Patron Code of Conduct

Patron Code of Conduct

Approved: April 20, 2016

Revised: July 15, 2020

July 21, 2021

Dec. 13, 2023

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. For the safety and comfort of all, patron should comply with staff requests.

TMCPL reserves the right to cause to be ejected and to refuse further admission to those individuals who may violate the rights of the library staff or library users, or who create disorder to the library. Patrons may also be subject to arrest.

Inappropriate Behavior

Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to the following situations:

  • Actions of a person that present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others in the library.
  • Engaging in any activity prohibited by local, state, and federal laws or library policy.
  • Attempting to steal library property or property of another library user, or maliciously destroying library property.
  • Willfully and purposefully disturbing the staff or other library users or disrupting the legitimate use of the library facilities by others.
  • Behavior that is inappropriate to the use of the library building, equipment, and materials for the purposes for which it is legally constituted.
  • Offensive body odor or poor hygiene or other excessive odors to such a degree that it creates a nuisance to others or disrupts library service.
  • Using nicotine products on library premises. Effective Oct. 16, 2019 smoking and vaping was prohibited throughout all indoor buildings and outdoor campus areas, including library-owned vehicles.
  • Possessing alcohol or illegal substances. (This includes marijuana, which is illegal under federal law).
  • Using personal transportation items such as rollerblades, skateboards, roller skates or similar devices inside the library. The only wheeled vehicles that can be used in the library are baby buggies, strollers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices for the disabled. Bicycles are to be parked outside the library.
  • When a person does any of the following: Loitering, sleeping, gambling, voyeurism, molestation, using obscene language, solicitation, or public intoxication.
  • Anyone being disruptive by loud talking, running in the stacks or on the stairs, and/or mistreating library property.

Refusal to leave the library

Any person refusing to leave the library after the hours set by the Library Board of Trustees for closing is considered in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2911.21 regarding trespass.

Attire

Patrons are required to be fully clothed: This includes shoes and a shirt at all times.

Possession of Weapons

Weapons are prohibited in the library. The library Ohio Revised Code 2923.1212 states "Unless otherwise authorized by law, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person's control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance onto these premises." A weapon is defined as a handgun, rifle, knife, and/or any other object whose purpose or use is to inflict physical harm to another individual.

Animals

When a person brings an animal, other than a service dog, into the library. Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability is allowed inside library buildings or vehicles. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability. TMCPL staff may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

For the Safety and Comfort of All

  • Beverages should be in secured containers and may be limited to certain areas of the building. Food may be permitted at the discretion of the library manager or director. Food is not permitted in the Maker Lab or the Local History Library.
  • Patron should not leave possessions unattended and/or blocking aisles or other patron spaces. The library is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
  • Cell phones, radios, personal computers, and other devices should be kept at a volume that does not disturb other patrons or staff in the library.
  • Adults should not attempt to solicit or engage any minor who is not under their care.

Unattended Children

  • Responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or assigned caregiver, not with library staff. Under no circumstances does the library accept responsibility for a child.
  • Young children should not be left unattended by parent/guardian or assigned caregiver.
  • Caregiver should not leave children unattended or leave children after hours. If staff cannot contact the parent or guardian of an unattended child, the child will be referred to the local law enforcement agency.