Patron Behavior Policy

The PCFL Public Library Board of Trustees sets standards of acceptable behavior on its library premises to ensure an atmosphere that encourages the use and enjoyment of library resources and services, promotes the safety of the general public and the library staff, and protects library materials, equipment, building and grounds.

 
As a limited public forum, the library is open to the public for the limited use of reading, studying, using library materials and equipment, and participating in library sponsored or library approved programs.

Each library branch reserves the right to:

• Require anyone who engages in disruptive behavior to leave the premises.  Anyone asked to leave is not allowed to loiter in the building or on the grounds.
• Report repeated disruptive behavior to the police, or in the case of children, to parents.
• Notify police immediately of unlawful or threatening activities.
• Inspect patron backpacks, oversized handbags, shopping bags, or any type of case that may hold library materials.

The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right, on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Library Director, to:

• Restrict library privileges of disruptive individuals for a specified period of time.
• Ban disruptive individuals from library premises for a specified period of time, including permanently.
• Take legal action if necessary.

Any patron whose privileges have been denied may request to have this decision reviewed by the Library Board of Trustees.  This request must be in writing.
Disruptive and unacceptable behavior includes any activity that:

• Interferes with the rights of other people to use the library.
• Disrupts the normal functioning of the library.
• May result in physical, emotional or mental injury to oneself or others.
• May result in damage to materials, equipment, building or grounds.
• Constitutes a failure to comply with library staff directives.

Examples of disruptive/unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• Threatening to harm, or causing physical harm to staff or patrons.
• Being verbally abusive or using obscene language or gestures.
• Stealing library materials or equipment.
• Disturbing others by talking loudly, playing audio equipment so others can hear it, or making undue noise.
• Accessing pornography on public computers.
• Engaging in sexual acts on library property.
• Talking on cell phones outside of the library meeting rooms.
• Eating or drinking in the library, except in a designated area as authorized by the librarian.
• Smoking, striking matches or using any tobacco product in the library.
• Using alcohol or narcotics on library property.  PCFL approval must be obtained for the use of alcohol on premises for special events.
• Carrying a weapon into the library, with the exception of law enforcement officers.
• Solicitation of contributions or petition signatures, selling merchandise or services, or conducting surveys without the librarian’s permission.
• Failing to wear proper attire, including shoes and shirts.
• Not maintaining an acceptable standard of personal hygiene, c.g. infected clothing or personal effects or unpleasant body odor that may disrupt others.
• Filming or photographing users within the library without the permission of the Library Director and the users in question.

Adopted February 15, 2011 by the Trustees of the Pocahontas County Free Libraries