Purpose:

The purpose of the Library Behavior Policy is to affirm the rights of all people to free and equal access to information and use of the library without discrimination, intimidation, threat of harm, or invasion of privacy.  The Keokuk Public Library is dedicated to providing friendly, courteous, and respectful service.

 

Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state, or local criminal law or ordinance is prohibited on Keokuk Public Library property.

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Examples of prohibited activities include but are not limited to:

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• Any behavior that endangers safety or health.

• Vandalism or deliberate destruction of library material.

• Theft of library material or of property belonging to others.

• Willfully annoying, harassing, or threatening another person.

• Using profane, obscene, or abusive language.

• Creating unreasonable noise or engaging in boisterous activity.

• Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing things.

• Consuming food or beverages in a manner that creates an unclean environment, disrupts other patrons or is harmful to library resources.

• Possessing, consuming, selling or being under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or other substances.

• Taking pictures or videotaping people, except at events, unless authorized by the Director or designee and by the patrons involved or parents if minors are present. (The library is designated as a “limited public forum”, or a “non-public forum” which allows the board to prohibit these actions in the library)

• Dressing inappropriately (a patron’s upper and lower body should be covered and the soles of the feet should be protected from sharp objects).

• No firearms, concealed or openly visible, are allowed on library premises except for those carried by authorized law enforcement agents.

• Using audible devices without headphones or using headphones set at a volume that disturbs others.

• Using any communication devices in a manner that disturbs others. Cell phones should be set to silent or vibrate mode upon entering the library building.  If you must make or receive a phone call, go to one of the lobby areas.

• Impeding passageways through physical presence or with personal property.

• Bringing animals into the library, except service animals, unless authorized by the Director or designee. 

• Leaving unattended personal items in the building. The library assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or unattended personal items. Items left may be removed or taken to lost and found.

• Failing to comply with a reasonable staff request, unauthorized entry into a staff area, or failure to leave the library during emergencies and at closing time.

• Fraudulent use of another person’s library card or account number.

• Having offensive hygiene, odor or scent that constitutes a nuisance to other people.

• Relocating tables, chairs, equipment, or other furniture without staff permission.

• Trespassing or entering Library property when banned.

• Soliciting, panhandling, or gambling.

• Sleeping, except for attended children.

• Using restrooms for bathing, washing of clothes, or extended periods.

• Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey taking, posting notices, fundraising, or selling, unless authorized by the Director or designee.

• The director and supervisory library staff have the authority to determine when behavior is inappropriate and are responsible for enforcing discipline within the library.

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Response to inappropriate behaviors should be immediate and follow the procedures described below:

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• Warning:  In most cases, patrons who are behaving inappropriately will be given a warning and asked to behave in an appropriate manner.

• Expulsion:  Patrons who do not behave appropriately after being warned will be asked to leave the library and its property for a length of time as determined by library staff and/or the director. 

• Denial of Access Privilege:  Any patron who consistently violates library rules and regulations may be denied the privilege of access to the library and its property for an extended length of time.  Any patron whose privileges have been denied may request to have this decision reviewed by the Board of Trustees.  A banned patron may continue to use the library by sending a designated surrogate to the library with his/her library card and a list of materials wanted or needed.

• Calling Police:  The police will be called if a patron clearly poses a danger to himself or others if a patron deliberately violates the law or if a patron refuses to cooperate after being asked to leave the library and its property.

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Appeals Process:

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Patrons (or the parent or legal guardian of a minor) who have been asked to leave or have been banned from the library premises for any period of time have the right to submit a written appeals request to the KPL Board of Trustees.

 

The appeals request should explain why the patron feels he or she should not have been removed from the library premises and why the ban should be lifted.  The request may also acknowledge alleged wrongdoing and instead request leniency.  All appeals requests must include language that is clear, specific, and actionable (e.g., “I request that the trustees remove the three-month ban placed upon me.”).

 

Appeals should be clearly marked “Library Board/Appeal” and dropped in the outdoor library drop box, mailed to the library’s address, or emailed to the library director.  The board, at its next meeting, will review submitted appeals requests and discuss, without identifying information to protect patron privacy. A majority vote is required to grant the patron’s clear, specific, and actionable request.  Submitted appeals requests without a clear, specific, and actionable request will not be discussed or voted on.

 

Revised 5/15/2000, 5/20/2002

Renewed 2/28/2011, 4/19/2011

Revised 11/20/2017, 12/16/2019

Revised 3/18/2024