Patron Responsibilities and Conduct Policy

A. Patron Responsibilities and Conduct

The Library is a department of the Town of Collierville, and as such, abides and adheres to its regulations. The Library Director and staff reserve the right to deny or curtail the use of the Library facility, materials, and services for due cause i.e., failure to return library materials or to pay overdue fines, destruction of Library property, persons caught stealing library materials, disturbance of other patrons, or any objectionable behavior on library premises. The Library reserves the right to inspect all packages, briefcases, purses, etc. of patrons entering or leaving the building.

The Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library encourages people of all ages to visit the Library. Those using the Library and its resources have the right to expect a safe, comfortable environment that supports appropriate library services. It is a patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper standards of behavior to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons.

If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the Library and from the use of the Library’s facilities. Repeated misbehavior, or refusal to leave the Library when asked, can result in revoked library privileges. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Library patrons are expected to demonstrate respect for library property, library staff, and the rights of other customers through adherence to the following guidelines.

1. Library patrons are expected to obey Town, state, and federal laws. The following are examples of the violation of such laws:
   • Assault
   • Disorderly conduct
   • Being in an unauthorized area of the building; remaining in the building after closing or when requested to leave during an emergency or drills.
   • Damaging library materials, furnishings, walls, machines, or any other Library property inside or outside the library.
   • Removing or attempting to remove Library materials without following Library circulation policies and procedures.
   • Refusal to exit the building in the event of a fire alarm, during an emergency of drills.
   • Harassment, physical or verbal; Threatening behavior or gestures; Verbal abuse of people
   • Indecent exposure
   • Under the influence of a controlled substance.
   • Leaving children unattended (see #3 for more information)
   • Littering
   • Possessing a weapon or hazardous substance/item. This prohibition does not apply to law enforcement personnel on official duty or an active or retired law enforcement officer who is authorized and qualified by State and/or Federal Law to carry concealed. Tenn Code Ann. 39-17-1359
   • Stealing
   • Tampering with emergency mechanisms (fire alarms, opening emergency exits in non-emergency situations). It is a federal offense to pull a false fire alarm.
2. Responsible behavior is expected. Behavior that disturbs the tranquility of the library and its patrons is prohibited including:
   • Rowdiness, noise, offensive interpersonal language, or behavior.
   • Being in an unauthorized area of the building.
   • Behavior that demands repeated attention of the staff.
   • Failing to follow Library circulation policies and procedures.
   • Removing or attempting to remove Library materials without proper authorization.
   • Inappropriate displays of affection.
   • Loud noises or loud talking which interferes with others’ tranquil use of the Library.
   • Use of Library restrooms for bathing, shaving, or washing clothes.
   • Wearing inappropriate attire (e.g., no shirt and shoes).
   • Smoking or vaping.
   • Running.
   • Using the Library as a regular place of business or using the Library’s address as the business address of any individual or group.
3. Children under the age of 10 must have a parent or caregiver, at least sixteen years of age, in the immediate vicinity of and in visual contact with the child. See section B for more information on Young Children in the Library.
4. No food or drink except for water in a covered container is allowed inside the Library. Food and other beverages may be consumed in the Halle Room during meetings or library programs only.
5. For safety reasons, sleeping in the Library is not permitted. Library staff will wake sleeping patrons at their discretion based on concerns related to health or safety, excessive noise, or for any other reason deemed necessary for library operations.
6. Cell phones must be set to silent/vibrate. Please move to the lobby to accept calls.
7. Solicitation is not permitted in the Library. Examples of prohibited solicitation include:
   • Signatures on petitions
   • Sales of services or materials
   • Recruitment for employment or other services
   • Public opinion surveys
   • Requests for donations including receptacles for donations
   • Requests for monetary or other personal assistance
   • Proselytizing
8. The Library is not responsible for personal possessions.
9. Pets are permitted only when they are part of a Library program or when they are specifically trained to aid a person with a disability.
10. All library users must conform to acceptable standards of hygiene and cleanliness to prevent the disturbance of other library users and staff and their use of the facility. All library users who fail to comply will be required to leave the library,

In accordance with local, state, and federal laws, the Library Director may restrict access or ban a patron from the library for behavior that is not conducive to the use of the library by other patrons.

Behavior that demands repeated attention of the staff and/or disrupts service to others will not be permitted.

B. Young Children

The Lucius E. and Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child. Service to children is an important part of the Library’s mission. The Library is free and open to unaccompanied children who are independent enough to use the resources for recreation, information and education. If the child is not able to leave the Library without an adult, he/she should not be in the Library without an adult.

Therefore, it is Library policy that all children under the age of ten must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the Library. If a child between the ages of 8– 10 years old is attending a supervised Library program, they may remain in the building for the duration of the program with parental consent. The safety of children left alone in a library building is a serious concern of the library staff. When children are left alone they may become frightened, anxious, bored and restless.

Children under the age of 10 must have a parent or caregiver, at least sixteen years of age, in the immediate vicinity of and in visual contact with the child. The assigned caregiver must be a responsible person and must carry emergency contact information. If a child in this age group is found unattended, library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the library and inform him/her of the rules.

Children, age 10 and older, may use the library on their own but are subject to Library rules and policies concerning behavior, conduct, and demeanor. All unaccompanied children at the library should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.

Parents should be aware that the Library is a public building open to all individuals. It is not the Library’s staff’s function or purpose to provide supervision or to care for children while the parent or the designated responsible person are outside the Library. Staff will not monitor children leaving the Library.

At all times, parents/responsible persons are accountable for the conduct and safety of their children on Library premises. Parents/responsible persons must provide appropriate supervision based on the ages, the abilities and the levels of responsibility of their children.

Parents/responsible persons are expected to be aware of the opening and closing times of the Library, bearing in mind that these can and do change. Power failures or other emergencies can occur and require unexpected closing of the building. Children left alone in the Library, or on Library grounds, could be vulnerable. Every effort will be made to contact the parent/responsible person prior to closing.

If an unattended child or children under the age of ten are present after closing at least two staff members shall remain with the children. In the event a child under the age of ten is still at the library 30 minutes after the library closes to the public, the police will be notified. Attempts will be made to reach the parents. Whenever the supervisor in charge feels that it is appropriate to follow this process with a child or children ten years old or older, they are authorized to do so.

However, in no instance will a staff member transport a child or children or wait alone with the child or children.

If the Library closes as the result of an emergency, the police will be called as soon as possible. Staff can require that unattended children go with them during emergency procedures, such as seeking shelter from severe weather or evacuation of the building.

Under no other circumstances will a staff member take a child out of the building or transport children to another location.

The library and its staff members will not, under any circumstances, be responsible for determining whether an apparent caregiver, custodian or parent is a legally authorized caregiver, custodian or custodial parent of the child.

The Town of Collierville is released from any and all liability with regard to this policy. Parents, guardians, and caregivers acknowledge the risk of leaving a child unattended in the Library and release the Town from all claims which they may have or which they may have on behalf of their child/ward.

Disruptive Children

Children of all ages are encouraged to use the Library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The Library staff realizes that the Library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. However, children (whether with parents/responsible persons or not) who are being continually disruptive will be given a warning that he/she must settle down or be asked to leave the Library. If after a second warning the child continues to be disruptive, he/she will be asked to leave the Library. If the child needs to contact the parent, they may do so and then wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.

Children of all ages are required to respect Library property and to act in a manner appropriate to the use and function of the Library. Children who are not using the Library appropriately or who require excessive staff attention or supervision will be asked to leave the Library and, if necessary, the police will be contacted.

The Library Director or designee may deny access to the Library to any person who violates these rules and regulations. If necessary, police will be contacted to assist Library staff in enforcing these rules.