PURPOSE

Schaumburg Township District Library strives to provide and maintain a high-quality experience for all Library users. All Library patrons must adhere to the Code of Conduct to help us maintain a welcoming atmosphere that supports an educational and safe environment and is applicable to all individuals that visit any of our three locations.

Library users can expect to receive courteous service from staff at all points of contact and will receive a response to inquiries within three business days. Failure to comply with this policy or the reasonable direction of Library staff may result in being asked to leave the Library premises and possible exclusion from the Library.

GUIDELINES

We ask that patrons behave respectfully to staff, each other, and towards Library facilities and equipment. These guidelines include, but are not limited to, the behaviors listed below.

Library Users are asked NOT TO:

GENERAL BEHAVIORS

  • Disrupt or interfere with the normal operation of the Library or disturb Library patrons or staff. This includes rowdiness, running, excessive noise, vandalism, cursing, using threatening language, or other inappropriate behaviors.
  • Harass Library staff or users, including verbal, physical harassment, or abuse.

FACILITY AND PROPERTY USAGE

  • Destroy Library materials by marking, underlining, removing pages, removing theft detection devices, or defacing them.
  • Deface Library property including furnishings, walls, machines, elevators, etc.
  • Tamper with or intentionally damage computer hardware, software, printers, operating systems, or peripheral devices.
  • Use restrooms improperly, including bathing, shaving, washing hair, and doing laundry.

PERSONAL CONDUCT

  • Leave belongings unattended. Briefcases, handbags, backpacks, and other packages are subject to security inspection.
  • Disturb others with offensive body odors to the extent that the use of Library facilities, collections, or services are disrupted.
  • Enter the Library without shoes or appropriate clothing.
  • Consume food within the Library, except where allowed at Library approved events and in authorized designated areas of the Library.
  • Disturb Library staff or users by prolonged or chronic sleeping.
  • Enter the Library with animals, except those used to aid persons with disabilities, as certified by a medical professional or as part of a Library program.

SUBSTANCE USE AND SAFETY

  • Smoke or use tobacco, smokeless tobacco, or marijuana within the Library, its parking lots or other properties, or at Library sponsored events outside of the Library.
  • Possess, sell, distribute, or consume any illegal substances or alcoholic beverages.

SALES FREE ZONE

  • Sell merchandise and services or solicit donations of any kind within the Library building except at Library approved events.
    Note: A not-for-profit organization located in the Schaumburg Township Library District area may apply for approval from the Executive Director to sell merchandise or services. The Library reserves the right to limit the time, place, and manner of the sale of merchandise and services or solicitation of donations.
  • Solicit signatures on petitions within Library buildings.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE

  • Engage in any activity that violates federal, state, local, or other applicable law, ordinance, or regulation.
  • Enter the Library with a firearm.

ENFORCEMENT

  • Enforcement of the Code of Conduct will be applied equitably.
  • Anyone not complying with this Code of Conduct or any other reasonable request of the staff will first be warned by staff and will be advised of the next course of action if the unacceptable behavior continues.
  • Library staff and Public Safety personnel on duty are authorized to direct individuals to leave the Library premises immediately if they continue to violate the Code of Conduct rules after being warned.
  • Anyone may, without prior notice or warning, be removed from the Library premises if his or her presence or conduct is threatening, willfully malicious, or poses an immediate and imminent danger to any person or property.
  • The Library will contact the police department and actively pursue disciplinary action, prosecution, or other legal action when necessary.
  • Violators of the Code of Conduct may be excluded from the Library for a period from one day to one year, or indefinitely determined by the Executive Director, and their Library privileges may be restricted or terminated. In addition, violation of these rules or failure to abide by such exclusion may lead to arrest and criminal prosecution.
  • Any person who is excluded from the Library for a period in excess of one month will be notified in writing by the Executive Director and has the right to appeal by requesting a hearing before the Disciplinary Committee of the Board of Library Trustees.

APPEALS PROCESS

A hearing must be requested by written notice addressed to:

Disciplinary Committee, Board of Trustees, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 South Roselle Road, Schaumburg, Illinois, 60193

Mailed no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the notification of the exclusion was mailed to such person.

The Disciplinary Committee will meet with all parties involved to discuss the event of offense and the Executive Director’s determination of time one is excluded from the Library. The Disciplinary Committee will then make a recommendation to the Board, and the Board’s decision will be final.

All meetings are subject to OMA compliance.

Process for serious and repeat offenses of the Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to:

  • First offense: Banning of one week
  • Second offense: Banning of six months
  • Third offense: Banning of 9 months
  • Fourth offense: Banning of 1 year or longer

The Library reserves the right to make reasonable accommodations to this Code of Conduct.

THIS IS A WELCOMING PLACE

We ask that all patrons behave in a manner consistent with our Code of Conduct. All patrons and staff have the right to utilize and enjoy this space safely.

BE RESPECTFUL

Treat others with respect. Disruptive or abusive actions that interfere with normal Library operations will not be tolerated.

BE CAREFUL

Treat Library materials, spaces, and equipment like you would treat your own things. Use the bathrooms for their intended purpose only.

BE RESPONSIBLE

Don’t leave your valuables unattended. Your personal appearance, conduct, food consumption, and hygiene can affect others, so please be considerate. This is a shared space.

BE COOL

Visitors are here to work, study, read, and connect with others. Please don’t try to sell anything or solicit materials to them while on Library premises.

BE LEGAL

No firearms or illegal activity allowed, nor any consumption of alcohol or drugs – period. It’s not allowed.

BE HAPPY

We strive to inspire a lifetime of learning, personal growth, and community engagement. Talk to us about how we can improve your experience.

ENFORCEMENT

We have the right to enforce our Code of Conduct and ensure a welcoming and safe environment for everyone!

  • We will give an initial warning.
  • We will ask you to leave the building if necessary, and you can return the next day, unless the Executive Director must consider further consequences.
  • We will call the police if necessary.

We appreciate everything you do to encourage a beautiful and peaceful experience for everyone!

Approved by the Schaumburg Township District Library Board of Trustees, November 18, 2024