PATRON BEHAVIOR POLICY:

I. The Knoxville Public Library is designed for the use of all members of the public. Patrons are expected to observe the rights of other patrons and staff members and to use the library for its intended purposes.

II. The Library Director and other staff members to whom s/he delegates this authority shall have the responsibility for enforcing discipline within the library.

III. The Library Director or delegated staff will determine when behavior is inappropriate in the library.

IV. Response to inappropriate behavior should be immediate.

V. The following kinds of behavior will not be allowed in the library:
A. Any behavior that endangers the safety or health of others.

B. Violation of any local, state or federal law within the library.

C. Vandalism or deliberate destruction of library material.

D. Theft of library materials or the personal property of other patrons or staff members.

E. Deliberate disruption of library procedures.

F. Use of abusive language at other patrons or the staff.

G. Deliberate use of the library for inappropriate purposes; e.g. sleeping.

H. Loud talking or laughing which disturbs or could disturb other patrons.

I. Smoking, eating or drinking in areas not designated for these activities.

J. Inappropriate dress.

K. Other kinds of behavior deemed inappropriate by the library director or his/her delegated staff.

VI. Procedure:
A. Warning. In most cases, patrons who are behaving inappropriately in the library will be given one warning and asked to behave in an appropriate manner.

B. Expulsion. Patrons who refuse to behave more appropriately after one warning will be asked to leave the library. Patrons who deliberately vandalize or destroy library property will be required to pay the cost of the material. Refusal to do so will cause their library privileges to be revoked and charges of vandalism under section 716.6 of the Code of Iowa to be filed.

C. Calling the police. In cases where a patron poses a clear danger to her/himself or others, or where s/he deliberately violates the law, or where s/he refuses to leave the library after being asked to leave by the director or delegated staff member, the director/delegated staff member is authorized to call the police.

Revised and Approved by Board of Trustees--April 20, 2005