Patron Behavior Policy
The Canton Public Library welcomes everyone to use its collections, services, and facilities. The library is a department of the Town of Canton and, as such, is a public building open to people of all ages and abilities. The library offers opportunities for reading, study, educational and informational activities, and community information. The use of its various services is subject to the policies adopted by the Library Board of Trustees. Visitors are asked to respect the rights of other users and to cooperate with the library staff in maintaining a welcoming, safe, comfortable, and reasonably quiet environment. The library trustees are empowered to establish usage policies and rules under Connecticut State Statute Title 11, Section 11-32, and to exclude from the library any person who willfully violates these policies and rules.
In order to maintain an environment that fosters profitable library use, certain behavior shall be considered as inappropriate and unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to, actions which:
- Are illegal
- Damage library property
- Interfere with the staff’s ability to perform its duties
- Interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the library by other patrons.
Visitors are asked to review the library’s Patron Code of Conduct, which is a supplement to this policy, for more specific information. A copy of this code will be provided upon request.
If a patron engages in inappropriate and unacceptable behavior, the staff will ask him/her to stop. If the behavior continues, he/she will be asked to leave. If the patron refuses to leave, the Police Department will be called. If a minor child engages in inappropriate and unacceptable behavior, the staff will ask him/her to stop. If the behavior continues, he/she will be asked to leave. If the minor child refuses to leave, the staff will contact the parent or guardian and request that the child be removed. If no parent or guardian can be reached, the Police Department may be called. The Library Director may request that the minor child not return to the library unless accompanied by an adult.
The staff has the right to call the Police Department at once if a patron’s behavior appears to be an immediate threat to the safety of the public, the staff, or the facilities.
Serious and/or repeated problem behavior by a patron may constitute just cause for possible suspension or termination of library privileges.
Canton Public Library
Patron Code of Conduct
In order to maintain a welcoming, safe, comfortable, and reasonably quiet environment, the Library Board of Trustees of the Canton Public Library establishes this Patron Code of Conduct as a supplement to its Patron Behavior Policy.
Respect for library users and staff shall prevail at all times. Interfering with another person’s quiet enjoyment of the library or with the library staff’s ability to perform its duties is not allowed.
Certain behavior shall be considered as inappropriate and unacceptable. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:
- Talking loudly, shouting, or creating loud noise by other methods
- Harassing or threatening others, whether verbally or physically
- Displaying dangerous weapons
- Engaging in theft or vandalism
- Viewing and/or displaying information or images that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors
- Smoking, using alcohol, or using controlled substances
- Eating or drinking except at designated times or in designated areas (eating and drinking are not allowed near the public computers)
- Running, pushing, spitting, or biting
- Sleeping
- Using cell phones, radios, CD players or other sound devices without headphones, televisions, or other mechanical devices not provided by or used with the permission of the staff
- Using skateboards, roller blades, bicycles, scooters, heelies, or other wheeled sports equipment (bicycles must be parked on the bike racks outside)
- Bringing animals into the library except those aiding patrons with disabilities, in training to aid patrons with disabilities, or being brought in connection with a library program
- Canvassing, soliciting, selling, or distributing materials except with the prior approval of the Library Director
- Failing to wear appropriate clothing, including shirts and shoes
The library staff reserves the right to examine the contents of any bag or parcel that a patron wishes to bring into or take out of the library.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, September 14, 2011