Rules for Behavior

Purpose
The mission of the Klamath County Library is to provide “open and equal access and guidance to information resources, literature, and ideas for all county residents.” The library welcomes everyone in the community to use and enjoy its facilities and services. To protect each individual’s access to information and library services, the library has established the following rules of behavior.
These rules protect the rights and safety of library patrons and staff, and preserve and protect the library’s materials, facilities, and property.
Approved by Klamath County Board of Commissioners   Date: June 22, 1999

Internet Access Statement
The Klamath County Public Library is pleased to provide to the public the information and communication resources of the Internet. We make the Internet available as part of our mission of “providing open and equal access and guidance to information resources, literature, and ideas for all county residents.” The Internet has many valuable sources of information, but not all sites are accurate, complete, or current. There are also sites that some may consider controversial or inappropriate. Therefore, we have established unfiltered and filtered public access Internet stations. Library staff will monitor unfiltered public access Internet stations to assure the equipment, software, are used as intended. Only adults will have access to unfiltered public Internet stations.

Policy
The following are prohibited:
a. Smoking
b. Eating or drinking inside library building (except in designated areas).
c. Begging or soliciting
d. Engaging in disruptive or unsafe activity or behavior that materially interferes with others, use of the library, or with the ability of staff to perform their job duties.
Examples of behavior or activities that may be disruptive include, but are not limited to: climbing, running, loud noise, throwing things, pushing and shoving, misusing library property, verbal or physical harassment or threats.
e. Bring animals, other than assistance animals, into the library except as authorized by library staff.
f. Bring bicycles into the library. Using skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, or other sports equipment in the library or on library property.
g. Walking inside the library in bare feet.
h. Using library facilities for the purpose of bathing or sleeping.
i. Leaving children 10 years old and under unattended, except during the time they are part of a library sanctioned activity.
For the purpose of this policy, unattended means a child 5 years and under who is not accompanied by a responsible adult or a child from 6 to 10 years without a responsible adult in the building.
j. Engaging in unlawful sexual conduct, such as public indecency or offensive touching.
Destroying, damaging, or defacing library property.
k. Possessing a weapon, except as allowed by State law.
l. Engaging in activities prohibited by law.

Enforcement
The Library Director or the Director’s designee will implement these rules. Unlawful activities will be reported to a local law enforcement agency. People who violate rules a. through h. will be asked to stop such actions. If the behavior continues, they will be directed to leave the library for the day. Refusal to leave when properly directed may result in arrest for trespass. When people violate rules j. through l., law enforcement will be contacted immediately. The library may deny a person who has repeatedly violated rules a. through h. permission to enter any and all service points for a specified time, from one week up to one year. If a person has violated rules j. through l., the library may deny permission to enter any and all service points for a specified time, from thirty days to one year. If, in the judgement of the Library Director, the person constitutes a threat to the safe operation and use of the library, the person may be permanently excluded. Such a person will be entitled telephone or off-site library services.
If a child has been left unattended in the library, staff will attempt to locate caregiver. If the caregiver cannot be located, or if the library is closing, law enforcement will be notified.

Appeal
People who have received a notice that restricts future access to the library may request a hearing. The request must be in writing and field at Klamath County Library within 48 hours (exclusive of weekends) of receipt of the notice. The Library Director will schedule a hearing, which shall not be more than one week after receipt of the request. The hearing will be informal and the Library Director will consider testimony from library staff involved in the incident, from the person requesting the hearing, and from any other witness to the incident. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Library Director may affirm, modify, or cause the notice to be canceled. A written copy of the decision will be delivered or mailed to the person that requested the hearing on the date issued. This decision may be appealed to the Board of County Commissioners.