Policy on Acceptable Behavior

The Holdrege Area Public Library is supported by taxes of the people of the City of Holdrege and Phelps County who expect our facility to be clean, comfortable and safe places for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing and attending Library or community sponsored programs and meetings. To this end, the Library is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers and staff, and for protecting the Library’s materials, equipment, facilities and grounds.

Enforcement of this policy will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff will intervene to stop prohibited activities or behaviors in one of two ways: by progressive enforcement or by immediate suspension and/or permanent ban, depending on the severity of the infraction. Progressive enforcement shall consist of the following:

1. Verbal warning
2. Suspension from all library grounds for remainder of day
3. Suspension from all library grounds for one month
4. Suspension from all library grounds for one year and/or permanent ban

Warnings and suspensions for the remainder of the day may be imposed by any library staff member. The Library Director or delegated Library Supervisors are authorized to enforce this policy through more serious penalties, and in cases of minors, all reasonable efforts will be made to notify parents, guardians or another responsible adult.

The following actions are examples of conduct not allowed on library premises:

Progressive Enforcement	Immediate Suspension and/or Permanent Ban
Creating disruptive noises such as shouting, using profanity or obscenities, rudeness, screaming or banging on computer keyboards	Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, local or other applicable law or Library policy
Running, pushing, shoving or throwing	Carrying firearms or dangerous weapons (except for law enforcement officers)
Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others	Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or selling, using or possessing alcohol or illegal drugs
Damage to or misuse of library property, furnishings, equipment or materials	Verbally or physically threatening or abusive behavior
Sleeping on floor, furniture or grounds	Fighting or challenging to fight, threats or abuse to others or self
Entering the library barefooted or without a shirt, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the library environment	Intentionally causing a fire alarm
Demonstrations, solicitations or petitions, except in designated areas	Transmitting or display of pornographic or sexually oriented material using library equipment or supplies
Excessive public displays of affection	Smoking or using tobacco products inside the library
Congregating or otherwise hindering passage in aisles, exits, entrances or high traffic areas	Theft and/or attempted theft of library property
Littering	Sexual activity, including offensive touching or indecent exposure
Staring, lurking or initiating uninvited conversation to the point of annoyance to others	Destructive or illegal use of computers and/or Internet
Offensive bodily hygiene so as to constitute a nuisance to others	Trespassing in non-public areas
Using cellphones, pagers or other communication devices in a way that is disruptive to others	Use of restrooms for bathing or laundry purposes
Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children	Stalking or intimidation
Bringing in pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for disabilities, except as authorized	Being in the library without permission of an authorized library employee before or after library operating hours
	Trespassing on library grounds during period of previous suspension or ban

 

Reporting Conduct

Any patron who witnesses or is a victim of unacceptable behavior should immediately inform staff so that this policy can be enforced by a library supervisor or, if necessary, the police. In some cases, witnesses or victims will be asked by library staff for detailed accounts and identifying information, or will need to be available for interviews with the police.

Appeals

Appeals of one month suspensions may be made to the Library Director who is authorized to reverse, modify, impose temporary restrictions or affirm the original decision. In cases involving suspension for one year or a permanent ban, the affected person has the right of appeal to the Library Board. Upon receiving a request for reinstatement at a regular meeting, the board shall establish a date for a hearing on the matter. Notice of such hearing will be delivered to the affected person by U. S. Mail. The hearing shall be conducted informally. The affected person and the Library Director shall present oral or written statements or reasons supporting or opposing the request for reinstatement. Statements shall be limited to ten minutes or less. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Library Board may reverse, modify, impose temporary restrictions or affirm the original decision. Notice of the determination of the Library Board shall be mailed to the affected person by U. S. Mail within 7 days of the hearing.

(Adopted 10/4/05)

(revised 10/10/06)

(Revised 12/4/12)