GENERAL CONDUCT POLICY


Statement of Policy

The Springfield-Greene County Library District Board of Trustees has adopted the following policy so that the Library may provide an atmosphere conducive to appropriate use of the facilities and to comply with the Library's mission statement.


The Library reserves the right to request that patrons open purses, briefcases, packages and parcels.


Violation of any of these rules can result in temporary expulsion, permanent expulsion or arrest.


The following behaviors and actions are prohibited on Library property:

  • Any behavior that is disruptive to Library use

  • Obscene or abusive language

  • Distributing or posting printed materials that have not been approved by the Library (See Library Policy on Bulletin Board Posting and Literature Distribution)

  • Selling or soliciting for money or items or services

  • Causing a disturbance while obtaining signatures on a petition. Signatures may not be obtained inside the library except within the context of scheduled meetings in Library meeting rooms.

  • Theft or damage to Library properties

  • Meals or uncovered drinks

  • Intoxication or use of tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems, alcohol or controlled substances

  • Any state of undress including shoes

  • Bringing large objects that block access or impede safety

  • No person shall possess, on Library District premises, a weapon of any kind, unless authorized by law. (See Library Policy on Weapons)

  • Loitering and/or sleeping

  • Skateboarding or roller-skating

  • Bringing animals inside Library facilities, except service dogs and, where reasonable, miniature horses, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

  • Leaving children nine years old and under unattended (See Library Policy on Unattended Children)


To enhance safety, security and service for all, the Library reserves the right to ask patrons to relocate to another area of the building.


These rules are considered to be illustrative and not exhaustive.

Approved by Library Board 2/20/2018, Revised 2/18/2020


Service Animal Policy


In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted in library facilities. There are decorum expectations of service animals and their owners. As an extension of our General Conduct Policy, which broadly states that any disruptive behaviors can result in being asked to leave the library, we are further delineating expected conduct for owners of service animals. If the following behaviors are observed, the owner will be expected to remove their service animal from library premises.

 

  • Owners who encourage or allow others to interact with their service animal.

  • A service animal who makes repeated disruptive noises or odors, creates a mess or seeks to interact with others.

  • A service animal not securely leashed unless a disability of the owner prevents a leash from being utilized.

  • Service animals more than 3-5 feet from the owner.

  • Service animals not closely supervised by their owner.

  • Service animals displaying acts of aggression toward people or other animals.

  • Service animals causing a disruption of normal business operations.


Approved by Library Board 6/21/2026