Everyone is welcome and has the right to enjoy the resources and services available to them at the Library. The right to enjoy Library services includes the responsibility to do so in a manner that conveys respect and tolerance toward others and is free from language or behaviors that create a disruptive or hostile environment for other Library users or staff.
The Library has established this Behavior Policy to ensure that Library facilities are safe, welcoming, and provide equitable access to materials and services for all Library users. Appropriate behavior is expected of all users of Library facilities, consistent with the normal use of a public library, while in the building or on the grounds.
Library User Bill of Rights
People using the Library have a right to:
- An environment that is free of intolerance, discrimination, hostility, and solicitation
- Facilities that are clean, safe, and welcoming
- Facilities, materials, and services that function as intended
- Confidentiality of library transactions and personal information as permitted by law
- A customer service experience that is positive, respectful, and helpful
- Access to information on, and ideas about, a wide variety of subjects
- A library collection that is relevant to the needs of the many communities we serve
- Library programs that enrich their experience of the world
- Library staff that is well-trained and professional
- Expect that the Library will protect their Freedom To Read and Freedom to View, as articulated by the American Library Association
- Provide feedback about the Library to the appropriate Library staff
Problem Behaviors
Problem Behaviors are defined as any disruptive actions that interfere with the rights of others to enjoy the Library’s resources and services or interfere with the work of Library employees. Problem behaviors include but are not limited to:
- Actions that present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others on Library property
- Stealing or attempting to steal Library property, stealing or attempting to steal the property of a Library user or Library employees, or maliciously destroying Library property
- Actions willfully disturbing the staff or other Library users or that in any way is disruptive to the legitimate use of Library facilities by others, including loud, disruptive conversations or shouting
- Actions that threaten to damage or harm Library buildings, facilities or grounds.
- Threatening behavior that expressly or impliedly threaten an individual's health or safety, including words or gestures which create a reasonable fear of harm or injury or prolonged or frequent shouting which creates a reasonable fear of harm or injury
- Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children
- Child abuse
- Loitering
- Sleeping for extended periods of time, or continuing to sleep after being awakened by library staff
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping
- Eating and drinking except where permitted
- Harassment, including stalking, prolong staring at, or following another in a way that could be reasonably interpreted to annoy, threaten or disturb another person using the library or staff member
- Gambling
- Begging/Panhandling
- Improperly using restroom facilities for purposes such as bathing, shaving, or laundering clothes
- Voyeurism
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Public indecency
- Engaging in any sexual contact, activities, or conduct
- Failing to wear shoes and clothing which substantially covers the torso, including genitals, pubic area, buttocks and breasts (not including breastfeeding, which is permitted)
- Exhibiting a pervasive odor that unreasonably interferes with others’ use of the Library
- Molestation
- Solicitation for unlawful purposes
- Using obscene language
- Using threatening or abusive language
- Fighting, including both physical and verbal altercations
- Refusing to leave the Library when asked
- Carrying a firearm other than as allowed by law
- Carrying a weapon (other than a lawfully allowed weapon)
- Public intoxication
- Possessing or using alcohol or illegal drugs
- Vandalism
- Misuse of Library computer resources
- Using materials, computers, areas of the Library, or attending programs that are intended for children or teens without being accompanied by a child or teen, or without a need to use resources in those areas
- Bringing baggage into the library that, in either size or quantity, presents a safety issue to other people using the library or staff
- Violating any Federal, State or Local laws, codes or ordinances
Public Meetings
Intentional display of firearms during a Library Board meeting is prohibited.
Violators
Violations of the Behavior Policy will result in increasing levels of action, ranging from a staff-issued warning for the person to leave the Library facility for the remainder of the day, to the person’s temporary or permanent loss of all Library privileges, to legal action including criminal prosecution. The level of action shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. The Library specifically reserves the right to eject or refuse further admission to those individuals who display Problem Behaviors involving threatening actions, or actions that may violate the rights of the staff or Library users or which create disorder on Library property. Repeat violators and/or those who refuse to leave the Library premises for violation of the Behavior Policy will be subject to arrest and prosecution under Indiana criminal trespass laws. Records of violators are maintained by the Library. Persons who are suspended from the Library may appeal their suspension.
Posting of Rules
Policies and rules regarding the Behavior Policy and Library User Bill of Rights are prominently posted in a public area of all Library buildings.
Computer Use Standards
Acceptable use standards for use of computer resources and equipment are posted on the Library’s web page and accessible on Library computers provided for public use. Computer users are required to review and accept these standards when they begin each computer session.
Petitioning, Surveying, and Electioneering Policy
The Library allows the circulation of petitions and conducting of surveys outside its facilities as long as these activities do not interfere with the conduct of business or impede the free access of the public to Library buildings and resources.
Specifically, individuals or organizations gathering petition signatures or conducting surveys may stand on Library property, as long as they maintain a distance of 25 feet from entrances and/or exits and do not block pedestrian traffic or interfere with people seeking to use the Library, or otherwise disrupt Library users or activities.
Neither petitioners nor survey-takers are guaranteed the use of an area protected from sun, heat, or inclement weather and may not set up tables, chairs, or other furniture. Signs promoting petitions or surveys may not be placed on doors or buildings and petitioners and survey takers must in no way affiliate themselves with the Library, either through written publicity, signage, or verbal statements.
The Library reserves the right to determine the location for signs posted on its properties. Petitioners and survey-takers are required to register with the manager on duty at each location prior to gathering signatures or conducting surveys. There may not be more than 3 petitioners or survey-takers at any one entrance and/or exit at any time, which shall be allowed on a first come/first served basis.
Petitioners and survey takers may not obstruct a person using the library, intimidate a person using the library into signing a petition or participating in a survey, or harass a person using the library after they inform the person gathering signatures or conducting the survey that they are not interested.
Petitioning and conducting surveys inside Library buildings is prohibited unless approved in advance, in writing by the Library’s CEO, Chief Public Services Officer, or Chief Operational Services Officer. If approved, petitioners and survey takers must conduct their work from a fixed location identified by library staff and may not roam the building to initiate conversations with people using the library.
Electioneering, including the distribution of election literature and the posting of signs, is permitted only on election days; however, any such activity is prohibited within 50 feet of polling place entrances per state law.
Petitioners and survey-takers refusing to comply with this policy will be asked to leave Library property.
Approved September 23, 2024
