ADAMS COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
140 BALTIMORE STREET
GETTYSBURG, PA 17325

BEHAVIOR POLICY

It is the policy of the Adams County Library System to offer the full range of library services to all residents of the community, regardless of age, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion, or economic status. It is the intent of the Library to provide its service with a minimum of regulations and restrictions, adopting only those that are absolutely essential to the library's operations.

The library recognizes that the public has certain expectations of the library. These include an outstanding collection of library materials; pleasant, attractive surroundings; and courteous, efficient, and effective service.

Library users have a right to assume that visits to the library will be free from harassment, physical discomfort and danger, and psychological stress. The library staff has basically the same rights. Each member of the staff should be able to do his/her work free from harassment, abuse, discomfort, and undue psychological stress.

It shall therefore be the policy of the Library Board to maintain in the library system a quiet, pleasant environment conducive to serious study as well as casual use. In such an environment, the Board considers the following to be unacceptable behavior:

1.Loud conversation or laughter that is disturbing to other users.
2.Obscene or abusive language.
3.Willful destruction of or damage to any library property.
4.Blocking or in any way interfering with the free movement of any person or persons.
5.Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.
6.Removal of any library property from the building without authorization through established lending procedures.
7.Following staff or users around the building, staring, or otherwise harassing staff and users.
8.Engaging in disorderly conduct, committing a nuisance, or unreasonably disturbing and offending library users.
9.Carrying weapons of any sort by any individual except by law enforcement officers.
10.Smoking in designated non-smoking areas.
11.Using radios, record players, etc., in unauthorized areas without headphones.
12.Bringing animals other than those certified to assist the handicapped into library facilities.
13.Soliciting or selling of any kind, unless approved by the Library Director.
14.Distribution of leaflets or posting of notices in areas not authorized for this purpose.
15.Consumption of food or beverages except at meetings where permission has been obtained to serve refreshments.
16.Use of cellular telephones within the library.
17.Displaying other behaviors inappropriate in a public setting.

Violators of this policy will be subject to exclusion from the library premises. Criminal behavior will be prosecuted under the law.

_________________________________________
Procedure on Disruptive Behavior In the Library

It is the policy of the library to provide a safe and appropriate environment both within the library building and on library grounds to facilitate the public's use of the library's services and resources. When the behavior of a patron constitutes a disruption which interferes with the use of the library by other patrons or which interferes with a staff member's completion of his/her duties, the following progressive steps will be taken:
1.The staff member will give the person(s) a verbal warning.
2.The staff member will issue a second verbal warning, with the statement that the person(s) will be told to leave if the behavior in question does not cease.
3.If the disruptive behavior continues after the second verbal warning, the staff member will ask/tell the person(s) to leave the building and the grounds.
4.If there is difficulty in getting the person(s) to leave the building or the grounds, the staff member will call the police. (If police are called, Director will be notified.)
All instances of verbal warning, eviction, and notification of police will be documented and logged by the staff of the department in question.
A minor who has been evicted from the building more than twice or whose disruptive behavior has resulted in the police being called will not be allowed to use the library again unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. When possible, a letter will be sent to the parent or guardian stating this policy. The minor will be allowed to use the library again without parental supervision only after the parent/guardian has spoken with the Library Director, Assistant Director, or Head of the department where the offense occurred; and only at the discretion of the Head of the department.


Adams County Library System
140 Baltimore Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325