MARSHALL PUBLIC LIBRARY
PATRON BEHAVIOR POLICY
Marshall Public Library is committed to providing a quality environment and universal access for the delivery of information for cultural, economic, educational and recreational development to the public regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin. In order to maintain a suitable and safe environment for all staff and patrons, the Board of Trustees of Marshall Public Library has adopted the following rules governing the use of the library.
The following forms of conduct are not permitted in the library:
1. Littering, loitering, or prolonged sleeping in the library building or on its grounds
2. Entering the library without proper attire which conforms to the standard for the community for public places, including shoes and shirts
3. While consumption of small amounts of food and drink in designated areas is permitted. Drinks must be covered and strong smelling, noisy or messy foods are prohibited. Patrons must clean up any mess they make and throw away their trash.
4. Use of tobacco products, alcohol, or illegal substances
5. Soliciting or canvassing in the library or on its grounds
6. Creating a disturbance by making noise, talking loudly, using cell phones in a way that impinges on others, using abusive or rude language, or engaging in other disruptive conduct including public displays of affection.
7. Damaging, defacing or misusing library resources, equipment or facilities
8. Running or rough-housing
9. Entering areas intended for “Employees Only”
10. Threatening or harassing behavior, including, but not limited to, violence, threats of violence, and possession of weapons
11. Bringing animals into the library except for service animals or animals for programs
12. Interfering with another person’s rights to use the library or with the library staff’s performance of their duties
13. Leaving bicycles on the sidewalks instead of secured in the bicycle rack
14. Theft of library materials, use of false identification to obtain a library card, or use of another person’s library card without his/her permission
15. Misuse of rest rooms
16. Leaving belongings unattended
17. Any illegal act or conduct in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation.
18. Any use of ignition such as matches or lighters
19. Smoking of any type is not permitted inside the library, including electronic cigarettes. Patrons may not smoke within 15 feet of a library entrance. (Smoke Free Illinois Act 410 ILCS 82; Public Act 095-0017)
20. Patrons who have offensive body hygiene may be required to leave the building and return when the problem is corrected.
Unattended children:
In order to provide for the general welfare of children in the library, the Board has established the following rules:
1. Children under the age of 8 years shall not be left alone in the library. A parent, guardian, or responsible person must remain in the same room or area of the library as the child. Direct staff supervision is available only during specified library programs.
2. Parents or responsible persons are accountable for each child’s behavior and safety while in the library.
3. Parents or guardians must pick up their children prior to the library closing time. Children not picked up by closing may be placed, for their protection, in the custody of the police.
4. Library staff is not responsible for the consequences of leaving children unattended in this public building.
If a patron commits any of the above infractions of this policy or any other library policy, the library staff has the authority or right to tell that patron to leave the library for the remainder of the day. If the patron refuses to comply and continues to cause problems, the police may be summoned.
Additionally, library staff may; impose time limits on library resources, require patrons to furnish commonly accepted forms of ID, and limit the number of patrons sitting together in one arrangement.
Library personnel will record instances in which patrons have violated library rules of conduct, including but not limited to the misuse of library computers. (See Computer/Internet use Policy.)
If a patron contravenes any provision of this policy, the library director may:
1. Suspend or revoke the patron’s borrowing privileges.
2. Prohibit the patron from entering the library facility for a specified period of time.
3. Report the incident to the parent or guardian, in such incidents involving minors,
4. Initiate a prosecution under Illinois Local Library Act.
(Revised 9/02, 9/05, 05/07, 09/09, 3/16, 7/13, 3/16, 9/18, 9/20 Reviewed 07/05/11)