Behavior Policy

 

PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY. The Postville Public Library will provide a safe, comfortable working environment that is conducive to the use of Library materials either by individuals or by small groups. Patrons are expected to observe the rights of other patrons and staff members and to use the Library for its intended purpose.

 

EXPECTATIONS OF LIBRARY USERS. Patrons using the Library are expected to behave in a way that is appropriate to the Library’s purpose as stated above. Therefore, the following kinds of behavior are prohibited:

Any behavior that is illegal.

Any behavior that endangers oneself or others

Any behavior that is disruptive to the Library environment; for example, loud talking or laughing

Any behavior that is abusive to a staff member or other patron

Any use of the Library that interferes with the Library’s purpose

Any other behavior deemed inappropriate by the Library Director or staff; for example, smoking, eating or drinking.

 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCING THIS POLICY. The primary responsibility for enforcing this policy rests on the staff member in charge of the Library when the incident occurs. However, all staff members have responsibility for enforcing the policy.

 

PROCEDURES

Staff members are to use their best professional judgment when enforcing this policy.

The goals of staff action will be to curtail a patron’s inappropriate behavior, and to encourage the patron to behave appropriately in the Library.

Response to any incident should occur as soon as possible after the incident begins.

Except in cases where the staff feels in physical danger, they will discuss the inappropriate behavior with the patron, suggest alternatives, and if necessary state the consequences of the behavior.

In cases where a juvenile refuses to behave appropriately in the Library, the staff member in charge is authorized to call the juvenile’s parents.

In cases where a patron, whether juvenile or adult, continues to behave in an inappropriate manner after the staff has warned the patron that such behavior is inappropriate, the staff member in charge is authorized to tell the patron to leave, and to call the police if the patron refuses.

1. Any patron asked to leave the Library may return the next working day.

2. If the patron continues to behave in an inappropriate manner, the staff member in charge is authorized to tell the patron to leave, and Library privileges are withdrawn for a week.

3. If after a week without Library privileges the patron still behaves in an inappropriate manner, the staff member in charge is authorized to tell the patron to leave, and Library privileges are withdrawn for a month.

4. At the end of the month, an adult must meet with the Library Director for reinstatement of Library privileges. A juvenile must bring his/her parents or responsible adult and meet with the Library Director for reinstatement of Library privileges.

5. Failure to remedy the problem by the aforementioned steps will result in the patron meeting with the Library Board to determine his/her restoration of Library privileges.

 

In cases where an illegal or potentially dangerous incident occurs, any staff member is authorized to call the police.

 

Reviewed November 2011

Reviewed April 2015

Reviewed January 2023