Rules of Conduct

The Waterford Township Public Library’s purpose is to welcome and serve all individuals and groups who wish to properly and respectfully use its resources and facilities. The Rules of Conduct are not meant to restrict library use or to deny library services and facilities to people who need them. Instead, the Rules are meant to promote a quiet, safe, attractive, sanitary, and orderly atmosphere and to ensure every person’s right to use Library materials and to have reasonable access to Library facilities without unreasonable interference from any other person. Anyone violating any of these Rules may be asked to leave the Library for the remainder of the day, or for a longer period of time under the circumstances described below. Any person who refuses to leave the Library after being requested to do so for violating these Rules or returns to the Library prior to the authorized time will be subject to arrest and prosecution for trespass. These Rules apply to all Library facilities, including but not limited to the Main Library.

Persons using Library facilities shall not violate any provision of the Township Code of Ordinances, and shall not:

1. Make loud or unnecessary sounds or noises, which disturb the quiet of the Library, other persons or Library Staff.
2. “Loiter”, which is defined as remaining in the Library without reading, studying, or using Library materials or facilities or being engaged in Library-related activities, and being on the Library premises, which includes the parking lot and area surrounding the library building, in a manner that is unlawful under Section 11-175 of the Township Code of Ordinances.   
3. Use cell phones in the Quiet Study Room. Cell phones ringers should be set to vibrate or be turned off. Cell phone conversations in other parts of the Library are subject to the strictures in Rule #1.
4. Harass, intimidate, disturb, stalk, or threaten any person by word or act, or interfere with any other person’s use of the Library facilities by behaving in any manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons or interfere with their use of the Library. Examples of such behavior include but are not limited to, fighting, use of objectionable language, staring at another person, following another person, and singing or talking to others in monologues.
5. Behave in a way that presents an imminent danger to the life or safety of others, including intentional non-emergency activation of alarmed exits, fire alarms, etc.
6. Engage in excessive displays of affection or sexually inappropriate conduct.
7. Consume food or beverages except in connection with events catered for or sponsored through the Library in approved locations. No gum shall be deposited or left anywhere on the premises except in a trash receptacle. 
8. Enter the Library barefoot or without wearing a shirt.
9. Sleep, or solicit or beg in a manner that is unlawful under Section 11-003 of the Township Code of Ordinances.
10. Have possession of any of the following in the library building:
     - Fireworks or explosive device.
    - Firearms in violation of the laws of the United States or the State of Michigan.
    - A Knife, Dirk, or Stiletto with a blade longer than three (3) inches or that is mechanically operated.
    
11. Damage Library property.
12. Be present on the premises while in possession of liquor, non-prescribed controlled substance or alcoholic beverages, or be under the influence of any such substance or beverage.
13. Bring any animal into the facilities except service animals trained to aid the disabled and animals brought into the Library in conjunction with Library programs.
14. Operate any radio, iPod, CD player, phone, any other personal device, or headphones provided by the Library for its computer workstations so that any other person can hear it.
15. Take photographs or video recordings from a camera, camcorder, or cell phone with a camera, of the research materials of other persons in the library without the consent of Library officials.
16. Have bodily hygiene so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons.
17. Violate any of these Rules of Conduct or fail to follow posted policies, directives, or procedures.
18. Refuse or fail to leave the Library facilities after having been requested to do so for violating these Rules.
19. Violate any policy or procedure regarding the use of the Library’s computers or the Internet. The violation of any such policies or procedures may result in the loss of computer privileges as follows: 1st violation – 30 days, 2nd violation – 60 days, 3rd violation – up to one year.

Revised April 2021