SCLD Policies / Rules of Customer Conduct Policy

It is Spokane County Library District's mission to give residents of all ages the means to continue to grow and learn throughout their lives; to get answers to their questions; to find, evaluate, and use information effectively; to satisfy their recreational reading interests; and to meet and interact with others in the community.

To this end, these Rules of Conduct promote an environment that encourages all customers to use SCLD libraries in a safe and respectful manner. Libraries are public places where each person is responsible for his/her safety, the safety of children in his/her care, and the security of personal belongings.

The following behaviors and activities are not allowed in libraries or on library grounds:

• Behavior that unreasonably interferes with others' use and enjoyment of the library or with the functioning of library staff (such as talking loudly with others in person or on a cell phone; abusive language; uninvited conversations).
• Behavior that is unsafe to the library customer or others or can reasonably be expected to damage library property or the property of others (such as shoving; throwing things; unsafely using or storing skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or rollerblades).
• Any behavior that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating, or offensive.
• Soliciting (such as selling or distributing items).
• Entering a library building without shoes and/or a shirt.
• Bringing animals other than service animals into a library.
• Trespassing in non-public areas of a library.
• Behavior that is prohibited by law.

Please inform a staff member if you feel another's behavior or activity is unreasonably interfering with your use and enjoyment of the library.

These rules will be enforced in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or local law enforcement officers will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Violation of these rules may be cause for a temporary or permanent prohibition from using library facilities and services, arrest, or prosecution. The branch supervisor shall be responsible for making the determination to suspend the library use privileges of a customer for up to seven (7) days for violations of these rules. The branch services manager shall be responsible for making the determination of a suspension longer than seven (7) days and the Spokane County Library District Director shall be responsible for making the determination of a suspension for longer than thirty (30) days.

The Director is responsible for ensuring that these rules are prominently posted in each library and for establishing administrative procedures necessary to carry out this Policy, which shall include the right of appeal for suspensions longer than thirty (30) days.

ADOPTED BY THE SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: MAY 18, 1995
LATEST REVISION: OCTOBER 20, 2009

A board of library trustees may exclude from the use of the library under its charge any person who willfully and persistently violates any rule or regulation prescribed for the use of the library or its facilities or any person whose physical condition is deemed dangerous or offensive to other library users. (RCW 27.12.290)