9.75.030 - Rules of conduct.
In order to protect the rights of library customers, staff and volunteers, the following activities, that a reasonable person would find disruptive to the normal functions being carried on at the library, are prohibited:
A. Engaging in activities prohibited by law, including but not limited to:
1. Cal. Penal Code, Section 415 (Disturbing the Peace; Fighting, Causing Loud Noise, or Using Offensive Words in a Public Place);
2. Cal. Penal Code, Section 484 (Theft);
3. Cal. Penal Code, Section 490.5 (Theft of Library Books and Materials);
4. Cal. Penal Code, Section 594 (Vandalism);
5. Cal. Penal Code, Section 602.1(b) (Intentionally Interfering with Lawful Business Carried on by Employees of A Public Agency Open to the Public);
6. Cal. Penal Code, Section 602(q) (Refusing or Failing to Leave a Public Building);
7. Cal. Penal Code, Section 647 (Lewd and Dissolute Conduct, Solicitation, Loitering, Public Intoxication);
8. Cal. Penal Code, Section 314.1 (Indecent Exposure);
9. Cal. Penal Code Sections 414 et seq. and 331 et seq. (Disseminating, downloading, viewing, or printing from public library computers illegal materials including, but not limited to, obscene or harmful matter);
10. Cal. Penal Code, Section 171(b) (Entering any library building with firearms or other dangerous weapons, with the exception of those individuals authorized to possess weapons in a local public building or open public meeting);
11. Cal. Education Code, Section 19910 (Maliciously Damaging Library Materials);
12. Cal. Penal Code, Section 490.5 (Unlawfully Taking Library Materials and Books);
13. Cal. Education Code, Section 19911 (Failing to Return Materials After Notice);
14. Cal. Gov't Code, Section 7597(a) (Smoking Any Tobacco Product Inside a Library Building or Within Twenty-five Feet of a Main Exit, Entrance, or Operable Window of a Library Building), including vaping and cannabis use;
15. Cal. Health and Safety Code, Section 11550 (Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance);
16. Cal. Health and Safety Code, Section 11364(a) (Possession of an Instrument Used for Smoking or Injecting a Controlled Substance);
17. Riverside Municipal Code, Section 9.05.020 (Possession of An Open Alcoholic Beverage Container); and
18. Riverside Municipal Code, Section 9.05.030 (Consumption of An Alcoholic Beverage in A Public Place).
B. Smoking inside library facilities or within 20 feet of any door or open window. The use of incendiary devices such as lighters, matches, and candles are also prohibited.
C. Failing to wear shoes and garments on the upper and lower torso of the body at all times within any library building.
D. Entering library facilities with symptoms of illness that are an immediate threat to library staff and customers, such as vomiting, open wounds, or lice.
E. Not using library space, stairways, aisles, furniture, or equipment for its intended purpose or otherwise monopolizing library space by using more than one seat or table space per person, stairways, aisles, doorways, equipment, electrical plugs, seating, or tables to the exclusion of other customers or staff.
F. Bringing an animal inside library facilities or within 20 feet of any door in a library building. Service animals, service animals in training, or animals for library programs are permitted. As defined, a "service animal" is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The animal's work or tasks must directly relate to the handler's disability. Service animals are expected to be under the control of the owner and leashed at all times.
G. Engaging in activity or behavior—oral, physical, or written—that is disruptive, disturbing, offensive, intimidating, threatening, unsafe, or annoying, and which unreasonably interferes with another person's use of any library facility, or with the ability of library staff or volunteers to perform their duties. These actions include, but are not limited to: loud or abusive language, physical threats, or running. Personal entertainment devices must be operated with headphones at a volume level that does not disturb others.
H. Leaving a child under the age of 12 unattended within any library building. This prohibition shall not apply to a child's unattended participation in library programs or services; children under the age of 12 must be accompanied at all times while on library grounds by a parent, guardian, or other responsible party over the age of 18. The library is not responsible for the supervision of a minor left unattended. Library staff may restrict adult use of children's areas in order to ensure the adequate protection of the library facilities and of persons and property.
I. Possessing personal property or animals that interferes with free passage within any library building, at the entrance or exit of any library building aisles, doorways, stairways, elevators, or ramps. Personal property must be within the sight of the owner, and storable under the user's chair. Personal items left unattended will be collected by library staff and placed in the library's lost and found for one month. After a month, the library will discard all uncollected items.
J. Riding bicycles, skateboards, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, collapsible scooters, hover boards, and other similar devices while on library property. These devices may be carried while on library property.
K. Sleeping, appearing to sleep, lying down, loitering, or otherwise blocking aisles, doorways, and the entrance to any library building.
L. Remaining at library facilities after closing. Persons who need assistance to return home will be referred to the Riverside Police Department in order to ensure their safety. The Riverside Police Department will be called to assist with unattended minors that remain at the library after ten minutes past closing time. Persons who refuse to vacate the library at closing time or during an emergency evacuation will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
M. Using public space to conduct commercial activity. In accordance with library policy, the use of library facilities for commercial functions, including tutor for pay, or for private social gatherings is restricted to community rooms.
N. Soliciting money, donations, or selling merchandise in the library facility.
O. Filming, photographing, or producing any other media, whether for professional or personal use, in the library without prior approval from the Library Director. Recording of governmental meetings open to the general public is permitted.
P. Distributing or posting printed materials in the library that have not been approved by a Library Supervisor.
Q. Using designated study tables and/or rooms for informal groups such that they disrupt quieter areas of the library. Volunteer tutors, such as those volunteering for the Literacy Program or after school homework help, have first-come, first-served use of this designated space.
R. Moving library furniture or equipment without permission from library staff.
S. Unreasonable use of restrooms, including laundering, bathing, shaving, or washing hair.
T. Failing to maintain personal hygiene so as to be a nuisance to others or cause allergic or asthmatic reactions. Hygiene that is objectionable includes, but it not limited to, offensive body odor and excessive use of scented products.
U. Eating in library facilities.
V. Transferring or assigning library cards.
(Ord. 7546, § 2, 2020)
