Skip to main content

Unacceptable Library Behavior

Certain behaviors will not be tolerated in the library setting.

We are dedicated to giving everyone, visitor or patron alike, a quality library experience. In order to do that, we need your cooperation. It is expected that persons using the library will conduct themselves in an orderly and respectable manner. Please love our library as much as we do and make it a fun and enjoyable place for everyone to visit.
Please refrain from the behaviors below:

  1. Smoking, chewing, vaping, e-cigarettes are only acceptable if used outside 15 ft. from the library doors.
  2. Bringing knives or other weapons into the library.
  3. Loud or abusive language used inside the library.
  4. Engaging in sexual conduct in person or online on library premises.
  5. Disturbing others with behavior, speech or intimidation--showing unsolicited attention toward other users. .
  6. Bringing dogs or other animals, other than certificated service animal into the library.
  7. Sleeping in the library or on the library premises.
  8. Using the library restrooms for bathing, shaving, or washing hair.
  9. Disturbing others because of offensive body odor.
  10. Using or selling drugs or alcohol inside the library restroom, or inside the library. Remember the library is city property and all rules that apply to city property, including stealing property apply here also.
  11. Viewing or accessing websites and web pages that according the community standards would be categorized as unacceptable.
    We do have filters on all our public access terminals for protection of children according to the Children's Internet Protection Act.
  12. Being unruly, or using profane language to the staff or management. If you have a problem, we will be glad to discuss it privately with you.
  13. Misusing of library property, climbing on shelves, tables or equipment,
  14. Use of cell or pagers will be allowed as long as it does not interfere with others, which shall be determined at the discretion of the Library Staff.
  15. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children while in the library. Children should never be left waiting outside after the library has been closed and the staff has departed. See Safe Child policy. The Library staff is not responsible for the safety, care or supervision of minors of any age at any time, whether in the library or on library premises. Staff may not transport children home or to any other destination under any circumstances.
  16. Disobeying the reasonable direction of library staff members or the Director.
  17. Bringing in large bundles or personal possessions (for example: items too large to fit under a study chair); The library reserves the right to inspect all bags, briefcases, backpacks, containers, books and any similar items.
  18. Bicycles are to be parked in the bike racks provided.
  19. Parking vehicles on library premises for purposes other than official library use. Vehicles parked in violation of their rule may be towed at the owner's expense.
  20. Entering the Library barefooted, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.

Some of the offenses above are minor occurrences, some are extreme, it is the judgment call of library staff which decides between the two options.

In the case of a minor disruption, the patron will receive two (2) verbal warnings.
At the time of a third offense (3), the patron is asked to leave the library for the rest of the day.
For an extreme disruption, one (1) warning will be given, followed by a request to leave the library building on the patron's own accord or under police escort.

Remember, we have CCTV cameras throughout the library and your behavior is being recorded on a daily basis. Groves Police Department may be called for the removal of a patron who fails to comply with a directive to leave or not to enter Library premises. Basically we will file on you if you have to be escorted out by the Groves Police Department and you will most likely not be allowed back in the library in the future.
Procedures for extreme disruption: The staff or Director will complete an incident report or Library Patron Warning (in writing) for every applicable incident. One copy will be sent to the Groves City Manager, one to the Groves Marshal, one to the patron and one kept on file in the Director's office.
Generally, we will do everything we can to make your visit a pleasant one. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, please email the Director.