The Board of Directors endorses the following code of conduct as it will be presented to patrons, staff, and volunteers:

It is the purpose of the Laramie County Library System to provide free, open, and equal access to ideas and information to all members of the community. To accomplish this purpose, a code of conduct is provided to assist staff, volunteers, and patrons in promoting safe, healthy and barrier-free access to all the resources and facilities the System has to offer. The code is designed to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and courtesy and applies to all patrons, volunteers, and staff while on library system property.

WHILE AT THE LIBRARY, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

• Ask the staff for help. Let the staff know when you are unable to find what you need so they can try to get the information for you. This also helps the library know what needs to be added to the collection.
• Inform the staff if you need accommodation or if assistance is needed for your full use of library services.
• Explore new ideas and interests by attending library programs.
• Be responsible for the safety, well being, and conduct of children in your care.
• Cooperate with the requests of library staff.

WHILE AT THE LIBRARY, THE FOLLOWING IS PROHIBITED:

• Behavior which is unsafe or disturbing to other patrons, volunteers or staff such as loud talking, shouting, screaming, crying children or making other loud noises, pushing, running, shoving or throwing things.
• Verbally or physically harassing or threatening other patrons, volunteers or staff. Harassment may include, but is not limited to: initiating unwanted conversation; impeding access to or within the building; or other actions that an individual reasonably perceives to be hostile, threatening, intrusive or offensive.
• Children or other persons in need of supervision may not be abandoned or left unattended in the library. Do not leave young children unattended in the library at any time.
• Actions which damage library property or the property of others.
• Any behavior which is prohibited by law.
• Sexual misconduct, such as exposure, offensive touching, verbal comments or unwanted sexual advances to patrons, volunteers or staff.
• Smoking or use of tobacco or tobacco products. Use of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Bringing animals, other than guide animals, into the library except as authorized by a library manager.
• Access to staffing areas, unless accompanied by a library employee.
• Sleeping on the floor.
• Bodily hygiene that is offensive so as to unduly interfere with another patron’s use of the library. You shall be required to leave the building.
• Inappropriate dress including no shirt or shoes.
• Tampering with the arrangement of library materials, which makes finding or using them difficult.
• Use of radios, tape or CD players, or other personal listening or communication devices at a level that can be heard by others.
• Cellular phones may be used on the first floor, second floor and Computer Room on the third floor. Quiet, short conversations are acceptable in these areas. Employees will ask you to end your call if you are disrupting others with your conversation.
• Skateboarding, skating, or loitering on library property.
• Parking in designated spaces when you do not meet the requirements for parking in those spaces.
• Adults using the second floor when they do not have a legitimate reason for being there. Second floor reading areas, tables and computers are intended for use by children or teens.
• Solicitation of funds, distribution of literature or promotional materials, or sale of goods by any person or agency other than the library.
• Use of library computers for anything other than their intended purpose. Downloading or searching any files other than those on your own CD, Floppy (A:) or USB. (See library’s Internet policy.)
• Blocking aisles or passageways so as to make it dangerous, difficult or impossible to walk through. This includes placement of cords for electricity to electronic equipment, such as laptop computers.

Note: This list is not all inclusive and other behaviors judged inappropriate by Library staff may be cause for consequences.

CONSEQUENCES OF MISCONDUCT:

The County Librarian or designee will apply these rules in a fair and equitable manner for the benefit of all. If any of the information is unclear please ask a member of the library staff for clarification. The consequences of misconduct may be any of the following: verbal warning, eviction, loss of library privileges, or prosecution to the full extent of the law. If the police are called the offender may be cited. Parents will be called or notified in writing in the case of a minor (less than 18 years of age).

The library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcases, packs, personal listening devices, computers, and coats.

Approved by the LCLS Board of Directors, September 2007