Library Code of Conduct

Patron Code of Conduct

McMinnville Public Library – 9/11/2018

The library is supported by the community. The community has a right to expect the library and its surroundings be a clean, pleasant, and safe space to utilize its resources.

This code of conduct is intended to encourage behavior that supports the library’s mission and values of creating authentic and meaningful connections between individuals, ideas, and the community. The library supports all individuals’ freedom to read, learn, grow, and inquire. Behavior becomes unacceptable when it interferes with this mission, impinges on the rights of others, causes damage to building or equipment, or is dangerous to self or others.

Those willing to modify unacceptable behavior are always welcome at the library. If they are required to leave for a specified period of time due to violations of this code of conduct they should know they will always be welcomed back and treated in a fair, reasonable, and courteous manner. 

The following behaviors are prohibited at the library:

1. Engaging in physical altercations including assault, fighting, threatening, or harassing behavior that creates a hostile environment on library premises or remote communication.
2. Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming, or being under the influence of a controlled substance, alcohol, or marijuana.
3. Deliberately destroying, damaging, or defacing library facilities, materials, or property.
4. Displaying firearms or other deadly weapons on library property in a manner calculated to alarm.
5. Engaging in acts of a sexual nature with self or others that include, but are not limited to, indecent exposure, sexual contact, sexual intercourse, and sexually harassing comments or behaviors.
6. Engaging in or committing any activity that would be a violation of any federal, state, or local criminal law, statute, or ordinance.
7. Refusing to comply with the direction of library staff.

Consequences for violating Rules 1-7:

Persons violating rules 1-7 while in or on library premises will be asked to leave immediately and excluded from all library premises without prior warning. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of up to one year. The incident may also be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

     8. Entering or remaining upon the library premises without wearing shoes or clothing that covers both the upper and lower torso.
     9. Improper use of library grounds (camping, overnight parking, etc.)
     10. Improper use of library restrooms (bathing, shaving, loitering, washing clothes, etc.)
     11. Monopolizing library spaces in a manner that interferes with other patrons use of the library.
     12. Leaving personal belongings unattended or placing/using personal belongings in a manner that interferes with the use of library facilities.
     13. Operating bicycles, skateboards, kick scooters or similar equipment on library property whereby a hazard, property damage, or personal injury could be created by their use.
     14. Bringing animals into the library other than trained service animals (as defined by law), except as approved by authorized library programs.
     15. Violating the library computer use policy.
     16. Engaging in loud, disruptive, destructive, or unsafe behavior that interferes with others’ use of the library or with the ability of the staff to perform their job duties.
     17. Inhibiting others use of library facilities because of obnoxious odor.
     18. Consuming or possessing food or drink on library premises that creates a nuisance.
     19. Smoking, chewing, any use or preparation of tobacco products, or vaping on library property.

Consequences for violating rules 8-19

Persons violating rules 8-19 while in or on library premises will be given up to two warnings at the discretion of library staff. If behavior is not altered, then the person(s) will be asked to leave library premises. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of up to 90 days. Consequences for repeated behavioral infractions of the same or similar nature may result in cumulative exclusions (i.e. one day, one week, one month, multiple months). If necessary library staff will contact law enforcement to trespass repeat offenders.

 A note on minor children (under 18) at the library

Children under the age of 18 are welcome at the library at all times. Parents and caregivers are responsible for the safety, comfort, and behavior of their children while in the library. Children under the age of 10 must be at the library with a responsible caregiver. Leaving children unsupervised or unattended anywhere on library premises is not acceptable when the behavior becomes an issue to their own or other’s comfort, well-being, and/or safety. Young children under the age of 7 must have a responsible caregiver with them at all times. A person or persons violating these guidelines may be asked to leave library premises until the behavior can be corrected.

Right of Appeal

All library staff are expected to apply library policies in a fair, reasonable, and courteous manner. Individual patrons who question the way that library policies have been applied or why a rule exists may inquire or appeal the consequences of incidents to either the library director or the city manager.

Adopted 10/29/2018