We desire to maintain a comfortable, and safe space where library patrons may read, study, and otherwise use the library without disturbance. The Library is responsible for protecting the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers and staff, and for preserving and protecting the Library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. Additionally, the Library has a strong commitment to intellectual freedom and to freedom of access to information as described in the ALA Library Bill of Rights, the ALA Core Values of Librarianship, the ALA Code of Ethics, and the ALA Freedom to Read statement.
For the comfort and safety of patrons, volunteers, and staff, and the protecting of Library property, staff may address any action deemed by staff to be disruptive to safely using the library’s resources. All persons using the library are welcome, but no one may interfere with or impinge upon any other person’s ability to use the Scarborough Public Library, or staff’s ability to provide services. Behavior of persons, regardless of age, which is disruptive or detracts from library use will not be tolerated. Acting or attempting to act in violation of state, federal, or local law, ordinance, regulation, or Library policy is prohibited.
No patron will engage in behaviors prohibited by this policy, which have been established by the Library Board of Trustees. The library staff will enforce these rules to help ensure that all individuals can use and enjoy the library.
Guidelines for Library Use:
- Ask for help when needed or if you are not finding the resources you need
- Be considerate of others
- Respect the facility, equipment and materials
- Be responsible for your children
- Be responsible for personal belongings; do not leave them unattended
- Follow reasonable staff direction
WHILE IN THE LIBRARY OR ON LIBRARY PROPERTY, NO PERSON SHALL:
Commit or Attempt to Commit Any Activity that Constitutes a Violation of Federal, State, or Local Criminal Statute or Ordinance, including but not limited to:
- Physically harm another person(s).
- Destroy, damage, deface or steal library or another person’s property.
- Improperly remove library materials or equipment.
- Be in possession (except a police officer on duty) of firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives, incendiary devices, or implements which by their nature are capable of being used to destroy or injure a person or property.
- Use tobacco or marijuana products (or electronic substitutes), alcohol and/or unauthorized drugs in any form anywhere on library property.
- Obtain and use another patron’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception.
Engage in Disruptive, Disorderly, or Unsafe Conduct, including but not limited to:
- Engage in loud or boisterous conduct, or physical intimacy.
- Consume beverages or eat anywhere in public areas, except:
- Non-alcoholic beverages may be consumed from securely capped beverage containers—except that no beverages are allowed at any public access computer or catalog lookup.
- Food and drink are permitted in the meeting room during authorized functions.
- Use cell phones or similar wireless communication devices within the library, except in silent mode or in the following designated areas:
- Lobby area near public telephone.
- Meeting room (groups using the meeting room may set their own guidelines), and
- Any area outside the building.
- Bring in garbage, articles with a foul odor, or articles which, alone or in their aggregate, impede the use of the library by other users.
- Use of restrooms to bath, shave, or change clothes where it unreasonably interferes with other patrons or staff use.
Interfere with Others’ Use of the Library, including but not limited to:
- Engage in language or behavior to threaten, harass, harm, or violate the rights of library users and/or staff.
- Photograph, film, and/or audio/video record staff and/or patrons without their permission (see Policy on Photographing and Filming in the Library).
- Interfere with other library patrons or staff through poor personal hygiene.
- Sleep in the library.
- Bring animals into the library, except service animals. Only animals specifically trained to perform a task for a person with a disability, or animals that are part of a library event are allowed. Any animal may be removed or prohibited from entering at the discretion of the library director or his designee to ensure the safety and comfort of patrons and staff.
- Leave personal belongings unattended.
- Use of wheeled devices such as skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, scooters, and shopping carts; devices that are allowed include wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, accessibility equipment, and other devices when used for their intended purpose.
- Engage in any other conduct that interferes with use or enjoyment of the library or library programs.
- Use any library materials or facility for purposes other than those for which such materials or facility are intended.
- Enter or remain in the building outside of public service hours or without permission, or enter non-public areas.
- Fail to comply with a reasonable staff request to cease behavior that interferes with the effective functioning of the library and the use of the library by others, including being asked to leave the library.
Leave Children and Vulnerable Adults Unattended
- Young children and vulnerable adults should be supervised by age-appropriate, responsible parties at all times. Parents and caregivers are responsible for monitoring the activities and regulating the behavior of persons in their care while in the library.
- See Scarborough Public Library Safe Child Policy
Post or Distribute Materials, Conduct Surveys, Solicit Money or Signatures, Distribute Leaflets
- Solicit staff or the public for any purpose without prior approval of the Library Director.
- See Scarborough Public Library Use of Community Information Area
Abuse Computer Privileges
- See Scarborough Public Library Internet Use Policy
ENFORCEMENT
The Scarborough Public Library staff has the authority to ask disruptive patrons whose behavior monopolizes their attention and/or restricts others’ use of the library to leave. Patrons involved in criminal behavior against the library will be prosecuted. Chronic offenders will be denied use of the library. Every effort will be made to respond to potentially difficult circumstances of user behavior in a timely, respectful, direct, and open manner that is consistent and fair. We prioritize building relationships with our patrons to encourage appropriate use of the library. Our enforcement is designed to maintain a safe and welcoming library, and to teach anyone who violates this policy how to better behave so as to maintain library access.
- Unlawful activities will be reported to local law enforcement agencies.
- For violations unlikely to cause immediate harm to others and not perceived to be threatening, the person violating the rules will be given one warning by library staff; if behavior continues, the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day.
- For violations of these rules that cause or are likely to cause immediate harm to others, the person violating the rules may be immediately excluded from the library without first being given a warning.
- In the case of a minor being excluded, a good faith effort will be made to contact the child’s parent or guardian to give notice of the exclusion.
Exclusions may be made for progressively longer times for repeated violations or when harm or potential harm is involved, ranging in time from one week to permanent exclusion and loss of all library privileges. Library staff may interview witnesses and use security video footage. If additional information surfaces about an infraction, an exclusion length may be adjusted by the Library Director or designee.
APPEAL
A patron who has been excluded from the library may appeal the notice in writing to the Library Director within 10 days of issuance. The Director will make an effort to address the grievance within seven days after its presentation. If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, the person may appeal in writing to the Library Board of Trustees. The Board will decide whether to address the grievance and will render an opinion, as soon as practical, as it deems appropriate. The Board will notify the person directly or through its designee of the decision made or action taken.
Source: Maine State Library Policy on Patron Behavior
Amended: June 17, 2004 Amended: February 19, 2009 Amended: January 19, 2017 Amended: December 15, 2022 Revised: December 2023
Revised: June 2025
Revised: October 2026