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Policies

Potsdam Public Library Policy
Policy Subject: Patron Behavior
June 16,2004

1. Introduction
2. Specific Guidelines
3. General Guidelines for Handling Problem Patrons
4. Unattended Children

I. Introduction

	(a)	Under the provision of Chapter 2.26 of the New York State Education Law, the Potsdam Library Board of Trustees may enact regulations that serve to insure the safety of all library staff and patrons, protect the usefulness of the materials collection, and maintain order in the library.
	(b)	The Board of Trustees is committed to providing an atmosphere where people of all ages may come to read, browse, do research, or study. This policy does not prohibit quiet conversations between patrons and/or staff members or conversations required to carry on library programs or business. It is designed to preserve a reasonable quiet atmosphere where library patrons may use library services and materials without disturbance.

(c)

Inappropriate behavior includes any activity that disturbs others, interferes with library operations, damages the building or its furnishings, as well as rudeness, profanity, or any other behavior generally considered unacceptable in a public place.

(d)

This policy has been established for all patrons. If a patron is not responsive to the needs of other library users or disregards the policies protecting patrons, staff, and library property, the patron will be asked to leave the library.

II. Specific Guidelines

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(A)The rights of individuals to use the library should not be abridged or denied. To guarantee these rights for all persons, no library patron shall engage in the following prohibited behaviors:

	1.	Eat or drink beverages in the computer areas, except as provided for in the library’s meeting rooms policy.
	2.	Smoke. The library is a smoke-free zone. Smoking is prohibited throughout the facility.

	3.	Willfully annoy another person.
	4.	Damage or deface public property.
	5.	Engage in loud or boisterous behavior.
	6.	Utter profane, obscene, or offensive language.
	7.	Be in a state of intoxication that causes a public disturbance.
	8.	Enter or remain in the library without a shirt or shoes, or wearing rollerblades.
	9.	Loitering on the premises under the circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety or health of any person or property in the vicinity.
	10.	Remain in the library after closing hours.
	11.	Interfere with other library patrons’ use of the facilities through extremely poor personal hygiene.
	12.	Sleep in the library for an extended period of time (no more than 15 minutes).

(B) In most cases, electronics or other types of personal equipment may not be used in the library. Examples of such equipment may include typewriters, radios, television, and cellular telephones.

	1.	Lap-top computers maybe used as long as the keyboarding does not disturb others.
	2.	Personal “walk-along” stereos may be used as long as headphones are properly in place and sound cannot be heard by others.

	(C) No pets or other animals are allowed in the library unless they are guide dogs or part of a library program.
	(D) Only persons on library business will be allowed to solicit for the sale of goods and services in the library. Salespersons may meet with authorized library personnel only. Exceptions may be made for library-sponsored activities organizations affiliated with the library.
	(E) Surveying of groups or individuals may be done in conjunction with output measures or other similar surveys designed to quantify library use or satisfaction with library services.
	(F) Canvassing – for example, soliciting signatures for a petition, nomination papers, and the like– is not allowed on library property.
	(G) It is a charge of the library staff to see that the rights of individuals to use the library are upheld. The staff is obligated to enforce these guidelines so that the facility can be used to the fullest by all persons. Questions regarding the interpretation of guidelines will be referred to the Library Director or other staff members in charge.

III. General Guidelines for Handling Problem Patrons

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	(A) It is the patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary proper behavior standards in order to protect his/her individual rights and right and privileges of other patrons.
	(B) Occasionally, staff members may have to deal with patrons who violate the rights of others or who create a disturbance in the library. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the library and from the use of the library facilities. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be subject to the law.
	(C) A brief written report of any incident involving theft, vandalism, illegal activity, or major disruptive behavior will be filed with the Director as soon as possible after its occurrence. (A simple copy of the “Incident Report” follows.)
	(D) The library Director, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees, may suspend the library privileges of any individual who willfully violates library regulations when severity or continued reoccurrence warrants such action. The Library Director will inform the Library Board of any such action taken.
	(E) The person whose library privileges are suspended shall be advised in writing of the suspension and the reason(s) for such action. The offending person shall also be informed that the suspension may be appealed at the next regularly scheduled Library Board meeting.

IV. Unattended Children

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	(A) One of the primary missions of the library is to provide a variety of services for children of all ages. The library encourages visits by young children, and it is our desire to make these visits both memorable and enjoyable for the child.
	(B) “Unattended” means that the parent or designated person is not in close proximity to the child. Library staff cannot be expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library. Parents or designated persons are responsible for their children’s behavior while in the library.
	(C) Even if the young person is attending a program, it is required that the parent/responsible person remain in the library throughout the program.

Potsdam Public Library Policy Policy Subject: Patron Behavior June 16,2004

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Potsdam Public Library Policy
Policy Subject: Patron Behavior
June 16,2004