Appropriate Library Use

The Weymouth Public Libraries are supported by the taxes of the people of Weymouth who expect each of our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe places for their use and enjoyment. Everyone has an equal right to access library services and facilities. No person has the right to interfere with the ability of others to use and enjoy library resources, services, and facilities. To this end, the Weymouth Public Libraries is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of patrons, visitors, volunteers, and staff, and for preserving and protecting the libraries’ materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.

The Children’s Room at Tufts Library is reserved for use by children, their parents or guardians, and adults retrieving an item from the children’s collection. The Teen Room at Tufts Library is reserved for those in grades 7-12, and adults retrieving an item from the teen collection. Patrons not included in these categories may be required to leave the children’s or young adult areas and instead use other areas of the Tufts Library.

Any behavior that is disruptive to patrons or staff, or inhibits the Weymouth Public Libraries from fulfilling its mission in providing a clean, comfortable, and safe environment will be addressed immediately. Staff will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the Weymouth Public Libraries established standards of acceptable behavior may result in removal from the building and/or restriction of library privileges.

For the comfort and safety of patrons, volunteers, and staff, and the protection of Weymouth Public Libraries property, the following actions are examples of conduct not allowed on Weymouth Public Libraries property.

• Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, local or other applicable law, or Weymouth Public Libraries policy.
• Possession of firearms and weapons of any type except by law enforcement officers.
• Being under the influence, selling, distributing, using, or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs.
• Use of tobacco products in any form, including vaping and the use of eCigarettes.
• Verbally or physically assaulting, threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff.
• Unreasonable noise levels including shouting, loud talking or disruptive conversation, noise from analog or digital devices, or engaging in cell phone conversations outside of designated zones.
• Interfering with another person’s right to use any library or with Weymouth Public Libraries staff’s performance of their duties.
• Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriate use of Weymouth Public Libraries property in any of the library building or grounds. Inappropriate use includes but is not limited to: sleeping, littering, loitering, bringing garbage, using restrooms for bathing or washing, entering library without shirt or shoes, and blocking aisles, stairs, exits, or entrances by sitting or lying  down in them, or using any library furniture outside of its intended use such as sitting on tables.
• Trespassing in nonpublic and/or staff only areas, being in any library without permission of an authorized Weymouth Public Libraries employee before or after operating hours, or camping on library grounds
• Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children. See Safe Child Policy.
• Using wheeled devices in Weymouth Public Libraries buildings or grounds, except in designated areas, including skateboarding, roller-skating, bicycling, scooters, and shopping carts (exceptions include wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers).
• Bringing pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for disabilities, into any of the libraries.
• Soliciting or conducting surveys not authorized by the Weymouth Public Libraries.
• Leaving packages, backpacks, luggage, or any other personal items unattended. Such unattended items are subject to immediate confiscation.

Approved by the Weymouth Public Libraries Board of Trustees on February 19, 2020