GUIDELINES FOR BEHAVIOR

 

The Oakland Public Library seeks to provide materials and services to the public in an environment that is safe, pleasant, and conducive to comfortable library use.

Therefore, Oakland Public Library has adopted the following guidelines for behavior. Library staff members and security guards have been authorized to enforce these regulations. The staff may require a patron to leave the library premises and may call the police for noncompliance with these guidelines for behavior.

The following activities and behaviors ARE PROHIBITED in the building:

1. Weapons and explosives are not allowed on library property.
2. Theft or any other illegal activity.
3. Physically abusing or assaulting other patrons or staff.
4. Use of abusive, threatening, harassing or offensive language.
5. Challenging another person to fight or engaging in any fight.
6. Leaving children under the age of six unattended by a parent or authorized adult.
7. Exposing one’s private parts or engaging in any sexual act or soliciting any sexual act.
8. Cutting, tearing, defacing, breaking, stealing or injuring any library book, materials or property.
9. Presenting offensive and pervasive odor or odors which constitute a nuisance to other patrons or staff.
10. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that one is unable to exercise care for one’s own safety or the safety of others.
11. Creating any unreasonable noise, including loud talking, singing, running, boisterous activity, and the playing of audio equipment of any type, which disturbs other patrons or staff.
12. Eating, drinking or displaying open food or liquid containers, except in designated areas.
13. Monopolizing library space, seating, tables or equipment to the exclusion of other patrons or staff, or obstructing aisles with personal belongings.
14. Sleeping or lying on the floor, tables or chairs.
15. Shaving, bathing or laundering clothes in public restrooms.
16. Riding a bicycle, riding a skateboard, or wearing roller skates/rollerblades.
17. Soliciting or begging for money or other items, or selling any items.
18. Distribution of or posting of any printed material except through authorized library procedures.
19. Bringing any animals (except service animals) into the building.
20. Engaging in any act which clearly disrupts or prevents the normal and intended use of the public library by any other patrons or staff.

PERSONS WHO COMMIT PROHIBITED ACTS MAY BE
EXCLUDED FROM THE LIBRARY OR SUBJECT TO ARREST
AND PROSECUTION.