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 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.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, The Board of Trustees of Washington-Centerville Public Library will comply with all public health orders issued from local, state, and federal agencies, and will endeavor to follow guidelines and best practices as established by Ohio Library Council or other professional library organizations.

The following addendum to rules of conduct will be in effect until the Ohio State of Emergency is lifted, the pandemic is no longer a threat, or the policy is otherwise rescinded or modified by the Board of Trustees.

The Director may establish procedures that are tailored to this health crisis. Services may be modified, reduced, temporarily suspended, or discontinued in accordance with the severity of the outbreak and the risk to public health, including, but not limited to:

• Suspending public use of meeting rooms
• Suspending in-person programming
• Closing service points
• Limiting the number of people occupying the building or certain areas of the building
• Enforcing time limits within the building
• Reducing the hours of operation
• Limiting the use of public computers

Visitors to the Library will be encouraged to support the community efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 and to follow procedures to protect the health of employees and others using the library, such as:

• Patrons who are sick, have a fever, or are experiencing a cough or shortness of breath with no known cause should not enter the buildings.
• Patrons will practice social distancing at all times, ensuring a minimum of six feet of distance with all others not from the same household.
• Patrons shall practice good hand hygiene by properly washing hands frequently or using hand sanitizer.
• Patrons are encouraged to wear a face covering unless they under the age of two or are unable for health reasons.

Any person who violates these regulations may be asked to leave the library premises and/or have library privileges withdrawn.