In the Reading Center, many customers must share common space and resources. Fighting, disruptive, rowdy or unsafe behavior will not be permitted. Parental supervision of children helps to maintain a peaceful environment, prevent accidents and injuries. Verbal or physical abuse of staff or others in the Reading Center will not be permitted. Damage, abuse or theft of Center property will not be permitted.

Your entrance to this public facility indicates that you are willing and able to act courteously toward all other persons here; act respectfully with regard to public property; and, follow all rules of this facility.

To provide an orderly and pleasant public environment, staff of this facility, including Board Members and Friends of the Reading Center are authorized to make judgments regarding individual or group behavior. Staff response to unacceptable behavior may include temporary or permanent suspension of Center privileges, which could include requesting that a parent or guardian accompany any child who has been asked to leave the Center because of in appropriate behavior. Appropriate law enforcement authorities will be promptly informed of an unlawful activity.

The Reading Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Keep all valuables and personal property with you at all times.

Children must be supervised at all times.

Follow Center computer policies.

Use cell phones in the lobby or outside.

Destruction or theft of Center materials or property

Use of alcohol or illegal drugs

Disorderly, disruptive or boisterous conduct

Threatening, harassing or intimidating language or behavior

Food is permitted only with the rental of the conference room -- no      uncovered beverages

Smoking and use of tobacco products

Sleeping

Weapons

Bathing or shaving in public restrooms

Solicitation of any type

Use of profane language

Customers are expected to maintain an acceptable standard of personal hygiene. Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition -- including unpleasant body odors that may offend other Center customers and infested clothing or personal effects -- is unacceptable. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times.

The Center reserves the right to expel any person whose behavior is disruptive or whose actions interfere with the use of the Center by other patrons.

Children, their well-being and safety, are of great concern to The Martin Luther King, Jr. Reading and Cultural Center. We encourage families and youth to use our Center/cultural center. Children, and all Center customers, are expected to behave appropriately. Parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers, not Center staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children in the Center.

An unattended child is a child of any age who is apparently unaccompanied by an adult. Parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers may not leave children alone or in the care of other children who are unable or unwilling to provide adequate care. Supervising adults must be close at hand and attentive to your child.

As in all public places, "stranger danger" is a real concern. Reading Center staff cannot prevent children from interacting with or leaving with persons who are not the appropriate chaperone.

Staff may refer to Allegheny County Children and Family Services for those children who are left unattended in the Reading Center and whose basic needs for food, rest, parental supervision or attention are not being fulfilled.

If the Reading Center is closing, at regular time or in an emergency situation, and a parent or guardian of a child cannot be located, the City of Pittsburgh Police Department will be notified.

The Reading Center is not responsible for any consequences of parents forfeiting their responsibilities.

It is the policy of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Reading and Cultural Center to recognize that on occasion, inclement weather or other conditions may prevent the Center from opening or may cause it to close early. The Reading Center will close for weather related emergency conditions whenever the City of Pittsburgh closes during the weekdays.

There are occasions when the Center must close because of an emergency situation or the direct impact of weather conditions.

Closing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Reading and Cultural Center during regular business hours is highly unlikely, but in the event of sever weather conditions call the Reading Center at 412-681-0461.