Mulberry Public Library Code of Conduct

Patron Responsibility and Conduct

Code of Conduct

The City of Mulberry has established policies to govern the usage of the library in order to provide an atmosphere conductive to the appropriate use of its services and facilities. These rules for conduct shall apply to all programs in the library and during outreach programs, building’s interior and exterior, and the grounds surrounding the library building controlled and operated by the City of Mulberry.

LIBRARY USERS SHALL

  • Engage in activities associated with the use of a public library.
  • Be courteous and respect the rights of other patrons and staff.

LIBRARY USERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIORS

  • Willful abuse, vandalism, or theft of library material, equipment, or property.
  • Harassing, intimidating, bullying, stalking or prolonged staring at patrons or staff
  • Loud, coarse, or disruptive behavior or language.
  • Carrying weapons of any type upon the library premise or threatening the use of any object as a weapon.
  • Leaving children under 9 without supervision during library hours and after. Children (up to 17) need to be accompanied by an adult during school hours.
  • Soliciting, selling, or distributing written materials, panhandling or canvassing for any political, charitable, or religious purposes inside or near the entrance to the library.
  • Leaving or posting materials without library approval.
  • Bringing in animals or pets except service animals.
  • Neglecting public health codes of not being fully clothed or wearing shoes or  of personal hygiene resulting in offensive odors or a health risk to others.
  • Sleeping or giving the appearance of sleeping.
  • Use of tobacco product or smokeless cigarettes inside the building or near the entrance.
  • Consuming food or bringing beverages in open containers.
  • Disruptive use of cell phones or other electronic devices.
  • Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Bringing bedrolls, blankets, or large packages into the library.
  • Misuse of restrooms.
  • Blocking access to premises or interfering with the movement of others.
  • Indecent exposure or sexual activity that may also include excessive displays of affection.
  • Any other behavior unreasonably disturbing or offending to library users or staff.
  • Any other act or conduct in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

Those engaged in inappropriate behavior will be warned or will be told to leave immediately. Police will be called if necessary. Failure to follow library rules may result in exclusion from library facilities for a period of time.

Supervision of Children

SAFE CHILD POLICY

The Mulberry Public Library welcomes children of all ages.


We aim to provide a pleasant and safe environment here for every child. Our staff does what it can to ensure this goal. It must be understood, nevertheless, that parental responsibility for a child does not become staff responsibility when the child enters the building.


Because our staff must serve many citizens, we cannot monitor continually the behavior or the whereabouts of each person, including children.


To help guarantee the safety of our youngest ones, the library requires that a parent or a responsible caretaker accompany a child nine years of age or younger. This parent or caretaker is responsible here for the behavior of the child.


A child nine years of age or younger who is attending a library-sponsored program need not be accompanied by a parent or a caretaker during the program, itself. The parent or caretaker is, nevertheless, expected to remain at the library during the program.


If it is determined that a child is lost or left unattended, the library staff will take appropriate steps to locate the parent or caretaker. A staff member will stay with the child until the parent or caretaker is located for, if no guardian can be found, until the arrival of the police.

Failure of the public to follow this child safety policy may result in reports to appropriate agencies and to the suspension of library privileges.

RESTRICTION ON MINORS

  • A minor shall not be or remain in any public place or establishment either on foot or upon a vehicle during the following applicable hours:
  • Seventeen years of age. A minor who is seventeen (17) years of age shall abide by the requirements of this article between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM on any day of the week.
  • Under seventeen years of age. A minor who is under seventeen (17) years of age shall abide by the requirements of this article between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM on Sunday through Thursday; and between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 AM on Friday and Saturday which are the early AM hours of Saturday and Sunday respectively.
  • Restrictions on minors suspended, expelled, or truant from school.
  •  A minor who has been suspended, expelled, or is truant from school shall not be or remain in a public place, in an establishment, or within one thousand (1,000) feet of a school between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM on school days. A minor who has been suspended, expelled, or is truant from school shall also abide by the applicable restrictions listed in section 10.5-168.
  • Exceptions, in which a minor is exempt from this article:
  • If the minor is accompanied by a parent or other person at least twenty-one (21) years of age having the care and control of the minor with the parent’s permission.
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