Patron Behavior Policy

Patrons shall:

• Engage in activities associated with the use of a public library.  Patrons not reading, studying, using library materials, or attending in-library programs may be required to leave teh building.  Loitering is not permitted.
• Respect the rights of other patrons and staff members.  Patrons 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 about the building with the intent to annoy that person, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, by signing or talking loudly to others or in monologues, or by behaving in a manner which can be reasonably expected to disturb others.

Patrons shall not:

• Consume food or beverages, smoke or use tobacco products
• Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Engage in any illegal activity while in the library buidling.
• Interfere with the use of the library by other patrons or interfere with library employees' performance of their duties.
• Deface or mar library materials.
• This includes 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.
• Enter the building without a shirt or shoes.
• Patrons must wear a covering of their upper bodies and shoes or other footwear.  Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other patrons may be required to leave the building.
• Bring pets or animals into the library other than guide dogs for the physically impaired.

Any patron not abiding by these or other rules and regulations of the library may be required by any staff member to leave the library building and grounds for the remainder of the day.  Serious or continued violations may result in a suspension of privileges for up to thirty (30) days by the Administrative Librarian or librarian-in-charge.  Library employees may contact the Dolton Police Department if deemed advisable.

Any patron who violates these or other rules and regulations may, on the recommendation of the Administrative Librarian and with approval of the Library Board of Trustees, be denied the privilege of access to the library for a period longer than thirty (30) days.

A patron whose privileges have been denied may request in writing that the decision be reviewed by the Board of Trustees at the next monthly Board meeting.