Library Code of Conduct Policy | colletonlibrary Copy

LIBRARY CODE OF CONDUCT

It is the mission of the Colleton County Memorial Library to provide a quiet, comfortable, and safe environment so that all patrons may enjoy library facilities for study, research, individual reading, using computers, or attending library programs or meetings. To this end, patrons at library facilities should be free from disturbance, distraction, or interruption. Each patron has a responsibility not to interfere with the peaceable use and enjoyment of library facilities by other patrons. Library users have a right to expect that the Library will be free from harassment, physical discomfort and danger and psychological and emotional stress. The library staff has basically the same rights.

The rights of both the public and the staff are sometimes violated by the attitudes and behavior of a very small minority of persons. Therefore, it is the responsibility of staff and patrons to ensure that the library is free from disruptive behavior. The following code of behavior governing the use of the Library, the Bookmobile or Edisto Beach Library shall be enforced in order to provide a standard of acceptable behavior:

Making any sound or noise, or engaging in any conduct or physical activity, that is determined by library staff to be materially distracting and disruptive to other library patrons.
Loud conversation or laughter which is disturbing to other users.
Using obscenity, profanity, threats, conduct, or language that insults any other library patron or library official.
Using cell phones and/or pagers inside the building at volumes which disturb others. Cell phone and pager use is allowed in the library. (As a courtesy to others, we ask that cell phones and pagers be turned to silent (vibrate), and that telephone conversations be held at volumes which do not disturb others.)
Using pagers which ring or buzz loudly enough to be audible by other patrons or library staff
Using radios, tape recorders or CD players with external speakers.
Using radios, iPods, etc.. with headphones, but sound loud enough for others to detect
Using tobacco products, including but not limited to smoking, chewing, rolling cigarettes, and filling pipes
Consumming food or beverages outside of sanctioned library events.
Fighting, rough housing, running, or throwing items
Engaging in disorderly conduct, committing a nuisance, or unreasonably disturbing and offending library users.
Following staff or users around the building, or any other harassing behavior.
Blocking or in any way interfering with the free movement of any users or staff.
Stalking, following, or staring in an intimidating manner which causes fear to any patron or library official.
Assault, battery, or threat of unauthorized physical contact with another patron or a library official.
Carrying unauthorized weapons of any sort.
Possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs or alcohol.
Being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.•Removal of any library property from the building without properly borrowing it.
Damaging, stealing, vandalizing, defacing, misusing or destroying library property or the property of others.
Willful destruction of or damage to any library property.
Bringing animals other than service animals into the building or tying them outside on Library property.
Soliciting or selling of any kind.
Distribution of leaflets or posting of notices without permission.
Use of library telephones without permission•Rearranging of any library furniture or equipment.
Not wearing appropriate attire, including shirts and shoes, or disrobing or changing clothes.
Use of restrooms for bathing
Wearing any mask, hat or hood that conceals the face, unless for bona fide religious reasons.
Impeding access within a library, including without limitation stacks, aisles, stairs, and doorways.
Obstructing traffic entering or exiting the building. All wheeled devices (bicycles, shopping carts, handcarts), except strollers and those required by the disabled, must be left outside, away from doors and entrances.
Possession of numerous or large items that are for personal use and are unrelated to use of library facilities.
Spitting.
Sleeping.
Littering or discarding trash on Library property
Violation of posted computer use rules
Indecent exposure, engaging in obscene or sexually provocative conduct, or engaging in sexual activity.
Sexual harassment or sexual solicitation.
Unauthorized use or occupation of meeting rooms, children's areas or nonpublic areas.
Violation of any law of Colleton County Government, the City of Walterboro, or Edisto Beach

Warnings and Expulsions: Generally, a patron will first receive a verbal warning regarding a violation of the Code of Conduct. Behavior resulting in a second warning may result in expulsion from the library (including library building and parking lots) and/or computers for the remainder of the day. Continued violation of this policy may result in expulsion from the library/computers for a longer period of time ranging from one month to permanent expulsion. However, library staff members may ask a patron to leave the premises without prior warning, depending on the seriousness of the violation.

A patron who has been banned from the library/computers for more than a day will be provided with written notification indicating the reason for the ban, the time period of the ban and the appeals process. Any person who enters the library while banned from the premises will be considered to be trespassing and the police may be contacted.

Library & Computer Use: Right of Appeal

A library patron who has been asked to leave the library for a length of time, or whose computer access has been terminated or prohibited, may appeal in writing to the Library Director. If that individual is unsatisfied with the result of that appeal, he/she may submit the appeal to the Colleton County Memorial Library Board of Trustees. The appeal will be reviewed at the next scheduled board meeting, providing the concerned party has requested its placement on the agenda. The Board will make a final ruling on the appeal and a written response will be sent to the patron.

Approved: November 16, 2009