Library Code of Behavior | Olathe Public Library

Library Policies

Section 7: Library Code of Behavior

7.1. Guidelines for Customer Behavior

Olathe Public Library (OPL) intends to maintain a positive atmosphere throughout its library buildings. To ensure that everyone can enjoy our libraries, library staff, and any security guards assigned to a library building, will enforce guidelines for customer behavior on library property as well as local ordinances and state laws which govern behavior in public places (see Olathe Municipal Code, Public Offense Code Title 9).

7.1.1 Prohibited Activities and Behaviors

In keeping with OPL’s commitment to customer service and the provision of a safe and inviting atmosphere, the following guidelines explain prohibited behaviors and activities:

Engaging in any behavior in violation of federal, state, local, or other applicable law, or library policy is prohibited.

See List of Prohibited Behaviors:

	Animals	Entering library with animals, insects, or other living organisms, except for “guide dogs, hearing assistance dogs, and service dogs” (Olathe Municipal Code 9.07.330)
	Attire	Entering library without a shirt or other covering of the upper body or without footwear.
	Computer Use	Using library computer workstations in an unacceptable manner. Including, but not limited to: Listening to sound without the use of headphones or earbuds Eating food, including small snacks Drinking from containers without a spill-proof lid Deleting, damaging, or destroying any library computer system Accessing or displaying obscene material on library computers
	Controlled Substances/Alcohol	Using or bringing controlled substances or alcohol into library or exhibiting signs and symptoms of being under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol.
	Damage	Damaging or attempting to damage library materials or library property, including, but not limited to computer stations, furniture, or the personal property of library customers or staff.
	Disruptive Behavior	Interfering with use of library by customers, or with library staff's performance of their duties. Including, but not limited to: Cursing, obscene, or abusive language including hate speech, racial slurs, or profanities. Loud talking, laughter, conversation, or disruptive use of sound-producing devices, including cell phones, music players, and laptop computers. Behaviors that, by sight, sound, or bodily gestures, are intrusive to other customers' concentration and enjoyment of facilities, services, programs, and materials.
	Drink	Using containers with secure lids and spill-proof lids is required.
	Food	Eating food, except for small, pre-packaged snacks, in library is prohibited, except in the café areas, the Downtown Library Copeland Rooftop Terrace, or while attending a library-facilitated program or event or private rental event.
	Hygiene/Odor	Entering library with bodily hygiene and/or odor (including perfumes) that impairs the library’s clean and sanitary environment intended for customers' enjoyment of the library and creates a nuisance for customers.
	Obstruction	Interfering, obstructing, or blocking passageways, including, but not limited to, aisles or exits.
	Personal Belongings	Leaving personal belongings unattended. Library is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Personal belongings must not take up excess space, impede access to services and materials or cause a safety hazard. Unattended personal belongings will be collected, and an effort will be made to identify and contact the owner. If not claimed within a reasonable amount of time, items will be discarded.
	Sexual Misconduct	Engaging in sexual misconduct in library, including, but not limited to exposure, masturbation, sexual harassment, offensive touching, and sexual solicitation.
	Smoking	Smoking or using tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes or vapes, on library property, except for the designated smoking area (see 7.4 Non- Smoking Policy)
	Theft	Theft or attempted theft, or destruction or attempted destruction, damage or attempted damage of library materials or property or the personal property of library customers or staff.
	Unattended Child	Leaving child unattended (see 7.2 Unattended Child)
	Unauthorized Access	Entering or remaining in library before or after posted hours of service, being in unauthorized areas of library, or refusing to leave library when requested during emergency situations, evacuation exercises, or after engaging in prohibited behaviors.
	Use of Facilities	Library facilities, equipment, and furnishings are to be used solely for their intended purposes. Customers are prohibited from jumping, climbing, or engaging in any behavior that may damage library property or pose a safety risk to themselves or others. Sleeping, bathing, washing clothes, preparing meals or food or soliciting in library or on library property is prohibited.
	Wheeled Recreational Equipment	Using skateboards or inline skates on library property (Olathe Munici pal Code 10.01.136).
Wheeled Vehicles		Bringing wheeled vehicles in library or leaving wheeled vehicles in unauthorized areas on library property.

7.1.2. Enforcement and Consequences

Library staff have the right and responsibility to protect the safety of all library customers, staff, property, and materials and to maintain order on library property. Occasionally it will be necessary for a security guard or other staff member to deal with customers who create a disturbance or violate the rights of others. In such situations, library staff should be aware of applicable library policies and procedures.

Customers engaging in prohibited activities and behaviors will be informed about or reminded of the guidelines for customer behavior by library staff and any security guard assigned to a library building, followed by consequences if necessary.

If a customer is observed engaging in illegal behavior, the Olathe Police Department will be contacted.

In all cases of theft, vandalism, disruptive behavior, illegal activities, or injury, an Incident Report shall be filed as soon after the incident as possible.

Continued engagement in prohibited activities and behaviors may result in a customer not being allowed admittance to the library or in expulsion, prosecution, and suspension of privileges on a temporary or indefinite basis.

The Library System Officers (LSOs), in consultation with City Legal, may suspend the library privileges of any customer who willfully violates regulations.

Suspension periods may vary with the severity and repetition of the offense, with up to but not limited to one-year suspension for acts or threats of violence to staff or customers, in addition to legal remedies and prosecution.

7.2. Unattended Children

7.2.1 Unattended Child Under 8

Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children in the library. Children under eight (8) years of age should never be left alone in one area of the library while a parent or caregiver is using another area.

If a child has been left at the library without supervision, the following steps will occur:

1. Staff will attempt to contact the child's family to pick them up.

2. If staff is unable to contact the family, the Olathe Police Department will be contacted for assistance in locating the abandoned child's family and caring for the child.

7.2.2. Unattended Child Over 8

Children and youth over eight (8) years of age, unaccompanied by a parent or caregiver, who behave in a disruptive manner will be warned and if the behavior continues, asked to leave the library. If the child/youth needs a ride home, library staff will assist the child/youth in contacting a parent or caregiver to pick them up.

7.3. Minors Left at Closing

If a minor under sixteen (16) years of age is not picked up by thirty (30) minutes after the library closes and attempts to contact a parent or guardian are unsuccessful, the person-in-charge will contact the Olathe Police Department using the non-emergency number (913-782-0720) to report an abandoned child.

7.4. Non-Smoking Policy

Olathe Public Library (OPL) uses the following definitions for smoke and smoking:

Smoke or smoking means using a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, or any other lighted smoking equipment designed for the use of tobacco, as well as use of an electronic or battery-powered vaporizer (such as e-cigarettes/electronic cigarettes) that simulates tobacco smoking by producing an aerosol that resembles smoke.

An electronic cigarette is a battery-powered device which can provide an inhaled dose of a vaporized solution by means of cartridges or other chemical delivery systems.

Smoking is prohibited on the library grounds, except for the designated smoking area.

The library will place signage on the library grounds which indicates the designated smoking area. If OPL staff become aware that a customer is smoking outside of the designated smoking area, they will inform the person of the library’s prohibition of smoking policy and direct them to the designated smoking area.

Designated areas at each building are:

Downtown Library: Upper parking lot, next to trash enclosure.
Indian Creek Library: Between the electric vehicle charging station and picnic shelter at the park, map.

If a customer has violated the library’s smoking policy on multiple occasions, the library system officer (LSO) may restrict the customer’s library privileges.