Library Use Guidelines

Library Use Guidelines

The Decatur Public Library strives to make a safe and welcoming environment for the entire community. As such, we welcome all people but not all behaviors. We ask that you help us by observing the following guidelines.

1. Interfering with the use of the Library or Library operations is not allowed. Harassing others or otherwise behaving in a way that could be reasonably expected to cause disruption is not allowed.

2. All personal devices must be set to silent or vibrate.

3. Children age 7 and under must have a guardian at least 14 years of age accompanying and supervising them at all times. Children age 8 to 13 must have a guardian at least 14 years of age inside the Library.

4. Eating is not allowed inside the Library, including the Library lobby. Beverages are allowed inside the Library in screw-top containers only.

5. Smoking, using other tobacco products, or using vapor devices is not allowed inside the Library. We ask that you keep any smoking, vaping, or tobacco materials and devices put away while inside the Library.

6. The use of alcohol, cannabis, or illegal substances is not allowed on Library property, which includes outdoor property.

7. Sleeping inside the Library is discouraged. For patron safety, patrons who appear to be sleeping may receive a wellness check.

8. Patrons must wear shoes and be fully clothed. Patrons who are not may be asked to adjust their clothing before reentering the Library.

9. Pets or other animals are not allowed in the Library unless they are service animals or for a specific library program.

10. Damaging, defacing, or marring Library property of any kind is not allowed.

11. Blades are not allowed inside the Library. Firearms are not allowed on Library property, which includes outdoor property.

12. Selling products or services or soliciting for charitable organizations is not allowed inside the Library, except by the Library itself or the Friends of the Decatur Public Library.

In accordance with the Illinois Compiled Statutes, (75 ILCS 5/4-7), the Board of Library Trustees of Decatur Public Library has the following powers:

“To make and adopt…rules and regulations…for the government of the Library…” and

“To exclude from the use of the Library any person who willfully violates the rules prescribed by the Board.”

Therefore, the Board of Trustees of Decatur Public Library adopts the following as its policy on patron behavior:

• The Decatur Public Library Board of Trustees has developed rules and regulations governing appropriate patron behavior. These rules are available for examination in the Library.

• Any patron who engages in any activity that materially disrupts the use of Library facilities, collections, or services by patrons or materially disrupts the ability of the staff to perform its duties shall be given a verbal warning that his/her behavior is unacceptable and informed of the consequences should the behavior continue.

• If, following this direction, the patron fails or refuses to comply, or responds to the request in an abusive manner, he/she will be required to immediately leave the Library property for the balance of that calendar day. If he/she fails to leave, the Decatur Police will be summoned.

• Library staff will maintain a record of instances in which patrons are required to leave the premises.

• Library staff has the right to request to see identification of any person on the premises who is violating Library policies or rules governing patron behavior. Library staff are authorized to direct individuals to leave the Library premises immediately if they continue to violate the Code of Conduct rules after being warned to discontinue unacceptable behavior. Supervisors are authorized to ban the patron for a week. Anyone may, without prior notice or warning, be removed from the Library premises if his or her presence or conduct is threatening, willfully malicious or poses an immediate and imminent danger to any person or property.

• Parents or guardians of minors will be notified in writing, whenever possible, after the first recorded instance in which a minor is required to leave Library property, and advised of the consequences of any further recorded instances.

• Upon the second recorded instance within a four-week period in which a patron is required to leave the Library, the City Librarian shall ban the patron from Library property for a period of thirty days.

• In the event a patron banned from Library property attempts entry to Library property during any such period of exclusion, the police will be immediately summoned to respond to this trespassing violation.

• In the event the patron persists in abusive conduct or disruptive behavior following a period of exclusion, the City Librarian may determine that a long-term period of exclusion of that patron is in order. If an incident is the result of a repeat offender, or a very serious infraction of the Code of Conduct, the City Librarian has the right to ban up to a year. The Decatur Public Library Board of Trustees may extend the ban beyond one year.

• The Library is not required to go through the entire intervention process detailed in this policy. Intervention may begin at any step, including immediate involvement of the police and/or banning from Library property, depending upon the severity of the incident or behavior.

• Any person who is excluded from the Library for a period in excess of one month will be notified of such in writing by the City Librarian and has the right to appeal by requesting a hearing before the Board of Trustees of the Library, provided such hearing is requested by written notice addressed to “Board of Trustees, Decatur Public Library, 130 N. Franklin, Decatur, IL, 62523” or emailed to board@decaturLibrary.org or hand delivered to the Library. Exceptions can be made for oral requests.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees
11/20/14
Reviewed 5/17/2018
Amended by Board of Trustees
11/19/2020
Amended by the Board of Trustees
2/20/2025