Harris County Public Library serves as your pathway to knowledge. The Library provides information and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities through innovative services within and beyond our walls. In order to achieve this, a Behavior Policy has been established by the Library. This policy has been created to ensure the safety and rights of our customers. Customers not in compliance with the Library’s Behavior Policy may be asked by Library staff to leave library property, and, when appropriate, members of the staff will contact the police.
Disruptive Behavior
Behavior that interferes with other customers' rights to use the library, including excessive noise in designated quiet areas, the odor of a customer and/or the personal belongings of that customer constituting a nuisance to others, and unapproved vigorous physical activity.
Illegal Behavior
Violations of Federal or Texas law or local municipal ordinances are absolutely prohibited, including, but not limited to: fighting, the use of obscenities, verbal abuse, and other forms of disorderly conduct, theft, property damage or destruction, public indecency, or intentionally failing to pay a library fine or return library property.
All applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations of municipalities where a building is located shall be adhered to during the use of such premises.
Members of the library staff will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of violations.
Building Regulations
Harris County Building Operations Services, Building Regulations govern the use of space in library buildings. These include, but are not limited to the following prohibitions: smoking, interference with the free ingress and egress to the building, and the solicitation or sale of goods or services (other than foreclosure, sheriffs, and constable's sales or invited vendors) on public property is prohibited, unless the Entity receives the prior written approval of Commissioners Court.
The full text of these regulations may be downloaded here.
Children at Closing
Children have the same rights as adults to be in the library. They must follow library rules of behavior. If they transgress any of the above rules, their parent or guardian may be called to intercede. If a child's behavior necessitates them leaving the library, and this leaving could pose a risk to the child, the local law enforcement agency may be called as well as the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Suspected child abuse or neglect will be reported to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Members of the library staff will notify the appropriate law enforcement agency for children left after the closing hours.
