Administrative Procedure #10.08 - Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Code of Conduct
Purpose
To protect each individual's access to information and library services, the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library has established the following rules of behavior. These rules maintain a welcoming atmosphere for all community members, protect the rights and safety of library patrons and staff, and preserve and protect the library's materials, facilities, and property.
Scope
This Code of Conduct applies to all people at all locations of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, both inside of facilities and while on library grounds Private groups or individuals renting library rooms must also abide by these rules.
This code of conduct also applies to anyone utilizing library services that requires contact with library staff or volunteers, such as delivery services, phone services, email inquiries, and virtual services (such as Ask a Librarian or attending programs virtually).
Guidelines
The mission of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is "Enrich, Excite, Explore." The Library welcomes everyone in the community to use and enjoy its facilities and
services.
General Guidelines for Library Use:
Be considerate of others.
Respect the facility, equipment, and materials.
Be responsible for your children.
Be responsible for personal belongings; do not leave them unattended.
Follow reasonable staff direction.
Ask for help when needed.
The following behaviors are prohibited:
a. Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the library, or disturbs library staff or patrons, including, but not limited to: conduct that creates a
hostile environment, which may include the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures; conduct likely to cause personal injury to self or others; or conduct that violates any library policy.
b. Consistent with Corvallis Municipal Code 5.03.080.160, smoking, vaping, using tobacco products, or using marijuana products anywhere on Corvallis Public Library property or within 50 feet of the exterior of the Corvallis Public Library building (including the parking lot, parking garage, sidewalk, curb, gutter, and street). This prohibition also applies in the branch libraries and within 10 feet of branch entrances as specified in State law.
c. Making a mess with food or drink that leaves residue, crumbs, or strong odors. Covered beverages and snacks are permitted throughout the library, except near electronic or other valuable equipment and materials. Patrons are responsible for any damage to library property caused by their food or drink.
d. Soliciting anywhere on library property or in any library facility. Soliciting means approaching another person uninvited for the purpose of asking for or trying to obtain something from the person, and includes but is not limited to begging, panhandling, distributing written materials, and selling goods or services.
e. Using mobile or electronic devices in a manner which disturbs others, including but not limited to: talking loudly or using devices at an unreasonable volume that disrupts other patrons.
f. Tethering animals or leaving animals unattended on library property, the adjoining sidewalk and/or public right-of-way, consistent with Corvallis Municipal Code 5.03.050.040.03.1.a.
g. Bringing animals other than service animals into the library except as authorized by library staff. Service animals must be under control at all times. If a service animal's behavior or condition poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, the animal will be excluded from the library.
h. Bringing bicycles/non-folding scooters into the library or parking bicycles/non-folding scooters in areas other than those designated for that purpose. Designated bicycle/scooter parking racks are available on library grounds and may be located by asking a staff member for assistance.
i. Using bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, or other sports equipment in the library or on library property including entry ramps, parking garage, stairs, and patios.
j. Using the library without shoes or clothing that consists of a shirt and bottom garment.
k. Using library facilities for bathing, grooming, or laundering clothing.
l. Misusing library materials, equipment, furniture, or fixtures in a manner inconsistent with their intended use.
m. Sleeping, appearing to sleep, or lying down inside of library facilities.
n. Leaving personal items unattended. Library staff reserves the right to limit the amount of personal belongings any individual may bring into the library. The library is not responsible for personal property.
o. Blocking access to the library, walkways in the library or the circulation of motor vehicles in the parking lot or garage in such a way as to interfere with the safe or efficient operation of the ibrary or the convenience of library patrons.
p. Failing to observe guidelines set out in the Library Internet Access Administration Procedure.
q. The Library cannot accept responsibility for the safety and supervision of minor children. Patrons under 5 years old need a responsible caregiver 12 years or older directly accompanying them while in the library. Patrons ages 6-9 years old need a responsible caregiver 12 years or older in the building with them while in the library. Patrons 10 years old or older do not need to be accompanied by anyone while in the library.
r. Creating unsanitary conditions in library facilities or on library grounds.
s. Engaging in unlawful sexual conduct, including but not limited to: public indecency (as prohibited by ORS 163.465(1)), prostitution (as prohibited by ORS 167.007), luring a minor (as prohibited by ORS 167.057), or displaying obscene materials to minors (as prohibited by ORS 167.080).
t. Destroying, damaging, or defacing library property.
u. Selling or using alcohol or illegal drugs as listed in Schedules I-V of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 812.
v. Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other library patrons, volunteers, or staff, including but not limited to loitering, lurking, staring, stalking, invading personal space, offensive touching, use of obscene or abusive, sexually oriented, or racially charged language with the intent to annoy or alarm another person.
w. Possessing a weapon of any kind, except as permitted by ORS 166.370.
x. Engaging in any activities prohibited by law.
Responsibility
The Library Director or the Director's designee will implement these rules. Unlawful activities will be reported to a local law enforcement agency. People who violate rules a. through r. will be asked to stop such actions. If the behavior continues, they will be excluded from the library for the day. Exclusion from the library applies to all library locations and grounds.
Refusal to leave when lawfully ordered to may result in a formal trespass, which can lead to arrest. When people violate rules s. through x., law enforcement will be contacted immediately.
A person who violates these rules may be asked to leave Library premises. In addition, a person who violates these rules may be excluded from all Library locations and lose all library privileges, including access to library virtual services, regardless of whether the violation occurs on Library premises or occurs when Library services are provided online, over the phone, or outside Library premises.
In some cases, a person will be excluded only until the violation is corrected; in other cases, a person will be excluded for a period of time ranging from one day to multiple years, depending on the reason for the exclusion. For example, if a violation involves threatening behavior or behavior that is significantly disruptive, then a person may be excluded for a longer period. In addition, people who violate any library rule after having been excluded for one or more library rule violations may face a longer exclusion. Patrons need not violate the same rule to be subject to stricter enforcement and may not be warned that their behavior is inappropriate before being excluded.
The off-site services that may be provided to the excluded individual will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the severity and nature of the violations.
Exclusions of longer than one day are given by the Library Director or their designee in writing, either in person or via mail. Failure to provide written notice is not a basis for a person who has been given oral instructions not to enter a service point for a period of time to enter. A person excluded from the library may have additional conditions they have to meet prior to being allowed to return to the library.
If a child has been left unattended in the library, staff will attempt to locate the caregiver. If the caregiver cannot be located, or if the library is closing, law enforcement will be notified.
Appeal
People who have received an exclusion notice may request a hearing.
The request must be in writing and mailed to the Corvallis Public Library or emailed directly to the Library Director. Exact appeal instructions are provided on Suspension of Library Privilege letters.
The Library Director will schedule a hearing, which will not be more than one week after receipt of the request. The hearing will be informal, and the Library Director will consider testimony from library staff involved in the incident, from the person requesting the hearing, and from any other witnesses to the incident.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Library Director may affirm, modify, or cause the notice to be canceled. A written copy of the decision will be delivered, mailed or e-mailed to the person requesting the hearing on the date issued.
This decision may be appealed to the City Manager of Corvallis or the City Manager's designee.
Suspension of Library Privileges Reconsideration Requests
Anyone who has been suspended from the library for more than one month may request to have their suspension reconsidered (“reconsideration request”) at any time, except that a person may not submit more than one reconsideration request per calendar year. This reconsideration request must be in writing, and must be provided via physical mail or email to the Library Director. The reconsideration request must include an explanation of why the suspension should be revoked and state their intent to abide by the Code of Conduct while visiting the library in the future. The Library Director or their designee will approve or deny the reconsideration request and notify the requester of their decision in writing within one week.
This decision is final and may not be appealed to the City Manager of Corvallis.
Definitions
Library: Unless otherwise noted, “library” refers to all library locations within the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library system.
Service Animals: The Library follows state and federal laws governing service animals. By law, service animals are generally defined as trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability; the legal definition of service animal does not include animals providing only emotional support or comfort.
Review/Update
The Library Director will prepare this Administrative Procedure for review as necessary for City Manager approval.
Last reviewed: 12-2024
