Behavior Policy

The Board of Trustees is responsible for determining the rules of behavior necessary to protect the rights of individuals to use library materials and services, to protect the rights of library employees to conduct library business without interference and to preserve library materials and facilities. The Murphysboro Police will be called when the rights of library staff or patrons are violated. The law gives the Board of Trustees the right “to exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully violates the rules prescribed by the Board.”

The Board of Trustees believe that library patrons have the right to use library materials and services without being disturbed or impeded by other users; that library patrons and employees have the right to an environment that is secure and comfortable; and the library patrons and employees have a right to materials and facilities that are available and in good condition.

The theft, vandalism or mutilation of library property is a violation of Article 16B of the Illinois Library Law. Depending on the value of the material or property, violations of the Article are considered a Class A misdemeanor or a Class 3 felony. All acts of vandalism will be reported to the Murphysboro Police Department and charges will be filed.


Violation of federal, state or local ordinances on library property will be prosecuted.

A. The rules of behavior in the library are listed below, along with the action that will be taken if these rules are violated. In cases in which it is deemed necessary, the Murphysboro Police Department will be called for assistance.

1. Any misconduct that disturbs library users or staff, or that hinders others from using the library or library materials is prohibited.

In the case of minor disruption, the patron receives two warnings; at the third offense, the patron must leave the building for the remainder of the day. Examples of minor disturbances are:

**Conversation or sounds that are above an acceptable noise level or is disturbing to other patrons or library staff

**Cell phone use in the library. All cell phones must be muted upon entrance into the library and all conversations must be held outside the building.

**Playing personal music devices or sounds from laptops/PCs at levels audible to others

**Running in the library

**Loud or boisterous behavior

2. In the case of disturbances that, in the judgment of the library staff, are extreme the offender may receive only one warning or may be ordered to leave the building immediately for the remainder of the day. Examples of extreme behavior are:

**Harassing others, either verbally or through actions. Harassment may include initiating unwanted conversations with other library users or staff, impeding access to the building or an area of the building.

**Use of tobacco products is prohibited in the library.

**Drinking is prohibited at library computers and in the stacks. Securely covered, nonalcoholic drinks are permitted at study tables and lounge chairs only. Spills are to be cleaned up immediately by the patron and staff must be notified of messes that require further attention. All litter shall be disposed of in appropriate trash or recycling receptacles.

**Eating is prohibited in the library. Exceptions include Staff areas, approved groups meeting in the Logan Room, and events sponsored by the Library or Friends of the Library.

**Sleeping is prohibited. The patron will be awakened to ensure that he or she is not ill and notified that sleeping is prohibited.

**Selling for profit or solicitation for charitable purposes is prohibited on library property.

**Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.

**Animals, except aide animals for the handicapped, are not permitted in the library.

**Distribution of leaflets on library property is prohibited. Taking surveys, asking patrons to sign petitions or similar activities are prohibited. Community organizations may submit literature to the library director for approval and display in a designated area.

B. Children under the age of ten years of age may not be left unattended in the library. They must be under the direct supervision of a parent or other adult in the library.

In the case of disturbances in the library by children, the child will be taken to the adult and the adult will be warned to supervise the child. Two warnings will be given. On the third offense, the adult must take the child from the building for the remainder of the day. If no adult is present in the building the parent will be contacted and instructed to come to the library immediately.

The library staff is not responsible for children left at the library at closing. In the event that a child has not been picked up at the close of business the staff will:

1. Try to contact the parent or guardian by phone
2. If unsuccessful the library staff will call the Murphysboro Police Department and the supervision of the child will be turned over to the Police.

C. The library reserves the right to limit the number of people who may sit together. There is a limit of four persons to a table, one person to a study carrel and one person to a chair. There is a limit to one person per computer.

D. The library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended.
Patrons may not leave personal belongings in the library when they leave for lunch, shopping, etc.

E. The library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcases,
packs, etc. for library material. Employees may inspect bags and cases at any time a patron is suspected of concealing library materials for the purpose of stealing or mutilating the material. Anyone found stealing or mutilating library property will be prosecuted.

F. Patrons who cause repeated disturbances in the library will have their
Privileges revoked or restricted.

Adults: Adult patrons who have caused repeated disruptions in the library will be warned that their library privileges will be revoked and they will not be allowed to enter the building if the behavior continues. If these patrons continue to cause disturbances, they will be banned from all library property for one month. If, when their library privileges are reinstated, the disturbance continues, the library will take legal action to bar the individual from library property for a period to be determined by the library,

Minors: Children who have caused repeated disruption in the library will be warned that their library privileges will be restricted if the behavior continues and a letter will be sent to their parents or guardians describing the problems and warning them of the consequences. Minor children who become a continuing disturbance in the library will not be permitted to use the library unless a parent or guardian accompanies the child to the library and supervises the child while in the library. The first time the child’s library privileges are restricted it will be for a period of three months. If disruptive the behavior continues the second restriction will be for one year.

Adopted Nov. 4, 1999
Revised July 7, 2005
Revised August 1, 2019