Berlin Free Town Library
Patron Code of Conduct Policy
Patrons are encouraged to use the facilities and are required to treat people and materials respectfully. The Library staff reserves the right to revoke patron privileges. In order to provide a safe and appropriate environment within the Berlin Free Town Library that allows all patrons to use Library facilities to the fullest extent during regularly scheduled hours, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following rules and regulations.
1. Patrons shall engage in activities associated with the use of a public library. Patrons not reading, using the computers, studying, using games or puzzles, or using other Library materials may be required to leave the building, Library program, or approved community event.
2. The Library Board of Trustees authorizes Library staff and law enforcement officers to enforce the Library’s published code of conduct policy up to and including long-term suspension of Library privileges, permanent banning from the Library, or prosecution.
3. A patron whose privileges have been suspended or revoked may have the decision reviewed by the Board of Trustees.
4. Persons entering or refusing to leave the building after being evicted or banned will be charged with trespassing.
5. Patrons shall respect the rights of other patrons. Patrons shall not assault, harass, or annoy others in the Library. This includes noisy or boisterous activities, staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, following another person about the building with the intent to annoy that person, playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues, using profanity, displaying print or nonprint materials of an offensive nature to others, or by behaving in a manner that can be reasonably expected to disturb others.
6. Individuals needing to use a cell phone to make or receive calls while in the Library must go to an area where they will not disturb other patrons, and their voice must be kept at a reasonable level.
7. Smoking and use of e-cigarettes/vaping are not permitted anywhere within 100 feet of the Berlin Free Town Library in accordance with applicable law and regulation. Anyone found in violation of this policy will be asked to extinguish all smoking materials or to leave the property.
8. Non-alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the Library if they are in closed containers. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Library unless previously approved by the Library Board.
9. Patrons may not utilize the Library while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
10. Patrons shall not engage in any illegal activity while in the Library building. Persons whose actions violate state or local law will be prosecuted.
11. Patrons shall not interfere with the use of the Library by other customers or with Library employees’ performance of their duties.
12. Patrons shall not deface or mar Library materials including books, magazines, newspapers, recordings, or other items of the Library collection. Nor shall they deface, mar or in any way destroy or damage Library furnishings, walls, machines, or other Library property.
13. Patrons shall not enter the building without appropriate clothing including a shirt and shoes. Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other patrons or Library staff may be required to leave the building.
14. Patrons shall not bring pets or animals, other than service animals, into the Library. Staff may use discretion as to what constitutes a service animal.
15. Knives with blades longer than 3 inches and guard dogs are not allowed in the Library or on Library property. Individuals carrying guns must have a concealed weapons permit on their person.
16. Any materials removed from the Library must be checked out on a valid Library card or through other standard Library procedures such as interlibrary loan.
17. Unauthorized use of the Library’s computer network or failure to comply with the Library’s Internet Access and Use policy may result in suspension of Library privileges.
18. In cases of disruptive behavior, patron identification, including name, address, and phone number, may be requested.
19. Patrons not abiding by these or other regulations of the Library may be required to leave the Library premises and may forfeit their Library privileges. Library employees will contact the police if deemed advisable. Staff needs to report all patron privilege restrictions and revocations to the Board of Trustees at the next meeting. Patrons may make appeals to the Board of Trustees to regain privileges.