The Long Beach Public Library welcomes you to read, write, research, study and reflect in a clean, pleasant and safe environment. The Rules of Conduct listed below are intended to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons and staff, and to preserve and protect the Library’s materials, facilities and equipment.

These Rules of Conduct shall apply in all buildings, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by the Long Beach Public Library referred to as the “premises”. “Patrons” means users of the Long Beach Public Library. The Library reserves the right to take any action necessary to ensure a safe and appropriate environment for patrons and staff.

Rules of Conduct:

• Abide by all federal, state and local laws including but not limited to laws prohibiting theft, possession of weapons, possession of any illegal or controlled substance, consuming alcohol or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, engaging in any sexual activity, harassing others or behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
• Abide by all Library policies including the Library Internet Access and Use Policy (available online and at all Library computer stations), and the Library card self-use policy. Do not engage in any activity or behavior that may result in damage to Library materials, furniture or property, including any attempts to damage computer equipment or alter software configurations.
• Patrons must wear shoes and shirts. Patrons with hygiene or health-related conditions, including but not limited to odor and lice, that interfere with the use and enjoyment of the Library by other patrons or the functioning of Library staff, may be asked to leave.
• Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a person over the age of 14. The Library is not responsible for children who are left unattended in or on Library premises. Please refer to the Library Policy on Unattended Children for more information on this subject.
• Keep personal items with you at all times, or Library staff or the police may ask you to remove them. The Library is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged in or on Library premises.
• Secure all bicycles on racks outside Library buildings. Do not bring other wheeled devices into the Library including but not limited to wheeled carts. Skateboards, scooters and skates must be hand-carried into the Library, unless otherwise directed by Library staff. Disabled patrons may use assistive devices and caregivers may use strollers for children in the Library.
• To avoid disturbing other patrons, mute the volume of electronic devices such as cell phones, I-Pods and radios. Keep conversations brief and quiet.
• There is no smoking, shaving, sleeping, eating or bathing on Library property. Food and drink is not allowed in the library except in designated areas. However, capped water bottles may be brought into the Library.

Patrons Must Refrain From:

• Engaging in any disruptive or unsafe behavior including any conduct that interferes with the use or enjoyment of the Library by others or with the functions of library staff.
• Engaging in any activity or behavior that may result in injury or harm to any Library patron or staff member.
• Occupying more than one seat per person, or monopolizing Library space, tables or equipment. Do not unpack personal belongings that are not necessary for Library use.
• Bringing into the Library any items larger than 24” x 16” x 10.” Leave aisles, walkways and entrances unobstructed by electrical cords or cables, backpacks and other personal effects.
• Soliciting money, donations or signatures in the Library.
• Posting or distributing printed material in the Library.
• Using photographic equipment in the Library without the permission of Library Administration.
• Bringing in animals except for licensed guide or service dogs.

Consequences:

Individuals who do not comply with the Library’s Rules of Conduct or with the requests of Library staff or security personnel to modify their behavior to comply with these Rules of Conduct may be required to leave the Library premises and their Library privileges may be curtailed or revoked. They may also be subject to arrest or prosecution. (Cal. Pen. Code section 602.1) 

State law permits library staff to search purses, bags, parcels, briefcases and other packages in order to prevent the theft of books and library materials. (Cal. Pen. Code section 490.5) 

State law makes it a misdemeanor to cut, tear, write in, mark, deface, break, or injure library property. (Cal. Ed. Code section 19910)

It is the responsibility of the Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) to maintain a healthy and clean environment for all library users and to protect the City’s investment in library collections, equipment, and property. In order to fulfill this responsibility, LBPL may restrict a user’s ability to borrow materials and/or visit library facilities when such use may jeopardize the health and cleanliness of library facilities, collections, and users.

Examples of situations where borrowing of materials may be suspended include, but are not limited to:

• Evidence that items on loan to a patron may have been returned with insects that are known to be damaging to library materials, e.g. roaches, silverfish, and some types of beetles.
• Evidence that items on loan to a patron may have been returned with insects that can result in pest infestations in library facilities, e.g. bed bugs or roaches.

Examples of situations where access to library facilities may be suspended include, but not limited to:

• Patron or patron possessions with fleas or lice
• Patrons with clothing that is stained with urine or feces
• Patrons exhibiting flu-like symptoms such as persistent coughing or vomiting

Should it become necessary to suspend a patron’s library privileges in order to protect library collections, facilities, or other users, notification of the suspension will be made via mail or in person by the supervisor of the library location in which the incident occurred. Access to facilities and borrowing will be restored when the suspended customer demonstrates that the situation that caused the loss of privileges has been remediated.

Any library patron that has privileges suspended under the terms of this policy may request a re-evalution of the suspension by contacting Library Administration.

Source: California Penal Code §370

I. Mission Statement for Internet Use

Internet access at Long Beach Public Library is an extension of the library's commitment to meeting the community's information needs. In addition to using the Internet as an information resource the library also seeks to provide the opportunity for Internet use, with limitations, to members of the public.

II. Acceptable Use

The Long Beach Public Library has installed a technology protection measure (filtering device) pursuant to Federal law (U.S.C. Sec. 254) to protect minors from websites deemed to be harmful.The Library however cannot be held responsible for the content of the information accessed through the Internet.The Internet is a worldwide community with a highly diverse user population and it is your responsibility to use this resource wisely.

Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are still considered to be responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children even though Internet filters are installed.

The Internet workstation must be used in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of others, and taking care with use of the equipment.Computer and Internet settings may not be changed.

The workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, California, or local laws.The Library does not allow unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking” by any unscrupulous individuals, nor does it allow the disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.

Please be aware that material on the Internet and the World Wide Web is copyrighted. It is your responsibility to be aware of the display of any notices concerning the copyright of information on the Web and to respect the copyright laws of the United States .

The City of Long Beach is committed to providing an environment free from sexual harassment. Do not display on screens and/or printers materials which could subject the City to liability under applicable State or Federal laws.

III. Guidelines for Public Internet Use

• Computer use by a patron may be limited to 60 minutes at a time.
• Extension of the time limit may be granted at the librarian's discretion and only if the computer does not need to be accessed by other patrons or library staff for the Internet or other resources.
• Internet use by the public at Long Beach Public Library does not include access to all types of listservs, newsgroups, or File Transfer Protocol.
• Printing may be done. There is a fee of fifteen cents ($0.15) per page for printing black and white copies, and fifty cents ($0.50) per page for printing color copies.
• Internet access may not be available due to technical problems.
• The Library attempts to maintain the most current versions of Internet browsing and security software, however the Library is not required to upgrade as new versions are made available.This may mean certain websites and resources that utilize the latest technologies are inaccessible.
• Long Beach Public Library cannot be responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information found on the Internet.
• Internet access will be denied to anyone breaching this use policy.

This policy was developed in consultation with the City of Long Beach Attorney's office.

• I accept responsibility for all items checked out on my card.
  
  
• I agree to pay for any items lost or damaged, fees and fines.
  
  
• I agree to report a lost or stolen card immediately and understand that I am responsible for all items on the card until it is reported lost to the Library.
  
  
• I agree to inform the Library of any changes to my contact information.
  
  
• I understand that my Library card is for my use only and is not to be used by others, even my family.
  
  
• I understand that I must have my library card to borrow materials, access my record or use the Internet.
  
  
• I agree to follow all Library policies and the Library's Rules of Conduct.

The library welcomes the opportunity to work with groups of young people and their adult leaders. Field trips to the public library by classes, scout troups, church groups, kids’ clubs, service clubs, and others provide a valuable opportunity for librarians to introduce the library to children and teens. The range of library materials and services available, the library card application process, and special programs for youth of all ages may be highlighted by the librarians. Group visits represent “win-win” cooperation between the public library and all community organizations that benefit youth. 

Group visits require a commitment of library staff time, library space, and library resources. The number and frequency of group visits scheduled at each library will vary according to staffing levels, available space and seating, and other services provided. We therefore ask that all groups wishing to visit a local library register in advance, at least two weeks ahead of time, with the youth services librarian. A group that misses a scheduled visit without notifying the library in advance may not be permitted to re-schedule

Adult leaders are responsible for:

• Registering for a group visit at least two weeks ahead of time.
• Securing library card applications for interested children and teens in advance, and returning completed applications to the library at least one week ahead of time.
• Informing parents of the scheduled group visit to the library.
• Reminding children and teens to bring previously-issued library cards with them the day of the visit.
• Keeping group visit appointments or notifying the library of a necessary cancellation.
• Participating in the group visit, ensuring that students remain “on task,” and supervising their behavior.

Children and teens are responsible for:

• Bringing their library cards to the library.
• Reminding parents of the library visit.
• Checking out library materials.
• Returning library materials in a timely manner.
• Behaving responsibly during the library visit.

Librarians are responsible for:

• Booking and scheduling group visits.
• Informing adult leaders of library requirements.
• Providing the group leader with a phone number to call should the visit need to be cancelled.
• Reserving all necessary resources.
• Conducting the group visits.
• Recording all statistics for library reports.

We hope that each group visit will provide an educational and enjoyable experience for children and teens. Literature-based components such as storytelling, reading aloud, book talks, book displays, and book-related films and videos will be incorporated into group visits as determined by the librarian and adult leader at the time of the booking.

We look forward to your visit to the library!

LBPL accepts gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray. 

Bring the items to any Long Beach Public Library (except Alamitos Neighborhood Library) and ask for a tax receipt if you need one. Newspapers and magazines cannot be accepted.

We sort and distribute donations to benefit all Long Beach Public Library locations.

The Library provides no appraisals, reserves the right to refuse any donated material, and reserves the right to utilize these gifts in any way that is advantageous to the Library, including adding gifts to the collection, selling, disposing, or transferring gifts into or out of the collection. 

The Library accepts Long Beach history-related donations but reserves the right to utilize these gifts in any way that is advantageous to the Library, including adding gifts to the collection, selling, disposing, or transferring gifts into or out of the collection.

Newspapers and magazines cannot be accepted.

The Library provides no appraisals and reserves the right to refuse any donated material.

Some library services are subject to fees and charges, including replacement library cards, overdue materials, and specialized research requests. 

See a complete list of Library Services fees and charges.