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Library Rules and Regulations

Policy on Appropriate Patron Behavior

The Finkelstein Memorial Library (the “Library”) welcomes all visitors.  Those using the Library and its resources have the right to expect a safe, comfortable, and clean environment for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, computing, and attending Library or community sponsored meetings, functions and programs. To this end, the Library has established rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers, and staff, and to preserve and protect the Library's materials, equipment, facilities and grounds.

 

Patrons must comply with these rules of conduct in all respects. Patrons not primarily engaged in reading, studying, using Library materials and equipment, attending meetings, functions or programs may be asked to leave the Library. Enforcement of Library rules and regulations will be conducted in a fair, equal, uniform and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or other authorized persons will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors.  Failure to comply with the Library's established rules, regulations, and policies may result in removal from the premises, expulsion from the Library for a period ranging from one day to a permanent ban, the restriction and/or termination of Library privileges, and/or arrest or prosecution.
 

The Library expressly prohibits anyone from engaging in disruptive or unacceptable behaviors while on the premises.  These behaviors include, but are not limited to:

 
1. Damaging or unlawfully removing Library property or materials.
2. Bringing or otherwise possessing firearms or weapons of any type on Library property, with the exception of law enforcement officers authorized to do so by law.
3. Talking loudly or disrupting other people's use of the Library.
4. Eating food or drinking beverages not provided as part of an authorized program.
5. Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing any items.
6. Using audio or video devices without headphones and/or where the volume is audible to others.
7. Bringing sports equipment, games, skates, skateboards, scooters or bicycles into the Library.
8. Using cell phones or pagers.
9. Bringing pets, other than working service animals, into the Library.
10. Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff, including stalking, staring, lurking, photographing, offensive touching, and obscene acts such as sex acts and indecent exposure.
11. Stealing, damaging, defacing, altering, or misusing Library materials, equipment, facilities or furniture.
12. Loitering or sleeping.
13. Except as provided otherwise by law, soliciting petition signatures, soliciting and/or distributing literature or other materials of any kind, other than literature or materials utilized in connection with an authorized use for which a permit has been obtained from the Library.
14. Gambling or other group activities disruptive to the Library environment.
15. Trespassing in non-public areas, being in the Library without permission from an authorized Library employee before or after Library operating hours, or camping on Library grounds.
16. Being under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or the illegal use of controlled or contraband substances, as well as selling, using and/or possessing same.
17. Smoking or using any tobacco products in the Library.
18. Using restrooms for meetings, loitering, soliciting for any purpose, or consuming alcohol or controlled substances, and/or bathing, shampooing, doing laundry, or changing clothes.
19. Entering the library barefoot, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or poor personal hygiene, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.
20. Bringing in garbage, articles with a foul odor, or articles which, alone or in the aggregate, impede the use of the Library by others.
21. Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children.
22. Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, local or other applicable law or library policy and/or which is illegal, unsafe, or disruptive.
 

Persons engaging in any of the above activities may be requested to produce ID.  Refusing to produce identification under such circumstances may result in eviction from the library.

 

The Library reserves the right to inspect the contents of any bag, knapsack, briefcase, package, item and/or other article. The Library reserves the right to limit the size and number of items brought into the Library.

 

By entering the Library, all patrons agree to comply with these rules and regulations. If a patron violates this policy or any part thereof, the patron will be asked verbally to modify the behavior. If the patron fails or refuses to do so immediately, the patron will be asked to leave the premises and the police may be called if necessary. If a patron refuses to leave Library premises, the local police will be notified and the offender may be prosecuted for trespassing.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, identification may be required for use of any or all Library services, and may be necessary: (a) for safety and security purposes; (b) when criminal activity has occurred on Library premises; and/or (c) when Library rules have been violated. Refusal to identify one's self or to provide proof of identification may be grounds for denial of service, expulsion from Library premises, and/or summoning the police.   

 

Board of Trustees
Adopted:  November 17, 2009

 

 

Copyright © 2013, Finkelstein Memorial Library
24 Chestnut Street, Spring Valley, New York 10977