Purpose The Board of Trustees of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (FVRL), under the authority granted by RCW 27.12.290, establishes the following Rules of Conduct to protect the rights and safety of all patrons and staff, and to preserve library property, materials, and services. FVRLibraries is committed to cultivating a welcoming, community-centered environment where all people are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Shared Responsibilities When visiting or using FVRLibraries facilities or services (in person or online), patrons are expected to:
- Engage with all staff and other patrons in a respectful and cooperative manner.
- Follow all applicable library policies and procedures.
- Abide by local, state, and federal laws while on library property.
- Use library spaces, materials, and services as intended.
- Maintain order and safe entry/exit by not loitering in high traffic areas, doorways, aisles and stairways, and keep personal items from interfering with others’ access to the library.
Rules of Conduct are applied consistently, respectfully, and equitably to all patrons.
Prohibited Behaviors
1. Unsafe or Disruptive Behavior Activities that interfere with others' use of the library or safety, or disrupt library operations, including:
- Engaging in threatening or harassing behavior that creates a hostile environment on library premises or via remote communication including chat, texts, or phone calls.
- Intimidating or inappropriate behavior toward staff or other patrons (e.g., sexual advances, persistent staring).
- Loud or disruptive conduct, including yelling or misuse of equipment.
- Loitering in high traffic areas, doorways, aisles, and stairways, preventing order and safe entry/exit.
- Placing personal items where they interfere with others’ access to and from the library.
- Bringing or operating bicycles or other similar devices inside library buildings, including but not limited to, vestibules or covered doorways. Operating skates, skateboards or other similar devices in or on library premises. Small carts and baby strollers are welcome unless they interfere with others’ ability to access the library.
- Inadequate attire (e.g., no shoes, no shirt, no bottoms).
- Discomforting others due to offensive body odor; odor on one’s person, clothing, or belongings that is so strong as to interfere with others’ use and enjoyment of the library.
- Moving library furniture or equipment without permission from library staff.
- Bringing in belongings/bags into the library that can’t be carried in a single trip, or kept within your reach at all times. Personal belongings are obstructing doorways, aisles, or stairways. Leaving belongings unattended. The library is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen or damaged in the library or on library grounds.
2. Inappropriate Behavior
- Misuse of library property (e.g., sleeping, camping, overnight parking, excessive belongings, etc.).
- Inappropriate use of restrooms (e.g., bathing, shaving, washing clothes, loitering, charging electronic devices, etc.).
- Leaving personal items unattended. Items left unattended will be treated as lost property.
- Unauthorized use of another patron's library account.
- Sleeping, appearing to sleep, or lying down.
- Eating or drinking in any non-designated area.
- Bringing in a beverage that is not in a securely covered container.
- Food preparation is not allowed.
- Food cannot be messy, greasy, or have a strong odor.
- Unattended food will be discarded.
3. Illegal Behavior
- Any unlawful activity that would be a violation of any federal, state, or local criminal law, statute or ordinance.
- Possession or display of firearms or dangerous weapons (RCW 9.41.300).
- Engaging in sexual activities including physical contact with self or others as well as sexually harassing comments or behaviors.
- Viewing explicit content in any library space.
- Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming or being impaired by or under the influence of a controlled substance or alcohol.
- Destroying, damaging, or defacing library facilities, materials, equipment, or software (RCW 27.12.330).
- Displaying or consuming tobacco products or e-cigarettes in library buildings or within 25 feet of any entrance or open window. Smoking or vaping near entrances/windows (RCW 70.160).
- Bringing animals into the library other than trained service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (RCW 70.84.021, RCW 49.60.214).
4. Noncompliance with Staff Directions
- Refusing to comply with directions or requests from library staff that support safety, policy enforcement, or library operations is prohibited.
Consequences for Violations
- Immediate Exclusion: Patrons engaged in illegal or dangerous behavior may be removed without prior warning. Library privileges may be revoked for up to one year and extended as needed.
- Progressive Discipline: Staff may issue verbal warnings before enacting exclusions ranging from one day to one year. Consequences for repeated behavioral infractions may have cumulative exclusions for up to one year at the discretion of library staff.
- Trespass from FVRL Library locations: Repeat, illegal, or serious violations may result in formal trespass orders issued through law enforcement.
- Every exclusion and trespass issued is applicable to all FVRL property and in-person operations/services.
Unattended Minor Children
- Parents/guardians/caregivers are responsible for their minor children’s behavior and safety.
- Library staff and volunteers are not responsible for child supervision and do not act “in loco parentis”.
- Library staff and volunteers cannot provide childcare or assume responsibility for children’s safety.
- Young children must be under the supervision of an adult or responsible caregiver at all times.
Situations where staff will intercede include but are not limited to:
- A child appears frightened or distressed.
- A child is behaving unsafely or is in danger.
- A child exhibits specific inappropriate behavior.
- A child is left unattended at closing time.
After Hours Procedure: If a child is left unattended and the caregiver cannot be reached at the time of closing, staff will contact law enforcement.
Right of Appeal
Patrons may appeal enforcement actions through the process outlined in the Appeal Rights of Patrons document. FVRL staff are expected to uphold these policies with fairness and integrity.
Authorization and Legal Basis The FVRL Rules of Conduct Policy shall be enforced by the Branch Manager in charge of each library unit or their designee. Authority for this policy is supported by the following RCWs:
- RCW 27.12.290
- RCW 27.12.330
- RCW 70.160
- RCW 9.41.300
- RCW 70.84.021
- RCW 49.60.214
Board Approval History
- Original: 12/13/1993
- Revisions: 06/12/2000, 04/11/2006, 08/15/2016, 05/15/2017, 02/20/2018, 09/15/2025