LIBRARY BEHAVIOR ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CONDUCT
IN THE NACOGDOCHES PUBLIC LIBRARY
It is the policy of the Nacogdoches Public Library to offer the full range of library
services to all residents of the community, regardless of age, sex, racial or ethnic origin,
religion, or economic status. The Library provides its service with a minimum of
regulations and restrictions, adopting only those which are essential to the library's
operations.
The Library Board of the Nacogdoches Public Library has adopted the following policy
so that the Library may provide an atmosphere conductive to appropriate use of services
and facilities. Use of the library is for reading, studying, writing, attending library-
sponsored programs, and listening to or viewing written or electronically
transmitted materials. Other use is not permitted.
Library patrons have a right to assume that visits to the library will be free from
harassment, physical discomfort, danger, and psychological stress. The library staff is
afforded the same rights. Each member of the staff must be able to do his/her work free
from harassment, abuse, discomfort, and undue psychological stress.
The library recognizes that the patrons of the library are owners of the library. As patron-owners, the public has expectations of the library. These include an outstanding
collection of library materials, pleasant surroundings, and courteous, efficient and
effective service.
It is the policy of the Library Board to maintain a quiet, pleasant environment conductive
to serious study as well as casual use. In such an environment the Board considers the
following to be unacceptable behavior:
| Distributing or posting printed materials without library staff approval. |
| Soliciting or selling of any kind. |
Possessing or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs or being under the influence of alcohol
or other drugs. |
| Smoking or other uses of tobacco. |
| Consuming food or beverages except where permission has been obtained. |
| Sleeping or putting one's head on the table. |
| Not wearing shoes or shirt, or wearing clothes unbuttoned or unzipped. |
| Putting feet or legs on the furniture. |
| Bring animals, other than assistance animals, into the library except as authorized by library staff. |
| Playing of audio equipment at a volume others can hear. |
| Intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing library, patron or employee property. |
| Reprogramming, damaging, or altering library terminals, computers, software or data. |
| Use of any personal software on library computers without express permission by library staff. |
| Entering nonpublic areas: such as workroom, storage area, or staff room. |
| Taking library materials into such public areas as rest rooms, the recreation center, etc. prior to proper checkout of said materials. |
| Removing library materials from the premises without authorization or through established lending procedures. |
| Adults using the children's area. This area is primarily for children and their parents or care providers or those individuals doing research on children's literature. It is not a reading area for adults. All other people should be using the adult areas of the library. |
| Leaving a child seven (7) and under years unattended by a responsible person* |
Leaving any child or young adult (up to age 17) in the Library after closing time.*
*Should a child be left unattended in the library, staff will attempt to locate the caregiver. If the caregiver cannot be located, law enforcement will be notified. |
| Interfering with another person's use of the library or with the library personnel's performance of their duties. |
| Running in the library. |
| Standing on the furniture. |
| Misuse of restrooms (i.e. using as a laundry or bathing facility). |
| Bringing bedrolls, blankets, frame backpacks or suitcases. Large duffel bags or plastic bags measuring over two and one-half feet in length or height will not be allowed. A maximum of two bags of any type will be allowed. |
| Cell phones need to be used in the lobby of the building, not within the library. |
| Engaging in disorderly conduct, fighting or challenging to fight, or using offensive words likely to provoke violence. |
| Following staff or patrons around the building, staring, or otherwise harassing staff and/or patrons. |
| Threatening or physically assaulting the staff or patrons. |
| Bringing bicycles into the library. Using skateboards, roller-blades, roller-skates, or other sports equipment in the library. |
| Engaging in unlawful sexual conduct, such as public indecency or offensive touching. |
| Using obscene gestures or language either verbally or through telecommunications. |
| Any other illegal acts or conduct in violation of Federal, State, or local law, ordinance regulation. |
Failure to comply with the Library's established rules and regulations can result in exclusion from the Library for the day, permanently, or may result in arrest and prosecution.
Theft of Library materials is a serious offense and will result in permanent exclusion from the Library, arrest and prosecution.
Communication of threats, physical violence, or sexual offenses will result in permanent
exclusion from the Library, arrest and prosecution.
Trespassers will be arrested and prosecuted.
Approved by the Library Board 8-14-2003 |