Everett Free Library

The Everett Free Library has established certain standards of acceptable behavior on library property in order to maintain an atmosphere that promotes the use and enjoyment of the resources and services of the library, promotes the safety of the general public and the library staff, and protects the building, furniture, equipment, and materials of the library.

Any activity that interferes with the rights of other patrons to use the library, disrupts the normal functioning of the library, could result in physical, emotional, or mental injury to oneself or others, or could result in damage to the facilities, equipment, or materials is considered disruptive and unacceptable behavior.

The library reserves the right to require anyone who engages in disruptive behavior to leave the premises, the right to restrict privileges for a specified period of time, and the right to ban the individual from the library for a specified period of time or permanently. In most cases, a staff member will notify the individual that he or she is in violation of the standards of conduct and will provide one verbal warning.

Unlawful activities will be reported immediately to the police.

Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to the following:

• Loud Talking and Laughing. Sensitivity to noise varies from one person or group to another; however, if one person or group is heard above the general noise level in the library at a particular time, this person or group will be requested to lower their voices.
• Fighting. Includes any type of fighting, whether real or pretend.
• Throwing Objects. Includes wadded up papers, paper airplanes, other small objects, and larger objects that could cause injury.
• Boisterous Behavior. Includes running, horseplay and annoying other patrons.
• Cellular or Portable Phones. Use of cellular or portable telephones by patrons is restricted to the entry area of the library,
• Abusive or Obscene Language or Gestures. Includes language or gestures that convey a sexually explicit message or are conveyed in a coarse or crude manner and any language that verbally abuses another individual.
• Solicitation. Includes selling anything for personal gain or a charitable cause, begging, panhandling, or circulating petitions among other patrons and staff members. Public petitions may be posted on the public bulletin board.
• Eating and Drinking. Reserved for designated areas only.
• Smoking.
• Sleeping. Prohibited, except for young children under a parent or care giver’s supervision.
• Loitering. Defined as a person who wanders around the library without apparent legitimate reason and disturbs other patrons.
• Animals. Animals of any kind are prohibited unless serving as an service animal or part of a library-sponsored program.
• Unattended Children. A parent, guardian, or other responsible adult must accompany children under age 8 at all times in the library. For more information, see the library’s Unattended and Disruptive Child Policy.
• Improper Attire. Patrons must wear shoes and shirt in the library building.
• Abuse of Library Equipment, Furniture, and Materials. Includes but is not limited to placing feet on tables and chairs, standing on furniture, mutilating or defacing books or periodicals, and mistreating equipment or computers.
• Bikes, Rollerblades, Skateboards, and Scooters. Must not be ridden anywhere on library property.
• Blocking Aisles or Doorways. Includes obstructing aisles or doorways or in any way interfering with the free movement of any other persons.
• Weapons. Carrying weapons of any type on library property is not permissible except by law enforcement officers.
• Removing Library Materials or Equipment. Staff members must check out all circulating materials and equipment at the circulation desk before they can be removed from library property.
• Playing Music. Includes playing music or other media at a level that is disruptive to other patrons.
• Excessive Displays of Affection. Includes any sexual conduct or physical contact deemed inappropriate for a public place.
• Hygiene. A person may be required to leave the library if his/her personal hygiene interferes with the orderly operation of the library or with the ability of other patrons to use and enjoy the facility.
• Refusing to comply with the reasonable requests of any member of the library staff.
• Illegal Behavior. Any staff member who witnesses illegal behavior will notify his or her immediate supervisor who will contact the police when necessary. Illegal behavior includes but is not limited to the following:
  • Assault. Intentionally or by reckless conduct causes injury to another person.
  • Criminal Mischief. Intentionally damages the property of another (includes vandalism and mutilating library materials).
  • Drunk and/or Disorderly Conduct. Causes public inconvenience by fighting, unreasonable noise, abusive or obscene language or gestures, threatening behavior, hazardous or physically offensive condition.
  • Harassment. Threatens or annoys another person by physical contact or abusive or obscene language or follows a person in or about a public place.
  • Public Lewdness. Intentionally exposes the private parts of the body in a lewd manner in a public place.
  • Theft (Larceny). Wrongfully takes, obtains, or withholds the property of another.
  • Trespass. Knowingly enters or remains unlawfully on the premises.

Controlled Substances. Includes using, selling, or possessing controlled substances on library property, and entering library property while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal controlled substances. The use of alcohol is prohibited on library property unless specifically approved by the Board of Trustees for public events.