CODE OF CONDUCT

Welcome to Temple Terrace Public Library. Our library is supported by the taxes of its citizens who have a right to expect our facility to be clean, pleasant, and safe places for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, and attending library sponsored or community programs and meetings.

This Code of Conduct is intended to encourage behavior that supports the Library's mission of providing the best possible resources in a warm, welcoming environment. Behavior becomes unacceptable when it interferes with this mission, compromises the rights of others, causes damage to buildings or equipment or causes injury to oneself or others. Those willing to modify unacceptable behavior are always welcome to stay. However, those unable to comply will be asked to leave. If necessary, the authorities will be called. Parents or guardians are responsible for the conduct and safety of persons under their care.

Examples of unacceptable library behavior include:

- Abandoning or leaving young children unattended
- Abuse or vandalism of Temple Terrace Public Library materials, equipment or property.
- Bathing, shaving, washing clothes or other misuse of restrooms
- Bringing animals into the library (except service animals for the disabled)
- Disruptive use of cell phones, radios, televisions or other electronic products
- Distribution or posting of printed materials not approved by Library administration
- Eating and/or drinking
- Illegal activity of any sort
- Inappropriate use of library computers, such as:
Damaging or altering computer equipment, systems or software
Displaying, printing, sending, or storing obscene, libelous, threatening or harassing material
Downloading or installing any program on the hard drive of any computer
Playing interactive games or using chat mode
Violating copyright or trademark laws, software license agreements or intellectual property rights
- Loitering, including refusal to leave at closing
- Loud talking or crying
- Possessing, consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
- Selling or soliciting
- Skateboarding, rollerskating or any similar activity
- Sleeping
- Smoking or related tobacco use
- Unruly or offensive behavior
- Verbal abuse, physical abuse or sexual harassment of library users or staff

UNATTENDED CHILD POLICY

The library is a public place open to all members of the community and as such the staff encourages and welcomes use of the facility by children. However, for the safety of the children and courtesy to all patrons, parents are required to provide proper supervision and control over the activities of their children at all times.

To encourage both use and good behavior, parental cooperation is requested to observe the following:

1. Children under 8 years may not be left unattended in the library. They must be supervised at all times by their parent or an approved caregiver over the age of 16.

- The caregiver must remain in the room supervising the child at all times.

- The caregiver must remain in the library while children are attending story times, puppet shows or other library programs and reassume supervision over the child upon program completion.

2. Children aged 8 through 10 will not be allowed to remain in the library without a caregiver present for more than 30 minutes.

3. Children aged 11 to 13 can be left alone for no more than 2 hours without a caregiver.

4. Talking, eating, chewing gum, drinking or other disruptive behavior will not be permitted. Such conduct can result in denial of library privileges. After a warning by library staff, children who continue to be disruptive may be asked to leave. If disruptive children have no transportation a parent or guardian will be called.

5. If an unaccompanied minor under the age of 16 remains in the library without a ride home at closing time, library staff will call the police and remain with the child until police arrive. The officer will remain with the child until the parents arrive or take protective measures as necessary.