ALBERT WISNER PUBLIC LIBRARY BEHAVIOR AND CELL PHONE USE POLICY
Library Mission Statement
Albert Wisner Public Library is the community’s connection to reading, lifelong learning, and personal enrichment. The Library will provide equal access to materials, facility, current technology, professional expertise and quality service.
Introduction
A public library is created for the use of everyone in the community. The public library provides a place for reading, study and enrichment. All staff members have the responsibility to keep the Library as pleasant an environment for the public as possible. This includes discouraging and handling behavior that disrupts others. Any patron not abiding by these or other rules and regulations of the Library shall be required to leave the Library premises. Library employees shall contact the Warwick Police for assistance if deemed necessary. Any patron who violates Library rules and regulations shall be denied the privilege of access to the Library. All staff members have the right to deny access to the Library or to Library resources, including computers, if in their judgment, Library policies have been violated or if the reasonable requests of Library staff are not followed. Access to the Library may be reinstated at the Library Director’s discretion.
Behavior and Cell Phone Use Rules
1. Library users are expected to respect the Library and its property. Library users shall not deface or mar books, magazines, recordings or other items of the Library’s collections, nor shall they deface, mar, or in any way destroy or damage Library furnishings, walls, machines or other Library property. All Library users shall properly dispose of their trash.
2. All Library materials removed from the building must be checked out. Theft or attempted theft of Library materials is illegal, and may be cause for prosecution.
3. Library users are expected to be dressed appropriately while on the Library premises. Shirts and shoes are required while on the Library premises.
4. Library users are expected to talk quietly.
5. All group work must be done with respect for other users. Participants may be asked to relocate if their activity disturbs others.
6. Cell phone use is permitted in the Library only when the conversation is conducted so as not to disturb others. Lengthy conversations should be conducted in the lobby or lower gallery area whenever possible. To prevent disturbance from ring tones, cell phones should be placed on vibrate and the sound turned off when entering the Library.
7. Overnight parking in the parking lot is not permitted.
8. Patrons shall not interfere with the use of the Library by other patrons or interfere with Library employees’ performance of their duties. Running, fighting, roughhousing, vulgarity or displaying any disruptive behavior is not permitted in the Library. Sleeping, stalking, littering and loitering are also not permitted.
9. Discrimination and harassment, as set forth in the Library’s Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, will not be tolerated and may result in the loss of Library privileges.
10. Smoking, vaping and the use of alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited in the building and on the Library premises.
11. Library patrons are prohibited from bringing animals, with the exception of service animals, into the Library. Animals shall be attended and kept under control at all times while on Library grounds.
12. Eating is prohibited in the Library, except in the lower level Gallery. Drinking from containers with secure tops or lids is allowed, except near Library equipment and computers.
13. Large sports equipment (i.e. bicycles) shall not be brought into the Library. Smaller sports items may be brought inside, but not used.
14. The Library assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen property.
15. Parents are responsible for the safety of their children. Children under the age of 6 must be supervised at all times. The Library takes no responsibility for the safety of children left unattended.
16. Parents of children attending preschool programs are required to remain in the building during the program.
17. Parents are expected to be aware of the Library’s hours of operation and to pick up children prior to closing. In the event that a child is left after the Library has closed, the Warwick Police may be contacted to provide supervision for the child.
18. The Children’s room is designated as space for use by children up to the age of 12, their adult caregivers, and others in need of the children’s collection. Computers in the children’s room are for use by children up to the age of 12. All others must use the computers in the Adult section of the Library.
19. It is the responsibility of the staff of the Library to assist patrons with their information needs. It is the responsibility of parents to provide supervision for their children while in the Library or on Library grounds.
20. Solicitation for any purpose is not allowed on Library property.
21. Weapons of any kind are prohibited on the Library premises. This includes concealed weapons, per NYS legislation (S. 51001 / A. 41001) of July 1, 2022.
22. Skateboarding and rollerblading are not permitted in the Library parking lot, nor in the building.
23. Photography and recording are not allowed on Library premises without prior permission.
24. Patrons shall not engage in any activity which violates federal, state or local law, nor engage in any activity that violates any Library policy.
These behavior rules are not intended to be a complete list of violations. Albert Wisner Public Library reserves the right to take action against any behavior which may reasonably be deemed offensive, disturbing, or in violation of other Library policies. The Library staff is authorized to expel for a period not to exceed three (3) days, without a due process hearing, any person who does not follow the above rules or who fails to comply with reasonable requests of Library staff. Law enforcement will be contacted if an individual does not exit the premises when asked to do so by Library staff. Persons who repeatedly violate this policy may be banned from entering the Library for a period of time determined by the Library Director.
Board Adopted: 8/18/2009; effective 11/15/2009
Last updated: 12/7/2022