Rules of Conduct

General Statement

The library is a community resource. Individuals using the library must conduct
themselves in a manner that allows others to use the library in comfort and that conforms
with the laws of the State of Minnesota and the ordinances of the City of Grand Rapids.

Noise

Quiet conversation is allowed in most areas of the library. Those using quiet study rooms
must assure that no sound of their activities travels beyond the walls of their room.

Cleanliness

Defacing or mutilating library property or littering the floors and tables is prohibited.
Standing on or sitting on furniture or fixtures not designed for those purposes is
prohibited.

Library Grounds

Behavior in the library grounds must conform to the Ordinances of the City of Grand
Rapids, the laws of the State of Minnesota and the policies of the Library Board of
Directors.
Behavior in the grounds or parking lots that will provide a barrier to use of the library or
access to adjacent public areas is prohibited.
Skateboarding is prohibited on the library grounds and parking lots in compliance with
City ordinances banning skateboarding in the Central Business District

Creation of a hostile environment

Behavior that creates a hostile environment for staff or for other patrons will not be
tolerated. This includes display of offensive materials, verbal harassment and other
activities that cause distress in those in the vicinity.

Internet computers

Internet computers are visible for those in their vicinity. If a library user is asked to close
a site on those computers because its illustrative content is offensive to others in the area,
he or she must do so.
Use of the library’s computers to access sites that contain illegal content as defined by the
laws of the United States or the State of Minnesota is strictly prohibited. Use of the
library’s computers to view pornography or to trade in child pornography is strictly
prohibited.

Internet computer logs

Those using the library’s Internet computers must be aware that a log of patrons using
specific computers is maintained by the computer control system and that logs of sites
visited may be maintained and available to law enforcement personnel.
Under the Patriot Act of the United States, law enforcement may demand that the library
turn over all records regarding use of library computers without court order. It is not
legal for library staff to inform individuals that they are subjects of such investigations.

Online computer catalog workstations

The use of on-line computer catalog workstations is restricted to the use of the local and
regional catalogs, to the resources of Electronic Library of Minnesota, and to other sites
for which primary links are provided from the local or regional catalogs.

Lobby

The lobby and adjacent hallway will be maintained as a no loitering area. Individuals
obstructing the flow of traffic through the lobby or creating sounds that disturb those
using meeting rooms or the library proper may be barred from the library and its grounds

Alcohol Free Premises

The Grand Rapids Area Library and its grounds will be maintained as an alcohol free
area. No beverages containing alcohol may be carried onto the library grounds or sold or
consumed in the library building.

Enforcement of Code of Conduct

Violation of this code may result in the following:
Staff may impose a 2 week suspension of use privileges of violation of the library’s
“Rules of Conduct.”
The Library Board may impose longer, or even permanent suspensions of use privileges
for frequent or egregious violation of these rules.