3.30 - Code of Conduct

The mission of the Royal Oak Public Library is to provide opportunities for all to learn, connect, create, and innovate. In keeping with this mission, the Royal Oak Public Library Board of Trustees has the authority to establish and enforce reasonable regulations for patrons of the Library. The following rules for behavior in and around the Library are established by the Library Board in order to ensure that Library property and services are available to everyone on a safe, equitable, and non-discriminatory basis and to ensure the ability of staff members to conduct the business of the Library and to safeguard property of the Library against misuse and/or abuse. This Code of Conduct shall be posted in the Library and made available to patrons who request it.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND PERSONAL SECURITY PROHIBITIONS
In order to ensure that patrons can freely exercise their rights to use the Library safely and securely, the Library Board prohibits the following conduct related to public safety and personal security:

  1. Violation of any local, state or federal laws.
  2. Consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, controlled substances (without a valid prescription), or illegal drugs or substances of any kind.
  3. Unlawful possession of a weapon.
  4. Engaging in sexual acts or behaviors, including but not limited to, exposing oneself or participating in sexually-graphic discussions.
  5. Harassing, intimidating, threatening, stalking, following, making sexual advances, or acting aggressively towards any other patron or Library staff member.
  6. Fighting, provoking a fight, or engaging in any act of violence of any kind.
  7. Damaging or vandalizing any space in or around the Library, including the Library restrooms.
  8. Using profane, obscene, injurious, or abusive language or gestures, including but not limited to slurs based on a person’s race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, or sexual orientation.
  9. Spitting on a Library patron, staff member, or property within the Library.

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND PERSONAL SECURITY PROHIBITIONS
Persons who violate any of the above public safety and personal security prohibitions are subject to the withholding of Library privileges as follows:

  • First Violation: Library privileges are suspended for a minimum of six months, and the police will be called if necessary.
  • Second (and subsequent) Violation(s): Library privileges are suspended for a minimum of one year, and the police will be called immediately.

CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR PROHIBITIONS
To ensure patrons are comfortably able to use Library facilities, the Library prohibits the following conduct, behaviors, and items:

  1. Sleeping on the floor, at a computer station, or in a study room.
  2. Smoking of any kind (including but not limited to e-cigarettes and vaporizer pens) and rolling tobacco or marijuana on Library premises or within 25-feet of any public entrance.
  3. Drinking beverages except for those in spill-resistant containers (i.e., cups with lids or screw tops). Eating or drinking in designated areas is allowed. Patrons are required to dispose of trash properly.
  4. Harassment, staring, photographing, stalking, or otherwise engaging in a manner that can be reasonably expected to disturb staff and patrons. If the violation is of a sufficient severity, the Library may treat such violation as a violation of the public safety and personal security prohibitions.
  5. Loud or boisterous conduct inappropriate to the Library location.
  6. Entering non-public and/or staff areas without permission.
  7. Entering or remaining in the Library without a shirt or shoes.
  8. Placing one’s shoes or feet on any Library furniture.
  9. Soliciting staff or patrons.
  10. Bringing animals of any kind into the Library with the exception of licensed and trained service dogs as defined by Federal and Michigan law or animals as part of a paid library program.  Licensed and trained service miniature ponies as defined by law are allowed only with prior express permission of the Library Director or her designee. Emotional support animals are not permitted inside the Library.
  11. Misuse of the restrooms. Such behavior includes but is not limited to shaving, bathing, hair cutting, hair coloring, and using the restrooms to wash clothes.
  12. Remaining in the Library after closing hours.
  13. Leaving debris or waste anywhere except designated waste receptacles.
  14. Bodily hygiene or odor so offensive as to constitute a nuisance or disturbance to Library patrons or staff.
  15. Violation of the Library internet policy, meeting room policy, and/or facilities policy. If the violation is of a sufficient severity, the Library may treat such violation as a violation of the public safety and personal security prohibitions.
  16. Use of skateboards, rollerblades, wheeled footwear or skates, hoverboards, one-wheels or scooters on Library premises. This includes all ramps and walkways entering the Library.
  17. Spreading out of personal property across Library furniture or on the floor, or in any way that interferes with the use of the Library by other patrons.
  18. Leaving personal property unattended.
  19. Interference with staff’s performance of duties.
  20. Use of library work stations, staff phones and computers without permission.
  21. Installing tables, signs, or structures on library property without permission.
  22. Unauthorized use of library (such as re-entering after suspension).

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATION OF CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR PROHIBITIONS
Persons who violate any of the above behavior and conduct prohibitions are subject to the withholding of Library privileges as follows:

  • First Violation: A warning or suspension of Library privileges for the rest of the day
  • Second Violation: Library privileges suspended for a maximum of one month.
  • Third (and subsequent) Violation(s): Library privileges suspended for a maximum of one year.

REGULATIONS RELATED TO ALL VIOLATIONS

  • The following Library staff members shall have the ability to issue suspensions lasting for the period of one day: The Library Director, any Department Head, Librarians, Municipal Clerks, and Library monitors. The Library Director may authorize any other staff member to issue suspensions. The Library Director shall have sole authority to determine the final length of all suspensions.
  • In the event that a Library patron is suspended for more than one month, the Library Director shall so notify the Library Board. In addition, at the end of each calendar year, the Library Director shall make available to the Library Board a list of all violations that resulted in a suspension.
  • The Library shall create an incident report to be filled out by a staff member related to any incident of discipline. The incident report shall include the time and date of the incident, any witnesses to the incident, the name of the policy violation at issue, any action that was taken immediately by the Library, and whether a police report was filed and/or whether police were called to the Library.
  • Police will be called if the Library believes a crime has been committed.
  • Police will be called when a violator refuses to comply with Library rules and/or ignores the direction of staff members.
  • Police will be called if a violator refuses to show identification.
  • Violators may be photographed by Library security cameras.
  • A violator will have their Library card blocked during any suspension in excess of one day.

RIGHT TO APPEAL AND APPEALS PROCESS
A person may appeal a suspension of more than one month to the Library Board of Trustees.  The appeal must be received in writing within 10 days of the suspension, by sending a letter to the Library Board of Trustees at:

Royal Oak Public Library
222 E 11 Mile Rd.
Royal Oak, MI 48067

Or by using the online form: https://www.romi.gov/FormCenter/Boards-Committees-40/Email-the-Chair-156

Adopted by the Royal Oak Public Library Board on 1/10/95; effective 7/1/95. Revised 6/27/95; 12/14/99; 7/18/00; 8/27/02; 7/27/04; 8/22/06; 10/24/06; 2/27/07; 5/27/08; 9/23/08; 5/25/10; reaffirmed 5/24/2011; revised 5/27/14, revised 5/24/16; revised 9/24/19; revised 3/23/21; revised 5/25/21; revised 12/14/21; revised 12/13/22.