Library Expands No Smoking Policy

The Port Washington Public Library's Board of Trustees passed a resolution that prohibits smoking and other tobacco use of any kind anywhere on library property, including the parking lot. This expands on the most recent policy, which up until now, only banned smoking inside the building.

"The public has often complained about smelling smoke in our facility even though there are 'No Smoking' signs in front of the library," Port Washington Public Library (PWPL) Director Nancy Curtin said. "Making the entire library property a smoke-free zone is a positive message and enforcement will improve the environment for the more than 1,000 people who enter the library each day."

Julie Geller, president of the library's Board of Trustees, said the board wants to promote a healthy environment for PWPL's patrons and staff.

"It's been many, many years since smoking has been banned inside the library and smoking hasn't been allowed in public places for a very long time," Geller said. "We really want to promote healthy living and a healthy environment."

Geller explained that when people sit and smoke on the benches outside that smoke would often make its way inside. "Because of the way the library was constructed, there are vents leading inside," she said. "The smoke goes down into the Children's Room so people smell smoke within the building. If people don't smoke where they're not supposed to, then this will stop that."

The board president added that there will be a guard on library property to enforce the expanded no smoking policy. "Now we can enforce the no smoking rule on library property," she said. "At certain times of the day there will be a guard to watch this, so somebody will be there to enforce the ban on smoking."

Geller said she thinks the ban will be a positive step for everyone who uses the library.

"It shows that our library, which is a centerpiece of the Port Washington community, is trying to do what is best for our patrons and for our community," Geller said. "We're very committed to being a green library and try to do whatever we can to help the environment. It really has become part of our mission."