for the Use and Preservation of Library Materials and Property 

A. Care of Library Property. Patrons must not deface, vandalize, or improperly remove library materials, equipment, furniture, or buildings. 

B. Internet Use. Patrons must abide by established time limitations and all other provisions of the Bessemer Public Library Internet Use Policy. 

C. Equipment. Library phones and staff computers are for staff use only. 

D. Authorized Lending. Library materials may only be removed from premises with authorization through established lending procedures. 

E. Restrooms. Library materials may not be taken into restrooms.

 V. Rules for the Safety of Youth 

A. Supervision of Children. Parents or caregivers must be present and responsible for the supervision of children under age 6. 

B. Restriction of Youth Areas. Staff may restrict adult use of youth areas. 

VI. Disciplinary Process for Library Facilities The Library Director or the Director’s designee may restrict access to library facilitieswith immediate dismissal of the patron from the premises, by suspending the patron’saccess to library facilities for a set period of time, or by denying access to specificservices and/or programs pursuant to this Policy. If necessary, the local police may becalled to intervene . 

A. Incident Reports. Library Staff shall record in writing in the form of an    Incident Report any violation of this Policy that resulted in a verbal warning    or a suspension of library privileges. By the end of the day on which the    incident occurred, an Incident Report shall be written and forwarded to the    Library Director for logging and review. The report should include physical    descriptions in addition to the name of the patron. A copy of the    suspension of privileges letter should be attached, if applicable. 

B. Violation of the Policy –Suspension of Privileges: Unless otherwise    provided in this Policy, (See Section C below), the Library shall handle    violations as follows: 

  1.      Initial Violation: Library patrons observed violating this policy will  be asked to cease the violation with a verbal request. If the patron      does not comply with the request, he or she will be asked to leave      the building for the day. If he or she refuses, police may be called. 
  2.   Subsequent Violations: The Director or the Director’s authorized    designee may further limit or revoke the patron’s library privileges if infractions continue. Such limitation or revocation shall be in writing specifying the nature of the violation. Subsequent violations of the same rule shall result in additional suspensions of increasing length. 

C. Violations that Affect Safety and Security: Violations involving verbal    abuse, violence, threatening behaviors, sexual harassment, vandalism,    drug sale or use or attempted drug sale or use, intoxication, theft or    attempted theft, physical harassment, sexual misconduct or any behavior    that threatens the safety and security of staff and/or patrons shall be    handled as follows:

  1.  Initial Violation: The police will be called immediately. If the    conduct constitutes a violation of local, state, or federal law, arrest    or criminal prosecution may ensue. Violations of this nature will    result in an immediate minimum two-week suspension of library    privileges. The Incident Report shall specify the nature of the    violation. 
  2.  Subsequent Violations: The police will be called immediately. If    the conduct constitutes a violation of local, state, or federal law,    arrest or criminal prosecution may ensue. The Director or the    Director’s authorized designee, may further limit or revoke the    patron’s library privileges in escalating responses, which will be    documented in writing. Subsequent violations of the same rule will    result in additional suspensions of increasing length. 

D. Reinstatement: The patron whose privileges have been limited or revoked    shall attend a meeting with the Director or the Director’s designee to  review the Library Patron Behavior Policy before their privileges maybe    reinstated. 

VII. Right of Appeal Patrons may appeal a decision to limit or revoke privileges by sending a written appealto the Library Board within 10 working days of the date the privileges were revoked orlimited. The appeal should be sent to the President of the Library Board. The decisionof the Library Board is final.   

Adopted by the Bessemer Public Library Board-May 20, 2009

 
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