Statement of Purpose

Fairmount Community Library (FCL) ensures equal and open access for all users, irrespective of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, disability, political affiliation, and/or housing/socioeconomic standing. Our commitment is to provide a welcoming environment where everyone can freely enjoy library resources, services, and facilities without discrimination.

The patron conduct policy is crafted to cultivate a courteous and respectful atmosphere among patrons and volunteers, fostering a space where all can utilize and appreciate the library. FCL reserves the right to expel and/or suspend individuals from library facilities if their behavior contributes to a disruptive, unsafe, or unwelcoming environment, interferes with another patron's ability to use and enjoy the library, or impedes a volunteer's capacity to perform their duties. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and inclusive space for all members of our community.

Responsibility 

Fairmount Community Library board

Scope

All persons who utilize library services or visit library facilities, including library grounds; a patron or volunteer of Fairmount Community Library. 

Guidelines  

  1. Expected Behavior

To ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons and volunteers, library patrons are expected to: 

  • Attend to their personal belongings. The library is not responsible for personal belongings left in or on library property. 

  • Allow volunteers to look in bags in case of security or safety concerns. 

  • Enjoy food or drink responsibly while in the library.

    • Keep food and drinks away from computers. 

    • Use re-closable, spill resistant containers for drinks when possible.

    • Clean up and properly dispose of any food or drink when done. 

  • Wear appropriate clothing that is needed to cover private areas as well as for safety and public health reasons. 

  • Use public restroom for intended purposes only.

  • Stay out of non-public areas, such as behind volunteer desk, inside FCL cabinets, closets, mini fridge or other storage areas, unless authorized by an FCL volunteer. 

  • Follow verbal and written instructions provided by volunteers and/or public safety personnel during an emergency, including situations of safety, public health and evacuations. 

  • Adhere to all relevant City policies, regulations, and federal, state, and local laws. 

  • Refrain from intentional loud, unsafe, or disruptive behaviors that affect the use and enjoyment of library services, resources and facilities by other patrons. 

        2.  Prohibited Behavior

               In addition to illegal activity, the following library patrons’ actions and behaviors are considered inappropriate and disruptive of library operations and thus prohibited:

  • Disruptive or unsafe behavior including, but not limited to, creating noise, invading others’ personal space, blocking walkways, aisles or volunteer areas, using vulgar or profane language or gestures, running or rough-housing, harming oneself or others, and accessing volunteer-only areas without permission. 

  • Possession of weapons

  • Possession of any illegal substance.

  • Use of alcohol except where approved by the Library board for pre-authorized events. Consumption of alcohol may only be by those with 21+ that can provide proof of age. 

  • Intoxication, whether by alcohol or other substance, that is deemed unsafe by volunteers and/or resulting in disruptive behavior. Such disruptive behavior includes: being unaware of surroundings, placing anyone at risk of injury, invading others' personal space, and the inability to follow simple instructions.

  • Intentional physical damage to library property or to the personal property of any other patron or volunteer. 

  • Use of library technology devices or networks for illegal, obscene, violent, and/or otherwise inappropriate activity. 

  • Sleeping in the library or on library grounds.  

  • Smoking, vaping, or any use of smokeless tobacco products in library facilities, near library entrances, or in any other prohibited areas on library grounds.

  • Bringing animals, other than service animals, into the library buildings is prohibited. All service animals must be attended, controlled, and be on a leash. This prohibition does not apply to pets and animals brought for pre-approved Library programming. All animals allowed on library grounds must be attended, controlled, and on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed into library buildings or outreach vehicles, with specific exceptions for certain library programs and when a library is used as a warming or cooling center. Animal owners are responsible for ensuring their animal is under control at all times and are responsible for any damage or destruction caused by such animal.

  • Intentionally taking photographs or videos of library users without their permission. 

  • Bringing items into the library locations or onto library grounds that present a safety hazard or security concern. Such items include, but are not limited to, hazardous materials, large items that impede safe access to walkways or other areas, and items that are loose and not self-contained. 

  • Bullying, harassment and cyber-bullying or the abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger or more powerful is prohibited. 

  • Harassment, sexual harassment, intimidation, or unwelcomed behavior toward volunteers or users of a verbal, nonverbal, electronic, or physical nature including but not limited to physical and/or digital stalking, touching, making inappropriate comments about clothing/body, asking personal questions, using pet names, asking volunteers for personal liaisons, and/or not respecting requests to discontinue unwelcome behaviors.

  3.  Library Response to Policy Violations

Any person who violates the Patron Code of Conduct Policy may be asked to leave the library building and grounds for the rest of the day and/or suspended for up to three years. The length of suspension is at the discretion of the Librarian or Person in Charge at the library location and will be appropriate to the infraction. 

  • The person suspended shall be verbally informed of the suspension by Fairmount Community Library board member or authorized volunteer. The person shall be provided with a copy of the Patron Code of Conduct Policy and supplemental documents, if necessary. 

  • The person suspended may appeal the suspension to the Fairmount Community Library board by emailing fairmountcommunitylibraryfw@gmail.com. In an appeal, the person suspended shall have an opportunity to present evidence that may support retraction of the suspension. The FCL Board will review any evidence submitted during an appeal and vote to uphold or retract the suspension. 

  • A suspension from Fairmount Community Library will include all library grounds: front of library up to public sidewalk, side alleyway alongside library building/gate, back patio, and inside the library including any sublet spaces within the library. 

  • If the person suspended returns to the library before the defined time period has expired, or if they refuse to leave the library when asked to do so, library staff may call the police to have the person removed and prosecuted for criminal trespass. 

  • A suspension from Fairmount Community Library will apply to all library events hosted off-site as well.  

Definitions

Intended Use of Public Restrooms -  Urination and defecation in proper receptacles, washing and drying of hands, and discarding used sanitary or diapering supplies in provided disposal receptacles

Library Grounds - Front of library up to public sidewalk, side alleyway alongside library building/gate, back patio, and inside the library including any sublet spaces within the library. 

Library Locations - Sites where library services are being provided whether permanently or temporarily, in person or virtually.

Library Volunteer - Those who officially volunteer for the Fairmount Community Library. 

Library User or Patron - Person who utilizes library services or visits library facilities, including library grounds; a patron of the Fairmount Community Library.

Non-Public Areas - Areas of a library facility which are not open to public access including volunteer-only work areas, cabinets, mini-fridges, supply closets, and mechanical rooms.

Patron Conduct - Behavior expected by library users while on library property.