Library Behavior Policy

The four libraries of the Cheltenham Township Library System (East Cheltenham, Elkins Park, Glenside and La Mott) are community-gathering places dedicated to providing public library services to a diverse population without regard to age, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religious background, sexual orientation/identity or economic status.  Library users must respect the rights of others and may not harass or annoy others or behave in a manner that reasonably disturbs other persons.  The following rules of conduct are intended to preserve the library as a safe and pleasant community-gathering place.

As a general rule, unless it is a library-sponsored activity, engaging in activities not associated with the use of a public library is not permitted.  Activities normally associated with a public library include but are not limited to reading, studying, researching and properly using library equipment and materials.  In addition, library users may not engage in disruptive/destructive behavior that interferes with the use of the library by other persons or that interferes with a library employee’s performance of his or her duties.  All of the expectations in this document apply to children.

Prohibited behavior includes but is not limited to:

1. Noise

• Using cell phones outside of designated areas.  In addition, patrons entering the Library with a cell/smart phone or similar electronic device should turn the device off or set it to a non-audible signal.
• Engaging in loud, noisy, profane, obscene or abusive speech, gestures and/or conduct.
• Annoying other library users by humming, singing, attempting to initiate or pursuing unsolicited conversations.
• Playing music or other media without headphones or at a level with headphones that is disruptive to others.
• Leaving or not attending to any disruptive child.  Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to running, screaming or crying.  Caregivers may be asked to soothe or settle a disruptive child outside of the library premises.

2. Threatening, Destructive or Illegal Behavior

• Being in possession of illegal weapons, firearms or explosive devices on library property.
• Consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or being in possession of and/or under the influence of illegal substances on library property. “Under the influence” means noticeable impairment of ability to ambulate, converse or comprehend as a result of the consumption of alcohol or other substance.  The presence and use of alcohol is permitted if it is a library-sponsored activity.
• Displaying obscene or sexually explicit materials or Internet sites in violation of federal, state or local laws and/or library policies (see Internet Safety Policy).
• Excessive displays of affection or engaging in sexual activities.
• Engaging in violent or threatening behavior such as but not limited to threats of violence, fighting, staring at, stalking, blocking or following staff or other library users, throwing objects or yelling.
• Harassment of library patrons and employees is prohibited including but not limited to sexual or other harassment based upon an individual’s protected class.  A protected class is a group of individuals who share characteristics which cannot be targeted for discrimination and harassment.[1]  Harassment shall be defined as behavior which annoys, alarms or intimidates another and involves:
•           Physical contact, or attempts or threatens to do the same;
•           Following another other person in or about the library facility or parking lot;
•           Engaging in a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts which serve no legitimate purpose;
•           Communicating to or about such other person any lewd, threatening or obscene words, language, drawings or caricatures; or
•           Conduct not described above but of a similarly serious nature.
• Loitering at entrances, in lobbies, walkways, bookshelf areas, restrooms, parking lots or other non-study areas.  As a general rule, loitering is defined as staying in such an area for more than 15 minutes.  However, staff is permitted to exercise discretion with regards to what is considered unacceptable loitering behavior and may ask someone to move/leave before 15 minutes has passed.  An important factor will be whether the offending party prevents others from enjoying the Library.
• Without a reasonable purpose for doing so, entering or loitering for any period of time near areas designated for children.
• Any theft, vandalism and destruction of property, either Library or patron property, is a crime and will be handled as such.  The library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcases, backpacks, or other containers when there is a reasonable suspicion of theft.  Therefore, there is no expectation of privacy of such while in the library.  Keep all valuables and personal property with you at all times. The library is not responsible for lost or stolen items.  With respect to vandalism and destruction of Library property:
•           This applies to the Library’s interior or exterior furnishings, walls, equipment, computers or other property.
•           Examples include but are not limited to defacing, mutilating or marring books, magazines, newspapers, recordings or other items in the library collection.
• Any other activity in violation of federal or state law, or local ordinances, is not permitted and will be handled by calls to law enforcement agencies. One such example would be indecent exposure.

3. Non-compliance With Library Policies & Reasonable Expectations

• Engaging in improper behavior for a public space including but not limited to littering or spitting.
• Violating library policies regarding use of the library and its resources.  This includes but is not limited to:
•           Refusing to relinquish library equipment or other resources after the scheduled time period for that use has expired;
•           The abuse of library computer equipment including banging on the keyboard or other use of excessive force. Oftentimes “misuse” may be nothing more than a small child unknowingly banging on the keyboard.  If this is the case, the child, or the child’s guardian will be asked to stop the behavior.
•           Misuse of Library furniture including but not limited to sitting on tables, placing feet on furniture or lying on floors.  Patrons should sit one to a chair.  Patrons are not permitted to move furniture without prior staff approval.
• Sleeping in the Library.
• Gambling in the Library.
• Smoking or using tobacco products/e-cigarettes in the Library or smoking outside close enough to the doors that secondary smoke is entering the Library.
• Consuming food or beverages except in areas designated for that purpose.
• Entering staff work areas without permission.
• Campaigning, soliciting, surveying, panhandling and conducting sales on library property.
• Distributing or posting literature on library property without prior approval.
• Photographing, filming, recording or using television equipment on library property without prior permission from the Director or Director’s designee.
• Remaining in the library after its regular closing hours.
• Failure to follow reasonable directions of Library staff.

4. Interfering With the Safety and/or Enjoyment of All Library Users

• Bringing large bedrolls other large bulky items into library buildings.
• Using roller skates, roller blades, scooters, skateboards on library property.  Bicycles must be parked in designated areas outside the Library.
• Entering or remaining in the library without wearing a shirt and shoes.
• Patrons must conform to generally acceptable standards of hygiene and cleanliness.  Body or clothing odor that is sufficient malodorous that it is a nuisance to or annoys other patrons is not permitted.  Any example of a lack of hygiene that interferes with another’s enjoyment of the library is not permitted.  Such includes but is not limited to soiled diapers or infested clothing/personal effects.
• Bringing pets or animals onto library property or leaving them unattended on library grounds unless they are service animals for the disabled or for use in a library program.
• Shaving, bathing or washing clothes in public restrooms.
• Children under the age of ten must be supervised by a responsible person while they are in the library even if they are attending a program.  (See Unattended Children Policy)
• Leaving personal or valuable items unattended.
• Blocking entranceways, vestibules, book returns, restrooms, staircases or other common areas or travel ways.
• Any other activity which interferes with another person’s right to use the Library or with the Library staff’s performance of their duties

The Library system reserves the right to:

• Require users to furnish identification.
• Inspect all bags, purses, briefcases, backpacks, or other containers when there is a reasonable basis to do so. Therefore, there is no expectation of privacy of such while in the library.
• Limit the number of persons who may sit together, gather at a table or computer workstation or other location in the Library.
• Separate or relocate individuals.
• Limit the number of persons attending library programs.
• Impose time limitations on the use of library resources such as but not limited to reference materials, computer equipment or telephones.

The Library system shall:

• Report criminal activity to law enforcement.

Non-compliance

• Failure to comply with this policy and/or the library system’s established rules, regulations and procedures will result in a warning or exclusion from the library for a specified period of time and/or in arrest. The severity of the Library’s response will be determined by the violation.
• Theft or damage of library materials is a serious offense and will result in a significant or permanent exclusion from the library system and/or in arrest.
• Communication of threats, physical violence or sexual offenses will result in significant or permanent exclusion and/or in arrest.
• Trespassers will be arrested and prosecuted.
• Any person who is asked to leave a library facility as a result of the violation of these guidelines and refuses to do so shall be considered to be trespassing. The library staff will contact the Cheltenham Township Police Department in all such cases.
• The library staff will call the Cheltenham Township Police Department at times when staff deems this to be necessary and prudent.
• Parents or legal guardians will be held responsible as determined by law for the cost of damages caused by their minor children.
• Any person whose privileges have been denied by library staff may file a written appeal of the decision to the Board of Library Directors of Cheltenham Township within thirty (30) days of the decision.

[1] Examples of protected classes include but are not limited to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation/identity, disability and veteran status.

Approved by the Board of Library Directors of Cheltenham Township, February 27, 2014.