Appropriate Library Use Policy

The Kyle Public Library (Library) strives to protect the rights and safety of Library customers and staff, and to preserve and protect the Library's materials, facilities, and property.

1. Limited Public Forum
   1. The Library is a limited public forum. The Library may impose restrictions on disruptive expressive activities in a limited public forum if such limits are reasonable and viewpoint neutral.
2. General Expectations
   1. A staff member may not modify or waive these policies.
   2. A customer must abide by the standards of behavior set forth in these policies. These policies identify prohibited behavior for Library customers, with consideration of the situation and age-appropriateness. 
   3. A staff member will report criminal activity that occurs in the Library to appropriate Law Enforcement.
3. Children
   1. A child under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible parent or caregiver who is at least 17 years of age.
   2. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children rests solely with the parent/caregiver.
   3. Parents and caregivers are responsible for their child’s use of Library resources and services.
   4. Library staff are not permitted to assume responsibility for the care of children in the Library.
   5. If staff deem a child unsupervised or stranded, they will try to locate the parent or caregiver. If a parent or caregiver cannot be located, Library staff will call local Law Enforcement.
4. Animals
   1. A customer may not bring an animal into the Library unless it is the customer’s service animal.
   2. This does not apply to an animal used by the Library for a special event.
5. Food and Beverages 
   1. Consuming food or beverages is prohibited in non-designated areas, with the exception of water in a capped container.
   2. Exceptions may be made for Library sponsored events and approved use of Library Meeting / Community Rooms.
6. Attire and Hygiene
   1. A customer may not enter, or remain in the Library, in a bathing suit, or in clothing that does not cover both upper and lower torso, or without shoes.
   2. A customer may not enter or remain in the Library if the person emits a strong odor, due to use of perfume or cologne or for other reason, that would be offensive to a person of ordinary sensibilities.
7. Sleeping
   1. A customer over the age of 12 years may not sleep in the Library.
8. Smoking and Tobacco Use; Burning Materials
   1. A person may not smoke or use tobacco products or e-cigarettes including vapes in the Library.
   2. A person may not ignite a flame, burn incense or any other material, or light a candle.
9. Restrooms
   1. A customer may not bathe, shave, wash clothes, or dry clothes in a Library restroom.
   2. A customer may use a restroom lavatory only for washing the person’s hands or face.
10. Personal Belongings
    1. A customer may not leave personal belongings unattended in the Library.
    2. The Library will not monitor personal belongings and is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced personal items.
    3. A customer assumes the risk of loss or theft of personal items brought to the Library.
    4. A customer may not bring a bedroll, blanket, pillow, or sleeping bag to the Library.
    5. A customer may not enter the Library with a cart or other wheel device for carrying baggage.
11. Personal Behavior
    1. A customer may not: 
       1. unreasonably disrupt the normal use of Library services or property by the Library staff or other customers;
       2. enter an area that is not open to the public;
       3. block access to an entrance, passageway or resource; or
       4. distribute literature or otherwise solicit customers inside Library buildings or parking areas.
    2. A customer may not:
       1. enter or remain in the Library while in possession of any illegal drug or alcoholic beverage;
       2. enter or remain in the Library while intoxicated by a drug or alcohol;
       3. use abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language;
       4. make an offensive gesture or display; or
       5. access sexually explicit audio or visual material on a library computer or on a personal electronic device. Sexually explicit audio or visual material includes, but is not limited to, material that shows or depicts intimate parts, sexual conduct, sexual contact, or sexual intercourse as defined in Chapter 21 of the Texas Penal Code.
    3. A customer may not:
       1. harass, sexually harass, abuse, threaten, or fight with a person;
       2. threaten or damage Library property;
       3. incite a breach of the peace;
       4. except as expressly permitted by state or federal law, carry or display a weapon;
       5. perform a criminal act;
       6. vandalize, steal, or recklessly or intentionally damage Library property or the property of another person.
12. Violations
    1. If a customer violates these rules, a staff member shall orally warn the customer to stop the behavior. If the customer fails to stop the unacceptable behavior, the staff member will ask the customer to leave the Library.
    2. If a staff member determines that a violation of this policy is so serious that the customer remaining in the Library creates a danger to Library property, the Library staff, or to other customers, or interferes with the use and enjoyment of the Library by other customers, the staff member will ask the customer to leave without an initial oral warning.
    3. If a customer refuses a request to leave the Library, the staff member will seek the assistance of Law Enforcement.
13. Denial of Physical Access to the Library
    1. Library administration may deny a customer physical access to the Library as provided in this section if the customer is asked to leave the Library for:
       1. a violation of any combination of these rules in the Library, for which the person was asked to leave the Library three times in a six-month period;
       2. any single violation of Section XI(B) that involves physical injury to a person, theft of or damage to City property or to the personal property of another person, or a breach of the peace; or
       3. any single violation of Section XI(C).
    2. The period for which a customer is denied physical access to the Library under this section is:
       1. one year, beginning on the effective date of the denial; or
       2. in the case of a customer who has had a previous denial of physical access under this rule that was not rescinded, the denial of physical access is permanent.
       3. a customer who is denied physical access to the Library may continue to access Library information and services in ways that do not require physical access, so long as the customer meets other requirements for access to the information and programs.
    3. A customer who is denied physical access to the Library can appeal the decision by contacting the City Manager’s Office.