CODE OF CONDUCT

PURPOSE

The Library strives to provide and maintain high quality materials, resources, programs, services and facilities for all Library users. In order to achieve that goal, Library staff and Library users must act in partnership to ensure that everybody can experience a safe, clean, pleasant and productive environment for study, research, information and entertainment.

GUIDELINES

All Library Users can expect to:

  • Receive courteous service.
  • Talk to a staff member as needed.
  • Contact staff for reference and information service.
  • Have contacts addressed in a timely manner.
  • Suggest new materials and services.
  • Register for Library cards and pay fines without undue hassle or delay.
  • Have problems resolved within 48 hours, whenever possible.
  • Have staff make the Libraries operate in the best interest of the users.
  • Have a safe, clean, comfortable and reasonably quiet building.

Library Users may not:

  • Behave in a way that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library or disturbs Library users or staff. This includes, but is not limited to, rowdiness, running, noise, vandalism, cursing, using threatening language or other inappropriate behaviors.
  • Disobey the reasonable request of a Library staff member or security officer.
  • Harass Library staff or users, including verbal or physical harassment or abuse.
  • Enter a staff-only area.
  • Remain in the Library after closing or when requested to leave due to emergency situations or disruptive behavior.
  • Refuse to abide by Library regulations regarding return of materials and payment of fines.
  • Remove Library materials without authorization.
  • Conceal Library materials for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
  • Mutilate Library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages, removing theft detection devices or in any way defacing them.
  • Mutilate or deface Library property including, but not limited to, furnishings, walls, machines, elevators, etc.
  • Tamper with or intentionally damage computer hardware, software, printers, operating systems or peripheral devices.
  • Use restrooms improperly, including, but not limited to bathing, shaving, washing hair and doing laundry.
  • Rearrange Library furniture or borrow furnishings from other parts of the Library without permission of the library staff.
  • Lie down on any floor, couch, table or seat in the Library, climb or place feet on furniture, or block aisles, exits or entrances.
  • Talk on cell phones in areas of the building where their use is not designated.
  • Leave belongings unattended. Briefcases, handbags, backpacks and other packages are subject to security inspection.
  • Enter or be in the Library barefoot, without a shirt, or be otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.
  • Disturb others with offensive bodily odors to the extent that the use of the Library facilities, collections or services is disrupted.
  • Smoke or use smokeless tobacco within the Library.
  • Smoke or use marijuana products within the Library, its parking lots or other properties, or at a Library sponsored event outside of the Library.
  • Consume food within the Library, except as allowed at Library approved events and in authorized designated areas of the Library. 
  • Enter the Library with uncovered beverages.
  • Possess, sell, distribute or consume any alcoholic beverage, except as allowed at Library approved events.
  • Disturb Library staff or users by prolonged or chronic sleeping.
  • Enter the Library with animals, except those used to aid persons with disabilities, as certified by a medical professional or as part of a Library program.
  • Enter the Library with equipment that presents a hazard, including, but not limited to, bicycles, grocery carts, skate boards, wheeled shoes, etc.
  • Sell merchandise and services or solicit donations of any kind within the Library building except at Library approved events.
  • Sell merchandise and services or solicit donations of any kind outside of the Library building without prior approval of the Library director.  Only not-for-profit organizations located in the Schaumburg Township Library District may apply for approval. The Library reserves the right to limit the time, place and manner of the sale of merchandise and services or solicitation of donations.
  • Solicit signatures on petitions within Library buildings. 
  • Engage in any activity that violates federal, state, local or other applicable law, ordinance or regulation.
  • Enter the Library with a firearm.

Library Users should remember that:

Children under the age of 8 years must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or a caregiver 14 years or older, and may not be left unattended anywhere in the Library. [See: Unattended and Unsupervised Children Policy] 

Resources, programs, services and computers in the Youth Services Library are intended for use by children and their parents or caregivers. Adults who are not accompanied by children and who are not directly engaged in the search for or use of children’s materials will be directed to other areas of the Library.

RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of all Library users to behave in a way that promotes the Code of Conduct as stated under Purpose. Failure to comply with this policy or the reasonable direction of a Library staff member may result in being asked to leave the Library premises and possible exclusion from the Library. 
The Library will actively pursue disciplinary action, prosecution or other legal action when necessary. Library employees will contact the police department if deemed necessary.

ENFORCEMENT

•    Enforcement of the Code of Conduct will be applied equitably.
•    Anyone not complying with this Code of Conduct or any other reasonable request of the staff will first be warned by the Library staff and will be advised of the next course of action to be taken by the Library if the unacceptable behavior continues.
•    Library staff and security personnel on duty are authorized to direct individuals to leave the Library premises immediately if they continue to violate the Code of Conduct rules after being warned to discontinue unacceptable behavior.
•    The Library reserves the right to make reasonable accommodations to this Code of Conduct
•    Anyone may, without prior notice or warning, be removed from the Library premises if his or her presence or conduct is threatening, willfully malicious or poses an immediate and imminent danger to any person or property.
•    Violators of the Code of Conduct may be excluded from the Library for a period from one day to one year, and their Library privileges may be restricted or terminated. In addition, violation of these rules or failure to abide by such exclusion may lead to arrest and criminal prosecution.
•    Any person who is excluded from the Library for a period in excess of one month will be notified of such in writing by the Director and has the right to appeal by requesting a hearing before the Disciplinary Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Library, provided such hearing is requested by written notice addressed to “Disciplinary Committee, Board of Trustees, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 South Roselle Road, Schaumburg, Illinois, 60193” and mailed no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the notification of the exclusion was mailed to such person.

Approved by the Schaumburg Township District Library Board of Trustees, January 20, 2020.