In order to provide an atmosphere conducive to the appropriate use of the Elyria Public Library System’s services and facilities, the following policy was developed. Expulsion or exclusion from Library Facilities may result if these rules and regulations are not followed.
Library Activities
Library approved activities may include, but are not limited to, reading, studying, writing, informational needs, use of public access computers, and related activities.
1. The following categories of misconduct are strictly prohibited on Library property and may result in a verbal warning upon the first occurrence and a written warning and/or expulsion from library facilities for any subsequent occurrence. Trespassing notice may be given for up to six months.
- Selling items or services, and soliciting.
- Use of any tobacco products.
- Sleeping in a disruptive manner.
- Putting feet or legs on furniture.
- Taking Library materials into the restrooms.
- Using personal software on library computers.
- Distributing or posting any printed materials.
- Harassing or annoying other patrons in a manner that reasonably can be expected to disturb other Library patrons.
- Not wearing shoes or a shirt.
- Bringing animals or pets into the Library, except for those assisting disabled persons and those involved in Library sponsored programs.
- Creating any loud and/or disturbing noises, either verbally or from any device, including personal electronic devices.
- Misuse of public restrooms outside the normal, ordinary, and customary use. Bathing is not permitted.
- Bringing bedrolls and suitcases into Library facilities is prohibited. All other carry-alls may be subject to inspection.
- Send, receive, or display text or graphics that may reasonably be construed as obscene or child pornography.
2.The following categories of misconduct are strictly prohibited on Library property may result in a written warning and/or expulsion from Library facilities depending upon the severity of the misconduct. Trespassing notice may be given up to one year.
- Possessing or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Removing Library materials from the premises without authorization through established lending procedures. Such lending procedures may be obtained from and explained by Library staff.
- Using abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language; harassment or hazing; or making an offensive gesture or display in a public place.
- Reprogramming or altering Library terminals, computers, software, or data.
- Leaving a child under six years of age unattended by a responsible person for any reason other than the attendance of programs or activities scheduled for such children by Library staff. A “responsible person” shall be presumed to be any person over the age of sixteen.
- Leaving any child or teenager up to the age of sixteen on Library property after closing time.
- Unreasonable and persistent interference with Library employees’ performance of their duties.
3.The following categories of misconduct are strictly prohibited on Library property and may result in automatic expulsion and/or arrest upon the first occurrence, and may result in permanent exclusion from the specific Library in which the misconduct occurred. Trespassing notice will be for a minimum of one year.
- Intentionally or recklessly damaging, destroying, appropriating, or stealing any Library, patron’s, or employee’s property. Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly damaging or destroying tangible Library property.
- Carrying weapons of any type, the primary and customary use of which is intended to be for the infliction of bodily injury upon any person. This is not intended to prohibit the use of ordinary items of everyday use such as scissors, fingernail clippers, key chain devices with blades of less than one inch, or any other similar devices, unless such is used in a manner indicating an intent to deface or destroy Library property, or indicating intent to inflict bodily harm.
- Engaging in disorderly conduct, physical abuse, fighting, or challenging to fight, or using offensive language, the utterance of which is likely to provide an immediate breach of the peace.
- The indecent exposure of private body parts, the commission of any sexual acts or offenses, or the commission of any criminal offense.
- Engaging in acts of child abuse and/or child endangerment.
- Any act which meets the definition of a crime under the laws of the State of Ohio.
Procedures
Any person receiving a warning for a violation of the above rules and regulations will be required to provide some form of proper identification which may be copied and recorded, along with documentation of the violation, for future use by Library staff or Library Board of Trustees in determining the need for expulsion or exclusion, or any other appropriate action. Any person so expelled or excluded shall be given written notice of the reasons.
Any person who is asked to leave a Library as a result of violating these rules and regulations and refuses to do so shall be considered a trespasser and may be subject to permanent exclusion and/or arrest. Further, the Library Board of Trustees, on recommendation by the Library Director, may deny any patron who violates these rules and regulations future access to Library facilities. Any patron whose privileges have been denied, or who has been permanently excluded from Library facilities, upon petition within thirty days of the decision to do so, may appeal the decision to the Library Director.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees December 9, 2002 |
