Rules of Conduct

The Board of Trustees believes that customers of the Champaign Public Library have the right to use library materials and services without being disturbed or impeded by other library users; that customers and staff have the right to a secure and comfortable environment; and that staff and customers have the right to materials and facilities that are in good condition.

Rules of conduct for library users

1. Any behavior that is disruptive or hinders the use of the library or endangers public safety or public health is prohibited on library property. This includes, but is not limited to, loud or boisterous behavior, verbal or physical harassment, drunkenness, running, fighting, and strong fragrances and body odor.
2. Smoking, electronic cigarette devices and use of tobacco is not permitted on library grounds.
3. Eating and drinking is limited to that authorized in the Food and Beverage Policy.
   
4. Sleeping and bathing are not permitted anywhere on library property.
5. Shoes and shirts must be worn in the library.
6. Animals are not allowed to be left unattended on library property and are prohibited from entering any library facility, except for service animals assisting individuals with disabilities. Emotional support animals are prohibited.
7. Selling products or services and/or soliciting donations are not permitted on library property except as authorized by the Library Director or designee.
8. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children while they are on library property. Children under the age of eight must be attended by a parent or other responsible caregiver in seventh grade or higher at all times while on library property. Supervision is defined as within sight of the child.
9. The library is not responsible for personal belongings.
10. Bags or other personal belongings should fit within the table and chair space normally allotted to one person.
11. The violation of federal or state laws or local ordinances is not permitted on library property. Theft, vandalism, or mutilation of library material or property, are criminal offenses that shall be prosecuted. In this regard, the library reserves the right to inspect any and all library users’ personal belongings, including, but not limited to, bags, purses, briefcases and backpacks.

Persons who refuse to comply with the Rules of Conduct may lose their library privileges. The library reserves the right to remove any person whose behavior is disruptive, is inappropriate for a library environment, or interferes with the use of the library by others.

Appendix A. Suspension Periods

Refusal to leave Library premises when suspension is issued will result in Library staff contacting the authorities and an extended suspension period.

Appendix B. Library Suspension Appeal Process

A customer who wishes to appeal a suspension may do so by making a written request to the Library within 10 days of the date the suspension originated.

To submit an appeal, the customer must include the following information: name, address, return phone number or email, date of suspension, suspension details, including any relevant details such as when and where the incident took place, and the resolution the customer is seeking. Written requests can be emailed to librarian@champaign.org or submitted at any service desk.

The Library will offer the customer a reasonable opportunity to be heard concerning information the customer deems relevant to the situation. The appeal will be referred to the following staff, in order.

• Department manager
• Security manager
• Deputy Director
• Library Director

The Library Director's decision shall be final.

Appendix C. After School Teen Activities

Each day, the Library welcomes 200-250 teen students after school to enjoy activities in a come-and-go setting. Due to the volume of students, staffing and supervision considerations, and to ensure other customers can utilize the Library, the following guidance is applicable to teens during the after school time to ensure successful visits.

During the academic year and from the time of school dismissal until 6pm, the Library utilizes the Tips4Teens guidance to ensure safety and appropriate conduct for teens at the Library.

Children must be between ages of 10-18 and able to take direction from staff in order to participate in the after school teen activities. The Library does not require check-in or registration for after school teen activities and does not have parent/guardian contact information.

Tips4Teens

In addition to the Rules of Conduct, the Library prohibits the following behaviors during the times referenced above.

• Roaming inside or outside the Library or hanging out in undesignated spaces.
  • To ensure other customers can use the Library, the designated spaces are strictly limited to The Studio, TeenSpace, Teen Alley, and the Cafe and Patio with limitations.
• Disturbing or being disrespectful to staff or others
• Eating in areas other than the cafe
  • With the exception of small items such as fruit and prepackaged single-serve snacks, outside food is not permitted (i.e. food delivery, food from local businesses).
  • Students will be asked to put food away if behaviors become disruptive.
  • Once each student has finished eating and within a reasonable amount of time, typically 10 minutes or less, staff will approach teens to ask them to move to a designated location, so other customers can also enjoy the cafe space.

Designated Spaces

Due to the volume of teens who visit the library during the afterschool hours and to ensure other customers can utilize and enjoy the library, the following designated areas are available to teens and include consistent staff supervision.

• The Studio (lower level): available for computer use, playing games, engaging in activities, and making crafts. The Studio is open for after school activities until 4:30pm.
• TeenSpace (first floor): available for computer use, playing games, and studying
• Teen Alley (first floor near Children's desk): available for quiet study
• Cafe:
  • The Library Cafe is available for purchases of drinks and snacks. With the exception of small items such as fruit and prepackaged single-serve snacks, outside food is not permitted (i.e. food delivery, food from local businesses).
  • Students will be asked to put food away if behavior becomes disruptive.
  • When teens are finished eating in the cafe seating area, staff will ask them to choose a designated location so other customers can enjoy the cafe space.
• Patio: to ensure other customers can enjoy the patio, up to ten teens will be permitted to enjoy the space at a time.

To ensure all customers can utilize the Library, the following areas are not designated for teens during after school times and staff will redirect teens in these areas to designated spaces.

• Early childhood play area (intended for children ages 0-9)
• Children's iPads area (intended for children ages 0-9)
• New Materials (Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction and AV collection)
• Second Level (Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction and computers)
• Loitering in restrooms is prohibited.

Student Conduct and Redirection

Library staff will notify a student of inappropriate conduct. Additionally, staff will make an attempt to redirect students exhibiting inappropriate behavior. If necessary, staff may ask a student to leave for the day. Certain behaviors may necessitate staff asking a student to leave without a redirection attempt.

If a student is asked to leave, Library staff will offer the student a phone to call a parent/guardian. The Library does not require check-in or registration for afterschool teen activities and does not have parent/guardian contact information.

Parent/Guardian and Library Staff Interactions

Adults entering designated after school activity areas will be approached by a staff member who will ask if they are a parent/guardian picking up a child. Parents/Guardians are expected to maintain brief visits to designated areas during the after school activities to ensure the intended teen activity audience is maintained.

Parents/Guardians should not approach library staff during after school activities to discuss matters concerning their child as this can disrupt staff from their duties and risk the safety of program operations. Library staff will refer a parent/guardian to call the library or schedule an appointment to reach a manager to discuss their concerns.

• Parents/Guardians are expected to call 217. 403. 2000 to reach the Children's Services Manager or the Security Manager to discuss concerns regarding their child.
• Parents/Guardians who repeatedly approach staff during after school activities will be asked to leave.
• Parents/Guardians are prohibited from approaching other children, who are not their children, to discuss matters or share concerns at the Library. Parents/Guardians who wish to share a complaint or concern about children, who are not their children, must do so by alerting Library staff.
• Failure to comply may result in suspension of library services and contact with authorities.

Reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees on September 17, 2025