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Nellie Pederson Civic Library

Behavior in the Library

Guidelines for appropriate conduct on library property.

Definition and Scope

Our behavior rules have been adopted to (1) protect the rights and safety of library patrons and staff members and (2) to protect and preserve library materials, facilities, and property.

These rules apply to all buildings, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by Nellie Pederson Civic Library (hereafter referred to as the "premises") and to all persons entering in or on the premises.

Listed below are the library's behavior rules. Persons who violate these rules may be ejected from the premises and excluded from all library premises for the period of time indicated.  

Behavior Rules

Violation of the following rules shall result in the permanent loss of all library privileges, and the incident will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

  • Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state or local criminal statute or ordinance.
  • Carrying firearms and dangerous weapons of any type.  The only exceptions are law enforcement officers.
  • Directing a specific threat of physical harm against an individual, group of individuals or property.
  • Being under the influence of a controlled substance or possessing, using, buying, or selling of same.
  • Being under the influence of an alcholic beverage or possessing, consuming, or distributing of same, except as allowed at a library-approved event.
  • Viewing websites that promote obscenity, dangerous behavior, illegal activities, or other inappropriate materials.  

The following violations shall incur one warning at the discretion of library staff; then the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day. Subsequent offenses by that person will result in the loss of all library privileges for a period of up to one year.

  • Trespassing in non-public areas during operating hours.
  • Being in the library without permission of a library employee before or after operating hours.
  • Engagingin  individual or group activity or conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the library, or disturbs library staff or patrons.  This included, but it not limited to, conduct that involves the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking.
  • Using library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures or buildings in a manner inconsistent with the customary use thereof; or in a destructive, abusive or potentially damaging manner; or in a manner likely to cause personal injury. 
  • Disobeying the reasonable direction of a library staff member.
  • Soliciting, petitioning, or distributing written materials or canvassing for political, charitable or religious purposes inside the library building, including the doorway of such building or in a manner on the library premises that unreasonably interferes with or impedes access to the library.
  • Interfering with the free passage of library staff or patrons in or on the library premises, including, but not limited to, placing objects such as bicycles, skateboards, backpacks or other items in a manner that interferes with free passage.
  • Placing personal belongings on or against buildings, furniture, equipment or fixtures in a manner that interferes with library staff or patron use of the library facility, or leaving personal belongings unattended.
  • Smoking or other use of tobacco.
  • Bringing food or drink of any kind into the library. 
  • Bringing animals inside library buildings (with the exception of service animals), except as allowed at a library-approved event, or leaving an animal tethered and unattended on library premises. 
  • Violating the library's rules for Internet use. 

The following will result in up to two warnings at the discretion of library staff; then the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day. Subsequent offenses will result in loss of all library privileges for a period of up to six months.

  • Using library or personal electronic equipment without headphones or with headphones at a volume that disturbs others, including library computers, pagers, cellular telephones and other devices.  Cell phone ringers must be silenced when in the library.
  • Leaving one or more children under the age of 10, who reasonably appear to be unsupervised or unattended, anywhere in or on library premises.