Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library is committed to providing a secure and supportive environment for use of its resources and services. To achieve this, the Library has established standards of behavior. To consistently enforce these standards of behavior, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library has established policies outlining specific violations and consequences for inappropriate behavior on Library premises. The Standards of Library Behavior is a three-part policy designed to:
- Protect the rights and safety of Library customers
- Protect the rights and safety of Library employees
- Protect and preserve the resources, facilities and property of the Library.
Definition & Scope
The Standards of Library Behavior applies to all persons using Library facilities, interior and exterior, controlled and operated by Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. Such facilities and grounds are referred to in this document as “premises." Persons who violate this policy may be asked to leave the premises and may be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed on the charts on this poster.
Subject to the discretion of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (CHPL), consequences for non-violent violations prohibited by the Standards of Library Behavior may be eligible for relief under the Library's Restorative Practices Program.
Library Policy Violations
Persons who violate these policies will be asked to leave the premises and will be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed below. All offenses committed within 365 days of the first violation are subject to the increased suspension length based on the chart below. If no additional violations, this includes all categories of violations, are committed within the 365-day period, any subsequent violation resets the date of the first offense. Suspension lengths will only be calculated based on offenses within a 365-day period.
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | 4th Offense | |
| 1 | Non-compliance of the Library's Internet Use Policy. | Warning | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year |
| 2 | Improper use or destruction of Library resources, including, but not limited to:
|
Warning | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year |
Category 1: Behavioral Violations
Category 1 violations are for behaviors that are problematic, but are recognized by the Library as less serious than Category 2 violations. Persons who commit these violations will be asked to leave the premises and will be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed below, commencing from the date of the latest offense. All offenses committed within 365 days of the first violation are subject to the increased suspension length based on the chart below. If no additional violations, this includes all categories of violations, are committed within the 365-day period, any subsequent violation resets the date of the first offense. Suspension lengths will only be calculated based on offenses within a 365-day period.
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | 4th Offense | |
| 1 | Conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library including, but not limited to: loud voices, or use of personal electronic equipment (stereos, televisions, cellular devices, etc.) at a volume that disturbs others, use of profane, obscene, abusive language, which may reasonably create an intimidating or hostile environment. | Warning/Leave building to correct problem | 1 Month | 3 Months | 6 Months |
| 2 | Bringing animals inside the Library with the exception of service animals or as allowed at a Library approved event. | Warning/Leave building to correct problem | 1 Month | 3 Months | 6 Months |
| 3 | Use or sale of smoking, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes or similar devices on library property. OR Use or sale of smoking, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes or similar devices inside of any library buildings or within 25 feet of an entrance to a library building. | Warning/Leave building to correct problem | 1 Month | 3 Months | 6 Months |
| 4 | Improper petitioning and distributing non-Library approved materials on Library premises, including interior spaces, parking lots, and sidewalks or other exterior areas that are under Library control. | Warning/Leave building to correct problem | 1 Month | 3 Months | 6 Months |
| 5 | Consumption of food or drink at public computers or outside of areas deemed acceptable by the Library. | Warning/Leave building to correct problem | 1 Month | 3 Months | 6 Months |
| 6 | Interfering with access, egress or use of Library facilities or resources by placement of objects or by use of wheeled devices including, but not limited to, shopping carts, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades or moving equipment (exceptions include wheelchairs, walkers, strollers with child). | Warning/Leave building to correct problem | 1 Month | 3 Months | 6 Months |
| 7 | Posing a threat to the safety of persons or property through possession of excessive personal items, luggage and bags; the combined volume of all personal luggage and bags is not to exceed 5 cubic feet | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem |
| 8 | Sleeping in or on Library premises. | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem |
| 9 | Entering the Library wearing improper attire, including, but not limited to: no shoes or no shirt. | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem |
| 10 | Offensive and pervasive odor; visible presence of pests on person, belongings or Library materials. | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem |
| 11 | Failure to comply with applicable health and safety regulations as mandated or recommended by federal, state or local health officials and/or those in effect per the Library. | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem | Leave building to correct problem |
Category 2: Behavioral Violations
Category 2 violations are reserved for behaviors that the Library has deemed serious. These determinations are made at the sole discretion of Library staff and are reserved for serious behavior issues. Persons who commit these violations will be asked to leave the premises and will be suspended from all Library premises for the periods listed below, unless the Library determines that the behavior warrants bypassing the progressive suspension lengths, e.g. a 1st offense may be increased to a 3rd offense. All offenses committed within 365 days of the first violation are subject to the increased suspension length based on the chart below. If no additional violations, this includes all categories of violations, are committed within the 365-day period, any subsequent violation resets the date of the first offense. Suspension lengths will only be calculated based on offenses within a 365-day period.
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | Additional Offenses |
|
| 1 | Gambling or soliciting money on property. | 3 Months |
6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 2 | Harassing customers or staff. Deliberate repeated behavior that is intimidating, hostile, offensive, or adversely impacts staff work perfor-mance. This includes aggressive and unwelcome conduct and/or unwelcome comments of a romantic or sexual nature, such as but not limited to requests for personal information and photographing or video recording without consent. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 3 | Possessing weapons, dangerous ordnance, explosive devices. Violation of state, local and posted weapons regulations. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 4 | Trespassing on library property or any area under library control. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 5 | Theft of, or significant damage to, personal or library property. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 6 | Possession of drugs or alcohol. Actively distributing drugs or alcohol. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 7 | Engaging in or soliciting any sexual act. Indecent exposure. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 8 | Fighting, challenging someone to a fight, physical abuse or assault. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
| 9 | Behavior that staff deem to be a serious threat to the safety of Library customers or employees. | 3 Months | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 additional year for every additional violation beyond a 3rd offense |
Updated 5/17/21
