Behavior Policy

PURPOSE

The West Linn Public Library (Library) endorses the principles documented in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights.  To ensure that the Library operates in accordance with the Library’s mission, values, and vision, the West Linn Public Library has established Behavior Rules and Policies (Rules) to maintain an atmosphere that promotes Library services, protects Library resources, fosters safety, and protects the rights of all patrons and Library staff.

The use of the Library and/or its services must be appropriate. Library visitors may be denied use of Library services for violations of these Rules. Violations may result in: the restriction and/or termination of Library privileges, including the use of Library computers and other equipment; removal from the premises and expulsion from the Library for a period of one day to one year; or arrest or prosecution.

These Rules apply to all Library buildings, interior and exterior, to all grounds of the West Linn Public Library, and to all persons entering in or on the premises. Individuals who violate the rights of the staff or Library users, or who create disorder in the Library in any of the following situations, are not demonstrating appropriate use of the Library.

RULES
The following actions are examples of conduct that is prohibited on the Library property:

1. Engaging in any activity, or attempting to engage in any activity, that violates Federal, State, or local law. Some examples of violations include:

  • Actions of a person that present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others in the Library.
  • Attempts to steal Library property, or that of another Library user, or to destroy Library property.
  • Intentional harassment of Library staff or other Library users.
  • Trespassing by entering non-public areas of the Library, entering early, or staying beyond the hours of operation when there is not a Library approved event.

2. Being under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. Controlled substance is defined in ORS 475.005.
3. Possessing, selling, distributing or consuming any alcoholic beverage, except as allowed at a Library-approved event.
4. Soliciting, petitioning, or distributing written materials or canvassing for any purpose:

  • In the Library facilities, including doorways or vestibules, or
  • On Library grounds in a manner that unreasonably interferes with or impedes access to the Library. 

5. Using the Library Property in a manner that is:

  • Inconsistent with the customary use of the property,
  • Potentially damaging, or
  • Likely to cause personal injury to someone. 

Library Property includes property in Library facilities or on Library grounds, including the Library’s collection materials, furniture, fixtures, computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones, and other equipment as defined by ORS 164.015.
6. Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library, or disturbs the Library staff or patrons, including, but not limited to:

  • Using abusive, offensive or threatening language or gestures;
  • Creating unreasonable noise, such as loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards,
  • Engaging in loud or boisterous physical behavior, or
  • Gambling or participating in loud group activities.

7. Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others.
8. Using cell phones, pagers, stereos, DVD players, and any other electronic equipment in a manner that disturbs others.
9. Using restrooms for bathing, shaving, washing hair, doing laundry, or changing clothes.
10. Smoking, chewing, vaping, and other methods of using tobacco in Library facilities.
11. Entering the Library barefooted, without a shirt, with offensive body odor, or wearing attire that is disruptive to the Library environment.
12. Bringing in personal belongings, backpacks, garbage, articles with an offensive odor, or articles which, alone or in their aggregate, are placed against buildings, furniture, equipment, or fixtures in a manner that interferes with the use of the Library by other users.
13. Leaving personal belongings unattended.
14. Using wheeled devices in Library facilities or on the Library grounds, except in designated areas, including skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, scooters, and shopping carts; however, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, handicapped equipment, and other similar devices are allowed  when used for their intended purpose.
15. Lying down or sleeping in the Library.
16. Leaving children unsupervised or unattended.
17. Bringing pets or animals, other than service animals, into the Library, except as authorized at a library approved event.
18. Disobeying the reasonable direction of a Library staff member or Library volunteer.
19. Violating the Library’s Computer Use Policy for acceptable use of the internet and Library public computers.

ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement of these Rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. The Library staff and/or law enforcement will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Every effort will be made to respond to potentially difficult circumstances of user behavior in a timely, direct, and open manner. Common sense, reason and sensitivity will be used by Library staff and/or law enforcement to resolve issues in a constructive and positive manner without escalation.

Individuals who repeatedly violate these Behavior Rules may be progressively excluded from using Library services with the range going from suspensions of Library privileges for one week to a permanent loss of all Library privileges.  For violations of these rules that cause or are likely to cause immediate harm to others the person violating the rules may be immediately ejected and excluded from the Library without first being given a warning.  Any person excluded for this reason will be subject to a loss of Library privileges.

For violations of these rules that are not likely to cause immediate harm to others, the person violating the rules will be given up to two warnings at the discretion of the Library staff; then the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day.  Subsequent offenses by that person will result in that person's immediate ejection and exclusion from the Library. Any person so excluded shall lose all Library privileges for a period of up to one year.

Individuals who repeatedly violate these Rules after having been previously excluded for Library rule violations, may face a longer exclusion than indicated in these guidelines. Repeat offenders need not violate the same rule to be subject to stricter enforcement and may not be warned that their behavior is inappropriate before being excluded.

REVIEW AND REVISION OF BEHAVIOR POLICY

This policy will be reviewed regularly by Library staff to ensure that it meets community needs. It may be revised only with the formal review of the Library Board.

ENACTMENT

This policy was adopted on August 28, 2013.