Listed below are violations of the library's rules. Library and security personnel will determine whether a particular behavior is prohibited by the rules.
Rule violations include:
- Engaging in any activity that violates federal, state, local or other applicable law.
- Engaging in sexual conduct, as defined under ORS 167.060, including but not limited to, the physical manipulation or touching of a person’s sex organs through a person’s clothing in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification.
- Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the library, or disturbs library staff or patrons, including, but not limited to:
- conduct that creates a hostile environment, which may include the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures
- conduct likely to cause personal injury to the actor or others
- conduct that violates library policies
- Consuming any alcoholic beverages (except as allowed at a library approved event) or using any tobacco, vaping, or cannabis product while on library premises.
- Improperly using library restrooms, including, but not limited to, bathing, shaving or washing hair, or any activity that prevents other patrons from using the facilities.
- Soliciting, petitioning, canvassing or distributing written materials inside a library building, including the doorway or vestibule of any such library building or in a manner on the library premises that unreasonably interferes with or impedes access to the library.
- Entering or remaining upon library premises with an unauthorized weapon.
- Bringing animals inside library buildings (with the exception of service animals recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act and animals allowed at library-approved events), or leaving an animal tethered and unattended on library premises in violation of Multnomah County Code §13.305. The ADA requires that service animals be under the control of the handler at all times.
- Bringing or operating bicycles or other similar devices inside library buildings, including, but not limited to, vestibules or covered doorways. Operating roller skates, skateboards or other similar devices in or on library premises.
- Sleeping or appearing to sleep in or on library premises.
When the Rules Apply
These rules apply on Library premises. Library premises include all buildings, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by Multnomah County Library.
Except for the rules that state that they apply only on library premises, including in library buildings, these rules also apply when Library services are accessed and provided online, over the phone, or outside Library premises, including when a person is:
- Accessing or attempting to access Library services;
- Interacting with or impacting Library staff who are on duty and present at a location to provide Library services or otherwise related to the staff’s role at the Library;
- Interacting with or impacting other Library patrons who are accessing or attempting to access Library services.
Exclusion for Rule Violation
A person who violates these rules may be asked to leave Library premises. In addition, a person who violates these rules may be excluded from all Multnomah County Library premises and lose all library privileges, including access to library virtual services, regardless of whether the violation occurs on Library premises or occurs when Library services are provided online, over the phone, or outside Library premises.
In some cases, a person will be excluded only until the violation is corrected; in other cases, a person will be excluded for a period of time ranging from one day to multiple years, depending on the reason for the exclusion. For example, if a violation involves threatening behavior or behavior that is significantly disruptive, then a person may be excluded for a longer period. In addition, people who violate any library rule after having been excluded for one or more library rule violations may face a longer exclusion. Patrons need not violate the same rule to be subject to stricter enforcement and may not be warned that their behavior is inappropriate before being excluded.