To allow all patrons of the Chester Library to use its facilities to the fullest extent during regularly scheduled hours, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following rules and regulations:

Patrons shall:

• Engage in activities associated with the use of a public library. Patrons not reading, studying or using library materials may be required to leave the building.
• Respect the rights of other patrons. Patrons shall not harass or annoy others through noisy or boisterous activities, by staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, by following another person about the building with the intent to annoy that person, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, by singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues, or by behaving in a manner which can be reasonably expected to disturb others.

Patrons shall not:

• Consume food or beverages except in designated areas, smoke or use tobacco products.
• Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
•  Engage in any illegal activity while in the library building.
•  Interfere with the use of the Library by other patrons, or interfere with library employees’ performances of their duties.
• Deface or mar Library materials, including but not limited to books, magazines, newspapers, recordings or other items of the Library’s collection, nor shall they deface, mar or in any way destroy or damage Library furnishings, walls, machines, or other library property.
• Enter the building without a shirt or shoes. Patrons must wear a covering of their upper bodies and shoes or other footwear. Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other patrons may be required to leave the building.
• Bring pets or animals into the Library other than service animals.

Any materials removed from the Library must be checked out on a valid library card or through other standard library procedures such as inter-library loan.

Any patron not abiding by these and other rules and regulations of the Library may be required to leave the Library premises. Library employees may contact the Chester police if deemed advisable.

Any patron who violates these rules and regulations may be denied the privilege of access to the Library by the Library’s Board of Trustees, on the recommendation of the Director or Director’s designee. A patron whose privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the Board of Trustees.