RULES OF BEHAVIOR
Behavior in the Public Sectors of the Ann Arbor District Library
The Board of Trustees of the Ann Arbor District Library is empowered by the District Library Establishment Act, MCL 397.171 et seq., to supervise and control Library property, to adopt bylaws and regulations, not inconsistent with the Act and to do any other thing necessary for conducting the Library service.
The Board of Trustees of the Ann Arbor District Library has adopted this policy regarding behavior in the public sectors of the Library defining those as physical and virtual spaces where the Library provides services, programming or events. Library policies and procedures shall seek to make Library property and/or services available to everyone on a safe and equitable basis, to allow staff members to conduct Library business, and to safeguard the Library's property. The Library Director or the Library Director's designee will offer a library environment that welcomes all, physically and virtually, to utilize the AADL and to participate in its events and programming. The AADL will support, assist and refer patrons to the extent possible when conflicts occur regarding a person's ability to comply with these rules of behavior. The AADL realizes that it is not in the community's interest to revoke library privileges as a default unless a person poses a material threat to themselves or to others.
Behavior prohibited by Ann Arbor City or Pittsfield Township Charter and Ordinances, as appropriate, as well as Federal or State Law, is also prohibited on the premises of the Ann Arbor District Library.
In addition, the Ann Arbor District Library:
- Prohibits the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on Library property. Non- alcoholic beverages in covered containers are permissible.
- Prohibits smoking in or on any Library property that constitutes a “public place” pursuant to Michigan Clean Indoor Air Act, MCL 333.12601 et seq., or other Library property (indoor or outdoor) that is posted with NO SMOKING signs or the international “no smoking” symbol. In accordance with AADL Policy 6.5 Tobacco, tobacco products and/or other burnable products may not be used in the library or on library property. This includes no smoking, chewing, rolling or display of tobacco, other burnable products, electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers or other electronic delivery systems.
- Bans all weapons from Library premises, except for concealed weapons that are exempt from licensure under Michigan law or lawfully licensed and carried in compliance with Act 372 of 1927, as amended.
PERSONS WHO VIOLATE THE ABOVE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE WITHHOLDING OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR SIX MONTHS.
SECOND OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE YEAR.
- Requires patrons to wear shirts and shoes, or other footwear, at all times in the Library for hygiene and safety purposes.
- Prohibits the disturbance of other Library patrons, or interference with other Library patrons’ use of the facilities through extremely poor personal hygiene.
- Prohibits sleeping on Library property.
- Prohibits the use of roller skates, roller blades, skateboards or other similar devices on Library property.
- Prohibits patrons from bringing bicycles into the Library buildings, securing bicycles to the ramp railing at any entrance or exit, or parking bicycles in such a manner that they obstruct patrons entering or exiting the Library.
- Prohibits gambling on Library property.
- Bans conversation and other sounds in louder volume than the general noise level of the area.
- Bans animals from the Library and entrance/exit areas except service animals used to assist persons with disabilities.
- Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, soliciting, sales, or other speech or conduct, cannot disrupt normal Library use. These activities cannot impede access to library entrances when occurring outside of buildings.
PERSONS WHO VIOLATE THE ABOVE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE WITHHOLDING OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES AS FOLLOWS:
Warnings are given by Safety staff or those supervising a building before a person is asked to leave library premises.
FIRST OFFENSE: OUT FOR THE DAY.
SECOND OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE WEEK.
THIRD OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE MONTH.
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE YEAR.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any person may, without prior notice or warning, be immediately removed or trespassed from the Ann Arbor District Library, in accordance with Local, State or Federal Law, if his or her presence or conduct on the premises poses an immediate and imminent danger to any person or property.
Persons whose Library privileges are withheld for any duration pursuant to the above rules may appeal to the Library Director and will be offered an Appeal Card with the Director's contact information at the time privileges are revoked.
Persons whose Library privileges are withheld for more than 30 days pursuant to the above rules may appeal to the Library Board of Trustees by appearing in person during the Citizens' Comments portion of the agenda at a special or regularly-scheduled Board meeting. The Board may choose to call a special meeting to address an appeal request. This appearance must be within sixty (60) days after the Library’s mailing of notice of withholding of privileges. Such persons' suspension from Library premises shall be rescinded for the limited purpose of attending any Board meeting at which they appear to appeal. The Board of Trustees may extend the usual and customary time limit afforded to an individual for public comment to grant a person making an appeal sufficient time to address the Board. The Board shall hear the appeal, and respond in writing within 10 days.
Policy adopted 12/12/95; Revisions adopted 8/1/97; 12/98; 10/20/03; 9/20/04; 1/28/08; 2/17/14; 5/20/19 and 11/17/20.
UNATTENDED CHILD POLICY
The Ann Arbor District Library wants children who use our Libraries to find them warm, inviting, enjoyable and secure.
To ensure their complete safety, children must be attended by a responsible party.
For the protection and well-being of children using our Libraries, the following policy has been established.
I. Policy
A. The responsibility for children using the Library rests not with the Library staff but with the parent/guardian/assigned chaperone, who is at least 13 years of age.
B. A child under 6 years of age must be attended by a parent/guardian/assigned chaperone who is in close physical proximity (within sight and earshot of the child) at all times while in any Ann Arbor District Library building.
C. A child older than 6 years of age who, because of special circumstances, may need constant assistance, must be attended by a parent/guardian/assigned chaperone who is in close physical proximity (within sight and earshot of the child) at all times while in any Ann Arbor District Library building.
D. Disruptive behavior by children will be addressed with the full understanding that children are not adults and should be handled in cooperation with their parent/guardian/ assigned chaperone, if present. In extreme cases, disruptive behavior by those under 18 years of age shall be handled in accordance with Policy 5.1 Behavior in Public Sectors of the Ann Arbor District Library.
II. Procedures
All staff shall follow the procedure in the AADL Emergency Manual when there is an unattended child in any Library building.
Policy adopted 12/12/95. Revisions adopted 6/19/06; 2/17/14 and 11/17/20.