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Policy and Procedures for South Park Township Public Library
Patron Behavior |
SOUTH PARK TOWNSHIP LIBRARY BOARD
Policy for Patron Behavior Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees,
Oct. 12, 2004
Basis for Policy:
The South Park Township Library supports and promotes the use of its building and resources to its community. As an institution that supports lifelong learning and as a public building it is dedicated to serving all members of its community. The South Park Library is dedicated to creating an environment that is well maintained, accessible and safe for all its patrons. To this end, the Library has a responsibility to develop policies that protect the Rights of all its patrons, volunteers, and staff.
The Patron Behavior Policy defines the rules and regulations that constitute appropriate library behavior that ensures a fair, comfortable, user-friendly environment for all its community of users.
Enforcement of the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner.
Rules and Regulations:
- Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, or local law, or Library policy.
- Carrying dangerous weapons of any type, with the exception of law enforcement officers.
- Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs and selling, using, or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs.
- Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff, including but not limited to name calling, initiating unwanted conversations, stalking, offensive touching, and obscene acts such as sex acts and indecent exposure.
- Using offensive or abusive language or acting or behaving disrespectfully toward any library patron, volunteer, or staff.
- Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriate use of Library property in the Library building or on its premises.
- Removing material from the Library not in accordance with regular lending procedures.
- Soliciting and pamphleteering for services, money, items, or recruitment that is not related to the Library or Library-related activities, or approved by the Library Board.
- Distributing or posting printed materials, literature, or other items that have not been approved by the Library or Library Board for use inside the Library building.
- Trespassing in non-public areas, being in the Library without the permission of an authorized employee before, during, or after Library operating hours.
- Fighting, instigating a fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing objects.
- Creating any intentionally loud disruptive noise.
- Using audible devices without headphones or headphone sets at a volume that is disruptive to other patrons or staff.
- Using cell phones in the library building, cell phone and pager audible ringer must be turned off while inside the library building.
- Littering
- Smoking, chewing or any other tobacco use while inside the Library.
- Consuming food or beverages in public areas of the Library.
- Bringing in garbage, articles with a foul odor, or objects that are not defined as mobility, visual, or auditory aids that impede or disturb the use of the Library by others.
- Leaving a child 10 years or younger unattended in the Library
- Moving any Library property without the permission of Library staff.
- Not wearing shoes or a shirt.
- Bringing animals into the Library with the exception of assistance animals and those used for public programs.
- Loitering for extended periods of time on the Library premises.
Noncompliance:
- Failure to comply with this policy will result in a warning and may also result in being asked to leave the Library for the day, or a specified period of time designated by the Librarian in charge, or permanent expulsion from the Library.
- If the patron refuses to heed the Librarian in Charge’s verbal warning, the Librarian in Charge is to contact the South Park Township Police Department at (412) 833-1000 ext. 140 from 9:00am - 5:00pm or (412) 833-4300 after 5:00pm.
- Any violation of Federal, State, or local law will result in permanent expulsion from the Library and/or arrest. These include but are not limited to:
- Threats
- Physical Violence
- Sexual Offenses
- Violations of the Pennsylvania Code Crimes and Offenses (Title 18, Chapter 59)
- Violations of Pennsylvania Code Crimes and Offenses (Title 18, Chapter 67)
- Drug Trafficking
- In circumstances in which the Library Staff feels that a patron poses an immediate threat to the Library Staff and or its patrons, the Librarian in Charge is to remove all patrons and staff out of the Library and then contact the South Park Township Police Department from a safe location.
- When the Police Department is contacted, with the exception of immediate threat, the Librarian in Charge must remain in the library until the police arrive to identify the problematic patron.
References:
Title 18. Crimes and Offenses, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapter 67. Section 6708, Propriety and Official Rights.
Title 18. Crimes and Offenses, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Part II. Definition of Specific Offenses, Article F., Offenses Against Public Order and Decency, Chapter 59. Public Indecency, Sections; 5901, 5903.
Title 18. Section 1. Crimes and Offenses, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Library Theft Act, Act 95 of Session 1982, Section 3291.1
