It is the policy of the Spartanburg County Public Library to offer a full range of library service to all residents of the community, regardless of age, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion, economic status, etc. It is the intent of the Library to provide its services with a minimum of regulations and restrictions, adopting only those which are absolutely essential to the Library's operation.
The Library recognizes that the users of the Library are in fact the owners of the Library. As user-owners, the public has certain expectations of the Library. These include an outstanding collection of library materials; pleasant, attractive surroundings; and courteous, efficient and effective service from the staff.
Library users have a right to assume that visits to the Library will be free from harassment; free from physical discomfort and danger; free from psychological and emotional stress.
The Library staff has basically the same rights. Each member of the staff should be able to do his/her work free of harassment, abuse, discomfort, and undue psychological stress.
The rights of both the public and the staff are sometimes violated by the attitudes and behavior of a very small minority of persons.
It shall therefore be the Policy of the Library Board of Trustees to maintain in the library system a quiet, pleasant environment conducive to serious study as well as casual use. To assure the successful implementation of this policy, the Board considers the following to be unacceptable behavior:

1. Loud conversation or laughter which is disturbing to other users.
2. Obscene, threatening or abusive language.
3. Use of radios, record players, recorders, etc. unless using headphones and that sound is not transmitted to others.
4. *Willful destruction of or damage to any library property.
5. Interfering with the free movement of any person or persons.
6. Bringing animals other than guide or lead dogs into the building.
7. *Consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of illegal drugs and substances on library property, including parking lots and grounds.
8. *Removal of any library property from the building except through established lending procedues.
9. Soliciting or selling of any kind.
10. Distribution of leaflets or posting of notices in areas not authorized for this purpose.
11. Use of library telephones by any person other than library personnel unless approved.
12. Consumption of food or beverages unless in a designated area.
13. *Following staff or users around the building, or other harassing behavior such as staring, or other acts which are harassing, menacing or intimidating in nature.
14. Rearranging of any library furniture or equipment from one location to another.
15. *Engaging in disorderly conduct, committing a nuisance, or unreasonably disturbing and offending library users, fighting.
16. *Carrying weapons of any sort.
17. Entering without authorization, areas not open to the public.
18. Being inappropriately dressed, (normal attire includes shoes and shirt).
19. Sleeping, preaching, speech making, loitering, begging, or other conduct not related to library use.
20. Making unwanted sexual advances towards others or unwanted touching.
21. Having offensive bodily hygiene or soiled clothing which soils Library furniture and property or is offensive with respect to smell.
22. Leaving a child under ten years of age unattended by a responsible person. Revised 6/16/05
23. Leaving any child or young adult (up to age 17) in the Library after closing time.
24. Using of restrooms for activities other than their intended purpose.
25. *Exposing genitals or breasts (except nursing mothers).

*Persons violating items 4, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16, 25 will be reported to the police and will be prosecuted under appropriate statutes.
Persons violating remaining items will be asked to cease. Failure to cease such behavior will result in the offender being ordered from the premises. Those so ordered who refuse to leave will be considered trespassing and the police will be called. Repeat or chronic offenders may be barred from the Library and denied services or privileges.

APPROVED 5/28/92

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