The Avon Free Public Library welcomes everyone to use the collections, services and facilities of the Town Library. It is a department of the Town of Avon, and as such, a public building open to people of all ages and abilities. The library offers opportunities for reading, study, cultural activities and community information. Use of the various services is subject to the procedures and policies of this library. Visitors are asked to respect the rights of other users of the library and to cooperate with library staff in maintaining a safe, comfortable and reasonably quiet environment. The Library Board is empowered to make these rules under State Statute Title 11, Sec. 11-32 and to exclude from the library any person who willfully violates these rules. The following rules of behavior are used to ensure a welcoming environment.
1. Respect for library users and staff shall prevail at all times. Interfering with another person's right to use the library or with the library staff performance of their duties is not allowed.
2. In addition, the following activities are not allowed in the library:
a. Smoking, use of alcohol, or controlled substances
b. Eating or drinking, except at designated times or in designated rooms. No food or drink near the computers. Water only is allowed in the Children's Room.
c. Disruptive behavior such a running, shouting, pushing, spitting or biting.
d. Sleeping
e. Use of cell phones, radios, cd players and other sound devices without headphones, TVs or other mechanical devices not provided by or used with the permission of the staff.
f. Verbal, harassing or physical threatening behavior.
g. Bringing into the library skateboards, roller blades, bicycles and other sports equipment.
h. No skateboards, roller blades, scooters, bicycles and other wheeled sports equipment are allowed, inside or out. Bikes must be parked on the bike rack and should be locked.
i. Bringing into the library animals except those aiding patrons with disabilities or those animals in training.
j. Canvassing, soliciting, selling or distributing materials.
k. Misuse of restrooms. One person per bathroom except adults assisting children or assisting disabled patrons.
3. The library staff will apply all local ordinances and state laws which govern behavior in public places as well as those regarding defacement, damage or theft of library property, use of false identification to obtain a library card, or use of another person's library card without his/her permission and will call the Police Department to enforce these laws and regulations when necessary.
4. The Library staff may request a patron's consent to examine the contents of any bag or parcel that the patron wishes to bring into the library. If the patron declines to provide consent, the library staff may deny the patron access to the library.
5. The Library staff may require a patron to show his/her library card or other suitable identification.
6. Library patrons are required to wear appropriate clothing which includes shoes and shirts.
7. Parents or accompanying adult are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children under age twelve. according to Connecticut General Statues, Sec. 53-21a. No child uner 12 may be left unaccompanied at the library or outside premises at any time. Please see the full policy, "Unattended Children Policy" at the Avon Free Public Library.
Following a warning, patrons who fail to comply with any of these rules may, at the discretion of the library director, be removed from the library premises, suffer the loss of library privileges or be referred for prosecution of criminal offenses. This is in accordance with the Library's Circulation Policy, a copy of which will be provided on request.
Revised and approved by the Avon Library Board of Directors June 19, 2007
