Clearwater Public Library System Code of Conduct

The Clearwater Public Library System strives to provide the highest level of service to all library users.  The following rules are set in place to protect the right of library patrons to enjoy a safe environment, conducive to the use and enjoyment of library materials and services.  The United States Court of Appeals decision (Kreimer vs. Bureau of Police for the Town of Morristown, 1992) found that a library is a “limited public forum” created for the specific purpose of providing public access to materials.  Further, the library may draft rules of behavior to assure that the library is used for the general purposes for which it is intended.

RULES:

1. The Clearwater Public Library System shall uphold all state laws and local ordinances in regard to public behavior.  Suspected illegal activity will be reported to the police immediately.
2. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building.
3. The following list of activities not associated with the use of a public library are specifically prohibited:
   - Using or bringing in alcohol or illegal substances, smoking or using tobacco products
   - Sleeping
   - Eating except in designated areas or drinking except when using covered containers
   - Bringing animals inside the library (except service animals)
   - Bringing personal articles into the library that do not fit comfortably under a desk chair.  Items needed for library research and necessary human conveyances such as wheelchairs and strollers are not prohibited.
   - Leaving bicycles in any area except designated rack
   - Skating and related activities, including scooters, inline skating, roller skating, etc.
   - Abusing or vandalizing library facilities or equipment
   - Disarranging library furnishings or materials
   - Damaging/mutilating/cutting pages from library materials or equipment
   - Using restrooms for washing clothes or bathing
   - Entering nonpublic areas such as staff work rooms, offices and storage areas
   - Petitioning, panhandling, or distributing materials within the library.
   - Obstructing or impeding the entrance of the Library
   - Using or attempting to use the library card of another person without written permission of the card holder.
   - Intoxication
4. All personal items must remain with the owner.
5. Patrons shall respect the rights of other patrons and staff and shall not engage in behavior so as to unreasonably disrupt another patron's or employee's use of the library by:
   - Noisy or boisterous activities
   - Playing audio equipment so that others can hear it
   - Singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues
   - Soliciting funds or offering any goods or services for sale (unless authorized by the Library Director)
   - Maintaining bodily hygiene that is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons in the library
   - Verbally or physically harassing other patrons, volunteers or staff, including stalking, staring or lurking.
   - Verbal intimidation of staff, volunteers or other patrons.
6. Patrons shall not interfere with another person's use of the library or with the library personnel's performance of their duties. Disruptive behavior that compromises the use ofthe library will not be tolerated.
7. Patrons shall wear appropriate attire, including shirt and shoes.
8. Children under the age of seven must be accompanied and visually monitored by a parent/guardian or responsible caregiver.
   - Responsibility for all children using the library rests with the parent / guardian or assigned chaperon and not with the library personnel.
   - The Youth Services area is intended for use by children and their parents or caregivers.  Adults not requiring immediate access to children’s materials shall be required to relocate to other areas of the library.
   - Children must not be allowed to abuse computers or other equipment.
9. Patrons shall promptly leave the building at closing time or in an emergency.
10. Any person violating any of these rules shall be required to leave the premises for the remainder of the business day. A repeat violator who commits multiple violations during the same calendar year may be trespassed for 30 days, 6 months, or 1 year pursuant to the procedures contained in the NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND NOTICE OF TRESPASS attached to this Code of Conduct.  A patron who refuses to leave under these circumstances or who returns to the library during the period that the patron has been trespassed from the library is trespassing; and staff will seek assistance from the police, if necessary.

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