Behavior Policy

behavior policy

Appropriate behavior is expected of all patrons and visitors to the Grundy Foundation (“Foundation”) and its entities, the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library (“Library”) and Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum (“Museum”). In order to allow use of the premises to the fullest extent, The Grundy Foundation Board of Trustees has adopted the following rules and regulations.

Patrons and visitors must be engaged in activities associated with the proper use of a public library and/or museum while in the buildings and must abide by all policies, including the Internet and Computer Use policy.

When gates are open, the public is welcome to enjoy the Riverfront Park and Rooftop Patio Garden for passive recreational activities. These areas and all other Foundation premises are privately owned and as such are open as a public accommodation and are not subject to “public right” of access. 

Individuals in the Library and Museum buildings and elsewhere on the Foundation premises must:

  • Observe posted signage and access fenced areas only when gates are open
  • Refrain from smoking or other use of tobacco products including but not limited to the use of electronic smoking devices, vaping devices, hookahs, etc.
  • Be fully clothed at all times while on premises (shoes required in buildings)
  • Keep personal belongings with them at all times
  • Keep outside and secure at designated racks all bikes, scooters, and athletic equipment that cannot easily be carried and safely stored
  • Obey all Foundation staff, including security and crossing guards
  • Be respectful of fellow patrons and visitors

Inappropriate behavior on the Foundation premises includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

  1. Having open beverages of any kind or eating food in the Library, unless part of a scheduled program or event. Sealed beverage containers are acceptable in Library study areas, but not near Library materials, computer terminals and equipment. Food, chewing gum, and beverages are prohibited in the Museum.
  2. Behaving in a disorderly, loud, or disruptive manner including, but not limited to, talking loudly, using profanity, running, fighting, etc.
  3. Annoying, disturbing, harassing, or threatening another person or persons
  4. Interfering with the use of the Library or Museum by other people, or interfering with staff’s performance of their duties. This includes, but is not limited to, campaigning, petitioning, survey-taking, soliciting, sales, distributing leaflets, etc. All political and religious advocacy is prohibited.
  5. Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to others may be required to leave the buildings 
  6. Sleeping
  7. Destroying, damaging, altering, or defacing materials, furnishings, equipment, or any part of the facilities, fixtures, or other Foundation property
  8. Moving furniture or equipment without staff approval
  9. Improper use of restrooms for purposes such as bathing, shaving, laundering clothes, smoking, etc.
  10. Smoking, vaping of e-cigarettes, use of tobacco, or tobacco products in buildings or areas outside buildings where second-hand smoke can enter
  11. Visual impairment, or possession, use, or consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal substances
  12. Possession of offensive weapons and carrying a weapon of any type except as expressly authorized by law
  13. Bringing any pet or animal onto the premises except for certified service animals or animals for a scheduled program
  14. Use of the Park area and grounds for activities expressly prohibited and as indicated by outdoor signage, including but not limited to bicycling, skateboarding, or other playground or recreational sports activities
  15. Accessing inappropriate materials, defined as text or graphics, which may be reasonably construed as obscene or constitute pornography, is strictly prohibited.  This includes materials belonging to individuals that do not originate on site as well as materials procured through use of Library or Museum resources. The Foundation, in its sole discretion, shall determine what materials are considered inappropriate. 
  16. Any illegal activity including, but not limited to, possession of illegal substances, theft, vandalism of property or materials, accessing unlawful materials, etc. These are criminal matters and will be prosecuted by the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
  17. Removal of Library materials without first checking them out on a valid Library card. Each individual or their legal guardian shall be responsible for any fines, fees, or other charges due in accordance with the Library’s standard schedules.  Failure to pay these fines will result in suspension of borrowing privileges.
  18. Leaving young children or vulnerable adults unattended or unsupervised. Children under the age of 10 years may not be left on the premises without a parent/guardian or caregiver. A caregiver is an individual 13 or older who is assuming responsibility for a younger child with the permission of the child’s parent/guardian. In addition,

Museum: All children 9 and under must be continually supervised by a parent or caregiver. A child 10 or older may visit the museum without adult supervision but must be accompanied by one or more peers, ages 10 or older. Please see our children-specific policies for details.

Library: All children under the age of 7 must remain within sight distance of an attending parent/guardian or caregiver at all times. Please see our children-specific policies for details.

Any individual not abiding by these rules and regulations may be required to leave the Foundation premises.  All staff are authorized to enforce this Policy. Staff will contact law enforcement if deemed advisable. Illegal acts will be prosecuted.

In addition, any individual who violates the Library rules and regulations may be denied the privilege of access to the Grundy Library as well as other Bucks County Public Libraries. 

Any individual whose privileges have been denied may request an appeal in writing by contacting the Executive Director of the Grundy Foundation, 680 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007.

As a private foundation, the Grundy Board of Trustees reserves the right to change this Policy without notice, and has unfettered discretion to deny any individual or organization access to the Library and Museum buildings, premises, materials, events or programs if it is in the best interests of the Foundation to do so.