Mission & Policies

The Rules of Behavior in the Downers Grove Public Library

7.1 Rules of Behavior in the Downers Grove Public Library

The Library Board of Trustees is responsible for determining the rules of behavior necessary to protect the rights of individuals to use library materials and services, to protect the rights of library employees to conduct library business without interference, and to preserve library materials and facilities. The law gives the Board the right to exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully violates the rules prescribed by the Board.

The Board of Trustees believes that library patrons have the right to use library materials and services without being disturbed or impeded by other library users; that library patrons and employees have the right to an environment that is secure and comfortable; and that library patrons and employees have a right to materials and facilities that are available and in good condition.

The theft, vandalism, or mutilation of library property is a violation of Article 16B of the Illinois Criminal Code. Depending on the value of the material or property, violations of this Article are considered a Class A misdemeanor or a Class 3 felony. Violators will be prosecuted.

Violation of federal, state, or local ordinances on library property will be prosecuted.

Patrons who violate the library's rules of behavior will be asked to stop the unacceptable behavior or activity. Patrons who continue to violate the rules of behavior may be asked for identification and will be required to leave the building for the day. Young children, without an adult caregiver present, will be required to sit near a staff service desk until a parent or guardian is contacted to pick up the child. If parent or guardian cannot be reached, the police may be called to take charge of the child.

In the case of misconduct which is extreme, the offender will be asked to leave the building immediately, or the police may be called.

"The library" includes the library building, entrance areas and walkways, and the property that surrounds the building. The library property ends at the public sidewalks that are immediately adjacent to Curtiss and Forest Streets, at the curb next to the Forest Street Parking Lot and at the curb in the alley on the east side of the building.

Some activities that are not allowed in the library proper may be permitted in the Library Meeting Room.

7.1.1 Any misconduct or inappropriate behavior that hinders other patrons or staff in their use of the library or library materials or disturbs others' work is prohibited. This includes:

1. Conversation that is above an acceptable noise level or is disturbing to other patrons or library staff is prohibited.
   
   The patron receives two warnings for conversation that is above an acceptable level or is disturbing others; at the third offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

2. Parents are required to monitor and control the behavior of their young children.
   
   The patron receives two warnings that a child's behavior is disturbing others; at the third offense the patron must take the child from the building and may not return for the rest of the day.

3. Cell phone use is prohibited on the second floor of the library.
   
   The patron will receive one warning about using a cell phone. At the second offence the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

4. Running in the library is not permitted.
   
   The patron receives two warnings for running; at the third offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

5. Impeding access to the building or an area of the building is prohibited.
   
   The patron receives two warnings for impeding access; at the third offense the patron must leave library property for the rest of the day.

6. Harassing others, either verbally or through actions, is prohibited. This includes paying unwanted attention to others such as initiating unwanted conversation with another library user or employee, following other patrons or staff around the building, staring at other patrons or staff for long periods of time, or touching other patrons or staff.
   
   This also includes sexual harassment as defined by state law 775 ILCS 5/2-101, "sexual harassment means any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors and any conduct of a sexual nature when...(3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
   
   The terms intimidating, hostile or offensive as used above include conduct which has the effect of discomfort, embarrassment or humiliation. For the purposes of this policy, the term work environment, as used above, applies also to a patron's environment as he or she uses the library.
   
   The patron receives one warning for harassment; at the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day. In the case of overt sexual harassment, the police will be called immediately.

7. Fighting is prohibited.
   
   All patrons involved in fighting must leave the building for the rest of the day.

7.1.2 Smoking is not permitted in the library. Use of chewing tobacco and the possession of spittoons are prohibited in the library.

The patron found smoking, chewing tobacco or possessing a spittoon must go outside immediately and dispose of tobacco or spittoon; at the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.3 Eating is prohibited in the Library. The only exceptions are in staff areas and for groups meeting in the Meeting Room.

Food is allowed in the library if it is in a securely sealed container and the patron does not partake of it. Persons found with food that is not in a secure container, must remove the food from the library, or dispose of the food in a waste container. At the second offense the patron must leave for rest of the day.

7.1.4 The consumption of alcohol is prohibited on library property, with the exception of after-hours library-related events, for which the appropriate licenses and insurance have been obtained.

A patron found with alcohol must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.5 Solicitation, fundraising, campaigning, lobbying and proselytizing are prohibited on library property. This rule does not effect the activities of local non-profit organizations renting the Meeting Room, but those activities must be confined to the Meeting Room and be related to the purpose of the meeting.

The patron receives one warning for solicitation, fundraising, campaigning, lobbying or proselytizing; at the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.6 The distribution of leaflets on library property is limited to the community information racks. Local not-for-profit organizations may give literature to the Circulation Department for display in the lobby information racks. Only library staff are permitted to fill the information racks. Groups using the Meeting Room may distribute leaflets that relate to their program in the Meeting Room during their meeting.

The patron receives one warning for distribution of leaflets; at the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day. Staff will dispose of any unauthorized materials left in the library.

7.1.7 Taking surveys or public opinion polls or asking patrons to sign petitions are prohibited on library property. The only exceptions are activities undertaken by the library for library-related purposes.

The patron receives one warning for taking the survey or poll or asking patrons to sign a petition; at the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.8 Animals are not permitted in the library, except those licensed as aides for people with disabilities or those present as part of a library-related program.

The patron must remove the animal from the building immediately.

7.1.9 Shoes must be worn at all times in the library.

A patron with no shoes must leave the building and may not return without shoes. A patron that has removed his or her shoes will receive one warning; at the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.10 Children under six years of age may not be left unattended in the library. They must be under the direct supervision of a parent or other adult when in the library.

If the child indicates that the parent or caregiver is in the immediate area, staff will take the child to the caregiver. If not, the child will be taken to the nearest service desk and the caregiver will be summoned by the P.A. system. The caregiver will be warned to supervise the child.

Two warnings will be given to the adult caregiver that the child must be supervised. On the third offense the patron must take the child out of the building and will not be permitted to return with the child for the rest of the day. If no parent or adult caregiver is present in the building, the parent will be contacted and told that this is not permitted. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached, the police will be called to take charge of the child.

7.1.11 Patrons may not move furniture, nor may they put their feet on the furniture.

The patron will receive two warnings for moving furniture or putting feet on the furniture; at the third offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.12 The library reserves the right to limit the number of people who may sit together at a table if the group is disturbing others. There is a limit of one person per chair.

The patrons will receive two warnings to move from a table where the group is disturbing others; at the third offense the patrons must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.13 Patrons may not leave personal belongings unattended for prolonged periods of time.

The library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended. Staff will move belongings which have been left unattended for more than fifteen minutes to another area to clear study space and to clear service areas.

Patrons will receive one warning that, for their own protection, they should not leave personal belongings unattended and that they cannot block study space or a service area. At the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

Patrons may not leave personal belongings in the library when they leave the building for lunch, shopping, etc. and must take items with them at closing time. Any items left by patrons who are not in the building or at closing time will be checked for identification and placed in the lost and found. Items will be kept in the lost and found for one week. Perishable or odiferous items will be thrown away.

7.1.14 The library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcases, packs, etc., for library material.

Employees may inspect bags and cases at any time they have probable cause to believe a patron is concealing library materials for the purpose of stealing or mutilating the material. Anyone found stealing or mutilating library property will be prosecuted.

7.1.15 Roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, and similar recreational equipment may not be used on library property.

The patron will receive one warning for use of the roller skates, roller blades or skateboards on library property; at the second offense the patron must leave the library property for the rest of the day.

7.1.16 Shaving, bathing, or laundering clothes in the public restrooms is prohibited.

The patron will receive one warning for shaving, bathing or laundering clothes; at the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.17 Patrons whose bodily hygiene constitutes a nuisance to others will be required to leave the library and remedy the hygiene problem before returning to the library.

The patron will be told to leave the library immediately, but is welcome to return when the problem is rectified.

7.2 Serious or Repeat Violations of the Library Rules of Behavior

In the case of serious or repeated violations of the rules of behavior, patrons will have their library privileges revoked or restricted. Anyone who has had their library privileges revoked or restricted may appeal the decision through the Patron Grievance Policy, section VII C.

7.2.1 Adults

Adult patrons who have caused repeated disruption in the library will be warned that their library privileges will be revoked and they will not be allowed to enter the building if the behavior continues. If these patrons continue to cause disturbances, they will be barred from the library for three months. If, when their library privileges are reinstated, the disturbances continue, the library will take legal action to bar the individual from library property for at least one year.

7.2.2 Minors

Children who have caused repeated disruption in the library will be warned that their library privileges will be restricted if the behavior continues and a letter will be sent to their parents or guardians describing the problems and warning them of the consequences. Minor children who become a continuing disturbance in the library will not be permitted to use the library unless a parent or guardian accompanies the child to the library and supervises the child while he or she is in the building. The first time the child's library privileges are restricted it will be for a period of three months; if the disruptive behavior continues, the second restriction will be for one year.

7.2.3 Serious Violations

In the case of serious violations, patrons will be barred from the library for one year. In the case of repeated, serious violations patrons may be barred from the library indefinitely.

From 7. The Public ~ 7.1 Rules of Behavior in the Downers Grove Public Library, revised 9/14/2005.