Patron Behavior Policy – Amended 05/18/17

Patron Behavior Policy

East Haven Public Library Inc.

(Hagaman Memorial Library)

 

Opening Statement

 

The purpose of the Hagaman Memorial Library of the Town of East Haven is to provide full library service for all of the people of East Haven.  The library staff has the responsibility of protecting the rights of all library users and to maintain order.

 

These rules are posted for the comfort and protection of all who use the facilities of this building.  This will be firmly but courteously enforced by the library staff.  Charges will be made for serious and grievous cause, with the knowledge and consent of the Director, or in the Director’s absence, the person-in-charge.

 

We ask your cooperation in maintaining an environment conducive to study and enjoyable use of the library.

 

Conduct of Patrons

 

A patron will conduct himself/herself in such a manner as to make quiet study possible for all users.  Offensive behavior or language will not be tolerated.

 

Physical abuse, assault on another person, or the use of abusive, insulting or threatening language to a person in and around the library premises shall be cause for the removal of the offending party or parties.

 

Individuals who are drunk and/or disorderly shall be banned from admission. Acts which are subject to prosecution under criminal or civil codes of law are prohibited.

 

Solicitation

 

Solicitation and/or distribution of unauthorized materials is prohibited by the library.

 

Food

 

In order to conserve library resources and provide a comfortable environment for all, the following guidelines are to be adhered to:

 

  • Beverages are permitted for consumption and are to be in containers that are covered and spill-proof, such as travel mugs with lids and bottles with screw-on or pop-up tops.
  • Very limited snack foods are permitted for consumption that are not messy; messy foods and hot foods are not permitted. Essentially, there is no public area for eating in the library building except for approved functions in the community room.

 

The Library reserves the right to ask any user to remove his/her food and/or beverage from the library if in the judgment of the staff it constitutes a violation of this policy. In addition, failure to comply with posted restrictions or staff instructions regarding the consumption of food and beverages constitutes a violation of the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy.

 

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any area of the building.

 

Animals

 

Animals are not permitted in the library, with the exception of service animals for the disabled.  Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.  The rules governing service dogs at the Library are the following:

 

  • No pets or animals other than service dogs (see the definition above), or service dogs in training, are allowed in the Library.
  • All service dogs must be under the full control of their handler at all times. Also, service dogs must be on a leash or harness at all times.  If the service dog cannot be leashed or harnessed it must be at the handler’s side and under control.
  • The Library would prefer that a service dog be identified with an orange-colored vest/leash and collar tags when inside the library building. If a person using a service dog does not have the vest/leash and collar tags on the service dog, the person does not have to prove that the service dog is being used for help with disabilities.  However, when it is not obvious what a service a dog is providing, library staff may ask two questions:
  1. Is the dog a service dog required because of a disability
  2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff will not ask about a person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.
  • The responsibility for the care and supervision of the service dog rests solely with the person. The Library is not responsible for providing any staff member to walk the service animal or provide any other assistance to the animal.
  • The Library reserves the right to exclude or remove a service animal from the Library property if:
  1. The service animal is out of control and/or the service animal’s handler does not effectively control the service animal’s behavior;
  2. The service animal is not housebroken;
  3. The service animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by reasonable modifications, or the service animal is an impediment to a library service, program, or activity.
  4. The handler and/or owner is/are liable for any damage to library or personal property and any injuries caused by the service animal.

 

 

 

 

 

Children

 

Parents are expected to look after their children when visiting the library with them.  Children are expected to follow the same rules of behavior as other library patrons.  (Please see Unattended Children Policy)

 

 

Loitering

 

Blocking the entryways, vestibules or staircases is prohibited.  Disruptive groups congregating outside the building may be asked to disperse.

 

 

Cell Phone Use

 

The Library does not encourage the use of cell phones in the building.  However, the Library does understand that there are times when it may be necessary.  During these times the Library asks that patrons be considerate and respectful of others by following the guidelines below:

Please put your phone on vibrate or silence when in the library;
Limit your calls to brief, quiet conversations;
Do not use your phone in quiet study areas;
Do not use your phone at public service desks or during library programs;
When possible, make and take all calls outside the building.

Library patrons with cell phone usage that violates the Library’s behavior policy on disturbances, creating a disturbance by making noise, talking loudly or engaging in other disruptive conduct, will be asked to leave the building.

In Addition

 

Roller Skates and Skateboards are not permitted in the library.  No bicycles are allowed in the rear entryway of the building or among the shrubs.

 

Patrons are responsible for their personal property. Please do not leave items unattended.

 

Carrying weapons of any type on Library property is not allowed except by law enforcement officers

 

Habitual sleeping is not permitted in the building.

 

Defacing town property or littering is a violation of local law.  Town Ordinance Sec. 10-57, Sec. 10-58 and sec. 10-59

 

Violators of any of the above rules may be excluded from the library as a matter of administrative policy.

 

A habitual offender may be barred permanently from the library.

 

 

Authorized staff will call peace officers, if necessary, to enforce the following sections of the Connecticut General Statutes:

  1. Enabling legislation for library rules and regulations
  2. Local Libraries CGS Sec. 11-20

CGS Sec. 11-32

  1. State Library CGS Sec. 11-1b
  2. Selected Criminal Statutes
  3. Public Indecency CGS Sec. 53a-186
  4. Breach of Peace CGS Sec. 53a-181
  5. Disorderly Conduct CGS Sec.  53a-182
  6. Threatening CGS Sec. 53a-62
  7. Harassment CGS Sec. 53a-183

 

 

Adopted by the Hagaman Library Board of Trustees  09/13/90

Amended by the Hagaman Library Board of Trustees  04/15/04

Amended by the Hagaman Library Board of Trustee 10/20/16

Amended by the Hagaman Library Board of Trustee 05/18/17