Guidance on using our public libraries

Libraries provide services for the whole community. To help us maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment, we ask all customers to:

Respect others

  • Always treat staff, volunteers and other customers with respect and courtesy.
  • Respect the privacy of other library customers using our shared space. If you need assistance or wish to report concerns about someone's behaviour, please speak to a member of library staff.
  • Not to use offensive, abusive, threatening, intimidating or discriminatory language or behaviour.
  • Staff will try to answer all enquiries promptly. If the support you require will take a significant amount of time, staff may suggest booking an appointment at a mutually convenient time, if capacity allows.
  • The library is a welcoming space for both quiet use and community activities.   As part of our varied programme, some activities will create higher noise levels at certain times. For information about quieter spaces or quieter times, please speak to a member of staff.

Help maintain a comfortable, safe environment

  • Be considerate of others by keeping noise to an appropriate level.
  • Use mobile phones respectfully and avoid disturbing other customers.
  • Wear appropriate clothing when visiting library premises.
  • Do not block entrances, exits or walkways.
  • Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside library buildings.
  • Alcohol or illegal drugs are not permitted on library premises.
  • Do not enter the library under the influence of drugs or alcohol if this affects your ability to care for yourself or poses a risk to others.
  • Customers are welcome to charge laptops and mobile phones, other items to be discussed and agreed with library staff.
  • Do not to bring items onto the premises that may present a risk to other customers, staff or property.
  • Trained (and in training) assistance dogs*, as part of an accredited programme or equivalent standard of training, are welcome. We encourage customers to use an appropriate harness, jacket or lead to assist other customers to identify them. Other animals may only be permitted where agreed by the library as part of an organised event.

*Please note this does not include emotional support animals/pets.

Use library facilities and property responsibly

  • Treat the building, resources, equipment and furniture with respect. Use the facilities for their intended purpose and tidy any areas you have used when finished.
  • Report any accidental damage to a member of staff.
  • Follow reasonable requests from staff and volunteers to support the safe, respectful and efficient operation of the library.

Respect privacy and personal information

  • Customers are responsible for entering their own personal information, passwords, PINs and security details.
  • Library staff cannot enter personal, financial or security information into a customer's personal device on their behalf.
  • Respect the privacy of others and do not photograph, film or record staff, volunteers or customers without their consent on any recording device.

Children in library

  • Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent, carer or responsible adult.
  • For children aged 8 and over who are using the library independently, parents, carers and responsible adult should consider the child's individual needs and ability to use the library safely.
  • Responsibility for a child's welfare, safety and behaviour remains with the parent, carer or responsible adult at all times, as library staff are not able to provide supervision or care.

Submitting online book reviews

To ensure all users have a positive experience from the platform, when submitting book reviews on Hampshire County Council's web catalogue:

  • You must be a registered member of Hampshire Library Service to submit a review.
  • You may not upload explicit or inappropriate content.
  • You may not upload disrespectful, inflammatory, or inappropriate language, views or statements.
  • You may not upload content from which an individual may be identified.

Library Service Moderators will monitor the site and remove any inflammatory comments or posts that violate the acceptable use policy. Submissions are open for submissions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are reviewed and posted daily Monday-Friday. We reserve the right not to publish a review if it breaks our terms of use.

Feedback

If you have any concerns or experience any issues during your visit, including health and safety concerns, please notify a member of staff as soon as possible or submit feedback via our online form so that we can investigate and improve our services.

Failure to follow this code of conduct

Library staff have a responsibility to maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in staff:

  • Reminding customers of the expected standards of behaviour.
  • Requesting that behaviour stops.
  • Asking a customer to leave the premises.
  • Restricting access to services or premises.
  • Applying the Zero Tolerance policy.