The Patron Safety and Conduct Policy is designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons and visitors. Persons entering the Jeannette Public Library are expected to refrain from conduct which impedes the normal operation of the library or contributes to an unwelcoming, unclean, or unsafe environment.

The following guidelines have been established by the Jeannette Library Board of Directors to provide direction in regards to patron and visitor safety, security and conduct:

Staff Interaction
• Patrons and visitors will be expected to follow reasonable directives or instructions from library staff members.
• Patrons engaging in illegal, violent or threatening behavior towards staff or other patrons will be asked to immediately leave the premises and the Jeannette Police Department will be notified of the disturbance. Jeannette police may be contacted first if a staff member deems encountering the visitor(s) to be unsafe.
• Staff members are always available to assist patrons. However, due to staff limitations, and the time required by staff members to maintain the operation of the library, assistance requiring an excessive amount of time (more than 30 Minutes) is not possible. Staff will promptly and courteously notify patrons if assistance is not possible due to the duration of the request.

Personal Conduct
• Patrons and visitors who are not actively using library services, studying, reading or reviewing materials for check-out will be asked to leave the library at the discretion of library staff. Loitering of any duration is not permitted in the library.
• Patrons and visitors are asked to refrain from conversations in person or by phone that can be easily overheard by other library patrons and guests.
• Patrons and Visitors are asked to keep device volume at a level that is not easily overheard by other patrons and guests.
• Food is prohibited while in the library. Beverages are only permitted in sealed containers. No drinks of any kind are permitted while using the library’s computers.
• All illegal activity will be promptly referred to the Jeannette Police Department.
• Patrons and visitors with hygiene conditions, including, but not limited to, clothing odor, body odor, lice, bedbugs, etc. that interfere with the use and enjoyment of the library by other library patrons or with the functioning of library staff may be asked to leave the premises.
• All patrons and visitors are responsible for cleaning up their table, computer area, or meeting area prior to leaving the library.
• Shoes must be worn in the library at all times.
• Sleeping (or appearing to be sleeping) in the library is prohibited.
• The use of obscene or abusive language or gestures is strictly prohibited in the library or on library grounds.
• Soliciting, petitioning, or canvassing is strictly prohibited in the library or on library grounds.
• Use of sports equipment, skates, skateboards, or scooters in the library is prohibited.
• Bikes, Electric bikes, etc. must be secured outside of the library in a place that does not obstruct entrance to the library or pose a safety risk to pedestrians or patrons.

Sexual Harassment
Patrons are not permitted to sexually harass other patrons or staff members. Library employees may refuse to assist a patron if they believe that such assistance will require the employee to view printed or computer screen materials that the employee finds to be offensive or interprets as harassment. The library employee must immediately ask a supervisor or co-worker for assistance with the patron’s request. Patrons who harass staff or other patrons will be asked to leave the library and, if appropriate, their behavior will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Internet Policy
Patrons and visitors must adhere to the library’s Internet Policy. A copy of the policy is posted in the library and is also given to patrons when a library card is issued. A copy of the policy may also be provided upon request.

Tobacco and Drug Use
The use of tobacco in the library building or on library grounds is expressly prohibited. This includes the smoking, displaying, or visible carrying of any kind of pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other smoking equipment; using any electronic device that simulates smoking (“vaping”); rolling tobacco; or using smoke free oral tobacco products. Library property is a tobacco-free and electronic cigarette-free environment.

Personal Property
• Patrons are not permitted to leave packages, backpacks or personal belongings unattended. Belongings left unattended or abandoned will be collected by staff and, if not claimed within two weeks, will be discarded, or referred to the Jeannette Police Department. Library Property
• Damaging, defacing, unplugging, or misusing any library materials or property is strictly prohibited. This includes disabling library property, and/or moving, removing or destroying library signage.
• Guests will not relocate or rearrange library furniture beyond repositioning existing seating around tables or use library furniture in ways other than intended by design. Chairs are to be used by one person at a time except in cases of parents or caregivers holding small children on their laps.
• Entrances, exits and aisles in the library must remain free from personal belongings at all times.

Children
• The library is not responsible for children who are left unattended on the premises. The behavior of children is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver.
• Children under the age of 10 must have a parent/caregiver in the immediate vicinity of (and in visual contact with) the child. During a program held in the Children’s Room and/or Meeting Room, the parent/caregiver must remain with the child for the duration of the event.
• The Children’s Room is for use by children from birth through age 12. Parents and caregivers are welcome in the Children’s Room to look through books and DVDs that are available for checkout.

Restrooms
• Patrons and visitors are prohibited from using restrooms for unintended purposes including laundering clothing, washing dishes, bathing, etc.
• Patrons and visitors are discouraged from staying in library restrooms for extended periods of time. Patrons lingering in library restroom facilities will be subject to periodic checks. In the event of prolonged occupancy raising concerns for individual welfare, emergency medical services (EMS) may be summoned as a precautionary measure.
• Patrons and/or visitors causing damage to the restrooms by not adhering to standard restroom etiquette may be prohibited from future use of the facilities.

Weapons
Weapons of any kind are expressly prohibited in the library or on library property.
Staff concerned about the safety of approaching a patron assumed to be armed may refer the matter directly to the Jeannette Police Department without notifying the patron.

Explicit Behavior
• Sexual activity of any kind, including inappropriate public displays of romantic affection will result in immediate expulsion from the library. Library Areas
• Patrons and visitors may not enter or attempt to enter any area of the building or grounds marked as restricted or for staff only.

Policy Enforcement
• The Library Director will apply these guidelines in a fair and equitable manner for the benefit of all. The consequences of misconduct may result in a verbal warning, eviction or loss or restriction of library privileges or prosecution to the full extent of the law. Citations may be issued by police. Parents will be called or notified in writing if a minor (less than 18 years of age) receives a citation.