Patron Conduct Policy

Welcome to The Burlington Public Library. The Library is supported by the taxes of the people of Burlington who expect our facility to be a clean, comfortable, and safe place for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, and attending programs and meetings. To this end, the Library is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers, and staff, and for preserving and protecting the Library's materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. In addition, the Library has a strong commitment to intellectual freedom and to freedom of access to information.

Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or Burlington Police Officers will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the Library's established rules, regulations, and policies could result in removal from the premises and exclusion from the Library for a period ranging from one day to one year to permanently, or in arrest or prosecution. Violations could also result in the restriction and/or termination of Library privileges, including the use of Library computers and other equipment (RCW 27.12.290).

Rules of Conduct

For the comfort and safety of patrons, volunteers, and staff, and the protection of Library property, the following actions are examples of conduct not allowed on Library property:

• Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, local or other applicable law, or Library policy.
• Failing to comply with a reasonable staff request.
• Carrying firearms and dangerous weapons of any type (except by law enforcement officers).
• Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs, and selling, using, or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs.
• Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff, including stalking, staring, lurking, offensive touching, and obscene acts such as sex acts and indecent exposure.
• Soliciting or conducting surveys not authorized by the Library.
• Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriate use of Library property in Library facilities or on Library grounds, including computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones, and other equipment.
• Trespassing in nonpublic areas, being in the Library without permission of an authorized Library employee before or after Library operating hours, or camping on Library grounds.
• Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing things.
• Creating disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards, or using foul and inappropriate language.
• Gambling and group activities that are disruptive to the Library environment.
• Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others. Using cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices in a manner that disturbs others. Audible cell phone and pager ringers must be turned off.
• Using restrooms for bathing or shampooing, doing laundry, or changing clothes.
• Littering.
• Smoking, chewing, and other tobacco use in Library facilities.
• Entering the Library barefoot, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.
• Bringing in articles that are too large to fit under one Library chair.
• Using wheeled devices in Library property or on Library grounds, except in designated areas, including skateboarding, roller-skating, bicycling, scooters, and carts (except for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers).
• Moving Library furniture from where it is placed by Library staff.
• Lying down or sleeping in the restrooms or on any floor, couch, table, or seat in the Library, and by blocking aisles, exits, or entrances by sitting or lying down in them.
• Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children.
• Bringing pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for disabilities, into the Library, except as authorized by the Library Director.
• Loitering in vehicles parked in designated Library parking.

Adopted: November 7, 2006
Revised: December 2, 2014