Behavior in the Library

Cottage Grove Public Building Use Code of Conduct
The purpose of this Citizen Code of Conduct is to maintain a safe and pleasant 
environment for all users of City buildings – including the Cottage Grove City Hall, 
Library/Community Center, Middlefield Golf Course Pro-shop and Cottage Grove Armory. It also ensures the access for all citizens to City facilities, the safety of all users and staff, and the protection of the materials, resources, equipment and facilities.
Citizens have the responsibility to use the City facilities in a manner that:
• Does not interfere with the rights of other individuals to access or use City materials, resources and services; 
• Does not limit the ability of City staff to conduct City business; and 
• Does not threaten the secure and comfortable environment of City facilities. 
Prohibited conduct includes any illegal activity and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Willfully annoying, harassing, intimidating or threatening another person.
• Damaging a City building, furnishings or equipment or using furniture or equipment in a manner that could cause harm to self, others or personal or public property.
• Soliciting, campaigning, fundraising or selling, unless allowed pursuant to an executed rental agreement.
• Posting notices, posters or flyers unless on authorized bulletin boards. 
• Behaving in a loud, boisterous, offensive, indecent or disruptive manner, using abusive or threatening language or gestures, fighting or threatening to fight, running, pushing, shoving or throwing things. 
• Children under the age of six years of age must be accompanied at all times by a responsible individual(exceptions may be made at the discretion of City personnel if the responsible individual is in the building). Responsibility for the safety and behavior of children while in a City building belongs to the parent or caregiver. The City staff will not act as babysitters and will assume no responsibility for children left unattended on City premises.
• Using a cell phone or other electronic device in a manner that is disruptive.
• Impeding access to the building or an area of the building or blocking passageways, doorways or aisles.
• Bringing animals into buildings, except service animals, without prior written approval of the City Manager or designee.
• Leaving unattended personal items in the building. The City assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or unattended personal items. Items left longer than 5 minutes or suspicious packages, bags or materials that, in the opinion of staff, are a potential threat, may be removed from the premises without notice.
• Entering non-public areas unaccompanied by a staff member or without prior authorization from a staff member.
• Having offensive hygiene, odor or scent including but not limited to scented products, such as colognes, after-shave lotions, perfumes, deodorants, body/face lotions, or hair sprays that constitutes a nuisance to other persons.
• Failing to exit the building at closing or not following directions from staff.
• Relocating or tampering with tables, chairs, equipment or other furniture without staff permission.
• Failing to wear appropriate clothing including footwear and shirts. 
• Sleeping or loitering in public spaces without prior written approval of the City Manager or designee. 
• Eating or drinking, unless as part of an approved program, meeting room event or in designated areas. 
• Using public restrooms for bathing, shaving, washing hair, changing clothes or other activities without prior written approval from the City Manager or designee. 
Anyone whose actions are prohibited conduct may be asked to leave the City facility or they may be removed from the building by the Cottage Grove Police Department. Serious or repeated violations of the rules may result in a person being excluded from the specific City building or buildings for a designated period of time. Exclusions may be appealed to the City Manager