Library Use Policy

Cranston Public Library - Library Use Policy

Purpose

The Cranston Public Library (hereinafter “the Library”) is committed to maintaining a welcoming, clean and safe environment for all library patrons and staff. This policy establishes guidelines for the proper use of the library.

The Library Use Policy is by no means exhaustive or all-inclusive and may be periodically revised by the Library Board of Trustees. 

Definitions

Library – refers to the Cranston Public Library, its governing board of trustees and its appointed director.

Library Premises - includes the interior and exterior of any library building or structure, as well as the surrounding land.

General Use

1. Committing or attempting to commit any act that violates this policy, or any applicable federal, state, or local law or ordinance, on Library premises is prohibited.
2. Stealing, destroying, or failing to return library property is illegal under Rhode Island state law. Intentionally damaging or defacing library property is illegal under Rhode Island state law. Engaging in these actions may result in legal action.¹
3. Persons who trigger library theft detection systems or persons who library staff have reasonable grounds to believe have concealed or attempted to conceal or remove library materials without checking them out, may be required to open any bags or other property for inspection. Failure to do so may result in police action.²
4. Fraudulent use of a library card or account number is prohibited.
5. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their young children. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible caregiver. Children under the age of 6 must be in the immediate vicinity of a caregiver at all times. 
6. The Library is not liable for any personal property brought onto library premises.
7. Breast and bottle feeding is permitted in all library spaces.³

Disruptive Behavior

To keep the Library safe and enjoyable for everyone, we ask all patrons to treat each other and library staff with respect and to avoid behavior that disrupts others or interferes with normal library operations. Prohibited disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to:

1. Failure to comply with all reasonable instructions from library staff.  This includes failure to leave the library during emergencies and at closing time.
2. Using abusive, indecent, profane⁴, threatening or vulgar language or gestures.
3. Harassment⁵ of patrons and staff including physical harassment, sexual harassment, verbal harassment, visual harassment, bullying, doxing, and innuendo. Persistent inappropriate staring is a form of harassment.
4. Physically assaulting or threatening to harm another person.⁶
5. Engaging in public lewdness, indecent exposure⁷, or sexual activity.
6. Carrying on sustained conversations, including cell phone conversations, that disturb others.
7. Playing audio or video without earphones or using earphones set at a volume that disturbs others. This includes cell phone conversations using the speakerphone function.
8. Possessing, using, sharing, selling or being under the influence of alcohol⁸ or illegal drugs.
9. Smoking, use of an electronic smoking device or e-cigarette, or use of any other tobacco product inside the library or within twenty (20) feet of a library building.⁹
10. Consumption of marijuana whether by smoking, vaping, or any other method on library premises.¹⁰
11. Possessing weapons of any kind, except for library security personnel or law enforcement officers carrying service weapons. 
12. Sleeping on library premises, except for children under the age of 5.
13. Soliciting
14. Sitting or lying down on the floor. This does not apply to children and caregivers in the children’s area that are not blocking access for others.
15. Moving library furniture from an existing location.
16. Bringing in any items that interfere with library operations, creates a safety or health hazard, deny space to other customers, or block aisles. Patrons shall not block access to or exits from the building with their person or belongings.¹¹
17. Storing personal belongings on library premises or leaving personal belongings unattended. Library staff cannot monitor personal belongings. Unattended items will be removed and may be discarded. 
18. Unauthorized entry to a non-public area.
19. Unauthorized use of library equipment, utilities and supplies.
20. Running or using sporting equipment inside the library and outside areas where said use may endanger the safety of yourself or others.
21. Unlawful camping, loitering, and all related activities on library premises, including, but not limited to, those addressed in Cranston Code of Ordinances section 9.04.060.¹²

Clean and Sanitary Library Spaces

The Library is committed to maintaining a clean and sanitary environment for our staff and patrons. Behaviors that compromise this environment are prohibited and include, but are not limited to:

1. Entering or remaining in the library without wearing appropriate attire including footwear and upper-body coverings.
2. Eating inside the library. Food may be permitted during library programs and other events in library meeting spaces.
3. Drinking from uncovered containers inside the library.
4. Improper use of the restroom. Improper use includes but is not limited to shaving, bathing, or washing clothes.
5. Bringing animals inside library buildings, except for service animals as recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act and R.I. General Laws § 40-9.1-2,  therapy pets as defined in R.I. General Laws § 40-9.1-5 (a), or those allowed during special library programs. Animals must be leashed or otherwise under the control of their owners at all times while in the library. Misrepresentation of a service animal is a violation of Rhode Island law. ¹³
6. Personal hygiene, odor, or scent that disturbs others or poses a health risk.
7. Spitting.¹⁴
8. Open flames and candles.¹⁵
9. Introducing bed bugs or other pests via returned materials or personal belongings.
10. Bringing bedrolls, sleeping bags, and camping gear into the library.

Wheeled Devices

1. Bringing bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, scooters, e-bikes, e-scooters, shopping carts, and other large wheeled conveyances inside library buildings is prohibited.
2. Wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, mobility scooters, and collapsible wheeled carts are welcome.
3. Using skateboards, hoverboards, roller skates, and rollerblades inside the library are prohibited. These items may be carried into the library, but must remain in the possession of the patron and not block access to any library spaces.
4. Outdoor bicycle racks are provided at each library location for public use. If a patron does not have a bicycle lock, they may leave their bicycle near the entrance of the building as long as it does not block entrances and exits, walkways, or access to the book drop. A limited number of bicycle locks are available for loan.
5. The Library is not liable for any wheeled device brought onto library premises.

Video Surveillance

1. The Library utilizes video surveillance systems. These systems are used to enhance the security of library premises, library property, patrons and staff. 
2. These systems are used in accordance with applicable state law and record retention schedules. Footage will only be released pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or as otherwise required by law.

Violation of policy

People who violate this policy will be directed to stop the prohibited behavior. Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, they may be asked to leave Library premises, have their Library privileges suspended, or be subject to arrest or other lawful action, as appropriate.

See also related policies: Biometric Data, Community Information Displays, Computer, Internet, & Wireless Use, Exhibiting, Flags, Lost and Found, Meeting Room, Parking, Photography & Recording Policy, Safe Child, Animals in the Library, Solicitation, Tabling 

Revision History
Adopted on December 10, 2025, by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees. Replaces Bicycles Policy, Code of Conduct Policy, and Video Surveillance Policy.

¹ R.I. General Laws § § 11-41-14. Failure to return book or other library property;11-41-14.1. Concealment of book or other property while on premises of library — Removal of book or other property from library; 11-44-15. Injuring or destroying books and other property of libraries, archives, or other records repositories.
² R.I. General Laws § 11-41-14.1. 
³ R.I. General Laws § 23-13.5-1- Breastfeeding in public places.
⁴ R.I. General Laws § 11-11-5- Profanity.
⁵ Title 59 of chapter 11 of R.I. General Laws.
⁶ R.I. General Laws § 11-45-1- Disorderly conduct; Cranston Code of Ordinances § 9.04.010 - Disorderly conduct and indecency.
⁷ R.I. General Laws § 11-45-2. Indecent exposure — Disorderly conduct.
⁸ Cranston Code of Ordinances § 9.04.020 - Drunkenness.
⁹ R.I. General Laws § 23-20.10-3- Prohibition of smoking in public places; Cranston Code of Ordinances § 8.44.010- Smoke-Free Municipal Buildings.
¹⁰ R.I. General Laws § 21-28.11-22 - Personal use of cannabis; Cranston Code of Ordinances § 8.46.020-Consumption of Marijuana in Public Places.
¹¹ Cranston Code of Ordinances § 9.04.060 – Loitering and loafing.
¹² Cranston Code of Ordinances § 9.04.060.
¹³ R.I. General Laws § 40-9.1-3.1- Misrepresentation of service animal.
¹⁴ R.I. General Laws § 23-6-2 - Spitting in public places; Cranston Code of Ordinances § 9.04.010 - Disorderly conduct and indecency.
¹⁵ In accordance with NFPA 1: Fire Code (2021) and the Cranston Fire Department.