Approved by the Board of Library Trustees July 16, 2025
810 CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY
810.1 INTRODUCTION
The DC Public Library (DCPL) supports the right of all customers to free and equal access to information and use of the library without discrimination, intimidation, threat of harm or invasion of privacy. DCPL is dedicated to providing friendly, courteous and respectful service and an enjoyable, clean and comfortable environment for all customers.
The District of Columbia Public Library’s (DCPL) code of conduct has three primary purposes: (1) to protect the rights and safety of all library customers, (2) to protect the rights and safety of staff members and (3) to protect the library’s materials, facilities and property.
DCPL reserves the right to inspect a customer’s belongings including purses, backpacks, bags, parcels, shopping bags, briefcases and other items to prevent unauthorized removal of library materials and equipment or for the health and safety of library staff and customers.
The Board of Library Trustees grants the Executive Director the authority to amend guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures during a State of Emergency or Public Health Emergency declared by the Mayor, or when necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees or the public.
810.2 DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE
This code of conduct (rules) applies to all buildings and all grounds controlled and operated by DCPL (buildings and outdoor grounds are also known as “the premises”) and to all customers entering in or on the premises.
Listed below are the library’s behavior rules. Customers who violate these rules may be removed from the premises and excluded from all library premises for the period of time listed below, by authority of the D.C. Public Library.
810.3 ENFORCEMENT
Library staff, Library Police, and/or Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers may intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. A violation of law may result in arrest and prosecution. Failure to comply with these rules may result in issuance of a Notice of Barring from Library property for a period of one day to five years.
If a Notice of Barring is issued, it applies to all DCPL locations and includes the suspension of DCPL privileges, including but not limited to the use of DCPL computers and other equipment. If barred, customers may have their photographs or video captured by DC Public Library staff to enforce the bar.
810.4 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF NOTICES OF BARRING
(a) An individual who receives a Notice of Barring may request an administrative review if the bar is greater than seven (7) days. This request must be made within ten (10) business days of the date on the barring notice and submitted in writing to: Director of Public Safety, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 or via email at DCPLBarAppeals@dc.gov.
(b) The Executive Director or designee will issue a final decision on the administrative review of the bar within thirty (30) calendar days. The barred individual may appeal the final decision to the District of Columbia Superior Court’s Civil Division within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the notice of final decision.
810.5 REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Library customers who wish to request a reasonable modification of these Guidelines because of a disability or health condition may contact Library staff at 202-727-1101 or via e-mail at DCPLaccess@dc.gov.
810.6 RULES AND CONSEQUENCES
For the safety and comfort of the public and staff, and to create an environment that is favorable to library operations, the following rules and consequences apply. These activities are prohibited on library premises:
(a) Category One Rules and Consequences: Any customer, aged 13 and older, who violates category one rules while on library premises will be restricted from the premises until the problem is corrected. Repeated violations of category one rules may result in barring if it is determined that the customer is failing to comply with the reasonable direction of a library staff member or law enforcement officer.
| Age | Each Incident |
|---|---|
| 0-8 | Warning and referral to caregiver |
| 9-12 | Warning and opportunity to correct the violation. Leave the Library until problem is corrected |
| 13-17 | Leave the Library until the problem is corrected |
| 18+ | Leave the Library until the problem is corrected |
(1) Being on DCPL premises with bare feet or a bare chest (except breastfeeding); Clothing must cover private body parts (genitals, breasts, and buttocks. Shoes are required at all times.
(2) Being under the visible influence of any illegal substance, controlled substance, or alcohol.
(3) Storing or using bags/personal items in DCPL buildings in a manner that takes up space from other customers, blocks seating or travel pathways.
(4) Exceeding DCPL bag/personal item limits. At the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, customers may bring up to two large bags (not to exceed 36” in any dimension) and two hand-held items such as a purse, briefcase, tote, or small backpack. At all other Library locations, customers may bring one large bag (not to exceed 36” in any dimension) and two hand-held items such as a purse, briefcase, tote, or small backpack.
(5) Bringing bags/personal items (including clothing) that are infested or contaminated with pests such as insects or rodents.
(6) Leaving any bags/personal items unattended. Customers must keep personal belongings with them at all times. Unattended items will be searched and removed.
(7) Placing items or personal belongings on or against buildings, outdoor furniture, equipment or fixtures, or leaving personal belongings unattended on the premises. Unattended items on outdoor premises will be searched and removed.
(8) Being in a DCPL building while having strong, pervasive odor, including odor caused by perfume or cologne, that unreasonably interferes with library user or staff comfort, safety, use, or peaceful enjoyment of the library.
(9) Consuming food and covered non-alcoholic drinks outside a DCPL designated area.
(10) Lying down or taking up space intended for more than one person. Note: If you are sleeping or appear to be sleeping, staff may speak to you to determine if you need assistance.
(11) Sitting on the floor, sidewalk, etc. unless approved by a library staff member and blocking aisles, exits, staircases, pathways, or entrances.
(12) Using electronics or computers without headphones or at a volume that disturbs others.
(13) Leaving mess, garbage or spills or creating mess, garbage or spills that disrupts or interferes with library use.
(14) Soliciting, petitioning, or distributing written materials or canvassing for political, charitable, commercial, or religious purposes on the premises.
(b) Category Two Rules and Consequences: Any customer who violates category two rules while on library premises will be given a warning that shall remain on the customer’s record for six (6) months. Subsequent offenses within a six (6) month time frame by that customer will result in that person’s immediate removal and barring from all D.C. Public Library premises as follows:
| Age | Initial |
2nd Violation (within 6 months) |
3rd Violation (within 6 months) |
4th Violation (within 6 months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-8 | Referral to caregiver | Referral to caregiver | Referral to caregiver | Referral to caregiver |
| 9-12 | Warning. If accompanied, referral to caregiver | Leave for the day | Up to 1 week | Up to 3 months, and referral to parent/guardian |
| 13-17 | warning | Leave for the day | Up to 1 month | Up to 6 months |
| 18+ | Warning | Up to 1 month | Up to 6 months | Up to 1 year |
(1) Using someone else’s library card to obtain library services, including public computer use, is prohibited. Each customer must use their own library card, and these cards are non-transferrable; loaning your library card to another person is prohibited. Library cards that are repeatedly used in violation of this rule will be confiscated and will be returned to the verified owner.
(2) Bringing bicycles, scooters (unless collapsed and carried), 4-wheel grocery or utility carts, or other similar items inside library buildings, including, but not limited to, vestibules or covered doorways.
(3) Operating bicycles, scooters, roller skates, skateboards, hoverboards, or other similar items in, or on, library premises, unless as part of a library program.
(4) Bringing animals inside library buildings (with the exception of service animals), except as allowed at a library-approved event, or leaving an animal tethered and unattended on library premises.
(5) Improperly using library restrooms, including, but not limited to, bathing, shaving, or washing hair or clothing.
(6) Leaving one or more children eight (8) years old or under, who reasonably appear to be unsupervised or unattended, anywhere in or on library premises. If staff reasonably believe a child under 16 years old is truant or unlawfully absent from school, they may notify the appropriate authorities. [Please see Unattended Children Policy]
(7) Customers thirteen (13) years of age and older are prohibited from using the children’s area, unless accompanying a child under the age of thirteen (13) or selecting an item from the collection.
(8) Customers twenty (20) years of age and older and children twelve (12) years of age and younger are prohibited from using the teen area unless accompanying a teen aged thirteen (13) to nineteen (19) or selecting an item from the collection.
(9) Customers thirteen (13) years of age and older are prohibited from using any restroom designated for children. Children’s restrooms are for the sole use of children twelve (12) years old or younger, and their accompanying caregivers.
(c) Category Three Rules and Consequences: Any customer who violates category three rules while on library premises may first be informed of library rules. Subsequent offenses by that customer within one year will result in that person’s immediate removal and restriction from all DCPL premises as follows:
| Age | Initial |
2nd Violation (within 1 year) |
3rd Violation (within 1 year) |
4th Violation (within 1 year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | Warning. Referral to caregiver | Warning. Referral to caregiver | Warning. Referral to caregiver | Warning. Referral to caregiver |
| 9-12 | Warning/Referral to caregiver if accompanied. If unaccompanied, leave for the rest of day | 1 week | Up to 1 month | Up to 3 months |
| 13-17 | Warning. Up to 1 week | 1 month | Up to 6 months | Up to 1 year |
| 18+ | Warning. Up to 1 month | 3 months | 1 year | 2 years |
(1) Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the library, or disturbs library staff or customers, including but not limited to, the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking.
(2) Engaging in any form of harassment, including sexual harassment. Some infractions may be moved to Category Four if deemed necessary.
(3) Engaging in bullying as defined by the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012, effective September 14, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-167; 59 DCR 7820 (June 29, 2012)).
(4) Misuse of any library property in a destructive, abusive, or potentially damaging manner, or in a manner likely to cause personal injury to themselves or others.
(5) Egregiously inappropriate restroom usage including intentionally clogging plumbing, looking into an area designed to provide privacy to a person using the area, or having more than one person in a restroom stall or a single-user restroom (unless accompanying children or adults in need of assistance).
(6) Intentionally depositing bodily fluids outside of toilets/urinals in the restrooms (urinating, defecating, spitting) or anywhere on the Library premises, including landscaping.
(7) Failure to comply with the reasonable direction of a library staff member.
(8) Smoking or other use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes on DCPL premises.
(9) Possessing, selling, using, or distributing marijuana/cannabis or selling or distributing any controlled substance (i.e. Percocet, Xanax, etc.) on library property.
(10) Possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming any alcoholic beverage, except as allowed at a library approved event.
(11) Violating DCPL’s Computer Use Guidelines.
(12) Entering or attempting to enter DCPL premises while barred (i.e., trespassing). Customers or persons returning to DCPL premises during a period of barring may be arrested and prosecuted for unlawful entry, pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 22-3302 (2012 Repl.).
(d) Category Four Rules and Consequences: Any customer who violates category four rules while on library premises will be immediately removed and restricted from all DCPL premises as follows:
| Age. | Each Incident |
|---|---|
| 0-8 | Referral to caregiver and/or Library Police or MPD. |
| 9-12 | 1-month-5 years, based on severity, and the incident will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. |
| 13-17 | 3 months to 5 years, based on severity, and the incident will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. |
| 18+ | 1-5 years, based on severity, and the incident will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. |
(1) Committing, or attempting to commit, any activity that would constitute a violation of any Federal or District of Columbia criminal statute, ordinance, code, or law.
(2) Failure to comply with the reasonable direction of a law enforcement officer.
(3) Possessing firearms, or weapons of any kind in the library or on library property.
(4) Directing a threat, whether direct or indirect, of physical harm against an individual, group of individuals, or property. A threat includes any words or actions that would cause an ordinary person to fear physical (including sexual) harm or injury.
(5) Assaulting (or attempting to assault), sexually assaulting (or attempting to sexually assault), or stalking anyone on DCPL premises.
(6) Engaging in sexual conduct/activity, including, but not limited to, the physical manipulation or touching of sex organs through clothing in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification.