The Provo City Library is supported by the taxes of the residents of Provo who expect our facility to be a clean, comfortable, and safe place for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, using computers, and attending programs and meetings. To this end, the Library is responsible for establishing standards of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers and staff, and for preserving and protecting the Library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.
To ensure the comfort and safety of patrons, volunteers, and staff, and the protection of Library property, Library staff is authorized to enforce these standards of conduct on Library property. People who willfully violate these rules are subject to exclusion from the library; egregious violations may result in immediate exclusion or in a longer exclusion than indicated in these guidelines.
Individuals who repeatedly violate these Standards of Conduct after having been previously excluded for Library rule violations may face longer exclusion than indicated in these guidelines. Repeat offenders need not violate the same rule to be subject to stricter enforcement and may not be warned that their behavior is inappropriate before being excluded.
Any persons who violate rules 1 – 5 while on Library premises will be immediately ejected and excluded from the Provo City Library without first being given a warning. The offender shall be excluded from the Provo City Library premises and lose all Library privileges for a period of up to three years. The incident will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Committing or attempting to commit any activity that violates any federal, state, or local criminal statute or ordinance.
Directing a specific threat of physical harm against an individual, group of individuals, or property.
Engaging in sexual conduct or lewd behavior.
Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming, or being under the influence of any controlled substance or alcohol.
Stealing, damaging, defacing, or destroying Library property.
Any person who violates rules 6 – 19 while on Library premises will be asked to leave for the day. Subsequent offenses will result in that person’s immediate ejection and exclusion from the Provo City Library premises for a period of up to one year.
Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library, disturbs Library staff or patrons, including but not limited to, conduct that creates unreasonable noise or consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking.
Using foul, abusive, or threatening language or gestures.
Using library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures, or buildings in a manner inconsistent with customary use.
Disobeying the reasonable direction of a Library staff member or Library security officer.
Soliciting, petitioning, or distributing written materials or canvassing for political, charitable, monetary, or religious purposes inside the Library or on Library property.
Leaving personal belongings unattended. Library personnel may inspect and/or remove personal items left unattended on Library property in order to preserve a safe environment.
Any interference with the free passage of Library staff or patrons on Library premises, including, but not limited to, placing objects such as bicycles, skateboards, backpacks, or other items in a manner that interferes with free passage or negatively affects the orderly atmosphere of the Library.
Bringing prohibited items into the Library, including, but not limited to, bicycles, shopping carts, or similar devices.
Operating roller skates, skateboards, or similar devices on Library premises.
Smoking or other tobacco use, including, but not limited to, using electronic cigarettes or cigarette rolling.
Consuming food or drink in the Library that creates a nuisance or disrupts library use because of odor, garbage, or spills. Non-alcoholic beverages in covered containers and small amounts of snack foods are allowed in designated areas away from computers and other library equipment.
Bringing non-service animals or animals not for the express intention of Library Programming, into Library buildings. Similarly, leaving animals unattended outside the Library in a way that impedes others’ access to the Library.
Violating the Library’s Internet and Online Access Policy (see complete policy), including, but not limited to, displaying or disseminating visual images containing pornography, obscenity, graphic violence, or other images harmful to minors and inappropriate in a public library setting.
Improperly using Library restrooms, including, but not limited to, bathing, shaving, washing hair, and changing clothes.
Any person who violates rules 20 – 26 while on Library premises may be asked to leave for the day. Subsequent offenses by that person will result in that person’s immediate ejection and exclusion from the Provo City Library premises for a period of up to six months.
Sleeping or lying down on Library premises.
Using personal electronic equipment at a volume that disturbs others.
Using a cell phone to make or receive phone calls while on the 2nd Floor of the New Rogers Wing, which has been designated a quiet area.
Taking library materials into restrooms if the materials have not been checked out.
Leaving children under the age of nine unattended.
Neglecting to provide proper supervision for children in your care.
Loitering in the Children’s department without a reasonable reason to be present.
Any person who violates rules 27 - 29 while in Library premises will be excluded from the premises until the problem is corrected.
Entering Library buildings with bare feet or a bare chest.
Having offensive body odor that can be detected by a reasonable person from six feet away or personal hygiene that unreasonably interferes with other patrons’ ability to use the Library.
Filming in any part of the library without express permission of Library Administration.
Any suspension of library privileges longer than one week may be appealed to the Library Board. Provo City Code 2.26.120 allows the Library Board of Directors to “Make and adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, for the governing of the library” and to “exclude from the use of the library any and all persons who shall willfully violate such rules.” (see also Utah Code 9-7-404)
