Code of Conduct Policy

The Grand County Public Library has an obligation to the community to maintain a safe and appropriate environment that allows all patrons to use library facilities to the fullest extent during regularly scheduled hours. Library patrons are expected to use the Library, including its facilities, grounds, resources and materials, in a respectful, appropriate, and courteous manner.

Persons who fail to follow the Library Code of Conduct, depending upon the severity of the offense, may be given a verbal warning, suspended from utilizing Library privileges, suspended from entering Library property for a specified time period, and/or face legal action.  Repetitive violations could mean permanent suspension from Library privileges and/or property.  

Instances of inappropriate use of the Library include:

Any behavior which is prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

Engaging in any behavior that jeopardizes the health, safety, or well-being of patrons, volunteers, or staff.

Making violent or threatening statements.

Brandishing, displaying, or exhibiting weapons or any other item in a threatening manner.

Possession, use, or consumption of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or tobacco within a 25-foot perimeter of an outside door.

Destroying, damaging, defacing or vandalizing Library property on or off Library premises.

Sexual misconduct: exposure, offensive touching, verbal comments, or unwanted sexual advances to patrons, volunteers, or staff. Indecent exposure, harassment, displaying pornography or materials harmful to minors.

Disruptive or unsafe behavior: use of profanity, running, throwing things, hitting, pushing or shoving.

Verbal abuse: usage of language, words, expressions, gestures or other behavior that is intimidating, abusive, or demonstrates a lack of civility to others.

Obstructing passageways, blocking access to the Library or any part of the Library.

Access to staff areas unless accompanied by a library employee.

Unreasonable use of restrooms, including laundering, bathing, and shaving.

Soliciting, panhandling, or selling on Library property or distributing materials at the Library without prior approval. Soliciting signatures on a petition is allowed outside the Library. Petitioners may not impede access to the Library or alarm, annoy, or harass another patron, volunteer, or staff member. Petitions left unattended will be discarded.

Inappropriate attire or poor hygiene: failure to wear appropriate attire including shoes, posing a health, safety or sanitary risk or having bodily hygiene that detracts from the use of the Library by others or damages Library property. 

Using a personal device at a volume level that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library.

Disobeying the reasonable direction of a Library staff member.

Any questionable behavior or actions not listed above will be left to the discretion of the Library director or designee for review and action.

The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended. Personal items left by patrons are subject to disposal or may be turned over to law enforcement. 

Unattended Children

A child of insufficient age and maturity or incapable of appropriate behavior must have a parent or caregiver within sight.  A caregiver must be able to monitor the child’s behavior and ensure compliance with Library policy on behavior.

If a child of insufficient age and maturity or incapable of appropriate behavior is unattended at the Library, the children’s room staff will make a reasonable attempt to notify a parent/legal guardian.  When the parent/legal guardian is located, s/he will be informed of the Library policy and asked to either join the child at the library or to pick the child up immediately.

Children of sufficient age and maturity or capable of appropriate behavior may use the Library on their own. However, parents/legal guardians are still responsible for the actions and well-being of their child(ren).  Children exhibiting inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the Library.  If a child is not able to leave the Library unsupervised, s/he should not be in the library alone. 

Appeals Process

Any person who is asked to leave the Library as a result of the violation of these guidelines and refuses to do so shall be considered to be trespassing and may be subject to permanent suspension from the Library and/or arrest. Any patron who has been suspended from the Library or denied library privileges by the Library Director can submit a written appeal within 30 days of receiving the Library Director’s decision.  The appeal will be reviewed by the Grand County Public Library Board of Directors at their next regularly scheduled meeting. 

Adopted by the Grand County Public Library Board of Directors on July 10, 2003 and reviewed/revised on: 9/19/2007, 7/9/2008, 1/21/2009, 6/16/2010, 5/17/2012, 8/8/2013, 4/17/2014, 3/12/2015, 7/14/2016, 7/13/2017, 6/25/2019, 11/10/2022, and 5/24/2023.