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Code of Conduct

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The City of Mesa wishes to foster a climate of respect, comfort and welcome within library facilities for all library customers and staff. Mesa public libraries are dedicated to facilitating learning, cultural enrichment, and the acquisition of knowledge through reading, writing and quiet contemplation. Our customers are an invaluable part of the community and should be able to enjoy the library facilities free from disruptive behavior, harassment, intimidation, and threats to health, safety and well-being; as such, all customers are required to behave in a manner consistent with this Code of Conduct.

 A. A responsible adult (age eighteen or older) must supervise any child under ten years of age while the child is in any section of the library. Staff are not responsible for the supervision of any customers at the library unless specified.

B. Inside the library, each customer is limited to: (a) one bag, package, or container that can reasonably fit underneath a library chair; and (b) one personal item. A personal item is a small bag or case designed to carry personal possessions (examples: backpack, purse, briefcase or diaper bag). All items need to remain with the customer while they are in the library, should not be left unattended, and must be placed where they will not impede traffic.

C. Smoking or other uses of tobacco or tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, is not allowed.

D. Selling, soliciting, posting or distributing any goods or services for money or other consideration is not allowed. Customers also cannot solicit for petitions or donations, or distribute flyers in a library facility.

E. No animals, except service animals, are allowed in the library. A service animal is a dog or miniature horse trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.

F. Eating is allowed in designated areas only. No food is permitted in the computer areas. All beverages must be in a container with a lid.

G. The possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited. Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while in a library facility is also not permitted.

H. Weapons are prohibited in a library facility, except for firearms by law enforcement officers. Weapons include: (1) deadly weapons (anything designed for lethal use, including a firearm); (2) impact weapons (examples: batons, clubs, and baseball bats); and (3) knives with blades longer than three inches. Storage is provided for deadly weapons pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3102.01.

I. Behavior which can be expected to disturb library customers or staff is not tolerated. Examples of such prohibited behavior include, but are not limited to:

  1. Disorderly conduct

  2. Verbal or physical fighting

  3. Loud or abusive language or noise

  4. Tablets, cell phones, computers or other electronic equipment used in a manner which disturbs other customers

  5. Sleeping in the library

  6. Being in the library without shoes or shirt

  7. Abusing or vandalizing library facilities, equipment or materials, including placing of feet or shoes on library furniture

  8. Personal hygiene so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons

  9. Sexual misconduct or activity, including inappropriate or excessive public displays of affection

  10. Loitering or bathing in restrooms

  11. Harassment, intimidation, threats, or assault by word or act

J. All customers must follow the library’s policies, including the Internet Use Policy, and all laws while in the library.

Library and security staff are authorized to ask customers to leave the library facilities for any violations of this Code of Conduct. Police may be called if the actions of a customer are illegal or if the customer refuses to leave a facility after being asked to do so. Violations can result in the suspension of library privileges for up to one year, including the loss of borrowing privileges and access to library buildings.

When a violation is severe or repeated, or a customer is suspended more than twice for a violation of this Code of Conduct, this may result in permanent expulsion from all library facilities and revocation of library privileges. Appeals of any suspensions, revocations, or expulsions may be made to the Library Director, whose decision is final.

May 2018