Library Policies
Patron Behavior Policy

Library Board Policy as of April 13, 2022. Updated July 6, 2023.

Policies > Patron Behavior Policy

The Berlin Peck Memorial Library welcomes everyone to use its collections, services, and facilities. The library is open to patrons of all ages and abilities.

The library is a department of the Town of Berlin and is subject to policies adopted by the Library Board of Trustees. All visitors are required to behave in an orderly and respectful manner and cooperate with library staff to maintain a welcoming, safe, and comfortable environment.

Respect for library users and staff shall always prevail. Library staff are authorized to maintain order and safety within the building.

 

When Using the Library

  1. The Berlin-Peck Memorial Library staff shall have no responsibility for the care, supervision, or entertainment of children.
  2. Covered non-alcoholic beverages are allowed throughout the library. Eating and drinking of uncovered nonalcoholic beverages may be allowed in designated programs and meeting rooms with prior approval of the library.
  3. Animals are not permitted in the building, except for service animals or during a program with prior approval of the library. A service animal, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective, performance of tasks.
  4. Noise and activity should be kept at a level that does not disturb others or interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the library by other library patrons.
  5. The library welcomes visits from local organizations including but not limited to assisted living facilities, schools, and youth programs. Group visits should be prearranged to ensure there is availability of library services including computers, audiovisual materials, meeting space, information services, and circulation. If no arrangement is made in advance, library service will be the same for groups and members of the public. Organizations are responsible for providing chaperones, or otherwise supervising their group as necessary.

 

The following behaviors are prohibited in the library:

  1. Offensive language, behavior, or any form of verbal or physical abuse directed toward other patrons or library staff;
  2. Engaging in or attempting to engage in any activity that would be a violation of federal, state, and local criminal law, statute, or ordinance;
  3. Intentionally damaging, stealing, or vandalizing library property including computers;
  4. Violation of US copyright laws;
  5. Engaging in sexual activities including physical contact, with self or others and sexually harassing comments and activity;
  6. Viewing or displaying images or information that are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors;
  7. Open carry weapons without a CT State Pistol Permit;
  8. Smoking, use of electronic nicotine delivery system, or vaping inside the library or within 50 feet of a library entrance or open window;
  9. Bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, scooters, or other wheeled sports equipment inside the library.
  10. Yelling, running, pushing, fighting, standing on furniture, and moving library furniture without permission from library staff;
  11. Monopolizing library spaces, staff time, or otherwise interfering with others’ access to the library.

 

Consequences for violating Rules 1-11

Patrons who violate our patron behavior policy will be given up to two warnings by staff and may be excluded for one day, one week, one month, or up to one year. Consequences for repeated behavior infractions of the same or similar nature may have cumulative exclusions.

The library reserves the right to immediately exclude patrons who violate our patron behavior policy without warning at the discretion of library staff. Any person engaged in illegal activity may lose all library privileges for up to life and may be reported to law enforcement.

 

Children in the Library

Children under the age of 18 are always welcome in the library. Parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior of their minor children whenever they are in the library or on library property, including the materials they choose to read or view in all formats and on library computers. Compliance with US copyright law and the Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Internet Use Policy is the joint responsibility of the minor and their parent or guardian