7. The Public

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 and refuse to
follow the direction of the staff will 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.

Adopted 1/27/87; 9/25/2008; last revised 4/27/11

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:

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. Cell phones and other electronic communication devices must be silenced on
the second floor of the library. Cell phone conversations are not permitted on the
second floor of the library.

The patron will receive two warnings about cell phone conversations or audible
electronic devices; at the third offense the patron must leave the library for the
rest of the day.

d. 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.

e. 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.

f. 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.

Adopted 1/27/87; 9/25/2008; last revised 4/27/11

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.

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

7.1.2 Smoking in the library is illegal. 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 the rest of the day.

7.1.4 The possession and consumption of alcohol are 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 in possession of alcohol must remove the alcohol from the building
immediately. At the second offense the patron must leave the library for the rest of the
day.

A patron found consuming 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 apply to 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.

Adopted 1/27/87; 9/25/2008; last revised 4/27/11

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 library 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, with the exception of activities undertaken
by the library for library related purposes. This rule does not apply to groups
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 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 two warning; at the third 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 without permission from the staff, nor
may they put their feet on the furniture.

Adopted 1/27/87; 9/25/2008; last revised 4/27/11

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.

The library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended. Items left
unattended will be removed from the building and disposed of.

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 roller skates, roller blades, skateboards,
or similar recreational equipment 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.

Adopted 1/27/87; 9/25/2008; last revised 4/27/11

7.1.18 Sleeping for extended periods of time is prohibited.

Patrons who fall asleep for more than a few minutes will be wakened and will receive
two warnings that sleeping is not permitted. At the third offense the patrons must leave
the library for the rest of the day.

7.1.19. Firearms, whether concealed or openly carried, are prohibited on library
property. The only exceptions to this rule are firearms carried by sworn, law
enforcement officers.

Patrons who are observed carrying firearms should be told that they must leave the
library immediately, but that they will be permitted to enter the building when they
return without a firearm.

From 7. The Public ~ 7.1 Rules of Behavior in the Downers Grove Public Library, revised 2011