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Library Rules

These rules apply to everyone in the Library, except for City employees and contractors of the City doing work at the Library. "Library" shall mean all parts of the interior of the Main Boulder Library, and all branch libraries, including, without limitation, the entrance structures of the Main Boulder Public Library. These rules may be enforced by suspending the privilege of a violator to use the Library in accordance with the procedures of Section 5-5-18 B.R.C. 1981.

No person may:

steal, damage or alter any property of the Library (with the exception of normal wear and tear), including, without limitation, any computer equipment, systems, software or programs;
smoke, as defined in Section 6-4-2 B.R.C. 1981 or any successor ordinance, in the Library or in enclosed Library outdoor seating and garden areas with direct access to library facilities. No person may chew tobacco or products containing tobacco in the Library;
commit harassment of another person, within the meaning of Section 18-9-111 C.R.S. or any successor statute, in the Library;
commit indecent exposure, within the meaning of Section 18-7-302 C.R.S. or any successor statute, in the Library;
ride a skateboard, bring or ride a bicycle, wear or use rollerblades or rollerskates, or jeopardize the safety of anyone in the Library;
carry, lead, bring an animal into the Library, or cause an animal to enter the Library, with the exception of properly identified service animals for disabled persons under the control of their owners;
bring a weapon into or possess a weapon in the Library. This prohibition does not apply to police officers carrying service weapons in accordance with their department's policies;
lie down, doze or sleep anywhere, in any library facility except this rule shall not apply to children under the age of six;
use the restrooms for bathing, shaving, washing, rinsing or drying hair, or washing, rinsing or drying clothing;
bring into, sell, or possess in the Library illegal drugs; bring into, sell, or possess in the Library alcoholic beverages unless with the prior approval of the Library Director and the Library Commission;
be in the Library, without the permission of an authorized Library employee, before or after Library operating hours;
eat anything while in the Library outside of these designated areas: the Library Bridge seating area in the Main Library and public meeting rooms and exhibit spaces at all branches during scheduled events;
voluntarily make a persistent noise or persistent noises which disturbs another person in the Library, after the disturbed person or a Library employee has asked the noise-maker to stop;
solicit donations of money or any thing of value in the Library. No person may sell or take orders for anything of value in the Library with the exception of persons who have entered the Library in order to conduct a commercial transaction with the City and at its request;
seek or collect signatures on a petition in the Library;
fail to supervise a child, of whom he or she is a parent or legal guardian, so that he or she does not disturb other persons in the Library or damage Library property;
disturb other patrons or employees of the Library so as to disrupt their use of the Library or their work (i.e. inappropriate use of personal equipment including but not limited to: cellular phones, computers of any kind, PDAs, radios, music players, portable televisions or video display devices; conversation with others; extended use of equipment such as public computers, photocopiers, and pay telephones).

Disciplinary Process for Library Facilities

Security personnel, the Manager of Information Services, the Manager of Access Services or their designees, or the Manager on Duty, may restrict access to Library facilities with immediate dismissal of the patron from the premises, by suspending the patron’s access to Library facilities for a set period of time, or by denying access to specific services and/or programs.

Suspension of Library Privileges

The manager on duty may suspend the Library privileges of a patron, including access to activities, services, or facilities, without prior approval of the Manager of Information Services if the situation is a serious offense and constitutes a violation of BPL policies. Examples of serious offenses include but are not limited to: verbal abuse, violence, threatening behaviors, sexual harassment, vandalism, drug sale or use or attempted drug sale or use, intoxication, theft or attempted theft, physical harassment, sexual misconduct, or any behaviors that threaten the safety and security of staff and/or patrons. The manager on duty or Security Officer shall call the Police Department rather than place themselves, other staff members, or patrons in a threatening situation.

The manager on duty or security officer may issue an immediate suspension order by requesting that the offending person leave the Library immediately. If the person refuses to leave Library premises, the Police Department should be called at the non-emergency number (444-7000). Call 911 if situation becomes threatening.
For offenses that do not require immediate suspension of privileges, the offending patron may be issued a warning (example: situational anger inappropriately expressed in a disruptive manner).
The manager on duty or security officer may issue a suspension of privileges notice (extended period of time) when the behavior is serious as described above or when the behavior is repetitious after a verbal warning has been issued. A copy of the suspension of privileges notice shall be kept at the Main Library.
Suspension notices will be handed to the patron at the time of the action by either the security officer or the manager on duty. In the event a person refuses to accept the suspension letter, the order will be in effect.
If not previously delivered, the Security Department or manager on duty hands a copy of the suspension letter to the patron if the patron returns to the Library. If the patron returns to a branch other than the branch issuing the suspension, the Security Department or manager on duty shall verbally notify the patron of the action and request that he or she leave the Library premises.
If it is unclear about the appropriateness of an immediate or extended suspension of privileges, the person-in-charge or Security Officer will refer the incident to the Manager of Information Services for decision.
The suspension period shall be reasonably related to the severity of the offense and its danger to public health, safety, welfare and shall not, except for sexual offenses, exceed one year. Suspension of privileges shall range from 24 hours for a relatively minor 1st offense, to up to one year. A suspension for more than one year shall be issued in accordance with 5-5-18 Suspension of Facility Privileges from the Boulder Revised Codes, 1981.
A Security Incident report shall be written immediately and forwarded to the Main Library Administrative Assistant for logging and review. A copy of the suspension of privileges notice should be attached, if applicable. The report should include physical descriptions in addition to the name of the patron. Incident reports shall be written for all suspension orders, verbal actions, and warning letters.
After issuing the suspension of privileges letter, the person-in-charge notifies the Security Officer and the Manager of Information Services within 24 hours, specifying the behavior or rule violation. The Manager of Information Services or Main Library Administrative Assistant informs the supervisory staff via email (description of the patron, description of the behavior).
Library staff and Security personnel may photograph patrons (as safety permits) and/or use photo records of patrons who have had their Library privileges suspended. The photos may be attached to the security log on the BPL Intranet.
The Circulation Department, upon receiving the revocation notice, blocks the patron’s Library access.
The Main Library Administrative Assistant keeps a database of patrons whose privileges have been suspended with the effective dates.
Upon expiration of the suspension notice, Main Library Administrative Assistant notifies Circulation and the supervisory staff that the order has expired.

Right of Appeal

A patron with suspended privileges for one year or less may appeal a suspension in writing to the Library Director within 10 working days of the date of the letter. The patron must state clearly why he/she believes that his/her privileges should be restored. The patron may request a hearing in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1-3, "Quasi-Judicial Hearings", B.R.C. 1981. Such hearing shall be held as soon as practical, but not later than five working days after a request therefore.

The Library Director or a designee will respond to the appeal in writing within 10 working days of the date the appeal was received.

The decision of the Library Director shall be final for suspensions of one year or less.

A person suspended for more than one year shall have the opportunity to appeal the suspension to the City Manager under the procedures described by 1-3, Quasi-Judicial Hearings, BRC 1981.

Revised June 10, 2008 by the Boulder Library Commission

Library Rules in Spanish - Reglas de la Biblioteca en español