The purpose of the Southfield Public Library is to provide library materials and services to the public. The Library is a place to study, read, write, research, and attend programs or meetings. The Library strives to provide a safe and orderly environment for everyone. The Library is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons and staff.
The Library requires that patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of the Library while on Library premises. Those not so engaged shall be required to leave the property. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may serve as grounds for removal from Library property.
The Library reserves the right to evict from Library premises and refuse further admission to any individuals, and/or groups who infringe upon the rights of Library staff or patrons in their proper use of Library facilities, or who create disorder on the premises of the Library so as to interfere with the functions for which the Library was designed, such behaviors include, but are not limited to:
Unattended Children: Children 11 years of age and younger are not to be left unattended in the Library. Children 11 years of age and younger must at all times be attended and supervised by a responsible adult (parent, guardian, other caregiver, age 18 years or older) on Library premises.
Violations of Law: Committing or attempting to commit an activity in violation of state, federal or local law, ordinance or regulation is prohibited including vandalism, theft or endangering the safety of others.
Interference with Staff: Patrons may not interfere with staff members’ performance of duties on Library property. This includes engaging in conversation or behavior that monopolizes the attention of a staff member for an inappropriate period of time; making inappropriate personal comments, sexual advances, harassment of a physical and/or verbal nature; or refusing to comply with staff requests.
Inappropriate Use of the Library Building: Patrons shall not use Library study rooms, meeting rooms, restrooms or any Library property in ways other than for designated purposes. Library premises may not be used for social gatherings, soliciting, laundering, shaving, hair cutting/trimming, bathing, sleeping or sexual activity of any type.
Harassment: Threatening others by staring, photographing, following, stalking, etc. is prohibited.
Hygiene: Offensive body odor due to poor personal hygiene, overpowering perfume, or cologne that causes a nuisance is prohibited.
Noise: Loud, unreasonable, and/or disturbing noises that interfere with other patrons’ use of the Library, or that can be reasonably expected to disturb other persons, including noises from electronic, entertainment, and communication devices, are prohibited. Cell phones and other communication devices should be set to vibrate, not ring. Patrons shall use headphones with all audio equipment. Talking, even in low tones, is prohibited in marked Quiet Zones. All conversations, including phone conversations, are to be kept quiet and short. Persons disrupting others may be asked to relocate, or leave the building.
Examples of PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:
- Disturbing Others
- Loitering
- Sleeping
- Socializing
- Rowdy/Unsafe Behavior
- Profanity
- Soliciting
- More than Four (4) Seated at a Table
- More than Two (2) Seated at a Computer
- Animals (except service animals)
- Visiting Without Shirt and/or Shoes
- Vandalism
- Public Displays of Affection
- Threats/Harassment
- Illegal Activities
- Using Wheeled Recreation Devices
- Violating Library Policies
- Leaving Personal Belongings Unattended
Examples of LIMITED ACTIVITIES:
- Food is limited to the Tower Lobby and Meeting Room.
- Beverages must be covered to be permitted in the Library.
- Children 11 years of age and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Violations: Failure to comply with the Library’s established rules and policies could result in removal from the premises and/or termination of Library privileges, or, when appropriate, violators will be subject to arrest.
Southfield Police Officers will be asked to intervene, if necessary, to stop prohibited activities and behaviors, according to Southfield City Ordinance §9.131A and §9.132.
Suspension: Library staff members may ask violators of the Library’s Policies to leave the premises for the day. This is termed a suspension. These persons may return no earlier than the following day.
Banning and Appeal: Library staff members may also ban persons for repeated and/or serious offenses. A banned patron may not return to the library without the City Librarian’s permission. If they return to the Library without permission the police will be contacted to remove them from the building.
When a person is being banned, they will be given contact information for the City Librarian, who is responsible for reinstating library privileges. It is up to the banned person to contact the City Librarian by phone, mail or email to set up a meeting to discuss the situation and the length of the ban, which may be one week or longer, at the discretion of the City Librarian. At the meeting, banned persons under the age of 19 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. After the meeting, the banned person must leave Library premises until the date that the ban is lifted.
Southfield City Librarian
Southfield Public Library
26300 Evergreen Road
Southfield, MI 48076
Phone: (248) 796-4300
The determination of the City Librarian in a case of a banning may be appealed to the Southfield Public Library Board of Trustees in writing. Written appeals must be filed within 10 days of the City Librarian’s determination. Such appeals will be filed with both the City Librarian and the Library Board President. The Board will hold a hearing within 30 days after the appeal has been filed. The appellant will be notified at least 10 days before the hearing. Failure to appear on the assigned day of the hearing without prior notification to the Library Board President will result in denial of the appeal.
Library Board President
Southfield Public Library
26300 Evergreen Road
Southfield, MI 48076
The President of the Board shall conduct the hearing. At the hearing, the appellant may present evidence to support his/her case.
Within 30 days of the completion of the hearing, the Board shall issue a written decision stating their determination. The Board has the power to affirm or modify the City Librarian’s decision. The decision of the Board shall be final.
Posting: This policy as stated above will be posted in a public area of the Library and on the Southfield Public Library website www.southfieldlibrary.org.
This Library policy is reviewed and modified periodically by the Library Board of Trustees.
Date Approved: April 21, 2009
You must be logged in to post a comment.