Customer Behavior
2.6.17 Customer Behavior
General guidelines for patron expectations
Use the library without discrimination
Receive friendly, courteous and respectful service
Have free and equal access to information
Have a clean, comfortable, and pleasant environment
Use the library without threat of harm, invasion of property, or interference.
Customers are required to be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building. Customers not engaged in reading, studying, computer use, or using library materials may be asked to leave the building.
Definition of Problem Behavior: Problem behavior is any behavior which either consciously or unconsciously violates or restricts the rights of customers or staff to use the Library. If the actions or behavior of a patron affects other patron’s use of the library, the patron causing the disruption may be asked to leave the building.
Libraries are for everyone's enjoyment. The following guidelines for customer conduct shall be observed in all branches and facilities operated by the District and are essential to ensure respect for individuals who use the Library District's facilities:
Animals: Bringing any animal into the building, except an animal needed and trained to assist a disabled or visually impaired person, or an animal that is part of an authorized Library program or function is prohibited. See Appendix P.
Audio Equipment: Playing audio equipment so that others can hear it is not allowed.
Bicycles: Bicycles must be parked in designated areas outside the building. They are not allowed inside the building.
Cell Phones: As a courtesy to other Library users, cell phones and pagers should be kept on vibrate or silent mode and answered promptly. Customers should speak in low tones and keep conversations brief. If phone calls cannot be concluded quickly customers should move away from reading, research, computer lab, and study areas. If the call needs to continue it should be taken outside the building.
Closing: Customers should leave the Library promptly at closing time.
Clothing: Shirts and shoes must be worn in the Library.
Damages: Those who damage or deface Library materials, equipment or property may be prosecuted. Parents can be liable for damages by a child under the age of eighteen.
Disturbances: Creating a disturbance that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library, or disrupts Library customers and staff, including, but not limited to the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous behavior or talking is not allowed.
Entrances: Building entrances and exits may not be blocked. Individuals may not interfere with the free passage of Library customers or staff in or on Library premises by blocking sidewalks, stairways or railings.
Firearms: No person shall possess on the library premises a firearm or any other weapon of any kind; unless authorized by law.
Copies of this policy or signs shall be posted at each entrance of a building owned by LDRL stating that carrying of firearms are prohibited unless authorized by law.
Any person violating this section may be denied entrance to the library building or ordered to leave. Library employees violating this may be disciplined.
No employee shall be allowed to carry a firearm in any library vehicle unless authorized by law.
Food and Drink: In order to create a welcoming atmosphere, eating and drinking, if done responsibly, is allowed throughout the library buildings when seated at tables. Abuse of this privilege may result in a request to leave the building.
Eating and drinking is not allowed in the computer labs or when using any library computer.
Furniture (Misuse of): Customers should sit one to a chair. In order to maintain clean and attractive Library facilities and furniture, customers may not use furniture in inappropriate ways. This includes sitting on tables, placing feet on furniture, lying on floors or defacing walls.
Interference: Interfering with another person's right to use the Library or with the Library staff's performance of their duties is not allowed. This includes harassment of customers or Library staff in a physical, sexual or verbal manner, including, but not limited to, purposeful attempts to intimidate, annoy, or provoke others by following them around, prolonged staring, or engaging in behavior that Library Staff believes is clearly meant to mock, taunt, or bait or behavior which reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons.
Intoxication: Intoxicated customers will be asked to leave the premises.
Loitering: Loitering on Library property is not allowed. This rule requires staff to exercise discretion with regards to what is considered unacceptable loitering behavior. In general, the determining factor will be whether the offending party prevents others from enjoying the Library.
Personal Possessions: Personal possessions should not be left unattended in the library or at public service points for safekeeping. The Library is unable to guarantee the security of such items.
Public Displays of Affection: Excessive displays of affection are inappropriate behavior for the Library.
Restrooms: Misusing the rest rooms (e.g. using them as a laundry or washing facility, defacing the walls or any other inappropriate use) is not allowed.
Running: Running is not allowed in the library buildings.
Skateboards, Roller Skates and Other Sports Equipment: Customers may bring these into the library while they look for materials, however, they may not be used on Library property.
Solicitation: See Petitioning, Solicitation and Distribution of Literature on District property. (Section, 4.3.1 )
Staff Only Areas: Customers are not allowed to enter areas posted "Staff Only" without permission. These areas include but may not be limited to, any staff work area, including the workroom, the staff break room, and the mechanical areas of the building.
Threats: Threatening behavior, including, violence, and threats of violence is not allowed.
Tobacco: Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in the Library.
Consequences of Behavior Policy rule violations: Customers who violate the rules listed above are subject to the withholding of Little Dixie Regional Libraries as follows:
FIRST OFFENSE: Customer will be evicted from LDRL and prohibited from returning for the
remainder of the day.
SECOND OFFENSE: Customer will be evicted from LDRL and prohibited from returning for a period of one month.
THIRD OFFENSE: Customer will be evicted from LDRL and prohibited from returning for a period of six months.
FOR THREATENING BEHAVIOR TOWARD A PATRON OR STAFF MEMBER: A patron may be banned for a lifetime. Re-entry in LDRL libraries and re-instatement of library privileges will require Library Board action.
In addition to the rules listed above, the violation of any federal or state statutes or local ordinances on the premises of Little Dixie Regional Libraries will also be regarded as a violation of LDRL rules.
On LDRL premises, no person shall:
Commit an assault or battery upon any person.
Engage in a fight.
Steal or take property not his own.
Deface, destroy, damage or remove any property not authorized by LDRL.
Engage in any indecent or obscene conduct or make any indecent exposure of his or her body.
Use, give away or sell any controlled substance.
Remain in the building after regular closing hours, except by the invitation of LDRL
Break any federal or state statute, or local ordinances that disrupt library operations.
Threaten or intimidate any patron or staff member.
Consequences of Statute or local ordinance violations
Persons who violate the statutes, ordinances and rules listed above are subject to the withholding of LDRL privileges as follows:
FIRST OFFENSE: LDRL privileges will be revoked for one year.
SECOND OFFENSE: LDRL privileges will be revoked for three years.
The Director of the LDRL or designate will notify patrons whose library privileges have been revoked by means of written correspondence via certified mail to the involved patron's last known address.
Posted online September 7, 2021