Patron Responsibilities and Conduct

The library will serve all residents of the community and the public library system area. Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, or political status; or because of mental, emotional, or physical condition; age; or orientation.

The use of the library may be denied for due cause. Such causes may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library premises or any of those listed below: 

• Eating in the Library - Patrons are permitted to have snacks in the library within reasonable amounts. Drinks should be capped or covered at all times.
• Electronic Devices with External Speakers - Patrons are permitted to use mobile devices including cellular phones and tablets, etc. External speakers cannot be used at any time. Mobile devices should be kept on mute or vibrate. Any and all conversations, including those on a mobile device, must be kept at an appropriate volume level as to not disrupt other patrons. Disruptive behaviors may result in patrons being asked to turn off device(s) or remove it from the property.
• Loitering - Patrons are encouraged to use library services including the common areas in and around the building; however, any behaviors deemed disruptive to other patrons could result in offenders being asked to leave the property. Individuals who remain on the outside seating areas, in the library parking lot, on the grounds, or in the library common areas longer than 60 minutes and are not directly involved with a library program or are utilizing library services will be considered loitering and will be asked to leave.
• Interference with Staff - Patrons may not intentionally interfere with Library staff performance of duties.  This behavior includes engaging in conversation or actions that monopolizes the attention of a staff member for an inappropriate period of time, making inappropriate personal comments, sexual advances, harassment of a physical and verbal nature, or refusing to comply with staff requests.
• Personal Belongings on Library Property - Any personal property brought onto the premises is the responsibility of the owner and must be kept within visual contact of the owner. Any oversized, un-maintained, or unattended property may result in the patron being asked to remove said property. Unattended items left on the property will become property of the City of Danville and may be discarded.
• Unattended Children - Parents or caregivers carry the responsibility for the safety and behavior of their children in the library. Children under the age of 12 must have a parent or caregiver near, and in visual contact with the child. The parent or caregiver must be at least 13 years old.
• Vulgar Language - Patrons using audible vulgar language will be asked by staff to refrain from using said language. Patrons who do not comply will be asked to leave the property. Vulgar language directed toward staff will not be tolerated.

 A patron who is frequently causing disturbances or requires multiple verbal warnings from staff over a short period of time may be dismissed from the property. A second dismissal from the property will result in a month-long ban; subsequently a third dismissal will result in a year-long ban. 

 A dismissal period may require written permission to return to the property.

Depending upon the circumstances of the dismissal, a patron may face a one-year ban after a first offense. The length of the suspension or ban is at the sole discretion of the Library Director with approval from the Director of Parks and Recreation.