District of Columbia Public Library - Rules of Behavior

For the safety and comfort of the public and staff, and to create an environment
conducive for library business the following activities are prohibited on library
property and facilities:

Guideline & Penalties Offenses 1st 7 30 90 6 1

Warning Days Days Days Months Year
1. Smoking. 1st X
Repeat X
2. Gambling. 1st X
Repeat X
3. Fighting. 1st X
Repeat X
4. Sleeping, lying, or placing head on 1st X
tables or on the floors. Repeat X X
5. Distributing or posting printed 1st X X
materials without authorization from an
Associate Director of Martin Luther King
Jr. Memorial Library or Assoc. Dir.
Neighborhood Libraries, or the Branch
Manager. Repeat X
6. Trespassing in nonpublic areas, being 1st X X
in the library without permission of an
authorized library employee before or
after library operating hours and camping
on Library grounds. Repeat X X
7. Use or possession of illegal drugs or 1st X
opened alcoholic beverages.* Repeat X
8. Entering the facility without wearing 1st X X
shirt and shoes. Repeat X
9. More than one large and one personal 1st X
bag not exceeding a total of 2 bags for
each customer. The official Airport
standard “carry on” size 9x14x22” will be
applied to the large bag. Repeat X
10. Using library restrooms for 1st X
inappropriate use, e.g., bathing,
shampooing, doing laundry, changing Repeat X
clothes.

*Such violations are generally more serious in nature & may result an arrest
Guideline & Penalties Offenses 1st 7 30 90 6 1
Warning Days Days Days Months Year
11. Any activity that interferes with 1st X X
customer or staff use of the library,
including but not limited to:
• verbally harassing others;
• Use of obscene language;
• Stalking. Repeat X X
12. Excessive noise, including loud talk 1st X
and music. Repeat X
13. Indecent exposure, sexual activity, or 1st X
nakedness Repeat X
14. Animals, other than service animals 1st X
assisting persons with disabilities. Repeat X
15. Selling, soliciting or panhandling 1st X
unless authorized by Chief Librarian or
designee. Authorized activities may not
obstruct entrance to and exits from the Repeat X X
Library.
16. Moving library furniture or equipment 1st X
without authorization from DCPL staff. Repeat X X
17. Blocking library entrances and aisles 1st X
or interfering with the free access to
building and materials. Repeat X X

18. Abuse of Internet Guidelines. (see 1st X

Internet Guidelines). Repeat X
19. Fraudulent use of other people’s 1st X
library card or number for any purpose,
including reserving computers. Repeat X
20. Stealing, damaging, altering, or 1st X
inappropriate use of library property
including materials, computer hardware
and software, printers, copiers, phones or
other equipment. * Repeat X
21. Carrying firearms and dangerous 1st X
weapons of any type or items that could
potentially be used as a weapon.* Repeat X
22. Food and beverages in the following 1st X
areas, any designated special collection
area, e.g., Black Studies Center,
Washingtoniana, Children’s Illustrator
Collection, and Computer Lab. Repeat X

* Such violations are generally more serious in nature & may result an arrest
Guideline & Penalties Offenses 1st 7 30 90 6 1
Warning Days Days Days Months Year
23. Speeches or sermons outside library 1st X
facilities without an official permit from
the Chief of Police. Repeat X X

24. Unattended packages, luggage, or 1st X

bags. The Library is not responsible for
lost or missing items. Repeat X

25. Use of roller skates, scooters, 1st X

skateboards, bicycles, or other similar
devices. Repeat X

26. Children under age eight (8) without 1st X

appropriate supervision. (see “Unattended
Children’s Policy”) Repeat X

27. Children under age sixteen (16) 1st X

during regular school hours [truancy]
between the hours of 9:30 a.m. through
2:00 p.m. without parental/guardian
consent. Staff will notify parent or
guardian if truancy occurs [DC Official
Code, Title 32-221[2001 ed.] D.C.
Schools define truancy as those students
who are absent from school without a
valid reason (with or without parental Repeat X
knowledge or consent).

28. Adults and Teens, age fourteen (14) 1st X

and older, are restricted from children’s
areas and computers. This exclusion does
not apply to parents, guardians or
caretakers when present with children in
the area and those adults that are selecting Repeat X
children’s materials.

29. Adults are restricted from Teens areas 1st X

and computers. This exclusion does not
apply to parents, guardians or caretakers
when present with teens in the area and
those adults who are selecting teen Repeat X
materials.