Patron Access and Conduct Policy

Access

• The Washington County Law Library is open to anyone who needs to conduct legal research or access to legal information. Access to the Law Library is a privilege and not a right.
• Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult; the Law Library is not responsible for the supervision of minors.
• Members of the Oregon State Bar may request an after-hours Law Library access key from the Washington County Circuit Court. Such access is governed by the Law Library’s Rules & Procedures for After Hours Access.
• Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
  • Patrons must be out of the Law Library by closing time. No one will be allowed to enter 5-minutes prior to closing; anyone entering within 30-minutes of closing will be notified their business must be completed before closing.
  • The Law Library may adjust hours as needed because of limited staffing or County restrictions on building access by the public. Patrons are advised to call to ensure the Law Library will be open before visiting.
• Patrons may not enter areas of the Law Library designated as “staff only” without express permission from library staff.

Conduct

• Patron conduct is governed by all Washington County policies including, but not limited to, the Facilities Use Policy and this Law Library Patron Access and Conduct Policy.
• Requests made by library staff regarding enforcement of this and other policies must be followed. Objections to instructions from staff may be brought to the attention of the Law Librarian but must be complied with by the patron in the interim.
• The purpose of the Washington County Law Library is to provide access to legal information and resources. Conduct that interferes with this purpose is not permitted.
• The Law Library is a professional research library; patrons must be engaged in legal research or other activity related to the Law Library’s mission.
• Patrons must respect the privacy and library use of other patrons, clean up after themselves, and otherwise abide by all laws.
• Personal hygiene cannot interfere with the ability of others to use the Law Library or risk damaging library property. Examples include, but are not limited to, body odor, strong perfume/cologne, or muddy shoes.
• Disruptive behavior is prohibited at the Law Library. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, violence, loud noises (including cell phone use), asking other patrons about legal work or for legal advice, soliciting or circulating petitions, interfering with the free passage of others, inhibiting or harassing staff or other patrons, or damaging Law Library property.
• The computer workstations are for legal research and case management.
  • If all the computers are in use, patrons will be asked to limit legal research on the computers to 30 minutes.
  • The computers may not be used for illegal purposes or to view sexually explicit material.
• Patrons may drink non-alcoholic beverages from closed containers, and eat prepackaged food or snacks, provided they keep the workspace clean, do not get food or drink on books or other materials, and do not disturb other patrons.
  • The County Facility Use Policy prohibits alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or other controlled substances.
  • Patrons may not eat while using the computers.
• Patrons are responsible for the cost of any damage to books or equipment.
• Patrons are expected to be appropriately clothed, which includes but is not limited to, wearing shirts and shoes and a mask if recommended by the County.
• Patrons who leave personal belongings unattended do so at their own risk. The Law Library cannot be held responsible for damaged or missing items.
• Patrons cannot bring bikes, scooters or skateboards into the Law Library
• Except for service animals, patrons cannot bring animals in the Law Library.
• Patrons violating these rules will be asked to comply, or if they cannot, to leave until they can comply.

Enforcement

• The Law Librarian or designee will implement this policy.
• Criminal behavior will be reported to local law enforcement.
• People who violate this or other policies will be asked to stop such actions.
• The Law Library may require anyone violating criminal laws, this policy or other County policies to leave. Refusal to leave may result in arrest for trespassing.
• The Law Librarian is responsible for the Law Library. The Law Librarian or their designee is authorized to exclude persons from the Law Library.
• Law Library staff may deny permission for a person to enter the Law Library for a specified time if that person violates this policy or has engaged in criminal behavior in the Law Library.
• If a minor is excluded, an attempt will be made to contact the child’s parent or guardian.

Appeal

• A person who has been notified they cannot enter the Law Library for more than two (2) days may appeal the Exclusion Notice by requesting a hearing.
• The request must be in writing and filed at the Law Library within 10 days of receipt of the notice.
• A hearing will be scheduled within one week of receiving the request.
• For notices issued by other Law Library staff, the hearing will be with the Law Librarian; for notices issued by the Law Librarian, with the Deputy County Administrator assigned to the Law Library.
• The hearing will be informal, and the hearing officer will consider oral and written testimony from Law Library staff involved in the incident, the person requesting the hearing, and any other witnesses to the incident.
• After the hearing the person conducting the hearing may affirm, modify, or cancel the Exclusion Notice.
• A written copy of the decision will be delivered or mailed to the person making the appeal within 10 days.