Customer Code of Conduct

The Wichita Public Library welcomes all community members to enjoy library service. In order to manage public spaces, a code of conduct is in place to provide a safe and pleasant environment for its customers. This Code is applicable to all Library property.

Serious Offenses

No person shall engage in any conduct that violates federal/state statutes or local ordinances or that creates a safety threat to other people, including but not restricted to the following:

• Threatening, physically harming, or interfering with staff or customers
• Stealing Library materials
• Damaging, defacing or destroying library property, or disrupting Library services
• Bringing an explosive or dangerous biological or chemical agent into the Library
• Bringing guns, knives or other weapons into the Library in any manner other than as allowed by local ordinance or state statute
• Illegal use of controlled substances and possession of controlled substances, paraphernalia or simulated controlled substances
• Unauthorized consumption of alcoholic beverages on Library grounds
• Gross behavior in public such as urinating, defecating, exposing of genitals, etc.
• Engaging in disruptive or disorderly behavior
• Trespassing, refusing to leave the Library when ordered to do so by the Librarian-in-Charge or security officer
• Leaving a child age seven or under unattended in the library without supervision
• Smoking or tobacco use in the library, including the use of electronic cigarettes or vape pens

When a customer is observed engaging in illegal conduct, the police will be contacted. In addition to any court-imposed penalty the customer may be temporarily or permanently banned.

Unacceptable Behavior

The following behavior by a member of the public is not allowed in Library facilities as it disrupts the smooth and proper functioning of the Library:

• Disregarding instructions issued by Library staff
• Use of profanity, abusive or intimidating language or gestures to other customers or staff members
• Behavior that is willfully annoying, harassing, or threatening to another person, including, but not limited to, staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, following another person about the building with the intent to annoy that person, or displaying print or non-print materials of an offensive nature to others or by behaving in a manner that can be reasonably expected to disturb others
• Speaking at volumes that are unnecessarily too loud or making other loud noises that are disruptive to the work of other customers, including, but not limited to, singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues
• Failing to obtain permissions from persons being filmed or photographed
• Sleeping
• Regularly remaining in the library after its closing time
• Playing audio equipment so that others can hear it
• Eating or drinking in areas of the library where food or beverages are not allowed
• Drinking beverages from containers without lids
• Bringing animals into the library, except for service animals as defined under ADA regulations, and only when required as an ADA accommodation
• Bringing a service animal that has previously exhibited unacceptable behavior or been uncontrolled by its handler
• Bringing vehicles into the library, except as required as an ADA accommodation
• Interfering with others' use of the Library through poor personal hygiene or excessive body odor/perfume/cologne
• Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, canvassing, or surveying customers or staff inside library facilities.
• Being attired inappropriately for a public place/space or in a way that disrupts Library use.
• Misusing the restrooms (including use of the restrooms for changing clothes, graffiti, or bathing)
• Interfering with, obstructing or blocking free passage on library premises
• Parking a bicycle, wheeled conveyance, shopping carts or other wheeled cart in any area other than at a designated bicycle rack
• Littering
• Leaving personal items unattended on library grounds
• Bringing in personal belongings that cannot reasonably fit beneath a chair or table. Failing to keep personal belongings to oneself or bringing in excessive amounts of belongings that impede others' use of the library (The Library is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Library premises shall not be used for storage of personal belongings. Items left unattended are subject to removal and discard.)
• Any behavior or activity which disrupts use of the Library

All items brought into the Library are subject to inspection.

Customers observed behaving in ways identified as unacceptable in this code of conduct will be instructed to cease the behavior or leave the library. Failure to observe these rules by refusing to change conduct when asked will result in loss of Library privileges, including the right to visit Library facilities and grounds. Banning will vary based on the circumstances of the offense.

Permanent or long-term banning for serious offenses and unacceptable behavior must be authorized by the Director of Libraries or his/her designee and will be used when attempts to correct unacceptable behavior have failed or serious offenses have occurred. All bans may be appealed pursuant to CUS-002.

CUS-001

Unattended Children

Every child's visit to the Library will be an enjoyable and safe experience. For the safety of the child, parents/legal guardians and caregivers should realize that Library personnel are not responsible for small children. Children under seven years of age may not be left unattended in the library. Older siblings under 12 years of age are not acceptable substitutes for legal guardians or caregivers.

If an unattended child under seven cannot locate a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver in the building within fifteen minutes of staff becoming aware of the problem, police will be called.

If an unattended minor under eighteen years of age remains in the Library fifteen minutes past closing, police may be called. Attempts may be made by staff to contact the minor's parent, legal guardian or caregiver prior to calling the police.

CUS-001.1

Suspension of Privileges for Health and Safety Reasons

It is the responsibility of the Wichita Public Library to maintain a healthy and clean environment for all Library users and to protect the City's investment in Library collections, equipment and property. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the Library may restrict a user’s ability to borrow materials and/or to visit Library facilities when such use may jeopardize the health and cleanliness of Library facilities, collections and users.

Examples of situations where borrowing of materials may be suspended include, but are not limited to:

• Evidence that items on loan to a customer may have been returned with insects that are known to be damaging to library materials, or that can result in pest infestations in library facilities, e.g. roaches, silverfish, bed bugs and some types of beetles

Examples of situations where access to Library facilities may be suspended include, but are not limited to:

• Customers or customer possessions with fleas, lice, or bed bugs
• Customers with clothing that is stained with urine or feces

Should it become necessary to suspend Library privileges of a customer in order to protect Library collections, facilities or other users, notification of the suspension will be made by the Director of Libraries, Collection Development Division Manager, or in their absence a designated staff from the Collection Development Division.

Any customer that has privileges suspended under the terms of this policy may request a re-evaluation of the suspension under the terms of the reinstatement of Library privileges policy, CUS-002.

CUS-001.2