Library Policies Regarding Patron Behavior
The library reserves the right to eject from the library and to refuse admission to those individuals who may violate the rights of the library staff or library users, or who create disorder in the library in any of the following situations:
- When the actions of a person present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others in the library.
- When a person is observed attempting to steal library property or that of another library user, or to maliciously destroy library property.
- When a person willfully and purposefully disturbs the staff or other library users or whose behavior is in any way disruptive to the legitimate use of library facilities by others.
When a person’s behavior is inappropriate to the use of the library building, equipment and materials for the purposes for which it is legally constituted. Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to:
Loitering, gambling, voyeurism (peeping Toms), molestation, using obscene language, viewing pornography, solicitation, public intoxication, eating or drinking or the use of tobacco products (or electronic substitutes).
Possession of Weapons
Weapons are prohibited in the library. Ohio Revised Code 2923.12 prohibits the carrying of a concealed or unconcealed weapon, except in the case of a law enforcement official. A weapon is defined as a handgun, rifle, knife and/or any other object whose purpose or use is to inflict physical harm to another individual.
Other activities which are not appropriate in the library include:
- Not wearing shoes or shirt
- Bringing in animals (except for assistance dogs)
- Standing on furniture or propping feet on furniture
- Running, skateboarding, roller skating, or bicycle riding in the library. Bicycles are to be parked outside of the library on the bicycle rack.
- Art work requiring paste, paint, ink, or a large work area
- Working with personal materials such as business ledgers and forms which require a large work area at a time when the library is crowded
- Talking on cell phones (in lobby only). All electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, radios, laptops, etc.) must be silent or muted.
Persons who willfully violate these rules will be asked to leave the library, or when appropriate, will be subject to arrest. Any patron refusing to leave the library after the hours set by the Mason Public Library Board of Trustees for closing is considered in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2911.21 regarding trespass.
Children and disruptive behavior
Persons visiting the library with a child or children who disturb or interfere with other library users or who are disruptive by loud talking, playing or running in the stacks and/or mistreating library property will be asked to control the child. If the person fails or refuses to control the child, or is unable to do so, the person will be asked to remove the child from the library.
Children under the age of 10 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult (18 years or older). If a child under the age of 10 is attending a library program, a parent/caregiver must be in the building and aware of the location and behavior of his/her child.
Children ages 10-17 may use the library on their own provided they comply with library rules of conduct. Parents/caregivers are still, however, responsible for the behavior of their children. If children do not comply, library staff may ask them to leave the library and the police may be contacted
Revised June, 2013