Patron Behavior in the Library

The Walled Lake City Library is designed for public use in the pursuit of education, information and research, and in the creative use of leisure time.   Patrons are expected to observe the rights of other patrons and staff members and to use the Library for its intended purposes.

The Library is open to all.  Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, or political status; or because of mental, emotional, or physical condition; age; or sexual orientation.

The use of the Library may be denied for due cause.  Such cause may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on Library premises.

In order to protect all library users' rights of access to the Library, to ensure the safety of users and staff, and to protect library resources and facilities from damage, the Library Board imposes the following reasonable rules:

The following behaviors are prohibited in the Library:

Disruptive behavior that infringes upon the rights of others using the Library or disturbs the tranquility of the Library. Disruptive behavior is defined as:

Noisy, boisterous or excessively active behavior which is inappropriate where patrons are engaged in reading, study, research or other quiet use of the Library facilities.

Engaging in loud conversation or using equipment that emits noise, including cellular phones, beepers, audio-visual equipment (without headphones), computers with sound, toys and games. Cell phones are permitted in the lobby.

Harassment of other patrons or of Library staff through abusive language, following or staring.

Violation of any local, state or federal law within the Library.

Damaging, defacing, or misusing library materials, furniture or equipment.

Removal of library materials, equipment or property without proper checkout or other official Library authorization.

Theft of personal property of other patrons or staff members.

Leaving children under the age of 10 unattended in the Library.

Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey taking, soliciting or sales in the Library or entryway, except as authorized by the Director.

Posting or distributing unapproved materials

Eating or drinking in areas not permitted for these activities.

Smoking or the use of tobacco products, alcohol or illegal drugs in any area of the Library

Being in unauthorized areas of the Library. Remaining in the Library after closing or when requested to leave during emergency situations or when not abiding by the Behavior Policy.

Bodily hygiene so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons. Such a nuisance exists where hygiene is unreasonable, and substantially and objectively interferes with other people's use of the Library.

Steps to be taken:

Patrons who are behaving inappropriately in the Library will be given a maximum of three warnings and asked to behave in an appropriate manner.

Patrons who refuse to behave more appropriately after three warnings will be asked to leave the Library.

The Library staff is authorized to call the police in cases where patrons pose a clear danger to themselves or to others, where there is deliberate violation of the law, or upon refusal to leave the Library after being asked to leave by the staff.
 
Any patron who repeatedly violates these rules may be denied the privilege of access to the Library by the Library Board, on the recommendation of the Library Director. A patron whose privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the Library Board.

The Library staff determines when behavior is inappropriate in the Library.

Adopted: November 18, 2005