Troy-Miami County Public Library Board of Trustees Policy 2020
POLICY
Patron Code of Conduct
Approved: April 20, 2016
Revised: July 15, 2020
The Troy-Miami County Public Library seeks to provide pleasant, orderly facilities and quality library service for all users. To best serve all library users and staff, the library has established certain standards and rules to protect the rights and safety of patrons and staff, and to preserve and protect the library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. We ask your cooperation in maintaining an environment conducive to enjoyable use of the library by all. Library staff will firmly enforce these rules.
For the safety and comfort of all:
• During the Pandemic, all visitors will be required to wear face coverings that fully cover their nose and mouth.
• Patrons will be required to wear a face covering if requesting one-on-one assistance that violates social distancing guidelines.
• Comply with staff requests
• Use cell phones in a manner that does not disrupt others
• Be considerate of fellow library users; do not harass, intimidate or disturb them
• Maintain orderly and safe entry/exit by not loitering in high traffic areas and keep personal items from interfering with others access to the library
• When bringing in beverages, only beverages in secure containers are allowed. No drinks are allowed at the Local History Library.
PROHIBITED at Troy-Miami County Public Library:
• Engaging in any activity prohibited by law or library policy
• Weapons
• Making loud, disruptive noise
• Interfering with another person’s use of the library: This includes making inappropriate comments, sexual advances, verbal or physical abuse, offensive touching, staring, or unwanted conversations.
• Interfering with a staff members’ performance of duties in any way
• Defacing or destroying library property
• Violating the Library’s Internet Use policy
• Panhandling or soliciting
• Sleeping
• Eating: Food may be permitted at the discretion of the director or a manager
• Using tobacco products on library premises
• Being under the influence or possessing drugs or alcohol
• Leaving possessions unattended and/or blocking aisles or other patron spaces: The library is not responsible for lost or stolen property
• Offensive, pervasive odors that that interfere with others’ use of the library
• Animals, other than service animals: Service animals should be required because of a disability and are the responsibility of the owner
• Entering the library without being fully clothed: A shirt, shoes, and bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt etc.) or a dress, are required.
• Using rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, or similar devices inside the library
Conduct Related to Children
• Responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or caregiver.
• Caregivers should supervise their children at all times.
• Caregivers should respect the library as a place for learning and fun but realize it is not an indoor playground. Unsafe behavior such as roughhousing, climbing on furniture, running, or other potentially injurious actions is prohibited.
• Caregiver should not leave children unattended. If staff cannot contact the parent or guardian of an unattended child, the child will be referred to the local law enforcement agency per the library’s Child Safety Policy.
• Adults should not attempt to solicit interaction with any minor.
These rules of conduct are for the comfort, safety, and protection of all library patrons and library staff. The library reserves the right to restrict use of its facilities and premises to persons who do not abide by the Library’s Rules of Conduct. Library personnel may ask anyone exhibiting inappropriate behavior to modify their behavior. Failure to comply with a staff request may result in an individual being required to leave the library premises. Repeated and blatant disregard of the Library’s Rules of Conduct may result in expulsion from library facilities or arrest and prosecution.