The Board of Trustees of the Richland County Public Library has adopted the following "Code of Conduct" to provide a suitable environment for use of library facilities. All persons, by use of the library facilities, shall be deemed to have consented to be searched in the event that the book detection alarm is activated. The following actions and forms of conduct are not permitted in the libraries or on library property:

1. Any action or behavior that is disruptive, disturbing, or potentially harmful to others.
2. Loud talking and other noise-producing activities that are disruptive to other library users; including the use of any electronic or mechanical device that produces noise or disrupts other people. Patrons will be asked to go outside to use cell phones if their conversation disturbs others.
3. Any disorderly conduct, including running, fighting, challenging to fight, or provoking violence.
4. Improper use of furniture, equipment, or materials.
5. Intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing any library property or patron's or employee's property.
6. Intentionally taking library property or library materials outside buildings without going through established loan procedures or other authorizations; or other intentional acts to violate procedures or policies.
7. Sleeping.
8. Loitering or hanging around the library for no obvious reason. Users must be engaged in a library activity such as reading, studying, doing research, or participating in a library program.
9. Blocking or interfering with the free movement (actual or potential) of individuals. Bringing in any items, materials or objects that take up an excessive amount of space, restrict the movement of individuals, present a potential harm, danger or distraction, or have no usefulness in the library. Luggage, bedrolls, musical instruments, sports equipment, skateboards, skates, scooters and bicycles are examples of items that are prohibited.
10. Any repeated or excessive hrassment or invastion of privacy of library staff or patrons.
11. Love making, sexual abuse of any kind or another person, sexual harassment, exhibitionism, or indecent exposure.
12. Bringing in, consuming or using food, beverages or tobacco, or posession of open food or drink in library buildings.
13. Posession or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs or being under the influence of same.
14. Improper use of restrooms, including loitering, solicitation, meetings or bathing.
15. Soliciting, surveying, selling of any kind, political campaigning, distribution or posting of materials not specifically authorized by the Library Director.
16. Unauthorized or unscheduled group meetings or group conversation.
17. Unauthorized use of auditoriums or meeting rooms.
18. Monopolizing computers or other library equipment, materials, or facilities preventing others from using them.
19. Unauthorized use of non-public doors or any non-public area.
20. Moving of reference materials (books, periodicals, etc.) from one department to another without proper authorization.
21. Using libraries for child-attending services; leaving a child under 11 years of age for any amount of time (children 10 and under must be attended by someone 16 years of age or older); leaving a child of any age for an excessive period of time or beyong closing.
22. Refusal to leave the library after designated closing time.
23. Unauthorized, improper, or unsafe use of library parking areas or any library property. Skating, bicycling, scootering, running, playing or any similar activity is prohibited on library property. Vehicles parked improperly are subject to being towed at owner's expense.
24. Animals in libraries except guide dogs.
25. Any activity or behavior that is potentially harmful to library buildings, property, users, or staff such as wearing skates or using skateboards.
26. Unusthorized use of library telephones or of any other equipment.
27. Carrying illegal weapons of any type.
28. Wearing shoes is required in the library for safety reasons.
29. Leaving personal possessions unattended on library property.
30. Any illegal acts or conduct in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation.

A person conducting any of the above actions will be asked to leave teh premises, dependant on the seriousness of the violations. Warnings are at the discretion of library staff. A person who persists in the disapproved conduct and who refuses to leave the building and grounds when requested will be subjected to the reporting of such incident to the local police. Repeat violators are subject to loss of library privileges. Code of Conduct adopted by the Library Board of Trustees of RIchalnd County Public Library on December 14, 1981; revised October 14, 1991, December 14, 1992, September 13, 1993, September 10, 2001, January 8, 2007 and April 18, 2008.