Patron Behavior
The library reserves the right to cause to be removed from the library and to refuse further admission to those individuals who may violate the rights of the library staff or library users, or who create disorder in the library in any of the following situations:
When the actions of the person present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others in the library.
When a person is observed attempting to steal library property or that of another library user, or to maliciously destroy or vandalize library property.
When a person willfully and purposefully disturbs the staff or other library users or whose behavior is in any way disruptive to the legitimate use of the library facilities by others.
When a person’s behavior is inappropriate to the use of the library building, equipment, and materials for the purposes for which it is legally constituted or otherwise disrupts regular library business.
In the event that a patron who has violated the library’s Patron Behavior policy is removed from the library and/or refused further admission to the library for a set time or permanently, the Director, or designated staff, may at their discretion send written confirmation stating the period during which the patron may not enter the library. This letter may also include the reasons for
the patron’s barring and any conditions under which the patron will be re-admitted to the library.
Notices regarding the barring of a minor patron from the library will be sent to the minor patron’s parent or legal guardian.
Dress and Attire
Patrons are required to be fully clothed, including shoes and shirt, at all times.
Personal Communication and Entertainment Devices
Items such as, but not limited to, pagers, cellular phones, personal computers, portable listening devices, and radios are to be kept at a volume which does not disturb other patrons or staff in the library. Staff may direct patrons to more private areas if disturbances occur.
Food, Tobacco, Drug & Alcohol
Food and beverages in covered containers are permitted in the Library provided library facilities and resources are kept clean and orderly. The use of tobacco products, including vaping, is not permitted in any part of the library building.
The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of any controlled substances is prohibited on library property. Violations will be reported to local law enforcement authorities.
Use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all library property, except when authorized by the Library Board for specific library or Friends of the Library related programs.
Unattended Children
Responsibility for the care and safety of the children using the library rests with the parents/guardian or assigned caregiver, not with library staff. Under no circumstances does the library accept responsibility for a child while the parent is out of the library. Young children (those too young to travel the streets alone) may not be left unattended in the library by parent/guardian or assigned caregiver. No stranded child shall be forced to leave the library at closing time. Library staff will attempt to contact parent/guardian or assigned caregiver up to 15 minutes after closing. After that time, staff will call the police and ask them to assume responsibility for the unattended child.
Animals in the Library
Patrons may not bring animals, except for service or helper animals, into the Champaign County Library. A service or helper animal must stay with its owner while in the library. Service animals that are disruptive may be removed at the library’s discretion.
Photo Release
A Champaign County Library staff person often takes pictures at library-sponsored programs to use for publicity purposes. Publicity outlets include, but may not be limited to, newspapers, television, newsletters, flyers, library website, and social media.
Attendance at a library program constitutes consent to be photographed for Champaign County Library publicity purposes. Names of individuals will not be used in photo captions unless consent is obtained.
Security Cameras
Security cameras are in use throughout the library for the safety of patrons and surveillance of library facilities.
Possession of Weapons
Weapons are prohibited in the library. The Ohio Revised Code 2923.1212 states “Unless otherwise authorized by law, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person’s control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or
dangerous ordnance onto these premises.” A weapon is defined as a handgun, rifle, knife and/or any other object whose purpose or use is to inflict physical harm to another individual.
May 2025