Patron Code of Conduct – Penalties and Appeals Process

 

PATRON CODE OF CONDUCT
PENALTIES AND APPEALS PROCESS

Any person who violates the East Lansing Public Library’s rules and regulations contained in Patron Code of Conduct may be subject to the applicable provisions of the Patron Code of Conduct Enforcement Guidelines and may be denied access to the library and to library services by the library director or designee upon notice for a period commensurate with the infraction.

Ordinance of the City of East Lansing Sec. 26-240 – Unlawful entry upon library property:

“No person shall willfully enter upon the lands or premises of the East Lansing Public Library without lawful authority after having been forbidden to do so by the library director, or his/her designated agent. No person being upon said lands or premises shall refuse or neglect to forthwith depart therefrom upon being requested to do so by the library director or his/her designated agent.”

Below are the suggested range of penalties to be considered by the library director or designee. The actual penalty imposed for a violation shall be determined by the library director or designee based on the individual circumstances of the violation. In addition to the listed guidelines for the East Lansing Public Library, any civil infraction or criminal offense committed on the library premises, in violation of local ordinances or state or federal law will be subject to prosecution.

  1. One Day - Up to One Month (includes any civil infractions)
    • Fail to follow the computer use procedures listed in the ELPL Computing Resource Policy.
    • Use tobacco or tobacco products as described under no. 7 in the Code of Conduct.
    • Harass or annoy others through noisy or boisterous activities, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, by singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues, or by behaving in a manner that can reasonably be expected to disturb others.
    • Interfere with library patrons’ or staff’s use of the facilities through poor personal hygiene (for example: body odor, no shoes, clothing that does not cover the upper and lower body, bodily fluids or waste on themselves or their possessions).
    • Found to have brought bed bugs or other pests into library facilities through returned items or on clothing or possessions.
    • Solicit or beg library patrons in the library or on library property in a way that is disturbing to the library patrons.
    • Misuse library restroom facilities by such activities as washing or drying clothes, bathing or shaving, congregating or hanging out.
  1. One Week - Up to Three Months (includes any misdemeanors)
    • Fail to follow library procedures when instructed to do so by library staff.
    • Harass or annoy others by staring at another person with intent to menace or intimidate, by following another person about the building with the intent to annoy, harass, or intimidate that person, by using profane or abusive language, by displaying print or non-print materials of an offensive nature to others, or by behaving in a manner that can reasonably be expected to intimidate others.
    • Enter non-public area; enter or remain in the library after closing hours.
  1. Up to One Year (includes any felonies)
    • Use library computers for unacceptable uses as listed in the ELPL Computing Resource Policy. This includes displaying obscene materials or sexual content that might be harmful to minors. See ELPL Computing Resource Policy for definitions.
    • Knowingly remove materials from the library without checking them out according to standard library procedures.
    • Possess, consume or be under the influence of any intoxicant or any controlled substance (except as may be authorized by prescription).
  1. Up to Two Years (includes any felonies)
    • Threaten or menace library patrons or staff members.
    • Deface, mar, or destroy library property or materials or property owned by others.
    • Indecent exposure.
    • Refuse or fail to leave the library facilities after having been requested to do so for violating Rules of Conduct.
  1. Up to Three Years (includes any felonies)
    • Use library computers to display child pornography. See ELPL Computing Resource Policy for definitions.
    • Touch library patrons or staff members in an aggressive or inappropriate manner.
    • Violate any city ordinance, state or federal law (i.e. fighting, sexually abusive, vandalizing, threatening, etc.)
  1. Extension of Original Suspension
    • Returning to the library while a suspension is still in effect – Up to 1 year added to original suspension.

APPEALS PROCESS
Any person denied access to the library, or its services may appeal the denial to the Library Director, in writing or in-person.

If the appeal is not resolved by the Library Director, it may be submitted in writing to the Library Board within ten days of the date of the appeal decision from the Library Director. The appeal should be addressed to the President of the Library Board, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. The Library Board will provide the person with an opportunity to be heard before deciding the appeal. The decision of the Library Board is final.

Approved by the East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees September 20, 2023

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