Behavior Policy
The Avondale Public Library (the “Library”) facilities, resources and services are available for the enjoyment of all. This policy has been adopted to (i) ensure the health and safety of all library staff and patrons, (ii) protect Library property and (iii) maintain order in the Library.
Disruption of library services will be addressed according to level of seriousness. If expelled from the Library, you may submit a request to the Library Manager for reinstatement. The Library Manager will automatically review cases involving expulsion periods lasting longer than a month. A request for reconsideration must be submitted on the Library’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Privileges Form.
Patrons of the Library are prohibited from:
- Obstructing any entrances, exits, doorways and aisles
- Using skateboards, bicycles or scooters inside the library or around entrance doors
- Bringing in animals (except service animals); service animals subject to Behavior Policy
- Running, climbing on furnishings, littering or spitting
- Eating outside of designated food areas; bringing in drink containers without spill proof or twist top lids
- Loud, disruptive or inappropriate behavior that would be annoying to a reasonable person
- Bodily hygiene (pervasive odors/perfume/cologne) offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other persons; unsanitary belongings
- Entering the library without appropriate attire, including a shirt and shoes; indecent exposure
- Loitering or bathing in restrooms
- Lying down or appearing to be sleeping in the Library or having feet on furniture
- Bringing in more than two (2) bags per person (bags can be no larger than 34” x 18” x 20”)
- Leaving personal belongings unattended outside of the patron’s line of sight
- Bringing in carts, or bed rolls
- Entering non-public areas of the library without permission
- Leaving a vulnerable adult or a child under the age of 10 unattended
- Failure to follow instructions from staff
- Harassing or intimidating other library users or library staff, including physical contact, sexual or verbal abuse; or interfering with another person’s right to use the Library or with the Library Staff’s performance of their duties
- Soliciting, panhandling, proselytizing and gambling
- Using audio, visual or communications devices audible to others; making noises that interfere with other library users
- Abusing or misusing library services, facilities, equipment or materials
- Possessing, selling or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on library premises
- Using electronic cigarettes of any type; smoking or any use of any tobacco products and accessories
- Carrying weapons; a gun locker is available for patrons to secure their weapons
- Engaging in any illegal activities
If a library user chooses to not follow these standards of conduct, they will be asked to leave. Police will be called if the user refuses to leave the library or if the behavior itself is illegal.
| Class One Minor Violations | Consequences/Duration |
Class one violations are dealt with on a one on one basis. Class one violations are processed through a progressive discipline system. Repeated or similar offenses in this class use the following progressive discipline steps.
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | 4th Offense | 5th Offense | 6th Offense | 7th Offense |
| 1 Day | 1 Week | 1 Month | 90 Days | 6 Months | 1 Year | Permanent |
- Exhibiting signs of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Verbal communication or non-verbal attention that is willful, malicious or obnoxious.
- Smoking tobacco or using e-cigarettes on library premises.
- Fraudulent use of another customer’s library card and/or account number for any purpose, including reserving a computer.
- Making any loud or unreasonable noise or other disturbance, including disruptive use of personal communications or entertainment devices.
- Blocking library entrance areas or interfering with the free flow of pedestrian traffic in any areas.
- Eating food and consuming beverages from an uncovered container, except in designated areas. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
- Soliciting, panhandling, proselytizing or gambling.
- Emitting strong, pervasive odors, including odors caused by perfume or cologne that unreasonably interfere with library user or staff comfort, safety, use or peaceful enjoyment of the library.
- Clothing covering the upper and lower body is required in addition to shoes or other footwear.
- Loitering in or using Library facilities for other than their intended purpose, including: loitering, bathing, shampooing, personal grooming, washing clothes or utensils.
- Adults using the Children’s area without a child or need for children’s collections.
- Sleeping or lying on the floor or furniture.
- Bringing in animals, except service animals.
- Leaving personal materials unattended, outside of the patron’s line of sight.
| Class Two Moderate Violations | Consequences/Duration |
Class two violations are processed through a progressive discipline system. Repeated or similar offenses in this class use the following progressive discipline steps. Depending on the severity of the offense, Library Manager has the discretion to advance the discipline to any of the listed progressions based upon investigative results.
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | 4th Offense | 5th Offense | 6th Offense |
| 1 Week | 1 Month | 90 Days | 6 Months | 1 Year | Permanent |
- Abusing or misusing library services, facilities, equipment or, material. Manipulation of/interfering with Library computers, Internet reservation and or print management systems.
- Harassing or intimidating other library users or library staff, including physical contact, sexual or verbal abuse.
- Refusing to leave the building and/or library property when requested.
- Refusing to leave the building during emergency evacuation.
- Theft or vandalism of Library property, or the property of library customers or staff.
- Using obscene or threatening language or words that would likely provoke a violent reaction.
- Unreasonable use of restrooms, including smoking, soliciting, clogging plumbing or looking into an area designed to provide privacy to a person using the area.
- Depositing bodily fluids on Library property, including library collections, equipment and furnishings.
- Unauthorized presence in staff-designated areas and/or entering or remaining inside library facilities before or after posted hours of operation.
| Class Three Severe Violations | Consequences/Duration |
Class three violations result in the automatic involvement of the Avondale Police Department. Depending on the severity of the offense, Library Manager has the discretion to advance the discipline to any of the listed progressions based upon investigative results.
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense |
| One Year - Minimum | Permanent Trespass |
- Engaging in physical altercations including assaults and fighting.
- Displaying firearms or other deadly weapons on Library property in a rude, angry or threatening manner.
- Engaging in acts of sexual misconduct, including indecent exposure, sexual contact and sexual intercourse and/or exhibiting lewd and lascivious acts.
- Possession or use of illegal drugs.
| Class Four Computer Violations | Consequences/Duration |
Class four violations result in the automatic involvement of the Avondale Police Department. Class four violations involve the misuse of library equipment or internet to view inappropriate or pornographic material, in violation of the Library’s computer/internet use agreement.
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
| 6 months | 1 year | Permanent Trespass |
Request for Reconsideration of Suspension of Library Privileges
- A customer who has had their library privileges suspended may:
- Utilizing the form, submit a written request for reconsideration with any applicable supporting documentation to the Library Manager.
- The Library Manager will review the request and any supporting documentation relating to the suspension and make a determination to uphold, modify or overturn the suspension.
- The Library Manager shall provide the customer with written notice of the final determination within 15 days following receipt of the determination.
- The Library Manager’s determination regarding the request for reconsideration shall be final and shall constitute an exhaustion of a customer’s administrative remedies. The Request for Reconsideration process does not apply and is not available to customers who have been arrested for violating a suspension.