Public Policy Manual: Section 5

Policies Regarding Patron Behavior, Safety, and Security

5A. Patron Behavior

The library reserves the right to cause to be ejected from the library and to refuse further admission to those individuals who may violate the rights of the library staff or library users, or who create disorder in the library in any of the following situations:

  • When the actions of a person present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others in the library.
  • When a person is observed attempting to steal library property or that of another library user, or to maliciously destroy library property.
  • When a person willfully and purposefully disturbs the staff or other library users or whose behavior is in any way disruptive to the legitimate use of the library facilities by others.
  • When a person's behavior is inappropriate to the use of the library building, equipment, and materials for the purposes for which it is legally constituted.
  • When a person has offensive body odor or poor hygiene or other excessive odors to such a degree that it creates a nuisance to others or disrupts library service.

In the event that a patron who has violated the library’s Patron Behavior policy is ejected from the library and/or refused further admission to the library for a set time or permanently, the director, head librarians, or their designates may at their discretion send written confirmation stating the period during which the patron may not enter any library facility. This letter may also include the reasons for the patron’s barring and any conditions under which the patron will be re-admitted to the library. Notices regarding the barring of a minor patron from the library will be sent to the minor patron’s parent or legal guardian.

5B. Inappropriate Behavior

Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to:
Loitering, sleeping, gambling, voyeurism (peeping Toms), molestation, using obscene language, solicitation, public intoxication, the use of tobacco products or e-cigarettes, or consuming food or beverages, except for beverages that are covered by a lid or cap. Persons who willfully violate these rules will be asked to leave the library, or when appropriate, be subject to arrest.

5C. Children and Disruptive Behavior

Persons visiting the library with a child or children who disturb or interfere with other library users or who are disruptive by loud talking, playing or running in the stacks, on the elevator or on stairs, and/or mistreat library property will be asked to control the child or children. If the person fails or refuses to control the child or children, or is unable to do so, the person will be asked to remove the child or children from the library.

Unsupervised children who are disruptive by loud talking, playing or running in the stacks, elevator or on stairs, and/or mistreat library property or whose behavior interferes with other library users will be asked to leave the library.

5D. Dress and Attire

Patrons are required to wear shoes and a shirt at all times.

5E. Personal Transportation Items

For public safety, movement within the library by skateboard, roller blades, or roller skates is not permitted. The only wheeled vehicles that can be used in the library are baby buggies, strollers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices for the disabled. Bicycles are to be parked outside of the library proper.

5F. Refusal to Leave the Library

Any patron refusing to leave the library after the hours set by the Greene County Board of Trustees for closing is considered in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2911.21 regarding trespass.

5G. Unattended Children

Responsibility for the care and safety of the children using the library rests with the parents/guardian or assigned caregiver, not with library staff. Under no circumstances does the library accept responsibility for a child while the parent or caregiver is out of the library. Young children (those too young to travel the streets alone) may not be left unattended in the library by parent/guardian or assigned caregiver. No stranded child shall be ejected from the library at closing time. The library staff will attempt to contact parent/guardian or assigned caregivers up to 15 minutes after closing. After that time, staff will call the police and ask them to assume responsibility for the unattended child.

5H. Possession of Weapons

Weapons are prohibited in the library. The library Ohio Revised Code 2923.1212 states "Unless otherwise authorized by law, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person's control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance onto these premises." A weapon is defined as a handgun, rifle, knife, and/or any other object whose purpose or use is to inflict physical harm to another individual.

5I. Personal Communication and Entertainment Devices

Items such as, but not limited to, pagers, cellular phones, personal computers, portable listening devices, and radios are to be kept at a volume which does not disturb other patrons or staff in the library. Cellular phone users will be directed to converse on them in the library entryways.

5J. Animals in the Library

Patrons may not bring animals, except for service or helper animals, into any GCPL facility. A service or helper animal must stay with its owner while in a GCPL facility. Service animals that are disruptive may be removed from any GCPL facility at GCPL's discretion.

5K. Animals on Library Premises

Owners or caretakers of animals who bring animals on to GCPL's premises outside of the library buildings must ensure that the animals do not run at large on GCPL's premises.

Dogs, cats, and all other animals who may reasonably be leashed are to be kept on a leash not to exceed 6 feet in length at all times on GCPL premises outside of the library buildings.

An animal's owner or caretaker who brings an animal or animals onto GCPL premises outside of the library buildings and leaves an animal or animals outside of the library building must secure the animal or animals effectively to prevent the animal from disturbing or interfering with any person’s access to GCPL premises or any person's quiet use and enjoyment of the library.

Animals secured inside of a vehicle on GCPL premises are deemed to comply with this section.

5L. Smoke-free Grounds

Effective March 1, 2018, smoking or vaping is prohibited throughout all GCPL indoor buildings and outdoor campus areas, including GCPL-owned vehicles. Smoking or vaping is not prohibited inside of non-GCPL owned closed vehicles parked at a GCPL facility.

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