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Behavior Policy

The goal of the James A. Tuttle Library is to provide the public with an environment that is safe, pleasant, and conducive to comfortable Library use.  It is intended to be a place where users can go about their business in a non-threatening environment.

In the Library, patrons must share common space and resources.  Disruptive, rowdy, and unsafe behavior will not be permitted.  Patrons are expected to respect the rights of others.

To provide an orderly and pleasant public environment, Library staff is authorized to make judgments according to the guidelines presented below regarding individual or group behavior.  Staff responses to unacceptable behavior may include temporary or permanent suspension of Library privileges.  Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner.

Patrons’ admission to this public Library indicated that they are willing and able to act courteously toward all other persons present, and follow all the rules of this facility.

Expected conduct:

  1. Patrons must be considerate and respectful when using their cell phones.  If possible they should put their cell phones on vibrate or silent and make phone calls outside the building.
  2. Food and drink are prohibited except when authorized.
  3. Proper dress, including tops, bottoms, and shoes, is required at all times.
  4. Children under ten years of age must be accompanied and supervised by an adult (not Library staff) at all times.
  5. Personal property should not be left unattended. The Library is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  6. Patrons must be considerate of staff and other patrons.

Prohibited conduct:

  1. Any conduct that negatively affects the Library or its users is prohibited. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:
  2. Any activity that is in violation of federal law, state law, or town ordinance.
  3. Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs in the Library or on the Library grounds.
  4. Smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping, or using e-cigarettes.
  5. Engaging in any behavior that a reasonable person would find to be disruptive, harassing, or threatening, including stalking, prolonged staring at or following another with the intent to annoy, or intentionally behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb other patrons and Library staff.
  6. Damaging, destroying, stealing, or otherwise vandalizing Library property including Library materials, displays, and exhibits.
  7. Headphones must be used with all audio equipment, including the public access computers.
  8. Running and fighting.
  9. Animals, other than service animals, or those approved for a program, are banned.
  10. Misuse of computers or other equipment, as outlined below in the section titled Computer Use Policy
  11. Not wearing shoes or shirts.
  12. If an individual physically harms another person, or threatens to do so.
  13. If an individual engages in an act of public indecency.
  14. Tampering with the arrangement of Library materials, which makes locating and using them difficult.
  15. Adults unaccompanied by a child, who do not require immediate materials from the Children’s Room and Young Dult Room, shall be asked to relocate to other areas of the Library.

Disruptive Behavior:
Patrons, who by their behavior, persist in harassing or annoying others and thereby disrupt their ability to concentrate on their work will be asked to leave the Library for a length of time to be determined by the Library Director and/or Assistant Librarian.  In the event of noncompliance with this request, police will be involved and the Library Trustees will be notified.

The Library expressly prohibits behavior which disturbs, annoys, or infringes on the rights of others.  Harassment of other patrons or Library staff will not be tolerated.  Harassing behavior is a deliberate and/or repeated behavior that is not welcome and which creates a hostile or uncomfortable environment.

Any behavior which could reasonably be deemed by staff to be disturbing or disruptive to others, or which Library employees feel is interfering with the performance of their duties or which they consider inappropriate.

It is a patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper behavior standard in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights of other patrons.

If a patron is unable to follow these guidelines, he or she will receive one verbal warning and then be asked to leave the Library. If the disruptive behavior persists, the patron will be asked to leave the Library for the day. If the disruptive behavior continues during future visits, the patron may be asked to leave the Library for an extended period of time. The Library Director and/or Assistant Director will determine the time period for suspension of Library visits after evaluating the severity of the offense.

Adopted by the James A. Tuttle Board of Trustees on March 9, 2021
Updated on December 12, 2023
Updated on February 13, 2024