It is the goal of the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County to provide free, open and equal access to ideas and information to all members of the community. To accomplish this purpose, the Patron Behavior Policy is provided to assist staff, volunteers, and patrons in promoting safe, healthy, and barrier-free access to all the resources and facilities the library has to offer.

Disruptive/Inappropriate Behavior

Disruptive/inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated within the library or on library property. Disruptive/inappropriate behavior is defined as, but not limited to:

Any behavior which is prohibited by law.

Bringing a weapon into, or displaying a weapon on, library property.

Verbally or physically harassing or threatening other patrons, volunteers or staff.  Harassment may include, but is not limited to: initiating unwanted conversation, impeding access to or within the building, inappropriate gestures, or other actions that an individual reasonably perceives to be hostile, threatening, intrusive, or offensive.

Sexual misconduct, such as: offensive touching, verbal comments or unwanted sexual advances to patrons, volunteers or staff.

Leaving children or other persons in need of supervision unattended in the library.

Behavior unsafe or disturbing to other patrons, volunteers or staff such as: using a voice above a normal speaking level, shouting, screaming, or making other loud noises, pushing, running, shoving, or throwing thing.

Using library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures, or buildings in a destructive, abusive, or potentially damaging manner, in a manner likely to cause personal injury to any person or in any other manner inconsistent with the customary use thereof.

Any use of tobacco in the building or grounds of the library to include smoking and chewing tobacco.

Failure to turn off or silence before entering, any electronic device (i.e. cell phone, blackberry, pager) that emits an audible noise.

Soliciting, petitioning or distributing written materials or canvassing on library premises for any purpose without express permission of the Library Director.

Use of library restrooms for bathing, shaving, or washing hair.

Failure to follow a reasonable direction of a library staff member.

Bringing food or drink into the library.

General Enforcement Procedures

Recognizing that each situation is unique, common sense and courtesy should guide library staff response to any encounter.  Generally, however, staff response to inappropriate behavior should be as follows:

Staff should alert a supervisor or manager of any inappropriate behavior they observe.

A supervisor or manager should approach the individual(s) in question and courteously point out the problem behavior, asking that it be corrected. 

If the appropriate behavior is not adopted, the senior staff member, in the presence of at least one other staff member, should ask the individual(s) to leave the building, except in the case of minor children.

If the individual(s) involved are minor children, the staff member should make every effort to locate the responsible adult and resolve the problem behavior through him/her.  If the minor children are unaccompanied by an adult, the staff member should ask the children to sit quietly until an adult arrives to take charge of them. At that time, the staff member should discuss the problem behavior with the adult and inform them that minor children should not be left unattended at the library.

If every effort has been made by library staff to solve problems and has been unable to do so, the police should be contacted for assistance.

Board Approved 3/25/2008