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Library Behavior Policy
Introduction/Overview
The Sharon Public Library aims to insure high quality, professional service
to all its customers. The Library serves the community most effectively when
everyone conforms to the following guidelines.
Definition of Problem Behavior
Problem behavior is any behavior which either consciously or unconsciously violates
or restricts the rights of customers or staff to use the Library.
General Library Behavior Guidelines
The Sharon Public Library supports the rights of all individuals to:
The Library is for everyone's enjoyment. The following guidelines for customer conduct, inclusive of but not limited to, are essential to ensure respect for individuals who use this public facility:
Audio Equipment: Playing audio equipment so that others can hear it is not allowed.
Bicycles: Bicycles must be parked in designated areas outside the building. They are not allowed on the lower entrance ramp or inside the building.
Cell Phones: As a courtesy to other Library users, customers entering the Library with a cell phone, pager, or similar electronic device should turn the device off or set it to a non-audible signal (flashing light, vibration, etc.). Cell phones and pagers should be answered promptly. Customers should speak in low tones and keep conversations brief. If phone calls cannot be concluded quickly customers should move away from reading, research and study areas.
Due to the construction/composition of the building, reception on cell phones
may be poor.
Cell phones may interfere with the Library's wireless computer network connections, reducing speed and/or dropping network connections. You may be asked to turn off your device as a result.
Children: See SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN LIBRARY policy for additional information about unattended children and disruptive behavior.
Clothing: Shirts and shoes must be worn in the Library.
Computer Equipment (Misuse of): The abuse of library computer equipment violates the law (MGL, Chapter 266, Section 100) and may be prosecuted. Abuse of equipment includes banging on the keyboard or other use of excessive force, misappropriation of hardware or software, and attempts to alter the software. Oftentimes "misuse" may be nothing more than a small child unknowingly banging on the keyboard. If this is the case, the child, or the child's guardian, should be asked to stop the behavior; do so in a polite, non-threatening manner.
Daily Closing: Staff will give a ten-minute warning prior to closing time. Customers are responsible for knowing the closing time for that day. Personal belongings left in the Library at closing time will be locked in the building until the Library is next open to the public.
Damages: Those who damage or deface Library materials or property will be prosecuted (MGL, Chapter 266, Section 100). Parents can be liable for damage done by a child under the age of eighteen (MGL, Chapter 231, Section 85).
Disturbances: Creating a disturbance by making noise, talking loudly, or engaging in other disruptive conduct is not allowed (MGL, Chapter 272, Section 41).
Elevator: The elevator is not an amusement park ride; it is an alternative to the stairs in accessing the library's two floors. Any one noticed using the elevator merely to ride up-and-down will be asked to stop such behavior. No one, regardless of age or physical ability, shall be prevented from operating the elevator except per the SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN LIBRARY policy.
Emergency Closing: When the library is forced to close due to an emergency (power failure, inclement weather, etc.) and there are people in the building, the staff will make every effort to assist people in finding a place to go. [See INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY for further information.]
Entrances: Building entrances and exits including the ramp to the lower entrance may not be blocked. Carriages and strollers may be left near the entrance provided that the entrance is not obstructed.
Food and Drink: In order to create a welcoming atmosphere, eating and drinking, if done responsibly, is allowed throughout the building with the exception of the Elizabeth Farrar Local History Room and/or when using items from this collection. Abuse of this privilege may result in a request to leave the building.
Interference: Interfering with another person's right to use the Library or with the Library staff's performance of their duties is not allowed.
Library Furniture (Misuse of): In order to maintain clean and attractive Library facilities and furniture, it is forbidden to sit on tables and heating units, place feet on furniture, lie on floors, or to deface walls and elevators. Customers should sit one to a chair.
Loitering: Loitering on Library property is not allowed. This rule requires staff to exercise discretion with regards to what is considered unacceptable loitering behavior. In general, the determining factor will be whether the offending party prevents others from enjoying the Library.
Personal Possessions: Personal possessions should not be left at public service points for safekeeping. The Library is unable to guarantee the security of such items.
Pets: Certified service animals and guide dogs are allowed in the Library at all times. Small domestic pets are permitted provided they are carried in kennels or similar containers, or are securely controlled on leashes for the duration of their Library visit. Pets are not allowed on Library furniture. No animal will be allowed to annoy, disturb, frighten or otherwise infringe upon the rights of others to use the Library. Any complaint about a pet will result in the owner being asked to immediately remove the animal from the building. Allowing a pet in the building is subject to approval by the Library director or his/her designee. Unattended animals, inside or outside the building, is not permitted; the town's Animal Control Officer may be called.
Public Displays of Affection: Excessive displays of affection are inappropriate behavior for the Library.
Restrooms: Misusing the rest rooms (e.g. using them as a laundry or washing facility, or defacing the walls) is not allowed.
Running: Running is not allowed in the Library building.
Skateboards, Roller Skates and Other Sports Equipment: Customers may bring these into the Library while they look for materials, however they may not be used on Library property.
Sleeping: Habitual sleepers, noisy sleepers and those who are sprawled on furniture or the floor in a manner that is disturbing to other persons will not be tolerated. Library users who simply doze off for a short time should ordinarily be left alone. Discretion should be used in approaching a sleeping customer. Do not touch or shake them. Tell them they must remain awake or they will be asked to leave.
Solicitation: Soliciting customers and staff for donations or for the purpose of obtaining signatures on petitions is not allowed on Library property.
Staff Only Areas: Customers are not allowed to enter areas posted "Staff Only" without permission. These areas include but may not be limited to, any staff work area, the Tech Workroom, the staff break room, and the mechanical areas of the building.
Suicide: Staff should treat all threats of suicide seriously and immediately report them to the police.
Threats: Threatening behavior, including, but not limited to, violence, threats of violence, and possession of weapons is not allowed.
Tobacco: Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in the Library (see MGL Chapter 270, Sections 21-22).
Expulsion from Building/Suspension of Library Privileges
Failure to comply with the behavior guidelines stated above will result in the offending customer(s) being asked to leave the Library; continued noncompliance will result in suspension of library privileges.
The Director delegates to Library supervisors, and by extension any Library staff member, the authority to request a customer leave the building. If the Director is present, s/he may be asked to take the necessary disciplinary action, including expulsion. Customers misbehaving are generally given two warnings and then asked to leave the facility. Particularly egregious behavior may warrant immediate expulsion. Customers asked to leave the facility for disciplinary reasons are at a minimum barred for the remainder of the day and/or evening.
Barring a customer for a period greater than one day is a decision that will be made by the Library Director and/or the Board of Trustees . The Director is authorized by the Sharon Public Library Board of Trustees to exclude from the privileges of the Library any problem customer. The ability to use a public library implicates important first amendment rights. The U.S. District Court (Wayfield v. Town of Tisbury , 925 F. Supp. 888, 888 D. Mass. 1996) held that the suspension of an individual's library privileges is an occurrence important enough to warrant due process protection. No customer shall have his/her library privileges suspended without first offering the customer a pre-deprivation hearing to contest the pending suspension.
In order to justify a suspension of library privileges, the Director and/or Board of Trustees must, at such a hearing, find/cite specific conduct on the customer's part that constitutes a violation of clearly established Library policy or state statute concerning public library access and use.
Notice of suspension of library privileges will be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the customer or, in the case of a minor child, his/her parents or guardian. A copy of this correspondence will be sent to the Town Administrator and the Sharon Police Department.
Appeal of the suspension may be made, in writing, to: Board of Trustees, Sharon Public Library, 11 North Main Street, Sharon, MA 02067-1299, within ten (10) days of receipt of notice of suspension. The customer, or in the case of a minor child, the parents or guardian, will be notified by the Board of the date and time of the hearing on the notice of appeal.
It is important to emphasize that at no time will physical force be used by any library personnel to remove a customer from the building. As appropriate, other library staff on duty may accompany an employee when a customer is to be informed that s/he is requested to leave the building or is not permitted to take this action. If the customer resists and immediate removal is needed, the police will be contacted.