Conduct Policy

About Conduct Policy

The Solon Public Library welcomes every member of the community to use and enjoy the Library’s facilities, collections, programs, and services. Libraries are public places designed to serve people of all ages with a wide range of interests. The purpose of this policy is to define expectations for behavior.

 

Expectations:

  • The Conduct Policy applies everywhere the Library provides service: on Library property, in the community, through our website or social media, and by phone, chat, or email.
  • Library patrons are expected to: be safe; be respectful of other patrons, library staff, and volunteers; be respectful of library property; obey the law; and comply with requests from library staff.

Library staff will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors that:

  • threaten the peaceful and secure environment of the Library; or
  • interfere with the rights of individuals to use Library materials and services; or,
  • interfere with the health and safety of individuals in the Library, or
  • interfere with the ability of the Library staff to conduct Library business 

Prohibited conduct may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  1. Willfully annoying, harassing or threatening another person.
  2. Behaving in a disorderly, loud, or disruptive manner.
  3. Impeding access to the Library or an area of the Library.
  4. Consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages, or any controlled substances, on library grounds or being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances in a manner that causes public disturbance.
  5. Smoking in the Library or on Library grounds.
  6. Defacing or destroying library property or the property of others.
  7. Willfully exposing patrons or staff to offensive images or language.
  8. Bringing animals into the Library, except as required as service or therapy animals, or for Library-sponsored programming.
  9. Picture taking or video taping of people, except at events, unless authorized by the people involved or their responsible adults, if minors are present.
  10. Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey taking, soliciting, or selling, unless authorized by the Director or his/her designee.
  11. Using electronic or communication devices in a manner that is disruptive.
  12. Consuming food or beverages at the public computers.
  13. Impacting library cleanliness by not properly disposing of waste items.
  14. Using scooters, skates, or skateboards in the Library, library entrance, or sidewalk area.
  15. Entering non-public areas, unless accompanied by a staff member or through prior authorization from a staff member.

Unattended Child Policy

  • The Solon Public Library staff welcomes children to use our services and facilities and we provide adult supervision during Thursday Early Out programs and during other special programming as advertised.
  • Outside of scheduled programs, children under age 10 must be accompanied by a designated caregiver at least 11 years old.
  • Older children able to maintain proper library behavior may use the library unattended, otherwise they should be adequately supervised by a parent, guardian, or responsible caregiver.
  • There is no adult supervision outdoors at any time except during outdoor programming as advertised.

Responses to prohibited behavior:

  • In most cases, people who are behaving inappropriately in the Library will be given one warning and asked to behave in an appropriate manner. People who do not modify their behavior after one warning will be asked to leave the Library for the rest of the day.
  • Persons who behave inappropriately on a regular basis or who engage in unlawful activities while on Library property may have all or part of their library privileges revoked or risk being barred from the Library for a period of time, as well as face the possibility of legal charges.
  • In case of extreme situations library staff may contact:
    • City Public Works 319-631-5071
    • Johnson County Sheriff Non-emergency number 319-356-6020
    • Or call 911 for Emergency assistance

All incidents in which patron conduct results in expulsion by a staff member or the police will be recorded by Library Staff.

 

Reviewed & Approved August 2012, Reviewed November 2016, Revised September 2022, Revised January 2025

Download the Conduct Policy PDF here.