The Harrison Memorial Library provides materials, services, and programs to the public in facilities that are safe, pleasant and welcoming. To ensure that all people who use and work at the Library can do so in a comfortable and safe environment, and that every patron has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the Library, patrons using the Library’s facilities or services must comply with the Harrison Memorial Library Rules of Conduct.

Library staff is authorized to enforce the Rules of Conduct. Violation of these rules may result in eviction from the Library and temporary or permanent suspension of library privileges.

The following is prohibited at the Harrison Memorial Library:

• Engaging in activity prohibited by law, including using library computers for illegal or criminal activities.
• Disruptive or unsafe behavior including interfering with library employees in the performance of their duties, or obstructing or intimidating patrons of the library, or entering non-public areas without authorization (California Penal Code Section 602.1(b)).
• Use of loud, abusive, threatening or insulting language.
• Sexual misconduct such as exposure or threatening touching.
• Activities or behavior that may result in injury or harm to any library patron or staff member, including challenging another person to fight or engaging in a fight. Weapons of any kind are prohibited on Library property.
• Patrons with hygiene conditions including, but not limited to, clothing odor, body odor and lice, that interfere with the use and enjoyment of the library by other library patrons or with the functioning of the staff.
• Activities or behavior that may result in damage to library property, including any attempts to damage computer equipment or alter software configurations.  
• Consuming smelly, messy, or noisy food or that creates a nuisance or disrupts library use because of odor, garbage, or spills. Non-alcoholic beverages are permitted, but must be in a container with a lid or top. The Library reserves the right to ask anyone to relocate, remove, or dispose of food and drink.
• Smoking or misuse of Library restrooms or water fountains (including bathing, shaving, and washing clothes).  Smoking, e-cigarettes or vaping are prohibited in the library or within 20 feet of the library buildings.
• Animals except for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Library’s Service Animal Policy, and animals that are a part of library programs.
• Petitioning, soliciting, or distributing/selling merchandise without the express permission of the Library Director.
• Excessive noise that cause a disruption, including the use of cell phones, pagers, headphones, and other communication, audio and electronic devices which disturbs other patrons or staff.
• Monopolizing library space, seating, tables, stairways or equipment to the exclusion of other patrons or staff, or obstructing aisles, stairs or doorways with personal belongings.
• Leaving unattended bags or other items inside or outside the library.
• Failing to wear a shirt, top, pants, skirt, or shoes.

In Addition:

Children age 7 and under may not be left unattended in the library and must be accompanied by someone 12 years or older. The Library is not responsible for children who are left unattended in or on the grounds of the Library. If any child under the age of 12 is left unattended when the library closes, staff will notify the Carmel Police Department.

The Library is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged in or on the grounds of the library.

Enforcement:

The above enumerated rules are not intended to be a complete list of violations, but are intended for guidance only. Library staff and/or local law enforcement officers are authorized to expel persons who, advised of the regulations above, fail to comply with them. Such personnel also reserve the right to take appropriate action(s) against any other behavior which can reasonably be deemed to be offensive to library patrons or staff.

The Harrison Memorial Library reserves the right to restrict the use of its facilities or premises to persons who do not abide by the Library’s Rules of Conduct. Failure to comply with the Library’s established rules and policies could result in expulsion from the Library and revocation of Library privileges for a period of one day to one year, and/or in arrest and prosecution under California Penal Code Section 602.1(b).

Engaging in any of the above behaviors may result in one or more of the following consequences, depending on the severity of the violation:

• Initial warning, given copy of Rules of Conduct Policy
• Library privileges suspended for one day.
• Library privileges suspended for seven days.
• Library privileges suspended for up to one year.

Depending on the severity, length of suspension may be determined at the discretion of the Library Director.

Appeals Process:

Any person who has been  denied access from the library or whose library privileges have been restricted or suspended for a period in excess of one week has the right to have the decision reviewed by the Library Board of Trustees. A signed, dated appeal must be requested in writing within ten days of such suspension and must include the person’s name, address, date and time of violation, type of violation, and the person’s reason for appealing the decision. 

A request for an appeal shall be submitted to the Library Director for inclusion on the agenda of the regular Library Board of Trustees meeting held the fourth Wednesday of each month. The decision of the Board of Trustees on the appeal shall be final.  The Board of Trustees reserves the right to seek a restraining order from the court to permanently ban any person who continues to violate the Rules of Conduct and/or the law.

(Adopted by the Harrison Memorial Library Board of Trustees February 2009. Revised September 2016.)