When the Chronicle reported that, following a "frosty note" sent to San Francisco Public Library officials by Mayor Ed Lee, the library had come up with "a laundry list of offenses and penalties" for errant library patrons, we were intrigued! How was it possible that, as the Chron reported, the Mayor had to ask the library to create "rules that would moderate the worst problems such as fights with guards, shouting matches, and an unending plumbing clean-ups and repairs in restrooms"? How is it that the library was without these rules before now?

As it turns out, they weren't, according to SFPL spokesperson Michelle Jeffers. She tells SFist that "almost all the rules [Chron staffer Marshall Kilduff] cites in his article are not new. We’ve had these policies on the books for almost a decade now."

In a memo sent to the San Francisco Public Library Commission on September 15 by City Librarian Luis Herrera, the Commission was asked to consider revisions to the Library Patron's Code Of Conduct, which, Hererra says, was originally adopted in 1983 and had been revised multiple times since then. You can read the entire memo here.

According to Jeffers, the revisions to the code of conduct are "some of the nuances — for example, now a patron can request a second level appeals hearing to a third party arbitrator if they feel they have lost their library privileges unfairly." Jeffers also says that they "reorganized penalties for the most serious offenses, while encouraging more warnings prior to suspension for the minor behavioral violations like sleeping in the library."

In fact, the only new rule, Jeffers says, is this one prohibiting the "unauthorized presence in staff-designated areas and/or entering or remaining inside library facilities before or after posted hours of operation."

Other rules that were already part of the Code of Conduct were made more specific, Jeffers says. For example, a rule that only required shoes has been expanded to note that patrons must also wear "clothing covering the upper and lower body."

A rule prohibiting “photographing or staring at” SFPL staff and patrons was also removed from the Code of Conduct, as harassing behavior was instead included in other rules.

In any case, here's the library's revised Code of Conduct, listing what's prohibited and the penalty for those infractions. So, don't do this stuff.

Level One: Severe Infractions (First offense = 1 year suspension, Second = 2 year suspension, Third = 3 year suspension)

  • Engaging in physical altercations including assaults and fighting
  • Displaying firearms or other deadly weapons on SFPL property in a rude, angry, or threatening manner. Exemptions from this prohibition are recognized for Law Enforcement Officers and individuals licensed to carry handguns in accordance with state law.
  • Engaging in acts of sexual misconduct, including indecent exposure, sexual contact and sexual intercourse and/or exhibiting lewd and lascivious acts.

Level Two: Moderate Violations (First offense = 3 month suspension, Second = 6 month suspension, Third = 1 year)

  • Possession and/or use of illegal drugs.
  • Theft of or vandalism to SFPL property, or the personal property of library patrons or staff.
  • Using obscene or threatening language or words otherwise likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction.
  • Unreasonable use of restrooms, including smoking, soliciting, clogging plumbing or looking into an area designed to provide privacy to a person using the area.
  • Depositing bodily fluids on SFPL property, including library collections, equipment, and furnishings.
  • Unauthorized presence in staff-designated areas and/or entering or remaining inside library facilities before or after posted hours of operation.

Level Three Minor Violations (penalties vary)

  • Exhibiting signs of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. (1 day suspension for first two offenses, 1 week for third.)
  • Leaving a child under 8 years of age unattended by a responsible person. Minor children visiting the San Francisco Public Library are the responsibility of their parents or guardians. The Library does not serve in loco parentis. The Library cannot accept responsibility for the safety and supervision of minor children. (No penalty listed, SFPL instead says to "Notify Security; follow procedures for contacting SFPD")
  • Verbal communication or non-verbal attention that is willful, malicious, or repeated harassment. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Smoking tobacco products or using e-cigarettes inside library facilities or within 20’ of any entryway. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Fraudulent use of another patron’s library card and/or account number for any purpose, including to reserve computers. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Making any loud or unreasonable noise or other disturbance, including disruptive use of personal communications or entertainment devices. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • People, animals or property must not block aisles, doorways, stairways, elevators or ramps. Large objects such as carts, bicycles and luggage may not be brought into library facilities. Library patrons must keep personal belongings with them at all times. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Roller skates, scooters, skateboards, bicycles, or other similar devices must not be used on Library property. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Library entrance areas shall be used exclusively for entering and exiting the library and as temporary waiting areas for library patrons. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Blocking library entrance areas or interfering with the free flow of pedestrian traffic in such areas. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Eating food and consuming beverages from an open container is prohibited, except in designated areas. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Soliciting money, donations or signatures. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Media or commercial photography or filming, without prior permission from Library Administration. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Emitting strong, pervasive odors, including odors caused by perfume or cologne that unreasonably interfere with library user or staff comfort, safety, use, or peaceful enjoyment of the library. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Clothing covering the upper and lower body is required in addition to shoes or other footwear. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Refusing to leave building and/or library computer during emergency evacuation. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Using SFPL facilities for other than their intended purpose, including: loitering, sleeping, bathing (except washing hands), shampooing, shaving, personal grooming, changing clothes, washing clothes or utensils. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Manipulation of/interfering with SFPL computers, Internet reservation and/or print management systems. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Adults using children’s area without a child or need for children’s collections. (First offense gets you a warning, second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Selling merchandise without prior permission from the library. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," second is a one day suspension, third is one week)
  • Sleeping or lying on the floor or furniture. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," regardless of number of offenses)
  • Failure to check out library materials before exiting the library. (First offense gets you a "Warning: Patron may correct or leave," regardless of number of offenses)
  • Animals, other than disability service animals, are not permitted inside library facilities. ("Leave building; may return without pet.")