Board Policy

DATE REVIEWED:   03/16/2026
DATE APPROVED:  03/16/2026
EFFECTIVE DATE:  03/23/2026
REPLACING POLICY EFFECTIVE:  8/19/2024   

In order to provide a comfortable environment for use of the Pickerington Public Library (PPL) and on the Library’s websites, the rules for customer behavior are listed below. The term customer addresses anyone on or utilizing Library property. Any individual who repeatedly violates the Library rules and regulations shall be denied the privilege of access to the Library by the Board of Trustees. Specific violations with lengths of eviction are outlined in Appendix A. Any individual whose privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the board.

The board authorizes the Library Director to bring to the attention of law enforcement authorities the identity of and circumstances involving those individuals who violate these rules. Individuals who have been evicted may be required to discuss the violation with a manager, or a member of the Library’s Executive Leadership Team before being readmitted. Juveniles may be required to bring a parent or guardian for such a conference.

Any individual evicted from the Library has the right to appeal that eviction by following the steps outlined in the Eviction Procedure.

The Library’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is responsible for oversight, interpretation, and ensuring consistent application of the Customer Code of Conduct across all departments and Library locations. The ELT shall ensure that the Customer Code of Conduct is maintained, reviewed, and posted prominently in electronic and print formats. All Library employees are authorized and expected to enforce the Customer Code of Conduct in the course of their duties. Staff members shall address observable violations of these rules. When a violation occurs, staff shall inform the individual of the violation and may direct the individual to correct the behavior. Staff may issue a warning when appropriate; however, a warning is not required prior to directing a customer to leave Library property. If compliance is not evident or if staff determine that the behavior warrants immediate action, staff are authorized to require the individual to leave Library property in accordance with Appendix A of the Customer Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with a directive to leave Library property will result in Law enforcement involvement including enforcement of section 2911.21 of the Ohio Revised Code (Criminal Trespass).

Enforcement of established rules are required to ensure equitable treatment of all customers and to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. Staff are expected to exercise professionalism and sound judgment in how violations are addressed. Observable violations of the Code of Conduct must be addressed, and consistent enforcement preserves the integrity of Library operations.

The Executive Leadership Team retains the authority to modify or bypass progressive warning steps when, in its judgment, circumstances warrant immediate removal or suspension in order to protect the safety of customers, staff, or Library operations. During periods of repeated or escalating misconduct, the ELT may direct staff to implement heightened enforcement measures, including immediate eviction without prior warning for specified behaviors. Such directives shall be applied consistently and in accordance with Appendix A. 

Any misconduct that hinders the use of Library materials or services, which disturbs the use of the Library by other customers or Library staff or endangers the safety of the customer in question or other customers or Library staff, is prohibited. The rules of conduct include but are not limited to:

1. Appropriate attire, including a fastened/closed shirt must be worn.

2. Children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by an adult. Responsibility for all children (under the age of 18) using the Library rests with the parent/guardian or assigned chaperone, not with the Library personnel.

3. Customers must abide by the Library’s Computer & Internet Usage Policy.

4. Customers shall promptly leave the building at closing time or in an emergency.

5. Personal items are the sole responsibility of the owner. They should not be left unattended.

6. Behavior that interferes with Library services and activities is prohibited. Behavior expectations apply equally before, during, and after Library programs and events. Participation in a program does not exempt any individual from compliance with this policy. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Unreasonable noise (including radios and ringing/musical tones played by cell phones) or loud talking which interferes with the rights of others
• Physical or verbal abuse of Library customers or staff
• Profanity or other abusive language toward other Library customers or toward employees
• Harassing others, either verbally or through actions. Deliberate repeated behavior that is intimidating, hostile, offensive, or adversely impacts staff work performance
• Fighting on Library property
• Roughhousing or running in the building
• Misuse of Library furnishings, restroom facilities, materials, or equipment
• Unauthorized removal or attempted removal of materials (liable to prosecution —see Ohio Revised Code 2935.041)
• Animals in the building, except service animals or those used in programs authorized by Library staff
• Any illegal activity
• Gambling, panhandling, soliciting money, any activity for personal profit
• Trespassing, such as entering or remaining on premises after closing, or failing to leave property for violating the code of conduct
• Engaging in or soliciting a sexual act
• Consuming food or beverages while using Library technology
• Excluding programming, consuming food outside of designated areas of the Library (The Director shall determine designated areas)
• Offensive odors including but not limited to body odor
• Bathing, shaving, or washing clothes on Library premises
• Smoking, chewing tobacco, or using electronic cigarettes
• Other acts disruptive to customers or staff

The Library does not permit weapons of any kind, either concealed or in plain view, in its facilities pursuant Ohio Revised Code, Section 2923, unless the owner of the weapon is a law enforcement officer.

The Library recognizes that Ohio Law gives all individuals the right to own, possess, transport, carry, and keep a knife for purposes of personal protection and other legitimate uses (e.g., hunting and sporting activities), and establishes that such right shall not be subject to any license, permission, restriction, delay or process other than those which are imposed by the U.S. Constitution, the Ohio Constitution or applicable state or federal law. Therefore, while knives are allowed on library property, the library reserves the right to prohibit the brandishing of knives, using a knife to threaten or intimidate others, or using knives in any unsafe manner that could reasonably result in personal injury or property damage.

Filming and photography are allowed as described below only to the extent that they do not interfere with the mission of PPL or delivery of library services.

Public library facilities and grounds are defined as limited public forums subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. Sidewalks around our libraries are traditional public forums, defined as places held in trust of the public to use for free speech and other activities protected by the First Amendment.

PPL is within its rights to limit filming and photography on library properties or inside facilities when such restrictions serve library purposes. Foremost of these is ensuring the right of PPL customers to acquire knowledge and information freely and confidentially without scrutiny, intimidation, or distraction by others.

PPL may film, photograph, or record library-sponsored programs or events at its discretion.

The Library reserves the right to inform law enforcement if any customer appears to be under the influence of any controlled substance.

The Library reserves the right to limit the number of individuals who may gather where ingress and egress are blocked.

The above rules are based on powers granted to a public Library Board of Trustees under the Ohio Revised Code, Section 3375.40(H). They will be posted prominently in the Library building.

With everyone’s cooperation with the above policy, the Library will continue to be a pleasant environment for our customers and visitors.

The Board of Trustees of the Pickerington Public Library reserves the right to change this policy without notice.

Appendix A
Customer Code of Conduct

The responses listed below represent typical enforcement steps. Library staff may issue a warning when appropriate; however, a warning is not required prior to directing a customer to leave Library property when the circumstances warrant immediate removal.

Scope

The infractions listed in this Appendix are representative examples of prohibited conduct and are not intended to be exhaustive. The Library reserves the right to address and take enforcement action, including requiring a customer to leave Library property or suspending Library privileges, for behavior that violates the Customer Code of Conduct, disrupts Library operations, or threatens the safety or well-being of customers or staff, even if the specific behavior is not expressly listed in this Appendix.

Staff Authority to Director Authority

In situations where behavior is not specifically addressed in this Appendix, Library staff are authorized to require a customer to leave Library property until a determination is made by the Director or designee. The Director or designee shall determine and impose any extended suspension of Library privileges based on the nature and severity of the conduct.

Flexibility for Severity

The Library reserves the right to impose longer eviction periods than those listed when the severity of the conduct or safety concerns warrant additional restrictions.

Evidence/Identification

Individuals may be subject to eviction under this Appendix following review of security footage, based on staff observation, incident reports, or other credible information or documentation when involvement in a disruptive or safety-related incident is identified after the initial occurrence.

Minors

For minors, the Library may require parent or guardian contact prior to return when the minor engages in significant disruption, refuses to comply with staff directives, or engages in a safety-related incident. This requirement may be imposed in addition to or in lieu of the eviction periods listed above.

If a minor is evicted from Library property, the minor must leave Library property immediately or may face criminal trespassing. Contacting a parent or guardian does not permit the minor to remain on Library property while awaiting pickup.