The Grand Rapids Public Library supports the right of all individuals to use the Library appropriately with the safety and peace of all in mind. In order to maintain a clean, safe and comfortable environment for our patrons and employees, the Board of Library Commissioners has adopted the following rules. It is the duty of Grand Rapids Public Library staff to see that these rules and responsibilities are properly enforced so that the Library can be appropriately used by all. Patrons who violate these rules and responsibilities will be subject to appropriate penalties.

• Solicitation of any kind is prohibited on Library property.


• Library patrons may not molest or willfully annoy another person.


• No person shall engage in loud or boisterous conduct or create or engage in any disturbance, fight or quarrel that causes or tends to cause a breach of the peace on Library property.


• No person shall use profane, obscene or injurious language in the presence of another person or that is directed at another person on Library property.


• No person may eat or drink in any Library building except in designated areas.


• Smoking and other use of tobacco products is prohibited on Library property except in designated areas.


• Bags and other containers brought into a Library building by patrons must fit completely under a Library chair.


• Unless needed by persons with disabilities or to transport children, wheeled vehicles may not be brought into Library buildings.


• No person shall loiter on Library property or remain on Library property after having been directed to leave by a Library employee.


• No person shall trespass on Library property. This includes being in Library buildings or on Library property when they are not open to the public and going into areas in Library buildings or on Library property that are not open to the public.


• No person shall damage, alter, deface, destroy, meddle with, tamper with, interfere with, disconnect or improperly remove any Library property or any other property not his or her own.


• No person shall fail to return Library materials on time or fail to comply with Library policies or procedures regarding the use of Library materials or services - including computers.


• No person shall be in a state of intoxication on Library property. No person shall possess or consume any alcoholic beverage on Library property except with the approval of the Director.


• No person shall enter into or remain in Library buildings unless they are properly attired including, but not limited to, wearing a shirt and shoes.


• No person shall enter into or remain upon Library property when, because of inadequate personal hygiene, they interfere with the use of the Library by others. No person shall sleep on Library property for more than 10 minutes.


• Parents or other adults accompanying minors on Library property are responsible for the behavior of the minors and for assuring that the minors comply with the Library Patron Rules and Responsibilities. Minors may not be left in the Library as a substitute for appropriate child care.


• No person shall violate any local ordinance or state or federal law when on Library property.


ANY PERSON VIOLATING ANY OF THESE RULES MAY BE ORDERED TO LEAVE LIBRARY PROPERTY, BE DENIED LIBRARY PRIVILEGES, OR BE BANNED FROM USE OF ANY LIBRARY PROPERTY. IF CONDUCT WHICH VIOLATES THESE RULES IS ALSO A VIOLATION OF THE LAW, PROSECUTION MAY RESULT.

Revised by the Board of Library Commissioners, May 2004