Those who come upon the library grounds or enter the library building will be expected to refrain from any conduct which would be understood to disturb or interfere with the legitimate use of the library or interfere with the library’s right to maintain a clean and safe atmosphere conducive to reading, studying, researching, and the pursuit of life-long learning opportunities.  

The following behaviors and activities are examples of conduct prohibited on library property:  

1. Misrepresenting identity and/or eligibility for library services.  

2. Harassing, fighting, threatening, physically harming, or interfering with library staff or patrons.  

3. Engaging in rowdy or unsafe behaviors including excessive yelling, running, and climbing or jumping on library furniture or structures.  

4. Damaging, defacing, or misusing library materials, equipment, or facilities.  

5. Throwing items or littering.  

6. Smoking or tobacco use (including e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco) consuming alcohol or using other regulated illegal substances.  

7. Processing or selling tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs or other regulated illegal substances.  

8. Be detectably intoxicated or in a state of chemically altered awareness.  

9. Willfully and purposely expose patrons and/or staff to images or language in such a way that a reasonable observer would consider the behavior sexual harassment.  

10. Solicit funds, or engage in commercial activity (i.e., sales or service for pay) in the building or on the grounds unless previously authorized by library administrators.  

11. Remain in the library or try to remain in the library after regular closing hours unless taking part in an after-hours program or by other prior agreement with library administrators.  

• Children up to the age of eleven who do not have transportation home at closing time will be supervised by staff and attempts will be made to contact the child(ren)’s parent to pick them up at the library. If transportation is not provided within 30 minutes of closing, the police will be asked to pick up the child(ren).  

12. Engage in sexual activity of any kind, including inappropriate displays of romantic affection.  

13. Entering the library with an animal, except for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act or unless part of an official library program.  

14. Consume food or beverages in carpeted areas that are not contained within a sealable snack bag or closeable container. Open plates or dishes, as well as large meals, are prohibited, unless allowed in a particular area or for a particular library activity.  

General Guidelines for Handling Behavior Problems 

• Patrons who display inappropriate behavior (including but not limited to items listed above) at the discretion of library staff will be warned about the behavior and may be asked to leave if the patron does not comply. Failure to leave the library premises at once when asked to do so will be considered trespassing and local law enforcement will be called. Violations that are determined to be of a severe nature will be given no warning and will be dealt with at once by proper authorities.  

• A written report of the offending patron’s behavior will be given to the Library Director. The Library Director, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees, reserves the right to suspend the library privileges of offending patrons when the severity or continued reoccurrence warrants such action (Wisconsin State Statute 43.52.2) and will be notified in writing of the suspension and reason(s) for such action to the last known address on file in the patron’s account. The Library Director will inform the Library Board of any such action. 

• Any patron whose privileges have been denied by the Library Director may appeal in writing to the Ted & Grace Bachhuber Memorial Library Board of Trustees, and the case will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.  

Unattended Children 

Parents/Legal Guardian, whether present or not, are responsible for their minor children, their children’s behavior, and any resulting damages from their children’s behavior. The library assumes no responsibility for children left unattended on library premises.  

• All children under nine years of age shall always be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible adult or mature adolescent eleven years of age or older. Children attending a program require a parent/responsible person to remain in the library throughout the program.  

• Children nine years of age and older may use the library unattended providing they adhere to the Patron Code of Conduct.  

• If a child of this age group cannot leave the library without an adult, he/she should not be in the library without parent/legal guardian supervision.

This policy adopted 8/14/2025