The Piqua Public Library provides service for all patrons. The Library has established certain standards and rules to protect all Library patrons and staff and to preserve and protect the Library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. We ask for your cooperation in maintaining an environment conducive to the enjoyable use of the Library by all.
Library staff will uniformly enforce all Library Visitor Rules of Conduct.
The following is PROHIBITED at Piqua Public Library:
· Engaging in any activity prohibited by federal, state, or local law and/or Library policy. Law enforcement will be contacted to deal with patrons who refuse to leave the Library facility when requested or are otherwise suspected of engaging in criminal behavior.
· Entrance into non-public areas of the Library without permission.
· Weapons and dangerous ordnances of any kind, including a handgun, rifle, knife, and/or any other object whose purpose or use is to inflict physical harm to another individual.
· Making loud, disruptive noise(s), including the use of cell phones, headphones, or audio equipment.
· Interfering with volunteers, staff, or a person’s use of the Library, including the making of inappropriate comments, sexual advances, verbal or physical abuse, offensive touching, staring, or unwanted conversations.
· Running or walking in a manner that is unsafe or disruptive to use of the Library.
· Disruption of the normal work flow or use of the Library by others.
· Interfering with a staff members’ performance of duties in any way.
· Defacing, damaging, stealing, or destroying Library property
· Violating the Library’s Internet Use policy.
· Panhandling or soliciting for sales or charity.
· Petitioning or distributing non-Library approved materials.
· Congregating on Library premises in a manner that obstructs access or interferes with the use of the Library.
· Sleeping in the Library.
· Eating food and having beverages in unsecured containers outside of designated areas.
· Using tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, chewing tobacco, in or on Library premises.
· Using obscene, explicit or offensive language.
· Being under the influence or, or possessing drugs or alcohol.
· Leaving possessions unattended and/or blocking aisles or other patron spaces. The Library is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
· Offensive, pervasive odors that interfere with others’ use of the Library.
· Animals, other than service animals as defined by Americans with Disabilities Act or Ohio Revised Code 955.43 and required because of a Library patron’s disability. Service animals are the responsibility of the patron/owner. Service animals that are disruptive may be removed from the Library at management’s discretion.
· Entering the Library without being fully clothed, which includes wearing a shirt, shoes, and bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt etc.) or other appropriate body covering.
· Using rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, or similar devices inside the Library.
· Refusing to leave the Library after the hours set for closing.
Rules Relating to Children:
· Patrons under 8 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver while in the Library.
· Responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children using the Library rests with the parent, legal guardian or caregiver.
· The Library is a place for learning and fun, but not an indoor playground. Unsafe or rowdy behavior such as roughhousing, climbing on furniture, running, or other potentially injurious actions is prohibited.
· Caregivers must supervise their charges at all times and not leave children unattended. If staff cannot contact or locate the parent, legal guardian or caregiver of an unattended child, the child will be referred to the local law enforcement agency.
· Adults should not attempt to solicit interaction with any minor who is not lawfully in their care.
· Adults who are not accompanying a minor are not to loiter in the children’s areas.
These Rules of Conduct are for the comfort, safety, and protection of all Library patrons and staff. The Library reserves the right to restrict use of its facilities and premises to persons who do not abide by the Library’s Rules of Conduct. Library personnel may ask anyone exhibiting inappropriate behavior to modify their behavior. Failure to comply with a staff request may result in an individual or patron being required to leave the Library premises. Repeated, blatant disregard, and/or gross violations of the Library’s Rules of Conduct may result in expulsion from Library facilities or arrest and prosecution.