Pike County Public Library Patron Policy

In order to allow all patrons to use the Library facilities to the fullest extent during the regularly scheduled hours, the Board of Directors has adopted the following rules and regulations:

1. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, or using Library materials may be required to leave the building. Loitering, soliciting and panhandling are prohibited.
2. Patrons shall not consume food or beverages, smoke, or use tobacco or tobacco products in the Library.
3. Patrons shall not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
4. Patrons shall not engage in any illegal activity while in the Library building.
5. Patrons shall respect the rights of other patrons and shall not harass or annoy others through noisy or boisterous activities, by staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, by following another person around the building with intent to annoy that person, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, by singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues.  Patrons may not use inappropriate or threatening language or behave in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons.  Patrons are asked to limit their conversations and to speak softly if they must converse with another person.
6. Patrons shall not interfere with the use of the Library by other patrons or interfere with Library employees' performance of their duties.
7. Patrons may not block access to aisles, doorways and seating areas, either through their own person or through their personal belongings.
8. Patrons may not bring suitcases or other large baggage into the library. A personal sized backpack, brief case or laptop cases are permitted.
9. Patrons must turn off their cell phone ringers before entering the library and step outside before making or taking a call on a cell phone.
10. Any materials that are part of the library's collection must be checked out on a valid library card.
11. Patrons shall not deface or mar books, magazines, newspapers, recordings or other items of the Library collection, nor shall they deface, mar, or in any way destroy or damage Library furnishings, walls, machines, or other Library property. Patrons who engage in such behavior may be prohibited from using the Library and may be subject to criminal charges, in accordance with state and local statutes.
12. Patrons shall not return library materials in unusable condition for circulation. "Unusable" refers to materials that are damaged or foul smelling or that contain foul substances. In such cases, the library patron shall be responsible for the full replacement cost of the material and may be prohibited from using library materials or from using library materials outside of the library facility.
13. Patrons shall not be permitted to enter the building without a shirt or other covering of their bodies, or without shoes or other footwear. Patrons, whose bodily hygiene is offensive, so as to constitute a nuisance to other persons, shall be required to leave the building.
14. The public restroom is for the use of all library visitors. Those who use the facilities are asked to limit their time in the restroom and to clean up any spills. The restroom sink is to be used only for washing hands.
15. Each library patron, or in the case of minors, the guardian adult library patron, shall be responsible for any fines, fees or other charges due, in accordance with the Library’s standard schedules. Failure to pay these fines may result in the suspension of borrowing privileges. Upon approval by the Library Director, patrons may make by arrangements to pay fines incrementally while retaining borrowing privileges.
16. Adult library patrons shall be responsible for supervising minors in their charge while in the library facility or on library property. Supervision by an adult extends to materials in the collection, access to the Internet, use of library furniture and equipment, and proper conduct by minors on library premises.
17. Adults are asked to watch children in their charge at all times and are requested to be considerate of other patrons. If a child is being exceptionally loud or disruptive, adults are asked to bring the child outside if reasonable attempts to calm the child have not been successful.
18. Patrons shall not bring pets or animals into the Library, other than certified assistance dogs.
19. Patrons shall abide by the guidelines and conditions of all Library policies that pertain to them, including the library's Internet Policy. Any patron not abiding by these or other rules and regulations of the Library shall be required to leave the Library premises. Library employees shall contact the nearest Police Department if deemed advisable.

Any patron who violates the Library rules and regulations shall be denied the privileges of, or access to the Library Patrons whose privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the Board of Directors.