Gadsden County Public Library

Updated Patron Code of Conduct

Gadsden County Public Library

PATRON CODE OF CONDUCT

Public supported library service is based upon the First Amendment right of free expression. Gadsden County maintains a library environment that is conducive to all users’ exercise of their constitutionally protected right to receive information.

The intended use of the Library is as a place for reading, study, gathering information, cultural and educational enrichment, and/or programmed activities. People using the Library have the right to expect that the Staff will maintain decorum by requiring courteous and reasonable behavior from everyone.

In order to protect all library users’ rights of access to library facilities, to ensure the safety of users and staff, and to protect library resources and facilities from damage, the following rules are intended to ensure the comfort and safety of the Patrons and Staff.

Parents or other adults accompanying minor children are responsible for those children in the library. The library is not responsible for unattended children. Parents or other adults accompanying minor children should remain in the library during scheduled library-sponsored children programs.

No child under the age of 13 years of age may be left unattended at the library except with library permission.

No child should be left at the library after closing time. Any of the library staff is authorized to contact, either, Children and Family Services and/or an appropriate law enforcement agency for assistance.

No smoking, eating, or drinking is allowed in the library, including the restrooms. The staff, at library-designated functions, may permit food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The library is not responsible for any property left on library premises or in library materials.

Unacceptable Behaviors in the Library

To ensure everyone’s comfort, safety, and access to library resources and facilities, the following behaviors are not considered acceptable in the library:

Noise or talking which disturbs others;

Sleeping;

Board, card, and other games;

Intoxication resulting from the use of alcohol or drugs;

Soliciting, peddling, or vending, whether in the library or on library grounds, parking areas, or cartilage;

Fighting;

Harassment; and verbal, visual, or physical abuse of other library patrons or library staff; and no loud and/or abusive language is permitted.

Use of radios or TVs without headphones;

Improper use, destruction or theft of property;

Running and noisy playing;

Campaigning and petitioning in the library and upon the library entryways;
Possession on library grounds of a weapon, an electric weapon or device, a firearm, a destructive device or explosive as defined in Chapter 790, Florida Statutes. The exceptions are law enforcement officers of the 2nd Judicial Circuit and library security personnel.

Everyone is required to wear shirts and shoes at all times and be appropriately dressed for the library.

Patrons who exhibit any of the above unacceptable behaviors will be asked to stop and may be asked to leave the library if the behavior continues. If anyone – adult or child –breaks library rules or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs, the library staff, after consultation with the Library Director or his or her designee, is authorized to direct that person to leave the library. If anyone is told to leave the library and does not leave promptly, any of the library staff is authorized to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for assistance. Failure to leave the library when asked to do so will subject the person to possible arrest under Chapter 810.08, Florida Statutes, “Trespass in Structure or Conveyance.” Persons whose behavior is disruptive or dangerous may be placed on “Trespass after Warning” notification with the police.

Patrons engaging in criminal activity as defined by Florida Statutes are reported immediately to law enforcement authorities.

In no situation and at no time is the library responsible for the care and/or safety of anyone.

The Gadsden County Public Library extends the privilege of computer and Internet usage and governs all aspects of that use, including, but not limited to, time and seating assignments. The Library reserves the right to at any time revoke the Internet privilege of any patron making any inappropriate use the Internet, (i.e., any criminal activity; placing unlawful information on the system; the use of obscene, abusive or objectionable language, audio, and/or pictures; and/or any variance from the GCPL computer usage agreement.)

Anyone who violates library rules with unreasonable frequency will be told they may not enter the library for any reason without the permission of the Library Director or the Director’s designee.

Attached to this policy and incorporated herein are "Procedures for Implementing Patron Rights and Responsibilities Policy."

Procedures for Implementing Patron Rights and Responsibilities Policy

Library staff members are responsible for notifying a patron that his or her behavior is unacceptable.

If, after a first warning, the patron does not cease the unacceptable behavior, he or she may be asked to leave the library for the day. Decisions to ask a patron to leave the library are made by a Library Director or his or her designee in consultation with the library staff reporting the unacceptable behavior.
If anyone is told to leave the library and does not leave promptly, any of the library staff is authorized to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for assistance.

An incident report should be completed by the library staff and signed by the Library Director after a patron has been asked to leave the Library. Copies of the report should be kept by the Library Director and sent to the County Manager.
Persons who do not follow policy and procedure when using library services but who are not committing acts which warrant Trespass After Warning as the final activity may be suspended from one or all library services either permanently or for a period of time determined by Library Administration.

Approved 1/ 29/2008

posted by GCPLStaff @ 10:24 AM