Library Policies
- Meeting Room Policy, Guidelines, and Application
- Internet Use Policy
- Public Comment Policy
- Patron Code of Conduct
- Volunteer Policy
Meeting Room
Internet Use Policy
All Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library patrons. However, use of the Internet must be compatible with the mission of the library. It is the responsibility of each user to:
- Respect the privacy and sensibilities of other users.
- Abide by the legal protection provided by copyright law for all materials
- Have consideration for the integrity of computing systems.
- Respect the equipment, software, and data belonging to the library or to other users. Patrons may not add, alter, or delete files on library workstations, hard drives or other library computer equipment.
- Follow copyright rules when reproducing copyrighted material.
Use of library computers for any illegal activity will be reported to local law enforcement officials and will result in the loss of library privileges.
Attempts to bypass network security functions, obtain passwords, or alter the configuration of library workstations in any way will result in a loss of computer privileges.
Use of the library’s internet computers will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Under normal circumstances patrons will be guaranteed a minimum of 1 hour of computer access per day.
Patrons will be charged for all pages printed.
Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children’s Internet use and will receive the library’s publication, Parent’s Guide to Supervising Children’s Internet Experiences when agreeing to allow their child to use library computers.
REVISION APPROVED 05-25-2004 BY SPLD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Public Comment Policy
It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to invite audience participation during the public comment portion of the Board of Trustees meeting agenda designated for this purpose. In order to provide a fair opportunity to every person that desires to address the Board of Trustees:
- A Public Comment period will be provided at all public meetings of the Board of Trustees.
- Any person wishing to address the Board of Trustees must sign the Public Comment Sign-in sheet and provide his/her name, address, and telephone number.
- Individuals will be called to comment in the order in which they have signed in.
- Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes unless otherwise authorized by the Board in advance of the designated Public Comment period.
- The Board of Trustees acts as a body. Individual trustees have no power or authority to act on behalf of the Library.
- Speakers are not to address or engage in dialogue with individual trustees during the public comment period. Comments are to be addressed to the Board as a whole, and not to individual Trustees, administration or staff.
- Trustees will listen to Public Comment and consider it during deliberations as a Board.
- Trustees will not answer questions nor engage in debate with speakers during the Public Comment period.
- Speakers are asked to understand that specific questions cannot be answered in dialogue format by the Board of Trustees. Acting as a Board, the trustees will consider comments and questions and may direct the Library Director to provide information.
- The public is not normally invited to participate or contribute to the discussion of business on the agenda. An exception is a person who has been invited (ahead of time or spontaneously) to speak, make a presentation, or in some other way provide information to the Board.
Adopted 5/2016
Patron Code of Conduct
Patron Code of Conduct
Spanish Peaks Library District seeks to provide a safe, comfortable environment in its libraries in order to promote a worthwhile and satisfying library experience. Library patrons are expected to follow all library policies, including this Patron Code of Conduct policy.
- Spanish Peaks Library District expects library patrons to abide by all federal, state and local laws while at the library. The Library Director or his/her designee is authorized to call local law enforcement officials and report suspected violations of the law.
- Spanish Peaks Library District expects library patrons to observe normal rules of common courtesy. Library patrons who are not courteous to others will be asked to stop their discourteous behavior or leave the library.
- Library users must be engaged in activities associated with library purposes while in Library buildings or on library property (reading, studying, using library materials and equipment, participating in a library or community program).
THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED AT ALL SPANISH PEAKS LIBRARY DISTRICT FACILITIES AND PROPERTY:
- Engaging in any activity prohibited by law.
- Disruptive or unsafe behavior, which includes, obstructing or intimidating patrons of the library, use of profane, obscene, threatening, or injurious language or gestures in general or directed at another patron or staff member.
- Activities or behavior that may result in injury or harm to any library patron or staff member, including challenging another person to fight or engaging in a fight.
- Interfering with library employees in the performance of their duties, including but not limited to inappropriate personal comments, sexual advances, or physical and/or verbal harassment, or entering non-public areas in the Library without authorization.
- Sexual misconduct such as exposure, inappropriate touching, or any excessive public display of affection.
- Patrons with hygiene conditions, including, but not limited to, clothing odor, body odor, body lice, and overpowering perfume or cologne that interfere with the use and enjoyment of the library by other library patrons or with the functioning of library staff.
- Activities or behavior that may result in damage to library property or damaging library or personal property of another.
- Eating or drinking, except in areas designated for those purposes and/or when served with prior approval of the Library.
- Sleeping or lying on the floor or furniture in the library including exterior library grounds.
- Use of tobacco products including chewing tobacco, synthetic tobacco products or electronic (smokeless, or their equivalent) cigarettes, use of marijuana products inside the Library.
- Use of alcohol or illegal drugs, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on any Library property.
- Misuse of Library restrooms or water fountains (including bathing, shaving, and changing or washing clothes).
- Bicycles, skateboards, shopping carts, or other conveyances are not permitted inside library buildings. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted if being used for the transport of an adult or child.
- Petitioning, soliciting, panhandling or distributing/selling merchandise without the express permission of Spanish Peaks Library District.
- Staring at, or following, a patron or staff in a manner that reasonably can be expected to disturb him or her.
- Monopolizing library space, seating, tables, stairways or equipment to the exclusion of other patrons or staff, or obstructing aisles or doorways with personal belongings.
- The use of incendiary devices such as candles, matches, and lighters in the library.
The behaviors listed above are for guidance and are not intended to constitute a complete list of violations.
IN ADDITION:
Patrons shall wear garments covering the upper and lower torso of their bodies. Shoes must be worn at all times.
Users of Spanish Peaks Library District internet and computer resources must abide by all terms of the Acceptable Use of the Internet Policy and abide by the established time limits.
Personal property brought into the Library is subject to the following:
- The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended.
- The Library does not provide storage for personal property.
- Items inappropriate to Library use, including but not limited to bicycles, wagons, shopping carts, luggage, large grocery bags, large trash bags, bedrolls, and strollers without children are not allowed in the Library.
- Personal items must not take up seating space needed by others.
- Personal possessions such as grocery bags, trash bags, backpacks, bedrolls, shopping bags and carts, and luggage left outside Library facilities are subject to disposal.
ENFORCEMENT:
Spanish Peaks Library District reserves the right to restrict the use of its facilities and property from persons who do not abide by the Code of Conduct. Library staff and/or local law enforcement officers are authorized to expel persons who, advised of Library regulations, fail to comply with them.