To assure that patrons of all ages find using the library a positive experience, it is necessary for basic rules of courtesy and responsibility to be followed. Potterville Benton Township District Library expects everyone to cooperate with the following guidelines:

A. Respect the Rights of Others by: 

• Observing Library Policies 
• Supervising children who are in their care 
• Cooperating with library staff who interpret and apply the rules 
• Avoiding behavior which disrupts others, either library users or staff 
•  Avoiding the use of cellular phones except in the lobby area 

B. Respect Library Materials by: 

• Keeping materials clean and free of damage 
• Using audio-visual materials on equipment in good operating condition Returning all borrowed materials by the due date 
• Paying fees for late and/or damaged materials 

C. Respect Library Facilities, Furnishing and Grounds by: 

• Helping to keep public areas clean and orderly 
• Using furnishings and equipment according to the intended design Parking bicycles in the bicycle rack

D. The Following Conduct is Specifically Prohibited in the Library and on Library Grounds

• Defacing, marking or damaging library property, buildings or grounds
• Bringing food and beverages in the library 
• Verbally or physically threatening others through any activity 
• Staring, photographing, following, stalking, or harassing library users or staff so that it interferes with the use of the Library by other patrons or Library employees as they perform their duties 
• Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing or shoving 
• Throwing objects of any kind 
• Using obscenity 
• Creating loud unreasonable, or disruptive noises, such as loud talking, screaming or banging on computer keyboards that interferes with other patron's use of the Library or that can be reasonably expected to disturb others
• Laying down or sleeping 
• Engaging in activities not associated with the use of the Library while in the building. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying or using library materials or attending library programs shall be required to leave the building. 
• Using cell phones inside the Library 
• Possessing or being under the influence of alcohol, MJ, or illegal drugs
• Using skateboards, scooters or rollerblades in the Library (storage of bicycles and scooters is limited to the bike rack) 
• Visiting the Library without shirt and/or shoes 
• Having offensive body odor due to poor personal hygiene that causes a nuisance or interferes with other patron's use of the library is prohibited Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children 
• Unauthorized selling of items or services or solicitation 
• Using tobacco products in the building 
• Possessing weapons of any type unless properly licensed 
• Engaging in indecent exposure, sexual acts or behavior or any act of sexual misconduct. 
• Failing to present proper identification upon request by staff 
• Committing or attempting to commit an activity in violation of federal, state, local law, ordinance or regulation 
• Bringing animals or pets into the Library, except service animals to assist disabled patrons 

E. Disciplinary Process for Library Facilities

The Library Director or the Director's designee may restrict access to library facilities with immediate dismissal of the patron from the premises, by suspending the patron's access to library facilities for a set period of time, or by denying access to specific services and/or programs pursuant to this Policy. If necessary, the local police may be called to intervene.

1. Incident Reports. Library Staff shall record in writing in the form of an Incident Report any violation of this Policy that resulted in a verbal warning or a suspension of library privileges. By the end of the day on which the incident occurred, an Incident Report shall be written and forwarded to the Library Director for logging and review. The report should include physical descriptions in addition to the name of the patron. A copy of the suspension of privileges letter should be attached, if applicable. 

2. Violations of the Policy - Suspension of Privileges. General violations unless otherwise provided in this Policy in Subsection 3 below, the Library shall handle violations as follows: 

a. Initial Violation: Library users observed violating this policy will be asked to cease the violation with a verbal warning. If the patron does not comply with the request, they will be asked to leave the building for the day. If they refuse, police may be called. 

b. Subsequent Violations: The Director or the Director's authorized designee may further limit or revoke the patron's library privileges in escalating responses. if the infraction continues. Such limitation or revocation shall be in writing specifying the nature of the violation. Any future violation of this same rule shall result in a minimum two-week suspension of library privileges. Subsequent violations of the same rule will result in additional suspensions of increasing length.

3. Violations that Affect Safety and Security: Violation involving verbal abuse, violence, threatening behaviors, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, vandalism, drug sale or use or attempted drug sale or use, intoxication, theft or attempted theft, physical harassment, or any behavior that threatens the safety and security of staff and/or patrons shall be handled as follows: 

a. Initial Violation: The police will be called immediately. If the conduct constitutes a violation of local, state, or federal law, arrest or criminal prosecution may ensue. Violations of this nature will result in an immediate minimum two- week suspension of library privileges. The initial suspension may be longer if the Library Director determines that the patron significantly threatens the safety and security of staff and/or patrons. The Incident Report shall specify the nature of the violation. 

b. Subsequent Violations: The police will be called immediately. If the conduct constitutes a violation of local, state, or federal law, arrest or criminal prosecution may ensue. The Director or the Director's authorized designee, may further limit or revoke the patron's library privileges in escalating responses, which will be documented in writing. Subsequent violations of the same rule will result in additional suspensions of increasing length. 

4. Reinstatement: The patron whose privileges have been limited or revoked shall attend a meeting with the Director or the Director's designee and a Library Trustee to review the Library Patron Behavior Policy before their privileges may be reinstated.. 

F. Right of Appeal 

Patrons may appeal a decision in writing to the Library Director within 10 working days of the date of the letter stating why library privileges should be restored. 

The Library Director or a designee will respond to the appeal in writing within 10 working days of the date the appeal was received. Any person may appeal the Library Director's decision by sending an appeal in writing to the President of the Library Board within 10 business days. The appeal will be discussed at the next regular meeting of the Library Board. The decision of the Library Board is final. 

Adopted May 7, 2007 

Potterville Benton Township District Library Board of Trustees