Patron Behavior Policy

Sherman Free Library Patron Behavior Policy

Inappropriate behavior would include, but is not limited to:

• Loud, disruptive conversations, including shouting 

• Use of personal electronic equipment at a volume that can be heard by others 

• Use of profane and/or abusive language or gestures

• Engaging in any behavior that the reasonable library user would find to be disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to library users or staff, including stalking, prolonged staring at, or following another with the intent to annoy, or intentionally behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb other patrons 

• Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance 

• Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state or local ordinance 

• Smoking or other use of tobacco anywhere on premises 

• Leaving children under the age of 8 unattended on library premises 

• Engaging in any sexual contact, activities, or conduct 

• Selling, soliciting, surveying, distributing written materials, panhandling or canvassing for any political, charitable or religious purposes inside a library building, doorway or vestibule without prior authorization by the library director 

• Eating, or drinking without staff approval

• Taking or making cell phone calls
• Failure to wear proper attire including shoes and shirts

• Not maintaining an acceptable standard of personal hygiene such as infected clothing, personal effects, or unpleasant body odor that may disrupt other patrons or employees

• Bringing in more than two carryall bags. No bag may be brought into the library that exceeds the size of a standard backpack, briefcase or canvas tote bag. Belongings such as bedding, sleeping bags and changes of clothing may not be brought into the library or stored inside the library 

• Improperly using library restrooms or facilities for purposes such as bathing, shaving, laundering or changing clothes 

• Violating the library’s rules for acceptable use of the internet and public computers 

• Possessing, selling, distributing, displaying, or using any dangerous weapon. A weapon shall include, but not be limited to, a knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle, and any other tool instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury 

• Engaging in any physically intimidating or assault-like behavior, including making any threats of violence or unlawful activities.

• The library has a policy of zero tolerance for threats or acts of violence. Any person engaging in such will be immediately ejected from the library and, at the discretion of staff, trespassed from library property.