POLICIES GOVERNING BEHAVIOR
IN THE LIBRARY
Illinois law stipulates
that public libraries be governed "...subject to such reasonable
rules and regulations as the library board may adopt in order to
render the use of the library of the greatest benefit to the greatest
number of...residents and taxpayers." [75 ILCS 5/1-3] The Hinsdale
Board of Library Trustees ("the Board") has adopted the
following policies (i) to provide the greatest possible number of
library patrons with a safe and pleasant environment conducive to
quiet study as well as other uses deemed to be consistent with the
library's goal of serving the educational, cultural, and civic needs
of the Hinsdale community; (ii) to enable library staff to do their
jobs effectively and enjoy a safe and secure workplace; and (iii)
to protect library property from damage or theft.
I. Prohibited Behavior: General Definition
A. Any behavior by a
patron which, in the opinion of staff, unreasonably infringes on
the quiet use and enjoyment of the library by others, interferes
with library operations and the ability of staff to do their work,
or endangers library property is prohibited.
II. Prohibited Behavior: Specific Examples
A. Behavior prohibited
in the library includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
1. Engaging in loud,
disruptive conversation or conduct, including loud use of cellular
phones and audio-visual, computer, or other equipment; loud or prolonged
snoring; and rowdy actions, such as playing on or with the elevator,
running in the library, and throwing or purposely dropping paper,
pencils, or other objects.
2. Consuming, or openly
displaying, food unless at an authorized function.
3. Use of rollerblades,
skateboards, and similar equipment in the library or immediately
outside library entrances. Bicycles may neither be brought into
the building nor left outside in areas that obstruct convenient
and safe passage by others. Wheelchairs used by disabled persons
and strollers for children are permitted. The library encourages
safe use of such conveyances.
4. Bringing any animal
into the building, except one needed and trained to assist a disabled
or visually impaired person or one that is part of an authorized
library program or function.
5. Failing to wear shoes, or other acceptable footwear, and a shirt,
or other clothing that covers the upper body.
6. Exhibiting offensive
bodily hygiene which clearly disrupts and hinders the effective
use of the library by others. Bathing, shaving, or washing articles
of clothing in the bathrooms will not be permitted.
7. Relocating library
furniture or equipment without permission from library staff.
8. Inappropriate or
unsafe use of furniture, floors, and stairways, including sitting
on tables and other work surfaces or on the sides of armchairs
and couches; use of an item of furniture by more people than
it was designed to accommodate; placing feet or legs on tables,
chairs, and other furniture; reclining along the length of couches
or love seats; lying down on the floor; sitting, kneeling, or "spreading
out" on the floor for extended periods or so as to hinder
convenient and safe access or passage by others; and setting
personal belongings or library materials and equipment on the
floor so as to hinder such access or passage.
9. Use of library meeting
or study rooms without the prior permission of staff.
10. Smoking or other
use of tobacco products.
11. Possessing or using
alcohol or other controlled substances, or being impaired from use
of such substances.
12. Loitering or congregating
in or around the facility so as to unreasonably disrupt or hinder
another's use of, or convenient entry to and exit from, the library.
13. Physical, sexual,
or verbal harassment of patrons or staff, including purposeful attempts
to intimidate, annoy, or provoke others by following them around,
by prolonged staring, or by engaging in behavior that staff feels
is clearly meant to mock, taunt, or bait.
14. Damaging, defacing,
endangering, or misusing library property, including books and other
materials and equipment.
15. Panhandling, or
soliciting, selling, or distributing goods or services in the library
or around its entryways. Library Study Rooms and Meeting Rooms may
not be used for paid tutoring sessions. One-on-one paid tutoring
will be tolerated in open study and reading areas only if such activity
does not disturb staff or library users and if those involved otherwise
comply with all rules, guidelines and procedures governing behavior
as set forth in this document. Paid tutors may not publish or distribute
advertisements or letters indicating the library as their place
of doing business or otherwise imply library sponsorship of their
activities. The library does not sponsor, recommend, or assume liability
or responsibility for the work and/or activities of tutors who use
library space.
The direct distribution
of leaflets or petitions, charitable solicitations, and similar
activities are not permitted except as expressly provided for in
the library's "Policies and Guidelines Regarding Use by the
Public of Library Space for Displays, Notices, Handouts, and Related
Activities."
16. Failing to leave
the premises promptly at closing time or during an emergency evacuation.
III. Enforcement of Behavior Policies
A. Illinois law authorizes
the Board: "To exclude from use of the library any person who
willfully violates the rules prescribed by the board." [75
ILCS 5/4-7(11)] Any patrons or groups of patrons who continue to
exhibit or participate in prohibited behavior or disregard library
rules and policies after having been advised of and given reasonable
opportunity to correct the problem, will be required to leave the
library and not return for the remainder of the day. Staff will
define "reasonable opportunity" on a case-by-case basis,
taking into account the nature and severity of the behavior, the
levels of responsiveness and cooperation exhibited by the patron
or group when approached by staff, and conditions which prevail
in the library at the time. As a rule, however, individuals or groups
will receive no more than three warnings on any given day before
being required to leave.
B. The Library Director is authorized to limit or suspend, for up
to thirty (30) days, the library privileges of anyone whose unacceptable
behavior is dangerous or severely disruptive, or becomes chronic
in nature. With the approval of the Board, a person or group may
be denied the privilege of access to the library for a period longer
than thirty (30) days. A person whose library privileges have been
denied or limited may appeal the decision to the Board by requesting
a hearing. Any such request must be submitted in writing. The hearing
will be held at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
C. Staff is authorized
to use necessary and reasonable measures to enforce these policies.
In this regard, library personnel have the right to:
1. Confiscate and dispose
of any food or containers thereof brought into the facility.
2. Limit the number
of persons who may sit together at a single table or carrel, in
an arrangement of lounge seating, or in a study room.
3. Separate members
of a group from one another or relocate individuals from one area
of the library to another.
4. Inspect the contents
of bags, purses, briefcases, backpacks, and other containers for
library material and equipment.
5. Impose time limits on the continuous use of library resources,
including reference materials or computer equipment, when other
patrons are waiting to use these resources.
6. Require patrons to
furnish commonly accepted forms of identification, such as drivers
licenses and student ID cards.
7. Seek the help of
the Hinsdale Police Department when staff deems this to be necessary
or prudent. The police will be called if anyone fails to leave the
library promptly when asked to do so by staff.
D. Patrons are urged
to report disruptive or dangerous behavior to staff immediately
so that appropriate steps can be taken to resolve the problem.
IV. Quiet Study Room
A. The Quiet Room, an
enclosed space located at the north end of the library's main floor,
is reserved for silent study, reading, and similar activities. It
is the one area of the library where talking of any kind, including
whispering, is prohibited. Use of equipment which might disturb
other patrons [e.g., computers and cellular phones] is also prohibited.
Patrons are also urged to make as little noise as possible when
retrieving, replacing, or using newspapers and magazines in the
Quiet Room. Please help us maintain the intended purpose of this
space.
V. Supervision, Safety, and Behavior of Children in the Library
A. The Board is strongly
committed to the provision of services for children. The library
is a busy public facility, however, and library staff cannot assume
responsibility for the supervision, safety, and entertainment of
children who use it, except within the limited context of defined
library programs. This responsibility must be borne by the child's
parent, guardian, or designated caregiver and cannot be ceded to--or
forced upon--the library staff. The Board believes that the following
policies are in the best interests of all concerned: young library
users, their parents, guardians, or caregivers, other patrons, the
library staff, and Hinsdale taxpayers.
B. Children under seven
years of age may not be left unattended in the library and must
be under the direct and constant supervision of a caregiver [an
adult or mature adolescent, twelve years or older] who assumes full
responsibility for the children's safety and behavior in the library.
While a child in this age group attends a program scheduled and
conducted by the library's Youth Services Department, "direct
and constant supervision" does not require the caregiver's
attendance at the program but does require that the caregiver remain
in the library and be readily available in case he or she is needed
to provide supervision.
C. Caregivers who, in
the opinion of staff, do not adequately or effectively supervise
the behavior of children in their charge, will be made aware of
the problem as quickly and discreetly as possible. At the discretion
of staff, caregivers may be allowed to use meeting rooms and other
closed areas for brief periods of time if this will help them resolve
the problem. [Caregivers may not use these areas for their own convenience,
however, as a way to avoid providing a responsible level of oversight.]
If a problem persists after the caregiver has been made aware of
it and given a reasonable opportunity to correct it, the caregiver
and child will be required to leave the library. If the problem
is severe enough or becomes chronic in nature, the Library Director
may limit or suspend a caregiver's and child's access to the library,
as provided for in Section III-B above.
D. Children seven years
of age and older are welcome to use the library without direct,
on-site supervision by a caregiver, but they must respect the rights
and safety of others in the library by observing all rules of behavior
and policies which govern library use.
VI. Related Library Policies
A. Copies of the following
related policy statements, which also contain information regarding
patron behavior, are available at any the the library's service
desks or from the Library Administration Office:
• General Policies
on Library Use
• Policies Regarding Public Use of Library Meeting Room Space
• Policies and Guidelines Regarding Use by the Public of Library
Space for Displays, Notices, and Related Activities
• Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines Governing the Use of
Library Study Rooms
Revision Approved and Adopted by the Library Board on 8/26/03
