Standards of Behavior Policy
Wilmington Public Library of Clinton County (the Library) is committed to providing a secure and supportive environment for use of its resources and services. To achieve this, the Library has established standards of behavior. To consistently enforce these standards of behavior, the Library has established policies outlining specific violations and consequences for inappropriate behavior on Library premises. The Standards of Library Behavior is a three-part policy designed to:
- Protect the rights and safety of Library customers
- Protect the rights and safety of Library employees
- Protect and preserve the resources, facilities and property of the Library.
Definition & Scope
The Standards of Behavior Policy applies to all persons using Library facilities, interior and exterior, controlled and operated by the Library. Such facilities and grounds are referred to in this document as “premises." Persons who violate this policy may be asked to leave the premises and may be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed on the charts in this policy.
All incidents that involve a suspension of more than one day shall be reviewed by the Director or his/her designee to determine the exact length of suspension.
Individuals suspended from the library may appeal their suspension by sending a written objection within seven days of being notified of their suspension to:
Director
Wilmington Public Library
268 N South St
Wilmington, OH 45177
An individual who is dissatisfied with the Director’s decision may further appeal their suspension to the Library’s Board of Trustees. An appeal to the Board of Trustees is not permitted without first appealing to the Director. To make an appeal to the Board of Trustees an individual must send a written objection to:
Fiscal Officer
Wilmington Public Library
268 N South St
Wilmington, OH 45177
It is understood that some behaviors of very young children are normal for their developmental age and stage in life and therefore this policy does not apply to children under 5 years of age. Children under 5 years of age are expected to be supervised by a parent, caregiver or other trusted person at all times.
The Library reserves the right to limit the number of individuals who may sit together.
The Library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcase, packs, personal listening equipment, etc for library materials or public property.
Library Policy Violations
Persons who violate these policies will be asked to leave the premises and will be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed below. All offenses committed within 365 days of the first violation are subject to the increased suspension length based on the chart below. If no additional violations, this includes all categories of violations, are committed within the 365-day period, any subsequent violation resets the date of the first offense. Suspension lengths will only be calculated based on offenses within a 365-day period.
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | 4th + Offense | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-compliance of the Library's Internet Access Policy. | Warning | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months |
| 2 | Improper use or destruction of Library resources, including, but not limited to:
| Warning | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months |
Category 1: Behavioral Violations
Category 1 violations are for behaviors that are problematic, but are recognized by the Library as less serious than Category 2 violations. Persons who commit these violations will be asked to leave the premises and will be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed below, commencing from the date of the latest offense. All offenses committed within 365 days of the first violation are subject to the increased suspension length based on the chart below. If no additional violations, this includes all categories of violations, are committed within the 365-day period, any subsequent violation resets the date of the first offense. Suspension lengths will only be calculated based on offenses within a 365-day period.
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | Additional Offenses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library including, but not limited to: loud voices, or use of personal electronic equipment (stereos, televisions, cellular devices, etc.) at a volume that disturbs others | Adults: Warning
Minors: Warning
| Adults: Leave premises to correct problem
Minors: Warning
| Adults: Leave premises to correct problem
Minors: Leave premises to correct problem | Adults: Leave premises to correct problem
Minors: Leave premises to correct problem |
| 2 |
Conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library including, but not limited to: the use of profane, obscene, abusive language, which may reasonably create an intimidating or hostile environment. |
Warning and/or 1 Day | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months per additional offense |
| 3 |
Bringing animals inside the Library with the exception of service animals or as allowed at a Library approved event. | Warning/Leave premises to correct problem | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months per additional offense |
| 4 | Use or sale of smoking, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes or similar devices within 25 feet of an entrance to a library building or on staircases, ramps or patios attached to the entrance to a library building. | Warning/Leave premises to correct problem | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months per additional offense |
| 5 | Use or sale of smoking, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes or similar devices in any library building | 1 Week | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months per additional offense |
| 6 | Improper petitioning and distributing non-Library approved materials on Library premises, including interior spaces, parking lots, and sidewalks or other exterior areas that are under Library control. | Warning/Leave premises to correct problem | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months per additional offense |
| 7 | Eating or drinking in areas where it is not permitted, or in a way that is disruptive. | Warning/Leave premises to correct problem | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months per additional offense |
| 8 |
Interfering with access, egress or use of Library facilities or resources by placement of objects or by use of wheeled devices including, but not limited to, shopping carts, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades or moving equipment (exceptions include wheelchairs, walkers, strollers with child). | Adults: Warning/Leave premises to correct problem
Minors: Warning | Adults: 1 Week
Minors: 1 Day |
Adults: 1 Month
Minors: 1 Week
| Adults: 6 Months per additional offense
Minors: 1 Month per additional offense |
| 9 | Willfully entering unauthorized area of a Library building or remaining on the premises overnight. | Warning/Leave premises to correct problem | 1 Week | 1 Month | 6 Months per additional offense |
| 10 | Posing a threat to the safety of persons or property through possession of excessive personal items, luggage and bags; the combined volume of all personal luggage and bags is not to exceed 3 cubic feet. | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem |
| 11 | Sleeping in or on Library premises. | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem |
| 12 |
Entering the Library wearing improper attire, including, but not limited to: no shoes or no shirt.
| Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem |
| 13 |
Offensive and pervasive odor; visible presence of pests on person, belongings or Library materials. | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem |
| 14 | Failure to comply with applicable health and safety regulations as mandated or recommended by federal, state or local health officials and/or those in effect per the Library. | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem | Leave premises to correct problem |
Category 2: Behavioral Violations
Category 2 violations are reserved for behaviors that the Library has deemed serious. These determinations are made at the sole discretion of Library staff and are reserved for serious behavior issues. Persons who commit these violations will be asked to leave the premises and will be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed below, unless the Library determines that the behavior warrants bypassing the progressive suspension lengths, e.g. a 1st offense may be increased to a 3rd offense. All offenses committed within 365 days of the first violation are subject to the increased suspension length based on the chart below. If no additional violations, this includes all categories of violations, are committed within the 365-day period, any subsequent violation resets the date of the first offense. Suspension lengths will only be calculated based on offenses within a 365-day period.
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | Additional Offenses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gambling or soliciting money on property. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 2 |
Harassing customers or staff. Deliberate repeated behavior that is intimidating, hostile, offensive, or adversely impacts staff work performance. This includes aggressive and unwelcome conduct and/or unwelcome comments of a romantic or sexual nature, such as but not limited to requests for personal information and photographing or video recording without consent. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation |
| 3 | Possessing weapons, dangerous ordnance, explosive devices. Violation of state, local and posted weapons regulations. | 6 Months | 1 Year | Suspended, timeframe to be determined by the Board of Trustees | |
| 4 | Trespassing on library property or any area under library control. | 6 Months | 1 Year | Suspended, timeframe to be determined by the Board of Trustees | |
| 5 | Theft of, or significant damage to, personal or library property. | 6 Months | 1 Year | Suspended, timeframe to be determined by the Board of Trustees | |
| 6 | Possession of drugs or alcohol. Actively distributing drugs or alcohol with the exception of at Library approved events. | 6 Months | 1 Year | Suspended, timeframe to be determined by the Board of Trustees | |
| 7 | Engaging in or soliciting any sexual act. Indecent exposure. | 6 Months | 1 Year | Suspended, timeframe to be determined by the Board of Trustees | |
| 8 | Fighting, challenging someone to a fight, physical abuse or assault. | 6 Months | 1 Year | Suspended, timeframe to be determined by the Board of Trustees | |
| 9 | Behavior that staff deem to be a serious threat to the safety of Library customers or employees. | 6 Months | 1 Year | Suspended, timeframe to be determined by the Board of Trustees | |
Approved by the Board of Trustees: May 24, 2023