I. Introduction.
The Wixom Public Library (the “Library”) is open for specific and designated civic, educational, and cultural uses, including reading, studying, writing, participating in scheduled Library programs, and using Library materials. In order to provide resources and services to all people who visit the Wixom Public Library facilities in an atmosphere of courtesy, respect, and excellent service, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted this Patron Behavior Policy. The purpose of the Patron Behavior Policy (“Policy”) is to assist the Wixom Public Library in fulfilling its mission as a community resource enriching life, stimulating intellectual curiosity, fostering literacy, and encouraging an informed citizenry.
The following rules of conduct shall apply to the building interior and exterior – and all grounds controlled and operated by the Wixom Public Library (“Library Property”) and to all persons entering in or on the premises, unless otherwise specified.
II. Rules for a Safe Environment.
A. Violations of Law. Committing or attempting to commit an activity in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation (including but not limited to assault, indecent exposure, larceny, removing Library material from Library Property without authorization through the approved lending procedures, vandalism, or copyright infringement) is prohibited.
B. Weapons. Carrying guns, pistols, or other weapons, except as specifically permitted and exempt from local regulation by law, on Library Property is prohibited.
C. Alcohol; Drugs. Possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage, illegal drug, or drug paraphernalia is prohibited; provided that alcohol may be permitted at certain Library-sponsored events if specifically approved by the Library. Persons noticeably under the influence of any controlled substance or alcoholic or intoxicating liquor are not allowed on Library property.
D. Recreational Equipment and Personal Transport Devices. Use of skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, or other wheeled form of recreational equipment (which includes but is not limited to toys in which children can ride or occupy) is not allowed in the Library or on Library Property. Library patrons must park bicycles, recreational equipment, or other recreational vehicles only in authorized areas. Wheelchairs, scooters, and other power-driven mobility devices are permitted in by those individuals with disabilities in accordance with Library rules, unless a particular type of device cannot be accommodated because of legitimate safety requirements.
E. No Blocking of Doors, Aisles or Entrances. All doors, aisles and entrances must remain obstacle-free. This includes a prohibition of running power cords across aisles or other areas that are used for walking.
F. Animals. Animals are not permitted in the Library other than service animals (as defined by law) for those individuals with disabilities, those used in law enforcement or for Library programming. Animals may not be left unattended or be off-leash on Library Property.
G. Incendiary devices. The use of incendiary devices, such as candles, matches, and lighters, is prohibited inside the Library.
H. Staff Only Areas. Patrons shall not be permitted in any areas designated as “staff only” unless otherwise permitted by the Library Director.
I. School Groups. School groups using the Library must have approval of the Library Director and must have a teacher and other appropriate staff present to ensure that the students use the Library in conformance with these rules.
III. Rules for Personal Behavior.
A. Personal Property. Personal property brought into the Library is subject to the following:
The Library personnel may limit the number of parcels carried into the Library. The Library may also limit the size of items, for example, the Library prohibits large items such as suitcases, duffle bags or large plastic garbage bags. Items must be small enough to fit under a chair at the Library.
The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended and Library staff is not permitted to guard or watch personal belongings.
The Library does not guarantee storage for personal property.
Personal possessions must not be left unattended or take up seating or space if needed by others.
B. Food and Beverages. Food and beverages brought into the Library are subject to the following:
Drinks are limited to those in closed containers, such as covered cups, pop bottles or water bottles.
Food is limited to snack or wrapped items that are consumed individually.
No group meals, open plates of food, or delivery of food to the Library is allowed, except for scheduled group events in the Meeting Room.
No food or uncovered drink is allowed near the computers.
Patrons are expected to clean up after themselves, discarding trash in appropriate containers and notifying staff immediately of any spills.
C. Unauthorized Use. Patrons must leave the Library Property promptly at closing time and may not be in the Library when it is not open to the public. Further, any patron whose privileges to use the Library have been denied may not enter the Library or be on Library Property. Any patron whose privileges have been limited may not use the Library in any manner that conflicts with those limits placed on the patron by the Library Director, his or her designee, or the Library Board.
D. Engaging in Proper Library Activities. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of the Library while in the building or on Library Property. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, writing, participating in scheduled Library programs, or using Library materials or resources shall be required to leave the Library shall not remain on Library Property. This includes sleeping on Library furniture, the floor or outside on Library Property.
E. Considerate Use. The following behavior is prohibited in the Library or on Library Property:
Spitting;
Running, pushing, shoving, fighting, throwing items, provoking a fight or other unsafe physical behavior;
Climbing on furniture;
Using obscene or threatening language or gestures;
Engaging in sexual behavior (1) that is a violation of the law, (2) which can reasonably be expected to disturb Library users or staff while such staff or patrons are in the Library or on Library property; or (3) that interferes with the Library patrons’ use of the Library or the ability of the staff person to do his or her job.
F. Panhandling or Soliciting for Money, Products, and Services. Panhandling or soliciting Library staff or patrons for money, products, or services inside the Library or on Library property is prohibited. Sales of products or services that are incidental to Library programming may be permitted if approved in advance by the Library Director.
G. Interference with Staff. Patrons may not interfere with the staff’s performance of duties in the Library or on Library property. This includes engaging in conversation or behavior that monopolizes or forces the attention of staff for an inappropriate period, inappropriate personal comments, sexual advances, or physical and/or verbal harassment.
H. Campaigning, Petitioning, Interviewing and Similar Activities. As a limited public forum, the Library reserves the right to regulate the time, place, and manner for campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting on Library grounds as follows:
Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing, and soliciting are prohibited inside the Library building.
Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing, and soliciting outside the Library building but on Library property are subject to the following requirements:
Persons or groups are requested to sign in at the Checkout Desk in advance.
Use of the Library property does not indicate the Library’s opposition or endorsement of the candidate or issue that is the subject of the petition, interview, campaign or discussion.
Permitted areas for campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting outside of the Library building shall be limited to the areas 25 feet from all entrances.
No person shall block ingress or egress from the Library building.
Permitted times will be limited to the operating hours of the Library.
Campaign material, literature or petitions may not be brought into the Library, posted at the Library or left on Library property.
I. Sales. Selling merchandise on Library Property without prior permission from the Library Director is prohibited.
J. Distributions; Postings. Distributing or posting printed materials/literature on Library Property not in accordance with Library policy is prohibited.
K. Restrooms. Misuse of restrooms, including laundering, sleeping, shaving, excessive personal grooming, hair cutting or trimming, bathing, and sexual activity is prohibited. Unless a parent or guardian is assisting a child or a patron is assisting a person with a disability, there shall only be one person to a stall. Library materials may not be taken into restrooms.
L. Harassment. Staring, photographing, video recording, audio recording, following, stalking, harassing, arguing with, threatening, talking or behaving in a manner (1) that can reasonably be expected to disturb Library users or staff while such staff or patrons are in the Library or on Library property; (2) that interferes with the Library patrons’ use of the Library or the ability of the staff person to do his or her job is prohibited; (3) would create or may result in a hostile work environment for Library staff; and/or (4) that violates Michigan or federal law.
M. Loud Noise. Producing or allowing any loud, unreasonable, or disturbing noises that interfere with other patrons’ use of the Library or which can be reasonably expected to disturb other persons or have the intent of annoying other persons, including yelling, cheering, talking (with others or in monologues) or noises from electronic, entertainment, and communication devices, such as cell phones, tablets, headphones, and radio, is prohibited. Patrons may use headphones or earbuds but at a volume that cannot be heard by other Library patrons or staff.
Adults may read aloud to children in the Youth Area, provided that they are reading in a voice that would not reasonably disturb others.
N. Odor. Offensive odor, including but not limited to body odor due to poor personal hygiene, overpowering perfume or cologne, or odors from for items brought into the Library, that causes a nuisance is prohibited. (For example, if the patron’s odor interferes with staff or other patrons’ use of the Library, the patron violates this Policy).
O. Phones. Phone calls are prohibited in the Library, except in the lobby. Those patrons desiring to use phones to place or receive calls must use the phones outside of the Library building or in the Library’s lobby. Phones shall be placed on silent or vibrate mode upon entering the Library.
P. Library Policies. Patrons must adhere to all Library Policies.
Q. Identification. Patrons must provide identification to Library staff when requested.
R. Tables or Structures on Library Property. No person may use or set up a table, stand, sign or similar structure on Library Property. This does not apply to Library-sponsored or co-sponsored events.
S. Smoking; Tobacco or Marijuana Use. Smoking, using e-cigarettes, vaping, electronic nicotine delivery systems or chewing tobacco is prohibited on Library Property. Using, smoking or possessing marijuana on Library property is also prohibited.
T. Attire. All patrons are expected to be fully dressed, including shoes and shirt, at all times while on library property. Visible or damp swimming suits left uncovered are not considered to be appropriate attire. No bras or sports bra tops allowed without a proper full shirt over the top. No one with uncovered undergarments will be permitted on library property.
IV. Rules for the Use and Preservation of Library Materials and Property.
A. Care of Library Property. Patrons must not deface, vandalize, damage. or improperly use or improperly remove Library materials, equipment, furniture, or buildings. Patron shall not load or install any programs or software on Library computers. Patrons shall be responsible to reimburse the Library for costs incurred by the Library for violating this provision. Patrons shall not cause damage by returning books containing bedbugs or bringing bedbugs into the Library. Patrons must not violate Michigan law, including but not limited to the following:
i. MCL 750.364. Larceny from Libraries
“Any person who shall procure, or take in any way from any public library or the library of any literary, scientific, historical or library society or association, whether incorporated or unincorporated, any book, pamphlet, map, chart, painting, picture, photograph, periodical, newspaper, magazine, manuscript or exhibit or any part thereof, with intent to convert the same to his own use, or with intent to defraud the owner thereof, or who having procured or taken any such book, pamphlet, chart, painting, picture, photograph, periodical, newspaper, magazine, manuscript or exhibit of any part thereof, shall thereafter convert the same to his own use or fraudulently deprive the owner thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
ii. MCL 750.391. Maliciously injuring or Mutilating Library Books
“Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly tear, deface or mutilate or write upon, or by other means injure or mar any book, pamphlet, map, chart, painting, picture, photograph, periodical, newspaper, magazine, manuscript or exhibit or any part thereof belonging to or loaned to any public library, or to the library of any literary, scientific, historical or library society or association, whether incorporated or unincorporated, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
B. Internet Use. Patrons must abide by established time limitations and all other provisions of the Wixom Public Library Internet Use Policy.
C. Equipment. Library phones and staff computers are for staff use only.
D. Authorized Lending. Library materials may only be removed from the premises with authorization through established lending procedures.
E. Use of Tables and Computers. Only four (4) people may be seated at a table and no additional people may stand around one (1) table.
V. Violations and Appeal.
The Library Director or the Director’s designee may restrict access to Library facilities pursuant to the terms of the Library Violations Enforcement Policy.