San Marino Municipal Code Ch. 20 Library Code of Conduct

This Article establishes a Code of Conduct expected of persons using the Crowell Public Library and the processes to address violations of this Code of Conduct. The purposes for the Code of Conduct are to ensure that all persons have the ability to use library services and resources, to ensure that library staff may efficiently provide library services and resources, to prevent disruption to such library services and resources, and to further a peaceful, quiet, and orderly environment in which to learn. (Ord. O-22-1399, 12-14-2023)

For the purpose of this Article, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

A person may not commit or attempt to commit any crime punishable under State law, or federal law, or this code on library premises, including, but not limited to:

A. Assault or battery, as defined in Cal. Penal Code §§ 240 and 242.

B. Theft, as defined in Cal. Penal Code § 484.

C. Obstructing or intimidating business operators, public agencies or customers, as defined in Cal. Penal Code § 602.1.

D. Vandalism, as defined in Cal. Penal Code § 594.

E. Indecent exposure or lewd or obscene conduct, as defined in Cal. Penal Code § 314

F. Possession of designated controlled substances, as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code §§ 11350 and 11351.

G. Disorderly conduct, as defined in Cal. Penal Code § 647.

H. Trespass, as defined in Cal. Penal Code §§ 602 and 634.

I. Smoking, vaping or using tobacco products, as defined in Business and Professions Code § 22950.5(c).

J. Curfew violations, as defined in Article 14.08 of this code.

K. Consumption of alcohol in a public place. (Ord. O-22-1399, 12-14-2023)

A. The following behaviors are disruptive and do not further a peaceful, quiet, and orderly environment to learn. In addition to the criminal conduct listed in this Article, no person may engage in any of the following activities or behaviors while on library premises:

1. Loud or disruptive behavior, including yelling, talking loudly, running, throwing objects, abusive or threatening language, or other behavior which disturbs the quiet environment of the library.

2. Using profane, obscene, imminently threatening, or violent language toward library staff or other persons.

3. Harassing or the making of unwanted verbal or physical advances toward library staff or persons on library premises.

4. Possessing any unlawful or illegal substance on library premises.

5. Using personal equipment in the library (such as cellular phones and audio players) in a manner that is disruptive, noisy, or unsafe. Personal equipment or electronic devices must be muted and made inaudible to other persons while in the library. Cell phones must be set to mute or vibrate.

6. Possessing any beverage in the library without a spill-proof lid.

7. Consuming any food or beverages in a non-designated location within the library.

8. Bringing, possessing, or maintaining on the library premises any garbage or item that emits a foul odor that disturbs other library users or staff.

9. Bringing or using any shopping carts or other wheeled conveyances within the library, on entryways or walkways, in a manner that blocks any passageway on library premises.

10. Smoking, vaping, or using of any tobacco products in the library or within 20-feet of entrances to the library.

11. Consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages on library premises, unless otherwise approved by the city as part of a special event.

12. Leaving backpacks, suitcases, or other large items unattended in the library (other than leaving them at a study carrel while researching the collection for materials), or keeping those items with one in a manner that obstructs entrances, exits, aisles or passageways, or otherwise impedes access to library resources and services.

13. Bringing animals, other than service animals there solely to assist a person with disabilities with tasks directly related to that person's disability, into the library, including but not limited to collection areas, meeting rooms, and stores.

14. Using library facilities for the purpose of sleeping, bathing, shaving, washing clothes or other similar activities.

15. Entering the library or remaining in the library, including, but not limited to, collection areas, meeting rooms, and stores, without wearing shoes or clothes that cover the upper and lower torso area.

16. Soliciting, panhandling, selling products without written authorization from library staff, or otherwise conducting business (including tutoring for a fee) within the library.

17. By a person eighteen (18) years of age or older, and in the absence of accompanying children or the permission of library staff, using or occupying of the children's areas of the library; these areas are specifically designed to meet the needs of young library users and must remain open to those users and the adults accompanying them.

18. Moving library equipment or furniture without library staff knowledge or permission.

19. Tampering with library equipment such as computers, rental equipment, photocopy machines, elevators.

20. Carrying or possessing weapons, including without limitation firearms, chains, clubs, or knives, on library premises.

21. Making unauthorized entry into any restricted area in the library premises, including "staff only" areas.

22. Refusing to relinquish computer equipment or other library resources after scheduled time period for use has expired.

23. Causing overcrowding in library seating areas by sitting more than four (4) persons to a table, two (2) persons to a computer workstation, or one (1) person to a carrel or chair.

24. Failing or refusing to leave the library at closing time.

25. Destroying, defacing or illegally removing library materials or property, including, but not limited to writing in, highlighting or annotating library materials; cutting, tearing or removing pages and parts of pages from library materials.

26. Using library internet and computers in violation of any posted restrictions or on screen notices; including, but not limited to misusing, altering or tampering with computer hardware or software; use of other patrons' library cards/accounts for internet access, disabling firewall or accessing blocked sites.

27. Entering and bringing an excessive amount of personal items or baggage into the library or place it in a manner where it restricts the usage of the library by other patrons and constitutes a nuisance. Personal items may not take up a footprint that exceeds three and one-half by three and one-half feet.

28. Parking bicycles in the library. Using skateboards, inline skates, etc. on library premises.

B. Supervision of minors.

1. No person under the age of nine (9) years of age may enter, use, or remain on library premises without being accompanied by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older.

2. Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older, who brings a child under the age of nine years of age into the library, must supervise and accompany that child at all times.

3. Unattended children who are left on the premises after closing, or children who have been asked to leave the library because of Standards of Behavior violations and cannot reach their parent, will be turned over to the San Marino Police Department. (Ord. O-22-1399, 12-14-2023)

A. Enforcement.

1. Any enforcement officer may enforce against any violation of the rules of conduct contained in this Article.

2. A violation of this Article is punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor as set forth in section 1.04.02.

3. In the alternative, an enforcement officer may enforce against any violation of this Article by issuing notices of violation or administrative citations. The enforcement officer may issue a notice of violation or an administrative citation to a person in violation of this Article in accordance with Chapter 1.06 of this code. The enforcement officer may order the removal of any person from the library for any violation of the rules of conduct concurrently with the issuance of an administrative citation. Any person removed pursuant to such an order may not re-enter onto library premises for the remainder of the business day. Any person who re-enters the library premises after such removal will be considered a trespasser.

B. Suspension of library privileges.

1. In addition to any other punishment provided for at law, any person who commits or attempts to commit a crime or violates one or more of the rules of conduct set forth in this this Article while on library premise s may have their library privileges suspended. A person whose library privileges have been suspended may not enter onto library premises or use the services of the Crowell Public Library during the term of their suspension. A written notice of suspension of library privileges will be issued to the person. The following schedule governs the length of a suspension of library privileges:

a. For a person's first violation, library privileges will be suspended for one week.

b. For a person's second violation within a 12-month period, library privileges will be suspended for four weeks.

c. For a person's third violation within a 12-month period, library privileges will be suspended for 16 weeks.

d. If a person commits four or more violations within a 12-month period, library privileges will be suspended for 12 months.

C. Fines.

1. The City Council may set by resolution the fines to be assessed for violations of this Article. If no amount is specified by resolution of the City Council, the fines set forth in Section 1.06.08 of this code may apply.

D. Appeals.

1. A person may appeal an administrative citation or suspension of library privilege in accordance with the administrative hearing procedures outlined in Chapter 1.06 of this code. (Ord. O-22-1399, 12-14-2023)