Hillsboro Public Library is guided by the mission “For Everyone/Para Todos” and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive library system where our entire community can gather, connect, and explore. We are committed to fostering and maintaining an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect, courtesy, and dignity.

This policy provides guidelines for library usage for the public and how the rules are enforced. Our enforcement is designed to preserve access to library services to the maximum extent possible and to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for the public and for library staff and volunteers. 

We strive to provide safe, easy, and unobstructed access to our buildings, collections, furnishings, and other library resources. For everyone’s enjoyment, it is expected that patrons follow these Library Rules for Use, which abide by the Hillsboro Municipal Code (abbreviated as HMC below) and apply to all library locations. 

Guidelines for Library Use

• Ask for help or resources when needed.
• Follow reasonable direction from library staff and adhere to all library policies.
• Be considerate of others and respect library users, staff, and volunteers.
• Respect the facility, equipment, and materials.
• Be responsible for children and adults in your care.
• Stay with your personal belongings at all times.
• Enjoy non-alcoholic beverages in closed containers and small amounts of snack foods.
• Wear clothing that consists of a shirt, bottom garment, and shoes.

No person shall:

1. Engage in prohibited conduct as detailed in HMC 9.32.040.
   No person shall engage in conduct that constitutes a crime. All users must follow library policies, local, state, and federal law.
   
   
2. Threaten, harm, or harass library users, employees, and/or volunteers.
   This includes verbal and physical harassment or threats and/or the use of abusive, or threatening language, or gestures. Examples of behavior include but are not limited to: unwelcome contact between people; stalking, staring, or invading personal space; directing abusive language at a person. Further definitions are included in the appendix to this policy.


3. Engage in disruptive, disorderly, or unsafe conduct.
   Behavior that interferes with others’ use of the library or with the ability of staff to perform their duties is prohibited. Examples of behavior or activities that may be deemed by library employees to be disruptive include but are not limited to: using library materials, furniture, or facilities in a way that is different from the intended purpose; overly loud noise, throwing things, pushing and shoving; leaving garbage or spills in the library.


4. Have personal hygiene that unduly interferes with the ability of others to use the public land or public facility, including body odor or strong perfume.
   Patrons are welcome to return to the library after they have addressed the source of an odor. We can offer resources if wanted.


5. Bring weapons into the library.
   Weapons are defined as “A device, instrument, material or substance which is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.” Exemptions from this prohibition are recognized for Law Enforcement Officers and individuals expressly permitted by state law to carry handguns in public buildings. ORS 166.370


6. Use tobacco products.
   Smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco is prohibited on all City property, including in library buildings and on library grounds and parking lots.


7. Consume, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or illegal substances.
   The Library may permit the consumption of alcohol at library sponsored events.
   See also: Library Alcohol Use Policy


8. Bring animals, except service animals, inside the Library buildings.
   Only service animals specifically trained to perform a task for a person with a disability, or animals that are part of a library program, are allowed.


9. Leave children under 10 years of age unattended.
   See also: Library Policy on Unattended Children


10. Create obstacles with personal belongings or leave items unattended.
    Bicycles, shopping carts, or similar wheeled objects may not be brought into a public facility when doing so would be inconsistent with the intended use of the public facility. Bicycle locks are available for check out.


11. Improperly use library restrooms.
    This includes, but is not limited to, bathing, washing hair, and preparing meals.


12. Conduct surveys, distribute materials, sell or advertise merchandise, or solicit money or signatures in a public facility.
    This applies to doorways or vestibules of a public facility and to pathways and pavement outside of the libraries; book and materials return areas must be kept clear.


13. Ride or operate a skateboard, scooter or electric trike, bicycle, roller blades, or roller skates in a public facility.
    This includes any area that provides for ingress and egress to the library, including sidewalks, plazas, and other hard surfaces, unless otherwise authorized to engage in such activities. Reasonable exceptions include wheeled medical devices.

Enforcement of the Library Rules for Use Policy

Library employees will enforce these rules. Further, the Library Director or designees, such as Library Managers, Supervisors, Safety Liaison, and assigned Persons in Charge, are delegated the authority to administer the City owned or controlled real property within the permanent or temporary control of their department, which includes the Brookwood and Shute Park Library.

Progressive Discipline Approach

Hillsboro Public Library strives to preserve access to library services to the maximum extent possible while still maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Our intention is to be fair and to build relationships that lead to improved behavior and continued access to our services and facilities while protecting patrons, employees, volunteers, and the library facilities. Depending on the severity and frequency of the prohibited behavior, patrons may be asked to leave for progressively longer periods of time, which will be determined after careful review of the incidents and in accordance with the Patron Progressive Discipline Rubric.

• Generally, for violations unlikely to cause immediate harm to others and not perceived to be threatening, the person violating the rules will be given at least one warning, however, disciplinary action may be taken without a prior warning as set forth in the progressive discipline rubric.
  • If behavior continues, the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day.
  • If the person returns and the behavior continues, they may be excluded for progressively longer periods of time.
  • Continued failure to comply with the Library Rules for Use Policy can result in an exclusion order up to 90 days with the possibility of an extended exclusion up to 180 days, issued by the Hillsboro Police Department.

• Any behavior that arises to the felony criminal level can result in an immediate 180-day exclusion from library premises.
• Certain behaviors, as defined in the Patron Progressive Discipline Rubric, may result in exclusion from both the Brookwood and Shute Park Libraries.
• If excluded from the library buildings, library staff may recommend alternative use or library services, e.g. telephone service, virtual services, or curbside pickup. Offering alternative use or library services during the exclusion may not be applicable, depending on the severity of the violation.

Exclusions

Individuals who fail to observe the Library Rules for Use Policy may be asked to leave the library building, property, or virtual space, be suspended from the library for a period of time, be subject to arrest, or be subject to other lawful action.

• Exclusions – Someone whose behavior violates the Hillsboro Municipal Code (HMC) may be excluded from a library facility/facilities for a period of up to 90 days, with the option to extend the exclusion up to 180 days (9.32.020).
  • Exclusions can only be for items noted in HMC 9.32.020 and must be issued directly by the Hillsboro Police Department.
  • Exclusions may apply to like facilities and encompass one or more library locations.

• Trespass – Individuals who fail to comply with any exclusion per HMC 9.32.020 may be issued a citation or arrested for trespass.

• Minors – In the case of a minor being excluded, every attempt will be made to contact the child’s parent or guardian to give notice of the exclusion.

Further information on exclusions may be found in HMC 9.32.020, 9.32.030, and 9.32.120.

Appeals

The appeal process is detailed in HMC 9.32.030: Appeal of Exclusion.  

A. A person receiving an exclusion notice may appeal to the municipal court and seek to have the exclusion reversed or the exclusion period shortened.

B. An appeal of an exclusion notice must be filed with the city within 10 calendar days of receipt of the notice, unless extended by the municipal court.

C. An appeal of an exclusion notice automatically stays the exclusion period until a decision on appeal is issued by the municipal court.

D. The municipal court will decide all appeals within 10 days of their filing unless the hearing date is extended by court order.

2024 – Adopted by City Council at January 16 Meeting; revisions approved by Library Board on May 16 pending City Council approval
2023 – Revised by Library Admin. City Management and Legal Review.
2019 – Revised by Library Admin. City Management and Legal Review. Approved by Library Board and adopted by City Council.

Appendix: Library Exclusion Rubric and Definition of Terms

Exclusion Rubric 

Definition of Terms

Threaten  - a declaration of one’s purpose or intention to work injury to the person, property, or rights of another.

Harm – to damage, injure, or hurt.

Harassment - Harassment refers to words or behavior that threatens, intimidates, or demeans a person. Harassment is unwanted, uninvited, and unwelcome and causes nuisance, alarm, or substantial emotional distress without any legitimate purpose.

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