|
The Mercer
County Public Library building and
bookmobile are public facilities to be
used by all people for the purpose for
which they were established. It is the
intent of the Board of Trustees to
provide a safe environment and a quiet
and orderly atmosphere for
all
patrons so that they may enjoy the
services provided by the Library. The
Board of
Trustees
is responsible for determining the rules
for public behavior within or upon these
facilities. The Board of Trustees has
authorized the Director, or designee, to
take all
action
necessary to maintain the safety and
security of our patrons and library
property and to maintain an orderly
atmosphere.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS
Prohibited
behaviors shall include but not be
limited to:
Smoking or
use of tobacco products or simulated
smoking devices within the
library;
Eating or
drinking within the library, unless part
of an organized library event;
Being
under the influence of, or using,
alcohol or controlled substances;
Loud or
disorderly conduct;
Harassment
of other patrons or staff;
Trespassing;
Damaging or abusing library property,
including materials, furnishings or
computers;
Library
staff shall try to remain cognizant of
behaviors within the library. Staff
shall be
receptive
to complaints from patrons and, unless
the behavior is such that warrants
immediate action to ensure the safety of
patrons or staff, shall warn offending
patrons to
alter
their conduct and, if necessary, provide
a copy of this policy for the patron's
review.
If the
offending behavior continues, the
Director, or designee, shall be
informed. The
Director,
or designee, shall ask the offending
patron to come into the office to
discuss the
problem.
If a resolution can not be reached at
that point, the Director, or designee,
shall
advise the
patron to leave the premises.
If the
offending patron is an adult, the
Director, or designee, is authorized to
revoke the
offending
patron's library privileges for a period
not to exceed thirty (30) days. The
patron may request the Board of Trustees
to review the Director's decision.
If the
offending patron is a minor child, a
minor being defined as under the age of
eighteen (18) years, the Director may
revoke the minor's library privileges
until such
time as
the Director is able to meet with the
minor patron and their parent(s).
Subsequent violations by a minor patron
may result in revocation of privileges
for a period not to
exceed
thirty (30) days. The minor patron, or
parent, may request the Board of
Trustees
to review
secondary revocations.
Patrons
who have been asked to leave the
premises have lost their right to be in
the library and failure to leave may
result in the notification of law
enforcement and prosecution for Criminal
Trespass. Loud, obnoxious or abusive
behavior within the library may result
in prosecution for Disorderly Conduct.
Any patron who willfully damages or
destroys library property may be
prosecuted for Criminal Mischief. Any
patron who engages in a physical
confrontation with another patron or
staff may be
prosecuted
for Harassment or Assault.
The
library is here for the enjoyment of
all. While staff will be tolerant of
patrons who behave in an unusual manner,
it is equally important not to ignore
someone whose
behavior
poses a threat to the safety or security
of the public or causes other patrons to
leave the
library.
This policy was adopted
11/11/2002 by the Mercer County Public
Library Board of
Trustees.
|
