The Meade County Public Library welcomes people of all ages and strives to provide a safe and appropriate environment for all library users. This policy was adopted to encourage an atmosphere of courtesy, respect, and excellent service.
The following rules of conduct shall apply to all persons entering the building and or on the grounds controlled and operated by the library.
Rules for a Safe Environment
Committing or attempting to commit an activity in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation is prohibited.
Possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage, illegal drug, or drug paraphernalia is prohibited.
Persons appearing to be intoxicated are not allowed on library property.
Safety of patrons on library buildings and grounds:
The following behaviors are prohibited:
- Using obscene or threatening language or gestures
- Verbal abuse of staff or patrons
- Running, pushing, shoving or other unsafe physical behavior
- Animals, except those assisting persons with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Smoking, using e-cigarettes or chewing tobacco on library property
- Inappropriate dress (no shirt or shoes)
Rules for Personal Behavior
The library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended.
Public restrooms must be kept neat and clean at all times.
Food and uncovered beverages are prohibited inside the library except in the cafe and when offered in connection with a library-sponsored program.
Panhandling or soliciting library staff and patrons for money, products, or services inside the library or on library property is prohibited.
Selling merchandise on library property without the director’s prior permission is prohibited.
Distributing or posting printed materials/literature on library property is prohibited in vehicle parking areas and in all areas that would impede public access. No materials may be distributed in staff areas, restrooms, or in pedestrian or vehicle traffic areas.
Staring, following, stalking, harassing, threatening or other behavior or activity that interferes with library business or other’s use of the library is prohibited.
Loud and or disruptive noises created by persons or electronic equipment are not allowed within the building.
Disruptive or offensive behavior that interrupts library programs will not be tolerated.
Patrons must leave the library promptly at closing time and may not be in the library when it is not open to the public.
Use of Library Materials and Property
Patrons must not vandalize, damage, or improperly remove library materials, equipment, or furniture. Library materials may only be removed following established lending procedures.
Patrons must abide by established time limitations and all other provisions of the library’s Internet Use Policy.
Children in the Library
Children are welcome and encouraged to use the library. All patrons, including children, are expected to comply with library policies. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children while in the library or on the library property.
School groups using the library must have appropriate staff present to ensure that students use the library in conformance with these rules.
Enforcement
Library patrons observed violating this policy will be verbally asked to cease the behavior. 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, the police may be called.
The director or designee may further limit or suspend 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. If necessary, the police may be called to intervene.
The library reserves the right to respond as follows to any behavior that threatens the safety and securing of patrons or staff, including but not limited to verbal abuse, violence, threatening behavior, harassment, vandalism, drug sale or use, intoxication or theft:
- The police will be called immediately. Violations of this nature will result in an immediate minimum two-week suspension of library privileges in order to give the library sufficient time to investigate the incident. After the investigation is complete, the library director or designee may add additional time to the initial limitation or suspension period.
- Subsequent violations of the same rule will result in additional suspensions of increasing length.
Library staff shall complete an incident report for any significant violation of this policy the same day it occurs. A copy of the suspension of privileges letter should be attached, if applicable.
The patron whose privileges have been limited or suspended shall attend a meeting with the director or designee to review the library patron behavior policy before privileges may be reinstated.
Patrons may appeal a decision to limit or suspend privileges by sending a written appeal to the library board president within 10 business days of the date the privileges were limited or suspended. The patron is entitled to a hearing before the full board. The decision of the library board may be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction.
Adopted 9/19/22