Rules of Conduct

The Board of Trustees of Washington-Centerville Public Library is responsible for determining the rules of conduct necessary to:

• protect the right of individuals to use library materials and services
• ensure the safety of library patrons and employees
• protect the rights of library employees to conduct library business without interference
• protect and preserve library materials, equipment, and facilities

No person while on the premises of the library shall engage in any behavior that hinders the use of the library by others, nor shall any person refuse to obey the reasonable request of an employee of the library. The following rules of conduct, approved by the Library Board of Trustees, are designed to provide a pleasant environment for all who visit the library.

• Avoid making unreasonable noise, such as talking, singing, or listening to music loudly. Socialize and use cell phones in active areas to avoid disturbing others.
• Using vulgar language is prohibited, and threatening language or behavior will be reported to police.
• Leave food and beverages without a lid outside library buildings. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
• Refrain from use of any form of tobacco, marijuana, and e-cigarettes in all library-owned, leased or managed buildings, entrances and exits, parking lots, grounds, and vehicles.
• Stay with children under age 8 at all times, and ensure that children under 16 are met before closing.
• Refrain from taking photographs and/or recording videos of library staff or patrons without their permission.
• Move with safety: do not run or climb on furniture, desks, or shelving. Burning of candles, incense and other materials is strictly prohibited.
• Refrain from using skate boards, in-line skates, or scooters. Performing tricks of any kind in library buildings or on library property is not permitted.
• Sleeping is prohibited.
• Wear shirts and shoes.
• Take care of hygiene needs elsewhere: do not use public restrooms to bathe or wash clothes.
• Refrain from soliciting inside the library or panhandling (aside from exceptions outlined in the Solicitation Policy).
• Leave animals outside the building, except service dogs and those used in library programming.
• Leave firearms and weapons outside the library (except as outlined in the Firearms and Weapons Policy).
• Abide by all local ordinances, and state and federal laws.
• Keep furniture in its original location and condition, and refrain from adhering items to walls or furniture.

The rules listed above are not intended to be a complete list, but instead to provide guidance of appropriate behavior. The Director and other library staff are authorized to determine what constitutes as being disruptive.

• Request inspection of all bags, purses, briefcases, packages, etc. for library materials, equipment, or concealed weapons.
• Ask police to search a person, given adequate cause for suspicion of theft of materials, equipment, or concealed weapons.
• Prosecute for illegal acts performed on library property.
• Request that adults unaccompanied by a minor or without a need for children's materials remain in the main areas of the library.

Any person who violates these regulations may be asked to leave the library premises and/or have library privileges withdrawn.