Introduction

Welcome to the Somerville Public Library! We are glad you are here. We are committed to
providing excellent service in a safe and welcoming environment of mutual respect and
courtesy. As the library is a shared public space with shared resources, we have expectations
for the behavior of library users to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff, and library assets. To
achieve this, the library asks all visitors to follow our Standards of Library Behavior Policy so
that all may feel safe and undisturbed in our library buildings and grounds.

Our Standards of Library Behavior Policy is designed to:

• Protect the rights and safety of library visitors
• Protect the rights and safety of library staff
• Protect and preserve the resources, facilities, and property of the library

Expectations of Conduct

During your time in the library, please:

• Respect and be considerate of others
• Engage in behavior appropriate for a public space
• Accompany and take responsibility for those in your care
• Bring only personal items that do not interfere with others
• Use library equipment, fixtures, furniture, and spaces for their intended purposes
• Follow guidance from library staff
• Comply with Somerville Library policies
• Leave the library promptly when asked

For matters of safety, the following behaviors are not allowed, including but not limited to:

• Abuse or violence of any kind
• Carrying or using a weapon
• Intentionally damaging or stealing personal items or library materials
• Fighting or roughhousing
• Illegal or sexual activity
• Smoking, vaping, intoxication, and/or using intoxicating substances

Categories of Violations

This policy details the types of behavior that are prohibited and the consequences for
violations. There are four categories of violations. Consequences for violations are progressive
and cumulative. Library administrators, staff, and authorized individuals reserve the right to
address any other behaviors that interfere with visitors’ use and enjoyment of the library or
library staff performing their duties.

• Category 1: Conduct that disrupts and/or interferes with the normal operation of the library
• Category 2: Conduct that significantly disrupts and/or interferes with the normal operation of the library
• Category 3: Conduct that threatens safety, violates laws, and/or causes harm to library operations
• Category 4: Conduct that poses immediate danger and/or involves serious criminal activity

Category 1 Violations

Conduct that disrupts and/or interferes with the normal operation of the library, including but
not limited to:

• A. Sensory Disturbances. Visitors should not create sensory disturbances that disrupt others. Examples include strong odors (e.g., body odor, excessive perfume), visible pests, and unnecessary noise from voices, devices, or other sources, including phone calls in areas where such use is prohibited.
• B. Cell Phones. Cell phones should be set to vibrate or silent. Brief phone conversations are allowed only in the library lobby at the discretion of library staff, or in study rooms with the door closed.
• C. Improper Use. Visitors may not improperly use library equipment, furniture, materials, or spaces, including disruptive physical activity (e.g., running, throwing objects), unauthorized moving of furniture, misuse of seating, and consuming food or drink in prohibited areas or without proper disposal.
• D. Using or Storing Wheeled Devices. Except in designated areas, wheeled devices may not be used or stored in the library or on library grounds. Exceptions to this are ADA-assistive devices, baby strollers, collapsible wheeled carts, or personal bags on wheels. These devices may not be left unattended anywhere in the library building, or obstruct public entrances, exits, or aisles.
• E. Engaging in Disruptive or Inappropriate Personal Conduct. This includes using profane or abusive language, not being fully dressed (e.g., not wearing tops, bottoms, and/or footwear), appearing to be under the influence of intoxicating substances, and unauthorized petitioning or distribution of materials.
• F. Managing Personal Belongings. Visitors should not possess an excessive number of personal items such that they interfere with use of the space, or cause items to be left unattended. This includes visible possession of open containers of alcohol, cannabis, and/or illegal drugs.
• G. Unauthorized Presence. Designated youth spaces are reserved for youth with their parents or caregivers and adults actively retrieving material from the collection.
• H. Unaccompanied Children. Children under the age of 8 must have a responsible person age 12 or older in the building. Children under the age of 5 must be within sight of their caregiver, who should be near enough to intervene if needed. Children under the age of 3 must be in the physical presence of their caregiver. If library staff are unable to locate a caregiver, parent, or responsible person of any age child, police may be called at the discretion of library staff.
• I. Animals in the Library. Bringing animals into the library is prohibited, except for service animals trained to do work for an individual with a disability in compliance with ADA regulations. Emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals under the ADA because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task.
• J. Tobacco and E-cigarette Products. Use, sale, and/or charging of any tobacco products or non-tobacco products designed to be combusted and inhaled, e-cigarette products, or similar devices are prohibited inside any library building or within 50 feet of an entrance.
• K. Improper Restroom Use. This includes use of restrooms by more than one person (except when assisting a dependent youth, adult, or disabled person), loitering in restrooms, or using them for hygiene and housekeeping.
• L. Non-compliance with Somerville Library Policies. This refers to failure to comply with any other established library policies.
• M. Failing to Follow Directions from Library Staff.

Category 2 Violations

Conduct that significantly disrupts and/or interferes with the normal operation of the library,
including but not limited to:

• A. Interfering with the access, egress, or use of library facilities, such as loitering or congregating, or with personal items.
• B. Trespassing on library property; entering areas designated “Staff Only” without authorization.
• C. Soliciting (e.g., money, businesses, and/or services). Somerville Standards of Library Behavior page 4
• D. Consuming alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, and/or tobacco.
• E. Improper use or destruction of library resources.
• F. Theft of, or intentional damage to, personal items or library property valued less than $250.

Category 3 Violations

Conduct that threatens safety, violates laws, or causes harm to library operations, including but
not limited to:

• A. Harassment of any kind, in any form, such as slurs, hateful language, offensive touching, stalking, prolonged staring, and engaging in deliberate and/or repeated behavior that is aggressive and/or hostile.
• B. Using false identification to obtain a library card or using another person’s library card without permission.
• C. Theft of or intentional damage to personal or library property valued more than or equal to $250

Category 4 Violations

Conduct that poses immediate danger or involves serious criminal activity, including but not
limited to:

• A. Refusing to leave library property after being issued a suspension.
• B. Selling or distributing alcohol, cannabis, and/or drugs.
• C. Engaging in, or soliciting, any sexual act, indecent exposure, lewd speech, or behavior.
• D. Fighting, challenging to fight, using fighting words, physical abuse or assault, making threats, or using threatening language.
• E. Possessing firearms or other weapons; violating local and state posted weapons regulations.

Violations and Enforcement

To ensure a safe and welcoming public environment and to provide equitable access to library
facilities, the library may suspend library privileges for people who violate the library’s
Standards of Library Behavior Policy.

People who violate these standards will be asked to leave the premises and/or be suspended
from visiting all library premises, in accordance with the periods of time listed for the violation.
Library staff may take any and all appropriate action, including but not limited to calling
Somerville Police or 911 for assistance at any time.

Library staff may determine that egregious behavior in violation of our standards warrants
bypassing progressive suspension lengths.

All violations committed within 365 days of the first violation are subject to an increased
suspension length, the duration of which is shown in the charts below. For each violation past a
third, an additional amount of time is added. Multiple violations are cumulative.

If no additional violations, including all categories of violations, are committed within the 365-
day period, any subsequent violation resets the date of the first offense. Suspension lengths are
calculated based on offenses within a 365-day period.

Suspension of Library Privileges

A suspension of library privileges includes but is not limited to the following: suspension of
access to all library buildings and grounds, collections, equipment, programs, and services;
receiving a Notice of Suspension; and/or legal action.

Notice of Suspension

A Notice of Suspension is a written notice that will be issued for violations with a minimum
suspension of three months. Library staff may call on Somerville Police to assist in issuing this
notice.

Restorative Practices and Administrative Review

The Library Director or their designee will consider restorative justice practices to restore
library privileges through conversations with the goal of resolving conflict, repairing harm, and
healing relationships. A person who has received a notice of suspension may, within five
business days, request an administrative review of a suspension. To request an administrative review, submit the request in writing to: Library Director, Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland
Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143 or email the Library Director directly at
cpiantigini@somervillema.gov. The decision of the Library Director shall be final and not
appealable. The Notice of Suspension will remain in force during the review period.

Library Suspension Lengths

	1st Offense	2nd Offense	3rd Offense	Additional Offenses
CATEGORY 1 VIOLATIONS	Warning Leave building or correct problem	Warning Leave building or correct problem	Asked to leave library for the day	1 week
CATEGORY 2 VIOLATIONS	1 week	1 month	3 months	6 months
CATEGORY 3 VIOLATIONS	3 months	6 months	1 year	Longer (Admin determination only)
CATEGORY 4 VIOLATIONS	6 months	1 year	Longer (Admin determination only)	Longer (Admin determination only)

Approved by the Somerville Public Library Board of Trustees, April 8, 2026.

Reviewed by City of Somerville Law Department, April 23, 2026.