5.6 DISTRIBUTION OF FREE MATERIALS

The Library provides a limited area for the display of giveaway materials, subject to the following conditions:

1. display of library materials will take precedence over other materials;
2. materials will be timely;
3. materials will either be produced by groups with addresses within the City of Newport (tax district) or be in very high demand;
4. materials will not be of a commercial or personal nature;
5. materials will not endorse specific political candidates or ballot positions;
6. particularly in light of limited space, materials will be displayed subject to the judgment of professional Library staff, based on the criteria outlined in this policy.

In accord with the Library Bill of Rights, the Library will make no effort to censor or to amend the content of displayed materials. Those who object to or disagree with the content of any displayed materials will be entitled to submit their own materials for display in accord with the conditions above. Materials will be disposed of at staff's discretion.

5.7 MEETING ROOM

The Newport Public Library has a 65-person-capacity meeting room. When not in use by the library, it is available to other groups who qualify, arrange for it ahead of time, and prepay the fee. Charges for the room vary for nonprofit and commercial agencies. The fact that a group is granted permission to meet in the library in no way constitutes endorsement by the Library or its affiliates. Groups using the room must follow the guidelines in the Meeting Room Policy. Appendix C contains the policy, including guidelines for use, application process and fee structure.

5.7b USE OF STUDY ROOM (March 19, 2008)

1. People may reserve one two-hour session per day.
2. Reservations may be made up to one day ahead.
3. Up to five people may use the study room.
4. Cell phones may be used in the study room, but loud or disruptive behavior is not acceptable.
5. Lights should be on when room is in use.

5.8 PROGRAM POLICY
(Passed by the Library Board, July 16, 2003)

Library-sponsored programs promote the use of library materials, facilities, or services and offer the community an informational, entertaining, or cultural experience. Programs are planned for the interest and enlightenment of all the people of the community. The library strives to offer a variety of programs that reflect the broad range of community interests.

Library-sponsored programs are free and open to the public. Attendance shall not be restricted because of age, gender, race, background or beliefs.

Program presenters should provide a summary of their proposed program, with references, reviews, and relevant supporting material, such as books, brochures, photos, videos, or CDs.

Programs should fit the library's mission, programming objectives, themes, budget, and schedule. The decision to sponsor a program rests with the library director.

Press releases and other promotional materials must be approved by the library director.

The sale of products at library programs is not allowed. However-because the library wants to encourage reading, writing, and the appreciation of culture-writers, performers, and artists may sell their own published materials at the library following library programs.

The Library will prepare a contract outlining all agreed upon terms that will be signed by the library director and by the performer.

5.9 LOST & FOUND
(Passed by the Library Board, July 16, 2003)

Items left at the library or put into the book drops will be kept in Lost & Found for up to 30 days and no longer. (Depends on staff dating each item accepted.)

Disposal: Toys, clothes, glasses, sunglasses will be given to a charitable organization; books and other materials that the library collects will go into the collection or the Foundation book sale.

Exceptions:

• Food and personal items such as hairbrushes, combs, toothbrushes will be thrown away.
• Loose change goes into the Conscience Box; small bills will be given to the Director or Assistant Director. If not picked up, they go to the Conscience Box.
• Items of value, such as wallets, credit cards, cell phones, large bills, go to the Police the same day. Staff will notify the Director or Assistant Director.

5.10 PROHIBITED CONDUCT
(Passed by the Library Board November 15, 2004; Updated as to cell phones March 21, 2007 and smoking May 16, 2007.)

In the interests of protecting the rights and safety of library patrons and staff members and to preserve and protect library materials, facilities, and property, the Library prohibits the following conduct on library premises:

• Disruptive or unsafe activity or behavior that interferes with the use of the library by others or with staff performance of duties

  Examples may include but are not limited to: climbing, running, talking or other unnecessary noise, throwing things, pushing and shoving, verbal or physical harassment or threat

• Eating or drinking in the library, except that food and drink may be permitted in limited areas for special events by prior arrangement
• Smoking in the library or on library property
• Anything in violation of federal, state or local law
• Destroying, damaging or defacing library property
• Leaving a child under the age of six unattended, except when the child is participating in a library-sanctioned activity
• Bringing animals other than library-approved assistance animals into the library
• Using skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, or other sports equipment in the library or on library property
• Using library facilities for the purpose of bathing or sleeping
• Failing to maintain a reasonable state of dress or personal hygiene
• Talking on cell phones except within library-designated areas

Enforcement

When a library staff person becomes aware that any patron is violating a library rule, the staff person shall take appropriate enforcement measures. Appropriate enforcement measures include:

1. For minor violations, the staff person may ask the patron to comply with the rule.
2. For serious violations (including disruptive behavior and failure to comply when requested) and for repeated violations, the staff person may require the person to leave the library premises and not return the same day.
3. Any instance of serious violation shall be reported to the library director, who shall decide whether an additional sanction is appropriate. The library director may suspend the person's library privileges and the right to be on the library grounds for a period of time up to six months. Suspensions and exclusions for a period of greater than 30 days shall be imposed only for serious disruptive behavior or if previous suspensions and exclusions have been imposed.
4. Any criminal activity shall be reported to the City police department or to 911.

To suspend library privileges, the Library Director shall send notice of the suspension and exclusion from library property by first class mail or hand delivery to the person to be suspended and excluded. The Library Director shall send the notice to the address provided by the person to obtain a library card, or to any other address the library may have for the person. Personal delivery of the notice is sufficient, whether or not the library has an address for the person.

The suspension and exclusion shall be effective seven days from mailing or personal service of the notice.

Failure to leave or re-entering the library property prior to termination of a suspension will be deemed to constitute a trespass.

When persons under the age of 18 have been suspended, they must meet with library staff to discuss their behavior before the suspension will be terminated.

Persons wishing to appeal a suspension and exclusion may appeal by submitting a written appeal to the Library Director within five days of receiving a notice. The suspension and exclusion period shall not begin until the appeal is resolved. If the suspension and exclusion period has started before the appeal is filed, library privileges and the right to enter library property will be reinstated until the decision on appeal. The City Manager or designee will then hear the appeal within one week of receipt of the appeal. The City Manager's decision shall be final.