Behavior Rules Governing the Use of
Oregon City Public Library

The library’s mission is to provide materials and services to all members of the community. The library welcomes everyone to use and enjoy its facilities and services. To this end, the library adopts the following behavior rules to advance its mission, to protect the rights and safety of library patrons and staff members, and to preserve and protect the library’s materials, facilities, and property.

As part of their regular duties, library staff members are required to speak to those who are not following the Behavior Rules. The goal of these rules is to help everyone have an enjoyable and successful library visit.

The following conduct is prohibited on library property:

1. Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal or state criminal statutes or city ordinance.
2. Directing a specific threat of physical harm against an individual, group, or property.
3. Being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance or selling, using, distributing, or possessing alcohol or controlled substance. Controlled substance is defined in ORS 475.005. Alcoholic beverages are allowed only at library-approved events.
4. Engaging in sexual conduct, as defined under ORS 167.060, including but not limited to indecent exposure or physical contact through clothing for sexual gratification.
5. Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the library, or disturbs library staff or patrons, including, but not limited to, conduct that involves the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior.
6. Using Library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures, or building in a manner inconsistent with customary use; or in a destructive, abusive, or potentially damaging manner.
7. Disobeying the reasonable direction of a library staff member.
8. Soliciting, petitioning, distributing written materials, conducting surveys, or canvassing inside the library building, or in a manner that unreasonably interferes with or impedes access to the library.
9. Entering or remaining on the premises after posted closing hours other than authorized by staff.
10. Bringing bicycles, grocery carts, or other similar equipment inside the library building, or interfering with free passage into and in the library.
11. Operating bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, or other similar equipment in or on library premises.
12. Smoking, chewing, or other tobacco use in library facilities.
13. Parking vehicles on library premises for purposes other than library use. Vehicles parked in violation of this rule may be towed at the owner’s expense.
14. Bringing in and consuming food or drink, except non-alcoholic beverages in closed or re-sealable containers.
15. Bringing pets or animals, into the Library, except for assistance animals as defined in ORS 346.680 or dog guides as defined in ORS 346.610, or except as allowed in order to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act or as allowed at a library approved event. Tethering animals near the front entrance of the library is prohibited.
16. Violating the posted Computer Use Policy.
17. Sleeping in the library.
18. Improperly using library restrooms, including, but not limited to, bathing, washing hair, or doing laundry.
19. Using personal electronic equipment at a volume that disturbs others, including but not limited to cell phones, CD players, personal televisions, and pagers.
20. Leaving one or more children under the age of 8, who reasonably appear to be unsupervised or unattended anywhere in or on library premises. Children under the age of 8 must be with an adult at ALL times. See Oregon City Public Library Policy on Unattended Children.
21. Entering the Library barefooted, or without a shirt, or with offensive body odor or personal hygiene.

Please note that as part of their regular duties, library staff members are required to speak to those in need of a reminder of these guidelines. Please keep in mind that our goal is to help everyone have an enjoyable and successful library visit.

Library Management and the Library Board

Posted December 3, 2010