Behavior in the Public Sectors of the Ann Arbor District Library
The Board of Trustees of the Ann Arbor District Library is empowered by the District Library Establishment Act, MCL 397.171 et seq., to supervise and control Library property, to adopt bylaws and regulations, not inconsistent with the Act and to do any other thing necessary for conducting the Library service. It is the policy of the Ann Arbor District Library that any person who poses a material threat to the efficient and effective supervision and control of Library property or who willfully and materially interferes with Library operations, including the use and enjoyment of the Library by other patrons, may be excluded from the use of the Library. An individual who violates this policy may be excluded from the Library upon the order of the Library Director or the Library Director's designee. For purposes of this policy, “withholding of Library privileges” means an individual may not enter or use the Library.
The Board of Trustees of the Ann Arbor District Library has adopted this policy regarding behavior in the public sectors of the Library. The Ann Arbor District Library may establish and implement additional policies and procedures related to Library property and operations including without limitation user registration; scheduling and regulating use of Library equipment; scheduling and collecting fees for public use of meeting rooms; regulating usage of any Library property and materials, including without limitation, specialized equipment and/or services provided by the Library and made available to the public; and additional policies regulating use of or patron behavior on Library premises. Such policies and procedures shall seek to make Library property and/or services available to everyone on a safe and equitable basis, to allow staff members to conduct Library business, and to safeguard the Library's property against misuse or abuse.
Behavior prohibited by Ann Arbor City or Pittsfield Township Charter and Ordinances, as appropriate, as well as Federal or State Law, is also prohibited on the premises of the Ann Arbor District Library.
In addition, the Ann Arbor District Library:
1. Prohibits the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on Library property.
2. Prohibits smoking in or on any Library property that constitutes a “public place” pursuant to Michigan Clean Indoor Air Act, MCL 333.12601 et seq., or other Library property (indoor or outdoor) that is posted with NO SMOKING signs or the international “no smoking” symbol.
3. Bans all weapons from Library premises, except for concealed weapons that are exempt from licensure under Michigan law or lawfully licensed and carried in compliance with Act 372 of 1927, as amended.
PERSONS WHO VIOLATE THE ABOVE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE WITHHOLDING OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR SIX MONTHS.
SECOND OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE YEAR.
4. Requires patrons to wear shirts and shoes, or other footwear, at all times in the Library for hygiene and safety purposes.
5. Prohibits the disturbance of other Library patrons, or interference with other Library patrons’ use of the facilities through extremely poor personal hygiene.
6. Prohibits foods in the Library except in designated areas. Beverages in covered containers are permissible.
7. Prohibits sleeping on Library property.
8. Prohibits the use of roller skates, roller blades, skateboards or other similar devices on Library property.
9. Prohibits patrons from bringing bicycles into the Library buildings, securing bicycles to the handicapped ramp railing at any entrance or exit, or parking bicycles in such a manner that they obstruct patrons entering or exiting the Library.
10. Prohibits gambling on Library property.
11. Bans conversation and other sounds in louder volume than the general noise level of the area.
12. Bans animals from the Library and entrance/exit areas except service animals used to assist the handicapped.
13. Prohibits loitering in areas posted as “No Loitering.”
14. Prohibits all campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, soliciting, sales, or other speech or conduct, which results in the disruption of normal Library activities.
PERSONS WHO VIOLATE THE ABOVE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO THE WITHHOLDING OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST OFFENSE: ONE WARNING, THEN OUT FOR THE DAY.
SECOND OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE WEEK.
THIRD OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE MONTH.
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE: LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE REVOKED FOR ONE YEAR.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, any person may, without prior notice or warning, be immediately removed from the Ann Arbor District Library if his or her presence or conduct on the premises poses an immediate and imminent danger to any person or property.
Persons whose Library privileges are withheld for more than 30 days pursuant to the above rules may appeal to the Library Board of Trustees by appearing in person during the Citizens' Comments portion of the agenda at a special or regularly-scheduled Board meeting. This appearance must be within sixty (60) days after the Library’s mailing of notice of withholding of privileges. Such persons' suspension from Library premises shall be rescinded for the limited purpose of attending any Board meeting at which they appear to appeal. The Board of Trustees may extend the usual and customary time limit afforded to an individual for public comment to grant a person making an appeal sufficient time to address the Board. The Board shall hear the appeal, and respond in writing within 10 days.
Policy adopted by the Ann Arbor District Library Board December 12, 1995.
Revisions adopted August 1997; December 1998; October 21, 2003; September 20, 2004; January 28, 2008; February 17, 2014