MCPL Behavior Policy
The Behavior Policy outlines what is expected and acceptable behavior at the Montgomery City Public Library.
Behavior Policy
The Montgomery City Public Library is a tax-supported community agency that is available to all regardless of age, residence, race, education, socioeconomic status, or religion. Everyone using this facility or seeking assistance in finding materials and information should receive impartial, high-quality, and friendly service.
The establishment of a set of guidelines for behavior in the library building is necessary to ensure the existence of an environment that promotes the use and enjoyment of the library’s resources and at the same time, protects the public, the staff, the materials, and the equipment. The library must provide appropriate safeguards against illegal behavior and enforce policies and procedures that address such behavior when it occurs. In order to protect all library users’ right of access to library facilities, to ensure the safety of users and staff, and to protect library resources and facilities from damage, the Board of Trustees may impose reasonable restrictions on time, place, or manner of library access.
Guidelines/Rules
- Respect for other patrons’ right to use the library for reading, research, study, etc. shall prevail at all times.
- Patrons may not behave in a disruptive manner or allow their children to behave in a disruptive manner.
- No person shall threaten the safety or rights of another person while on the premises of the library by violent or disorderly behavior or by abusive, obscene, or profane language.
- Conversations on cell phones should be kept brief. When possible, patrons should take calls in the foyer or outside.
- Members of the public must use only authorized entrances and exits.
- All persons are expected to comply with reasonable requests of any library staff.
- Any person who, in the opinion of the library staff, is engaging in the conduct described here as inconsistent with the orderly operation of the library will be asked to leave.
- A person may be required to leave the library if their personal hygiene interferes with the orderly operation of the library or with the ability of other patrons to use and/or enjoy the facility.
- A patron may be asked to show his or her library card/and or other identification.
- Patrons may not harass library personnel or other library users.
- Patrons using other personal equipment, such as audio or video equipment, may not interfere with Library business or disturb other patrons.
- Patrons under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not permitted in the building.
- Smoking or other use of tobacco products is not allowed in the library building or on library grounds. This includes, but is not limited to, electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes), electronic vaping devices, personal vaporizers (PV), or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) which simulate tobacco smoking.
- Knives, firearms, or other weapons are not permitted.