Stanislaus County Library

Rules for Behavior

STANISLAUS COUNTY LIBRARY RULES FOR BEHAVIOR

Adopted by the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors on March 26, 1985;
Amended on March 11, 1997; April 1, 2003; December 19, 2006;
September 25, 2007; December 16, 2008; July 14, 2015; July 31, 2018

No person shall, in or on the grounds of any Stanislaus County library, engage in any behavior that interferes with another person’s use of the library or with the ability of a member of the library staff to perform his or her job. This includes all disruptive and unsafe behavior such as that listed below:

GENERAL RULES:

1. Engaging in any activity prohibited by law.*
2. Possession, use, or being under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance as defined by California law.
3. Making loud noise, using offensive language, verbal abuse, insulting language, intimidating language, verbal threats or non-verbal threats, repeated unwelcome advances, offensive gestures, staring at another person or abuse or misuse of computer equipment including banging on computer keyboards, which could reasonably be expected to disturb others.
4. Failing to maintain personal cleanliness or extremely poor hygiene. Appropriate clothing, including shirts and footwear, must be worn at all times.
5. Eating in the library unless part of a special program. Covered beverages are allowed and may be consumed in the library.
6. All smoking, including but not limited to, the use of all tobacco and cannabis products and e-cigarettes in and around the libraries. This includes the portico and grass surrounding the Modesto Library, and all walkways and landscaping surrounding community libraries (Government Code Section 7597).
7. Using bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skates, skateboards, or roller blades in the library or on the walkways surrounding the library.
8. Bringing into the library bags, backpacks, boxes, carts, wheeled conveyances, or other large items, which singly or collectively exceed 24” W by 16” H x 10” D in size (excluding handles), with the exception of wheelchairs and baby strollers being used for transport of a person or child.
9. Obstructing library entrances, exits, aisles, or other areas in any manner with large items such as backpacks, luggage, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, shopping carts, or any items named in 7, which may create a safety hazard.
10. Leaving packages, backpacks, luggage, or any other personal items unattended. Unattended items are subject to removal.
11. Moving library furniture from where it is placed by library staff.
12. Harassing a library customer or staff. “Harassing” includes any verbal or non-verbal conduct which is likely to frighten, embarrass, anger, or annoy a person to the extent that that person’s use of the library or ability to work in the library is unreasonably curtailed by the conduct.
13. Engaging in sexual conduct such as exposure or touching.
14. Engaging in any activity that may result in injury or harm to any person.
15. Running in the library.
16. Engaging in any activity that may result in damage to property belonging to the library or another person including altering software configurations, or vandalizing or defacing materials, equipment or facilities. (Note: The parent or guardian of a minor who willfully and maliciously commits any act within the scope of Education Code section 19910 shall be liable for all damages so caused by the minor.)
17. Bringing any animal, except for signal, guide or service dogs with valid dog license tags onto the premises.
18. Soliciting, petitioning, or selling merchandise. Conducting any business for personal gain or any service for a fee is prohibited.
19. Sleeping, or appearing to be sleeping, in the library facilities, utilizing the library facilities for bathing, washing clothes, washing utensils or other items, or preparing food. No person shall camp in library facilities or on library grounds. “Camping” means the use of library property for living accommodations.
20. Bringing in any weapons. “Weapons” include all items described or listed in Penal Code sections 171b, 16510, 16520, 16590 and 21510.
21. Participating in any gaming or gambling (Penal Code sections 330-337j)
22. Engaging in activities that are disruptive by repeated violations of computer use guidelines.

* Persons in apparent violation of any Federal, State, or Local law will be reported to law enforcement and legal action will be taken which may result in arrest and prosecution.

SAFETY RULES:

The library is not responsible for children who are left unattended.

Be aware of your personal property. The library is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged.