4.1 Behavior Policy
I. Introduction
The Traverse Area District Library (the “Library”) is open for specific and designated civic, educational, and cultural uses, including reading, studying, writing, participating in scheduled Library programs, and using Library materials. In order to provide resources and services to all people who visit the Library facilities in an atmosphere of courtesy, respect, and excellent service, the Library Board has adopted this Patron Behavior Policy. The purpose of the Patron Behavior Policy (“Policy”) is to assist the Library in fulfilling its mission as a community resource enriching life, stimulating intellectual curiosity, fostering literacy, and encouraging an informed citizenry.
The following rules of conduct shall apply to all buildings (interior and exterior), all grounds controlled and operated by the Library (“Library Property”), and to all persons entering in or on to Library Property, unless otherwise specified.
II. Rules for a Safe Environment
A. Violations of Law. Committing or attempting to commit an activity in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation (including but not limited to assault, indecent exposure, larceny, removing Library material from Library Property without authorization through the approved lending procedures, vandalism, or copyright infringement) is prohibited.
B. Weapons. Carrying guns, pistols, or other weapons, except as specifically permitted and exempt from local regulation by law, on Library Property is prohibited.
C. Alcohol; Drugs. Possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage, illegal drug, or drug paraphernalia is prohibited; provided that alcohol may be permitted at certain Library-sponsored events if specifically approved by the Library. Persons noticeably under the influence of any controlled substance or alcoholic or intoxicating liquor are not allowed on Library property.
E. Recreational Equipment and Personal Transport Devices. Use of skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, or other wheeled form of recreational equipment (including toys that can be ridden or wagons) is not allowed in the Library or on Library Property. Library patrons must park bicycles or other recreational vehicles only in authorized areas. Wheelchairs, scooters, and other power-driven mobility devices are permitted in by those individuals with disabilities in accordance with Library rules, unless a particular type of device cannot be accommodated because of legitimate safety requirements. Strollers for children are permitted.
F. No Blocking of Doors, Aisles or Entrances. All doors, aisles and entrances must remain obstacle-free. This includes a prohibition of running power cords across aisles or other areas that are used for walking.
G. Animals. Animals are not permitted in the Library other than service animals (as defined by law) for those individuals with disabilities, those used in law enforcement or for Library programming. Animals may not be left unattended or be off-leash on Library Property.
H. Incendiary devices. The use of incendiary devices, such as candles, matches, and lighters, is prohibited inside the Library.
I. Staff Only Areas. Patrons shall not be permitted in any areas designated as “staff only” unless otherwise permitted by the Library Director.
J. School Groups. School groups using the Library must have approval of the Library Director, or their designee, and must have a teacher and other appropriate staff present to ensure that the students use the Library in conformance with these rules.
III. Rules for Personal Behavior
A. Personal Property. Personal property brought into the Library is subject to the following:
- 1. The Library staff may limit the number of parcels carried into the Library. The Library may also limit the size of items, for example, the Library prohibits large items such as suitcases, duffle bags or large plastic garbage bags. Items must be small enough to fit under a chair at the Library.
- 2. The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended and Library staff is not permitted to guard or watch personal belongings.
- 3. The Library does not guarantee storage for personal property.
- 4. Personal possessions must not be left unattended or take up seating or space if needed by others.
B. Food and Beverages. Food is only permitted in designated areas. Beverages are prohibited unless secured in a container with a lid or in designated areas.
C. Unauthorized Use. Patrons must leave the Library Property promptly at closing time and may not be in the Library when it is not open to the public. The Library does not permit overnight parking in the Library’s parking lot or camping on Library property. Further, any patron whose privileges to use the Library have been denied may not enter the Library or be on Library Property. Any patron whose privileges have been limited may not use the Library in any manner that conflicts with those limits placed on the patron by the Library Director, his or her designee, or the Library Board.
D. Engaging in Proper Library Activities. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of the Library while in the building or on Library Property. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, writing, participating in scheduled Library programs, or using Library materials shall be required to leave the Library and shall not remain on Library Property. This includes sleeping or appearing to be sleeping on Library furniture, the floor, or outside on Library Property.
E. Considerate Use. The following behavior is prohibited in the Library or on Library Property:
- 1. Spitting;
- 2. Running, pushing, shoving, fighting, throwing items, provoking a fight or other unsafe physical behavior;
- 3. Climbing or placing feet on the furniture;
- 4. Using obscene or threatening language or gestures;
- 5. Engaging in sexual behavior (1) that is a violation of the law, (2) which can reasonably be expected to disturb Library users or staff while such staff or patrons are in the Library or on Library property, or (3) that interferes with the Library patrons’ use of the Library or the ability of the staff person to do his or her job.
F. Panhandling or Soliciting for Money, Products, and Services. Panhandling or soliciting Library staff or patrons for money, products, or services inside the Library or on Library property is prohibited. Sales of products or services that are incidental to Library programming may be permitted if approved in advance by the Library Director.
G. Interference with Staff. Patrons may not interfere with the staff’s performance of duties in the Library or on Library property. This includes engaging in conversation or behavior that monopolizes or forces the attention of staff for an inappropriate period, inappropriate personal comments, sexual advances, or physical and/or verbal harassment.
H. Campaigning, Petitioning, Interviewing Protesting and Similar Activities. As a limited public forum, the Library reserves the right to regulate the time, place, and manner for campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, protesting, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting on Library grounds as follows:
- 1. Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing, protesting, and soliciting are prohibited inside the Library building.
- 2. Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, protesting, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing, and soliciting outside the Library building but on Library property are subject to the following requirements:
- a. Persons or groups are requested to sign in at the Checkout Desk in advance.
- b. Use of the Library property does not indicate the Library’s opposition or endorsement of the candidate or issue that is the subject of the petition, interview, campaign or discussion.
- c. Permitted areas for campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, protesting, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting outside of the Library building shall be limited to areas 25 feet [AS2] from all entrances.
- d. No person shall block ingress or egress from the Library building.
- e. Permitted times will be limited to the operating hours of the Library.
- f. Campaign material, literature or petitions may not be brought into the Library, posted at the Library or left on Library property.
I. Sales. Selling merchandise on Library Property without prior permission from the Library Director is prohibited.
J. Distributions; Postings. Distributing or posting printed materials/literature on Library Property not in accordance with Library policy is prohibited.
K. Restrooms. Misuse of restrooms is prohibited, including but not limited to any of the following activities:
- Laundering or changing clothes
- Sleeping
- excessive personal grooming, such as shaving, hair cutting or trimming, bathing, shampooing or brushing teeth
- Any sexual activity
- Entering the restrooms when the “Do Not Enter” sign is posted.
- Library materials may not be taken into restrooms.
- Causing any damage to the restroom including but not limited to graffiti, vandalism, or other malicious behavior, such as clogging toilets or drains.
- Intentionally or deliberately failing to flush the toilet so that Library staff are required to intervene or clean the restroom as a result of the failure.
Unless a parent or guardian is assisting a child or a patron is assisting a person with a disability, there shall only be one person to a stall.
L. Harassment. Staring, photographing, video recording, audio recording, following, stalking, harassing, arguing with, threatening, talking or behaving in a manner (1) which can reasonably be expected to disturb Library users or staff while such staff or patrons are in the Library or on Library property; (2) that interferes with the Library patrons’ use of the Library or the ability of the staff person to do his or her job is prohibited; (3) would create or may result in a hostile work environment for Library staff; and/or (4) that violates Michigan or federal law.
M. Loud Noise. Producing or allowing any loud, unreasonable, or disturbing noises that interfere with other patrons’ use of the Library or which can be reasonably expected to disturb other persons or have the intent of annoying other persons, including yelling, cheering, talking (with others or in monologues) or noises from electronic, entertainment, and communication devices, such as cell phones, tablets, headphones, and radio, is prohibited. Patrons may use headphones or earbuds but at a volume that cannot be heard by other Library patrons or staff.
Adults may read aloud to children in the Youth Area, provided that they are reading in a voice that would not reasonably disturb others.
N. Odor. Offensive odor, including but not limited to, body odor due to poor personal hygiene, overpowering perfume or cologne, or odors from items brought into the Library, that causes a nuisance is prohibited. (For example, if the patron’s odor interferes with staff or other patrons’ use of the Library, the patron violates this Policy).
O. Phones. Those patrons desiring to use phones to place or receive calls must use the phones quietly so as not to disturb other patrons, outside of the Library building or in the Library’s lobby.
P. Library Policies. Patrons must adhere to all Library Policies.
Q. Identification; Masks. Patrons must provide identification to Library staff when requested. A mask, hood, or device by which any portion of the face is so hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer is prohibited on Library Property, except for persons wearing head covering or veils pursuant to religious beliefs or customs.
R. Tables or Structures on Library Property. No person may use or set up a table, stand, sign or similar structure on Library Property. This does not apply to Library-sponsored or co-sponsored events.
S. Smoking; Tobacco or Marijuana Use. Smoking, using e-cigarettes, vaping, electronic nicotine delivery systems or chewing tobacco is prohibited on Library Property. Using, smoking or possessing marijuana on Library property is also prohibited.
T. Attire. All patrons are expected to be fully dressed, including shoes and shirt, at all times while on Library property. Visible or damp swimming suits left uncovered are not considered to be appropriate attire. No one with uncovered undergarments will be permitted on Library property.
U. Patron Use of Teen and Children’s Area and Computers: The Youth area of the Library is intended for use by children (age 12 or younger) and the parent, guardian or caregiver who accompanies them. The Teen area of the Library is intended for use by children (age 12 to 18 years) and the parent, guardian or caregiver who accompanies them. Computers located in the Teen and Youth area are for teens or children and adults who are accompanying a child. Adults who are not accompanied by a child may browse the collection but may not remain or be seated in the Teen and Youth area. In the interests of protecting children, any patron may be asked to leave the area if they are not using the Youth area for its intended purpose.
IV. Rules for the Use and Preservation of Library Materials and Property
A. Care of Library Property. Patrons must not deface, vandalize, damage (including noxious odors), or improperly use or improperly remove Library materials, equipment, furniture, or buildings. Patron shall not load or install any programs or software on Library computers. Patrons shall be responsible to reimburse the Library for costs incurred by the Library for violating this provision. Patrons shall not cause damage by returning books containing bedbugs, cockroaches or other pests or bringing such pests into the Library.
B. Internet Use. Patrons must abide by established time limitations and all other provisions of the Library Internet Use Policy.
C. Equipment. Library staff computers are for staff use only.
D. Authorized Lending. Library materials may only be removed from the premises with authorization through established lending procedures.
E. Use of Tables and Computers. Only four (4) people may be seated at a table and no additional people may stand around one (1) table. Public meeting rooms may have different usage restrictions.
V. Violations and Appeal
The Library Director or the Director’s designee may restrict access to Library facilities pursuant to the terms of the Library Violations and Appeal Policy.
Revised November 20, 2025