Policy 3.02 Patron Code of Conduct

Welcome to the Niles-Maine District Library. Upon entering the library premises, which include the library building, parking lot and grounds, you agree to observe all policies established by the Niles-Maine District Library Board of Trustees (“the Board”).

The Board believes that patrons have the right to use library materials and services without being disturbed or impeded; that library patrons and staff have the right to a clean, safe, and inclusive environment; and, that library patrons and staff have a right to materials that are in good condition. Illinois state law gives the Board the right to “make and adopt regulations and resolutions for their own guidance and for the government of the library,” as well as “to exclude from the use of the Library any person who willfully violates an ordinance or regulation prescribed by the board." Patrons who violate the Board’s policies may be approached by library staff and informed/reminded of library policy, asked to leave the library premises and/or have their library privileges suspended from one (1) day to indefinitely. Failure to leave the library premises as directed may result in removal by and/or a no trespass order from police. Illegal activity may also result in arrest and/or prosecution. Suspension of library privileges may be appealed at the next scheduled Library Board meeting after a suspension is issued. The suspension of library privileges will remain in force during the pendency of an appeal. The Board’s decision will be final.

Patrons will respect the right of other patrons and library staff to experience a safe and healthy environment while on library property and will do their part to maintain that environment. To maintain a clean, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone, patrons must:

• Wear shoes and attire that meet acceptable hygiene and decency standards in a public place at all times.
• Respect the right of other patrons to enjoy the library free from disturbances that would not be reasonably expected in a public place. Patrons will additionally respect the right of library staff to do their work in a safe and respectful environment.
• Respect other patrons’ rights to use the library premises undisturbed.
• Maintain an acceptable standard of personal hygiene and cleanliness of personal property that does not constitute a nuisance or health hazards to others, and does not interfere with other patrons’ or library staffs’ use of the library premises.
• Follow the direction of library staff and allow staff to perform their assigned duties.
• Speak at a low volume and use audio equipment at a low volume with headphones.
• Use cell phones, pagers, or other electronic devices in a manner that does not disturb others; cell phones and pagers should be set to silent or turned off, and when talking on a cell phone, persons should use a low conversational voice.
• Use your own library account or get permission before using someone else’s account.
• Use library facilities, furniture, equipment, and materials for their intended/designated purposes. KidSpace is designated for children under the age of thirteen (13) and their caregivers, and the Teen Underground is designated for school-aged teens. Individuals outside these age groups and not in the company of someone in the designated age group for an area, are permitted to retrieve library materials from these areas, but are not permitted to remain in these spaces.
• Use computer and digital equipment in accordance with the Computer and Internet Policy.
• Eat only in the vending area on the first floor of the library. No messy foods are permitted, and patrons are responsible for leaving the vending area in a clean and usable condition for others. Covered drinks are permitted throughout the library if consumed away from library materials/equipment.
• Limit the amount of personal property to what can fit under the library furniture in use without blocking access to library aisles, shelves, restrooms, doors, parking spaces, sidewalks, or entryways, or furniture for other patrons.
• Attend to your personal belongings. The library is not responsible for lost, stolen, or unattended property.
• Sleeping inside the library is permitted unless it disrupts other patrons, interferes with library operations, or raises safety concerns, including signs of a potential medical emergency. Library staff may wake individuals if there is a concern for their well-being or if their behavior is disruptive.

The Niles-Maine District Library will uphold all federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances in regard to public behavior, and may contact the police if necessary.

Additionally, the Board considers the following behaviors unacceptable:

• Engaging in any acts in violation of any federal, state, or local law including any criminal statute or ordinance.
• Smoking or use of tobacco, herbal, or cannabis products, or use of e-cigarette devices, in the library or within 30 feet of the library’s main entrance.
• Participating in illegal games of chance or gambling.
• Engaging in sexual activity.
• Possessing or use weapons on the library property and in the course of library related activities except for law enforcement and/or security personnel while engaged in official duties. Weapons include any pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle or other firearm, BB or pellet gun, Taser or stun gun, bomb, grenade, mine or other explosive or incendiary device, ammunition, bows and arrows, dagger, stiletto, switchblade knife, or knife having a blade exceeding five inches in length, nanchaku and metal knuckles or other similar weapon that is capable of causing death or bodily injury and is commonly used with the intent to cause death or bodily injury, and any concealed weapon except a weapon or firearm may be transported into a parking area within a person’s personal vehicle if the weapon or firearm and its ammunition remain locked in a case out of plain view within the parked vehicle. For the purpose of this regulation, the term “case” means a glove compartment or console that completely encases the weapon or firearm and its ammunition, the trunk of the vehicle or a weapon or firearm carrying box, shipping box or another container. The weapon or firearm may only be removed for the limited purpose of storage or retrieval from within the trunk of the vehicle. A weapon or firearm must first be unloaded before removal from the vehicle. For the safety and security of our patrons and staff, the library prohibits hazardous materials and substances from being brought onto library property except for library business. This includes a substance or combination of substances which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious illness or pose a present or potential threat to human health, safety or welfare or to the environment when improperly stored, transported, used or disposed of or otherwise managed. Those substances considered to be hazardous materials shall include, but shall not be limited to:
  1. Any explosive or flammable material which might endanger the health of patrons and staff or the general safety of the library. Some examples of items in this category would include: any kind of ammunition or munitions or related mechanisms, gases and gas containers, flammable liquid fuels, any kind of firework, paint containers and materials;
  2. Any chemical or toxic substance, such as: acids and alkalis, corrosive or bleaching substances, disabling or incapacitating sprays, radioactive materials, poisons;
  3. Infectious or biologically hazardous materials, e.g., contaminated blood, bacteria and viruses.