Patron Code of Conduct
Approved: April 20, 2016
Revised: July 15, 2020
Revised: July 21, 2021 Dec. 13,
Revised: 2023 Feb. 19, 2025
Revised: May, 21, 2025
The Troy-Miami County Public Library seeks to provide pleasant, orderly facilities and quality library service for all users. To best serve all library users and staff, the library has established certain standards and rules to protect the rights and safety of patrons and staff, and to preserve and protect the library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.
- Conduct that violates the safety of others, threatens to damage property or disrupts the use of the Library is prohibited.
- Actions of a person that present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others in the library is prohibited.
For the safety and comfort of all, patrons should comply with staff requests. Refusal to comply with staff requests will result in removal from the library.
TMCPL reserves the right to eject and to refuse further admission to those individuals who may violate the rights of the library staff or library users, who create disorder to the library, or who act inappropriately. Patrons may also be subject to arrest.
Inappropriate Behavior
Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to the following situations:
- Behave in a way that damages, disturbs, or defaces property. This includes but is not limited to:
- Attempting to steal library property or property of another library user.
- Destroying or defacing library property.
- Failing to dispose of trash in proper receptacles.
- Failing to maintain the cleanliness of an area to the standard of upkeep prior to use.
- Eating or drinking in restricted areas.
- Engaging in any activity prohibited by local, state, and federal laws or library policy. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Possessing anything unsafe, including firearms or weapons. A weapon is defined as a handgun, rifle, knife, and/or any other object whose purpose or use is to inflict physical harm to another individual.
- Smoking or using tobacco products inside library buildings, on library property (including the park), or within 25 feet of entrances or operable windows.
- Be under the influence, consume, or possess alcohol or illegal substances.
- Disturbing the staff or other library users or disrupting the legitimate use of the library facilities by others. This can include but is not limited to:
- Using cell phones or playing audio equipment in a disruptive manner
- Running or walking in an unsafe or disruptive manner
- Viewing sexually explicit images on the internet or violating the library’s Internet Use Policy
- Sleeping
- Panhandling or soliciting for sales or charity
- Petitioning or distributing non-library approved materials
- Congregating on library premises in a manner which obstructs access or interferes with others’ use of the library
- Bringing animals into the library other than service animals necessary for those with disabilities
- Using personal transportation items such as rollerblades, skateboards, roller skates or similar devices inside the library.
- Blocking aisles or other spaces with personal items.
- Disturbing others with conduct related to health and hygiene. This could include, but is not limited to:
- Significant body odor or other excessive odors
- Infestation
- Vaping e-cigarettes and spit tobacco
- Entering library premises without a shirt or shoes. Patrons must be fully clothed.
Refusal to leave the library
Any person refusing to leave the library after the hours set for closing is considered in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2911.21 regarding trespass.
For the Safety and Comfort of All
- Do not leave personal items unattended. The library is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
- Limited food and beverages are allowed in certain areas. Beverages should be in secured containers. Snack items only are allowed in the libraries. Food and beverages are not permitted in the Maker Lab or the Local History & Genealogy Center.
Conduct Relating to Children
- Responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or assigned caregiver, not with library staff no matter the age of the child. Under no circumstances does the library accept responsibility for a child at any age.
- Children should not be left unattended by a parent/guardian or assigned caregiver. Unattended is defined as no longer within eyesight.
- If children are left unattended after hours, the child will be referred to the local law enforcement agency.
- Adults should not attempt to solicit or engage any minor who is not under their care. This does not include library staff, volunteers, or law enforcement.
Violations of Code of Conduct
Any person who violates the Library’s Patron Code of Conduct policy may be asked to leave library premises and/or have library privileges suspended. Authority to prohibit patrons from entering any TMCPL location beyond a single day will fall to branch managers and/or administrative staff. If a patron is suspended from one location, they are suspended from all Troy-Miami County Public Library Locations.
To consistently enforce the code of conduct, TMCPL has established guidelines for specific and/or repeated violations, resulting in loss of library privileges as described below. Consequences for violations not specified here will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Failure to abide by imposed suspension periods may be viewed as criminal trespassing per Section 2911.21 of the Ohio Revised Code and violators may be prosecuted. Persons convicted of damaging or stealing library property will be held liable for full restitution.
Appeal Process
In cases where there is disagreement with the suspension, a patron may appeal the suspension by making an appointment to discuss the matter with the Executive Director. Final appeals may be presented to the Library Board via the Public Participation portion of a monthly trustee meeting.