402 Main Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 772-1544

librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org

 

INTRODUCTION:
The Greenfield Public Library is a tax-supported community agency which is available to all, regardless of age, residence, race, education, socioeconomic status or religion. Everyone using this facility or seeking assistance in finding materials and information should receive impartial, helpful, and friendly customer service.

There is significant government interest in maintaining a library environment that is conducive to the users' exercise of their constitutionally protected right to receive information. This significant interest authorizes publicly supported libraries to maintain a safe and healthy atmosphere in which library clientele and staff can be free from harassment, intimidation, and threats to their safety and well-being.

The establishment of a set of guidelines for behavior in the library building is necessary to insure the existence of an environment which promotes the use and enjoyment of the library's resources and at the same time protects the public, the staff, the materials and equipment. In order to protect all library users' right of access to library facilities, to insure the safety of users and staff, and to protect library resources and facilities from damage, the library governing authority, in this case the Board of Trustees, may impose reasonable restrictions on the time, place, or manner of library access.

LIBRARY RULES:
The following code of behavior governing the use of the library by the public shall be enforced in order to provide a standard of acceptable behavior:

1. Respect for other library users shall be maintained at all times.
   
2. Disruptive behavior, i.e. destructive or continuing activity by any individual or group of individuals which infringes on other patrons' rights to use the library, shall not be permitted. Examples of such disruptive behavior are listed below. The library staff reserves the right to determine whether other conduct not listed below constitutes "disruptive behavior".
   
   1. Smoking or the use of smokeless tobacco in the library.
      
   2. Use of alcohol and narcotics in the library building or on library grounds.
      
   3. Consuming food or beverages is not allowed, except during library-scheduled events where written permission to serve food and drink has been obtained in advance from the library director.
      
   4. Sleeping in the library or on library grounds.
      
   5. Utilizing personal electronic equipment (examples include, but are not limited to, radios, cassette or CD players, laptop computers, cellular phones, pagers, or personal medical equipment) in such a way that it disturbs other library patrons or interferes with other patrons' use of the library.
      
   6. Shouting, running, pushing, or other rowdy, rambunctious or disruptive behavior.
      
   7. Using abusive, obscene, or profane language in such a manner as to threaten the rights or safety of another person, or infringe on the sensibilities of others.
      
   8. Utilizing the public rest rooms as a laundry or for bathing.
      
3. No person shall take library materials without properly signing them out. Removal of library materials without checking them out is larceny. The library staff reserves the right to inspect the bags or parcels of any patron. In certain cases, the Police Dept. may be called to do this.
   
4. Persons using the Greenfield Room must sign in before entering the Room. Patrons may not bring personal belongings such as briefcases, bags, or handbags, into the Greenfield Room, and may be required to leave personal belongings with the library staff until they leave the building.
   
5. No person shall leave children age eight or younger unattended for any period of time on library premises. Parents or caregivers are always responsible for the supervision and behavior of their children.
   
6. Canvassing, selling, soliciting or distributing materials is prohibited except during library-scheduled events when written permission to do so has been obtained in advance from the library director.
   
7. Improper acts which are subject to prosecution under criminal or civil codes of law are prohibited.
   
8. Destruction or defacement of the library building, property, or library materials is punishable by law.
   
9. Appropriate attire including shirts and shoes must be worn. (Examples of inappropriate footwear include but are not limited to skates, cleats or rollerblades.)
   
10. Patrons shall not use the library telephones to make or receive personal phone calls except in cases of true emergency as determined by the library staff.
    
11. Blocking of entrances or aisles is not permitted. Members of the public must use only authorized entrances, exits and stairways.
    
12. A person may be required to leave the library if their personal hygiene interferes with the orderly operation of the library or with the ability of other patrons to use and/or enjoy the facility.
    
13. Animals, other than guide dogs and service dogs, shall not be brought into the library without the authorization of the library director.
    
14. Patrons are expected to cooperate with staff when closing time is announced. Notice is given to library users approximately 10-15 minutes before closing to provide enough time to check out materials.
    
15. Any person, who in the opinion of the library staff, is engaging in conduct described here as inconsistent with the orderly operation of the library, will be asked to leave and will be expected to do so in an orderly manner.
    
16. Library privileges may be limited by the library director for the following reasons:
    
    1. Damaging library property.
       
    2. Stealing library materials.
       
    3. Threatening or physically harming staff or patrons.
       
    4. Criminal acts committed on the premises or grounds.
       

Adopted 4/3/01 by Library Board of Trustees.