Policy For Customer Use of Library Spaces
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to express the roles and responsibilities customers have to ensure
the library’s physical and virtual spaces are welcoming, safe, and secure for all.
Principles
The library’s mission to “educate and enrich our community through free access to
resources and programs” is achieved in part by the willingness of its customers to respect
one another and coexist in library spaces.Physical and virtual library spaces are designed to be used for multiple purposes and are
intended to be used by a diverse community of customers.Public library spaces are precious community assets that rely on the stewardship, mutual
support, and goodwill of all.Library staff, whose responsibility is to help you get the most from your library
experience and to maintain a safe and comfortable atmosphere must be respected.A library card is a contract with the library. Use it responsibly, enjoy the benefits it
offers, and understand when privileges may be suspended.Staff may request customers to show library cards or other documents (driver’s license,
school ID, e.g.) for purpose of identification if not complying with this policy.
Customer Responsibilities
Each customer has a personal responsibility to ensure that Queen Anne’s County Library is a
welcoming public library environment for all.
Customers are participants in a shared, public use environment and must conduct themselves
accordingly. They will be courteous, considerate and understanding of other library customers
and staff.
Parents and caregivers are responsible for supervising the activities and choices of their charges.
Customers are stewards of the library and its resources. They will value and respect library
property and conduct themselves in a safe and orderly way.
Customers will comply with federal, state, and local laws and Queen Anne’s County Library
policies.
Each customer has a personal responsibility to take steps to reduce the transmission of an infectious disease in the Queen Anne’s County Library. During an infectious disease outbreak, it is critical that customers do not come into the library while they are ill and/or experiencing the following symptoms:
fever
cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
body aches
headache
chills
fatigue
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people with an infectious illness such as the flu remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees F or 37.8 degrees C) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Customers who enter a library space with any of these symptoms will be asked to leave in accordance with these health guidelines.
Examples:
The following examples are provided in this administrative policy as a way to illustrate ways in
which a customer’s conduct would violate the responsibilities defined in the Library Board
policy. The examples are intended to guide staff decision making. It does not presume to be a
complete list.
Customers are participants in a shared, public use environment and must conduct themselves
accordingly. They will be courteous, considerate and understanding of other library customers
and staff.
Examples of conduct that would violate this principle:
Behavior that is abusive, intimidating or disrespectful including obscene, racially charged
or abusive language.Conversation that is disruptive to other customers, including personal phone calls.
Disruptive behavior such as fighting, running, excessive noisemaking.
In the interest of safety and to minimize disruption to other customers, staff will wake
sleeping customers.Parents and caregivers are responsible to supervise the activities and choices of their charges.
Example of conduct that would violate this principle:
Leaving vulnerable individuals or children under eight years old unattended or alone in
the library.Not picking older children up by the time the library closes.
Customers are stewards of the library and its resources. They will value and respect library
property and conduct themselves in a safe and orderly way.
Examples of conduct that would violate this principle:
Defacing, damaging, or destroying library property.
Use of library furniture, power cords for personal electronic devices or sports equipment,
such as skateboards, that create a physical hazard for others.
Customers will comply with federal, state, and local laws and Queen Anne’s County Library
policies.
Examples of conduct that would violate this principle:
Panhandling or soliciting.
Bringing dangerous weapons on the premises.
Consuming alcoholic beverages or controlled substances or being under the influence of
alcohol or controlled substances in a manner that causes a public disturbance.Smoking, chewing tobacco or use of e-cigarettes.
Infringement of copyright laws including illegal downloads of copyrighted material.
Staff Responsibilities
Staff play an important role to ensure that Queen Anne’s County Library is a welcoming public
library environment for all.
Staff are expected to:
Weigh the degree of disruptive conduct with the onsite conditions at the time.
Exercise their best judgment in determining conduct that is in violation of the Policy for
Customer Use of Library Spaces and in determining the correct course of action.Explain the Policy for Customer Use of Library Spaces to customers.
Request that customers conduct themselves in a way that is necessary to maintain a
welcoming public library environment for all.Seek assistance from library supervisors to resolve ongoing or escalating customer
conduct issues.