POLICY FOR PUBLIC
BEHAVIOR ON LIBRARY PROPERTY
The
Barberton Public Library Board of Trustees is responsible for
determining the rules for public behavior in the Library that are
necessary to:
1.
Protect the rights of individuals to use Library property,
materials, and services;
2.
Protect the rights of Library employees and volunteers to conduct
library business
without interference;
3.
Ensure the use of the facilities, materials, and services by the
greatest number of
individuals;
4.
Preserve those materials and facilities from harm; and
5.
Ensure the safety of Library patrons, employees, and volunteers.
The
rules for public behavior are listed below. Any individual who
repeatedly violates the Library rules and regulations shall be
denied the privilege of access to the Library by the Library Board
of Trustees, on recommendation of the Library Director. In
case of emergency, the Director may take immediate action and inform
the Board as soon as possible afterward. Any individual whose
privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the
Board of Trustees. The Board authorizes the Library Director
to bring to the attention of law enforcement authorities the
identity and circumstances involving individuals who violate these
rules.
Library
employees are authorized to bring to an individual's attention any
act or omission which violates these rules and detracts from the
decorum of the Library. Such an individual will be asked to
change the problem behavior to conform to the rules. If such
change is not evident or forthcoming, that individual will be asked
to leave the Library property. Failure to leave if asked will
result in the police being called. A violation of section
2911.21 of the Ohio Revised Code (Criminal Trespass) will be
considered if the individual does not leave of his/her own accord.
Any
misconduct that hinders use of the Library or library materials is
prohibited. Such misconduct might include but is not limited
to:
1.
Illegal activities.
2.
Loud or boisterous behavior.
3.
Conversation (in person or via cellular phone) that is disturbing to
other individuals or
employees.
4.
Profanity or other abusive language toward other Library patrons or
toward employees.
5.
Abusing Library furniture, equipment, or materials.
6.
Running or sleeping in the Library.
7.
Harassing others, either verbally or through actions.
Harassment may include but is not
limited to initiating unwanted conversations; impeding access
to the building; or
other actions another individual reasonably perceives to be
hostile, threatening or offensive.
8.
Fighting on Library property.
9.
Using tobacco in any form while on Library property.
10.
Possession, sale, or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal substances,
or weapons on Library
property.
11.
Eating and/or drinking in non-designated areas.
12.
Buying, selling, or soliciting for personal or commercial gain.
13.
Using personal listening equipment at a level that can be heard by
other individuals.
14.
Skateboarding anywhere on Library property.
15.
Bringing animals other than guide dogs and the like into the
Library.
16.
Not wearing a shirt or shoes.
17.
Using the emergency exits at times other than during an emergency.
The
Library does not permit weapons of any kind, either concealed or in
plain view, on its property or in its buildings, unless the owner of
the weapon is a law enforcement officer.
The
Library reserves the right to limit the number of individuals who
may gather together where ingress and egress are blocked.
The
Library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcases,
packs, personal listening equipment and overcoats for library
materials.
Questions
about this policy or about actions the Library has taken may be
addressed to the Library Director or the Board of Trustees.
The
above rules are based on powers granted to a public library board of
trustees under the Ohio Revised Code, Section 3375.40(H). They
will be posted prominently in the Library building and at the
Community Health Branch.
Adopted
by the Barberton Public Library Board of Trustees, Resolutions
73-1990, 68-1994, 13-2004, and 49-2007.