Andover Public Library has established this Behavior Policy to ensure that library facilities are safe, welcoming and provide equitable access to materials and services for all library users. No individual may engage in inappropriate conduct on the premises of Andover Public Library, or when using library facilities, or when participating in library programs. 

Inappropriate Behavior, shall include, but not be limited to, the following conduct or behaviors: 

• Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a crime or a violation of Federal, State, or local ordinances.
• Possessing, selling, distributing, displaying, or using any dangerous weapon upon library premises. A weapon shall include, but not be limited to, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle, and any other instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. 
• Engaging in any physically intimidating or assaultive behavior. Making any threats of violence or unlawful activities. The library has a policy of zero tolerance for threats and acts of violence. Any person engaging in such behaviors will be immediately ejected from the library. 
• Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance.
• Trespassing by entering or remaining on library premises after having been notified by an authorized individual not to do so and entering or remaining on the library premises during the period in which an individual has been banned from the premises.
• Engaging in any behavior that a reasonable person would find to be disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to library users or staff including stalking, prolonged staring at or following another with the intent to annoy or intentionally behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb other patrons. 
• Eating and drinking inside the library, except during approved activity where food or beverages are served. Food and drink are allowed in the Brenda Merrill meeting room. Drinks may be consumed in public library spaces only when in a container with a secure lid and must be kept at least one foot away from library computers, laptops, and other digital equipment. 
• Smoking or other use of tobacco including electronic cigarettes anywhere in the library building. • Using profane and/or abusive language. 
• Selling, soliciting, surveying, distributing written materials, panhandling, or canvassing for any political, charitable, or religious purposes on library premises without prior authorization of the Library Director or designee. 
• Engaging in excessive or disruptive conversations, talking loudly, using personal electronic equipment at such a volume, or making ongoing noise that is unreasonably disturbing to other library users. 
• Leaving children under the age of 8 unattended on Library premises. 
• Bringing any animal into the library except for service animals, animals for a scheduled library program or with special permission from a library director. 
• Engaging in any sexual contact, activities, or conduct. 
• Not wearing shoes or shirt within the library. 
• Entering or remaining upon library premises with a bodily hygiene so offensive that it constitutes a nuisance to others. 
• Moving furniture without the express consent of the library staff or use of furniture in any manner that may damage the furniture, to include placing feet on the furniture. 
• Using library materials, furniture, equipment, or facilities in any manner inconsistent with the customary use thereof or the theft or intentional damaging of library materials, furniture, equipment, or facilities.
• Leaving items unattended on library premises at any time. Items may be removed from the library premises if they reasonably appear to be abandoned or have been left unattended for 30 minutes or more.
• Interfering with the safe and free passage of library staff or patrons on the premises, including but not limited to the placement of objects in hallways, aisles, flooring, driveway or elsewhere in a manner that impedes the free passage of persons about the library premises. 
• Entering non-public areas of the library without permission.

Behavior and Supervision of Minors and Children in the Library 

Andover Public Library welcomes children. Parents/caregivers are responsible for their child’s safety and behavior while in the library whether the parent/caregiver is present or not. Library employees cannot function as caregivers or babysitters. The library is not equipped, and the staff is not trained to provide longor short-term childcare. The library assumes neither responsibility nor liability for the actions, care, supervision, or safety of minors.

• When a child is unattended or under-attended/ignored and 
• the behavior of the child is disruptive or inappropriate (or) 
• the child appears to be a danger to herself or himself or others (or) 
• the child appears to be threatened by others (or) 
• the child appears to be ill or upset (or) 
• the child has not been met by a parent or caregiver at closing 

library staff will attempt to contact the parent or guardian of the child. If the parent or guardian cannot be located, staff will contact the Andover Police Department. In the event of an emergency, staff will call 911.

Library Response to Violations of Behavior Policy

Any person who violates the behavior policy will be handled in a professional and courteous manner by staff, but the degree of the violation will determine the response. 

Staff is instructed to call 911 immediately in response to any behavior that is deemed dangerous. Staff will call the police for any behavior that is in violation of federal, state, or local ordinances. Staff will call the police if a person or group of persons is asked to leave the library and they refuse to leave and/or become difficult with the staff member.

Minor violations will first result in library staff attempting to educate individuals about the policies before enforcing such policies. If the violation is repeated library staff will issue a warning. Continued violations will result in patron being asked to leave the library for the day. A serious violation or repeated violations, or a violation where the police are called, may result in longer exclusions from the library up to permanent banning from the library. 

Appeal 

An individual who is banned from the library may be criminally charged with trespassing if they return to library property during the term of the ban. Any individual who is banned and whose library privileges have been revoked, may request to have the decision reviewed by the Board of Trustees of the Library. The request must be made in writing and submitted to the Library Director and the President of the Board of Trustees of the Andover Public Library.