adopted 2000
The policy of the Hickory Public Library is to offer a full range of library service to all residents of the community, regardless of age, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion, or economic status. The library intends to provide its services with a minimum of regulations and restriction, adopting only those which are absolutely essential to the library's operation.
The library recognizes that users of the library are in fact the owners of the library. As user-owners, the public has certain expectations. These include an outstanding collection of library materials, pleasant and attractive surroundings, and courteous, efficient and effective service from the staff.Library users have a right to assume that visits to the library will be free from harassment, free from physical discomfort and danger, and free from psychological or emotional stress.The library staff has essentially the same rights. Each member of the staff should be able to do his or her work free of harassment, abuse, discomfort, and undue psychological stress.The rights of both the public and the staff are sometimes violated by the attitudes and behavior of a small number of persons.The goal of the Library's Disruptive Behavior Policy is to minimize the effect of unacceptable behavior by defining such behavior, and authorizing library staff to take necessary steps to stop unacceptable behavior when it occurs.Therefore, it shall be the library's policy to maintain a quiet, pleasant environment conducive to serious study as well as casual use. To ensure the successful implementation of this policy, unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:
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Loud conversation or laughter which is disturbing to other users.
Obscene or abusive language.
Use of tobacco products inside the building.
Use of radios or tape recorders so that sound is transmitted to others.
Willful destruction of or damage to any library property.
Blocking or in any way interfering with the free movement or any person or persons.
Intimidation
Fighting
Bringing animals other than guide dogs into the library.
Removal of any library property from the building without authorization through established lending procedures.
Use of rest rooms for meetings, loitering, or consuming alcoholic beverages or using illicit drugs.
Solicitation for immoral purposes.
Soliciting or selling of any kind.
Distribution of leaflets or posting of notices not specifically authorized by the library staff.
Use of library telephone by any person other than library staff unless approved.
Consumption of food or beverages unless approved by library staff.
Following staff or others around the building, or other harassing behavior.
Rearranging or moving any library furniture or equipment from one location to another.
Snoring.
Sexual activity
Indecent exposure as defined by General Statute of North Carolina 14.190.9
Failure to wear shoes or a shirt
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Defacing library cards
All members of the library staff have the authority to take necessary steps as explained in Staff Procedures Manual when this policy is violated, and police may be called at any time to assist.
Disruptive behavior most often occurs within the library buildings, but may also occur outside on library grounds or in the parking lots. This policy covers disturbances both inside the library and on the library grounds.
approved by Hickory City Council November 21, 2000
