Rules of Conduct

1. Alcohol and illegal drugs: Consumption of alcohol or being under the influence of illegal drugs including, but not limited to, drinking alcohol, consuming marijuana or marijuana products and/or injecting drugs.
2. Animals: Animals are not allowed, except, for service animals individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). No other animals are permitted.
3. Beverages and Food: Open containers of beverages are not allowed, e.g., open cans, cups without lids, etc. All drinks must be in a closed container. Food is not allowed in the library unless it is part of a library program.
4. Cell Phones: Keep cell phone conversations brief and in a manner that does not disrupt others. Library staff will direct patrons to take their call outside, if the conversation reaches a noise level that a reasonable person would find disruptive.
5. Clothes and Footwear: Clothing covering the upper and lower body and shoes are required at all times in the library.
6. Furniture and Property: Use the library’s facilities, materials and furnishings as intended. Do not monopolize the space of others by using additional chairs, tables, etc. for your personal use. Rearranging furniture is not permitted.
7. Harassment: Patrons shall not harass or annoy others through noisy activities, follow another person about the library, play audio equipment so that others can hear it, sing or talk loudly, use profanity, loud abusive threatening language or behave in a manner that a reasonable person would find to be disruptive.
8. Health and Hygiene: Open sores or wounds must be wrapped or bandaged before entering the library. Performing hygiene activities (e.g., combing hair, cutting fingernails/toe nails etc.) are not allowed in any public space. Defecating or urinating on Library property, other than a restroom, is prohibited.
9. Large Objects: Personal items must not take up seating or space needed by others nor block or interrupt the flow of traffic, especially at entrance areas, aisles, doorway, etc. Objects must fit upright under tables or chairs. No sleeping bags, bedrolls, luggage, wagons, and shopping carts are allowed.
10. Littering: Littering including but not limited to, discarding trash in places other than designated trash cans and leaving or discarding needles; vandalizing equipment or facilities, destroying, defacing library materials, and any behavior or action that is a violation of federal, state, local or any other applicable law.
11. Offensive Odors: Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons shall be required to leave the building.
12. Restrooms: Using public restrooms for purposes other than intended, including but not limited to bathing, shaving, doing laundry, is prohibited.
13. Personal Possessions: The Library does not assume liability for any personal property brought into the premises and does not provide storage of personal property.
14. Photography and Recording: We respect the rights and privacy of all our library customers. Recording, photographing, or filming persons in the library or on library property for commercial use or professional without prior consent from library staff is prohibited. Library staff can end photography or filming if it's a safety or security concern.
15. Security Gates: Visitors must pass through the library security gates when entering/leaving the library. All backpacks, book bags, purses, etc., are subject to inspection if the security alarm goes off.
16. Selling: Selling any items, unless it is part of an approved library program, panhandling or soliciting money from patrons of the library or library staff, is prohibited.
17. Sexual Misconduct: Patrons are prohibited from engaging in sexual misconduct or harassment, indecent exposure, explicit public displays of affection, viewing or printing illegal materials such as child pornography and other similar actions.
18. Sleeping: Sleeping on library property is prohibited.
19. Smoking: Smoking of any type or using/displaying tobacco products, marijuana, vapor/vape pens or cigarette products in the library or on library property within 20 feet of an entrance is not allowed.
20. Trespassing: Including, but not limited to, unauthorized presence in areas designated as private or for staff only and/or entering or remaining inside library facilities before or after posted hours of operation.
21. Unattended Items: Unattended items that prevent other patrons or staff from using library space, furniture, electrical outlets, or equipment, will be removed by library staff. Library patrons must keep personal belongings with them at all times. Unclaimed items left in the library may be discarded.
22. Weapons and Other Devices: Possession of a weapon, including but not limited to a firearm, is not allowed inside the library (except law enforcement or individuals licensed to carry a firearm in accordance with federal or state law). The use of incendiary devices, such as candles, matches, and lighters, is prohibited inside the library.
23. Wheeled Objects: Shopping carts, bicycles, and similar wheeled items are not permitted inside the library (Exception: wheelchairs, strollers with infants, and walkers.) Riding skateboards, scooters, or other mobile device is not allowed.

Children

Leaving children under the age of eleven (11) years old or adults requiring supervision alone and unattended in the library, except for library programming with the consent of library staff, is prohibited. The library is not responsible for children who are left unattended in the library or on the grounds of the library.

Children twelve years of age or older may be in the library unaccompanied.

The children’s area is available for use by children and their accompanying adults, and by adults requiring access to the collection for study or work. Adults that are not accompanying children and do not require immediate access to children’s materials will be asked to relocate to another section of the library, regardless of the time of day, presence or absence of other children, or activity level in the room.

Enforcement

Violation of any of the Rules of Conduct may result in exclusion from the Library premises for the remainder of the day.

Repeated or severe incidents may result in a more extended loss of privileges. While a violation of these Rules of Conduct may not constitute criminal conduct, criminal charges may be filed, when appropriate, against anyone who disobeys an order. The City may issue suspensions or take any other action which excludes or suspends any Library patron from the Library as a result of their violation of the Rules of Conduct.

Additionally, the City of Commerce Public Library will uphold all state, federal and local laws and ordinances with regard to public behavior. Assistance from the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will be requested as needed.

These Rules of Conduct were written in consultation with the Commerce City Attorney.

Download a PDF copy of the Rules of Conduct policy.

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