Policies - Harrison Memorial Library

Policies and Guidelines

Public Computer Access in the Library
Unattended Child Policy
Disruptive Patron Policy

Public Computer Access in the Library

The Harrison Memorial Library, in its role as a public provider of information and lifelong learning, makes available a variety of electronic resources, including Internet access. The Internet is a global electronic network that provides a gateway to information of great diversity. Not all Internet sources provide accurate or current information and some may be objectionable to some users. The library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed over the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Users are responsible for the choice of sites that they visit.

The Harrison Memorial Library supports the democratic principle of the citizen's right to free access to information. The library endorses the Library Bill of Rights, including the new "Access to Electronic Information", as adopted by the American Library Association.

As with all library materials, parents or legal guardians are responsible for their child's use of the Internet.

All users of the library's electronic resources must comply with United States Copyright Law and all other applicable laws. The user may not use the library's electronic resources for any illegal activity or place any material on the Internet related to any illegal activity.

User Responsibilities:

Users of the Library's electronic resources are expected to follow all guidelines and procedures.
Users are not permitted to install, delete or modify library hardware or software.
The library does not provide access to file transfer protocol (ftp).
The user may not use the internet for any illegal activity or place any material on the internet related to an illegal activity.
Misuse of the library's electronic resources or failure to follow the library's internet policy and guidelines will result in the loss of computer and library use privileges.

Unattended Child Policy

We care about the safety of your children.

Please do not leave any child under the age of 8 alone in the library.
Supervision of children under the age of 8 must be by someone 12 years or older.
The Library is not responsible for unattended children. Any child under the age of 12 left unattended when the Library closes will be transferred to the police department.

Disruptive Patron Policy

The Harrison Memorial Library provides materials, services, and programs to the public in facilities that are safe, pleasant and welcoming. It is the intent of the Harrison Memorial Library Board of Trustees that library patrons will be able to use library materials and services without being disturbed or impeded by other library users. The purpose of this policy is to protect the rights and safety of library users and library staff and to preserve and protect library materials, facilities and property.

Library staff is authorized to enforce the Rules of Conduct.Violation of these rules may result in eviction from the library and temporary or permanent suspension of library privileges.

LIBRARY RULES OF CONDUCT

1. The violation of federal, state, or local laws will not be permitted on library property, including:

Physical, verbal or sexual harassment of patrons or staff
All threats of violence
Theft, vandalism or mutilation of library or other persons' property.

2. Smoking in the library or within 20 feet of the library building is not permitted.

3. Disorderly conduct or disruptive behavior that interferes with the normal operation of the library or that disturbs patrons or staff is not permitted. Examples of this type of behavior include, but are not limited to, running, fighting, drunkenness, verbal or physical harassment, throwing objects, abusive or threatening language, behavior, or gestures and excessively loud conversations.

4. Library users must abide by library rules and must obey any reasonable direction given by a library staff member.

5. Respectful use of the library and its property is to be exercised at all times.

6. Tampering with library machines, technology systems, and computer hardware or software is prohibited.

7. No pets or animals of any kind, with the exception of registered animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities or animals being used as part of a library-sponsored program, will be allowed in the library.

8. Patrons must leave the library by closing time.

9. Library computers may not be used for illegal or criminal activities. Nor may users download or print material which is obscene as defined by California Penal Code Section 311 - 312.7.

10. Shoes must be worn in the library at all times.

11. Eating and drinking, unless part of a program or reception, are not permitted in the library.

12. Because oversize bags present a safety risk and can interfere with access to aisles, stairs and walkways, bags or baggage larger than 20" X 14" X 8" may not be brought into the library.

13. Children age 8 and under may not be left unattended in the library and must be accompanied by someone 12 years or older.

Children age 9 and up are allowed to use the library unaccompanied by an adult provided their behavior is not disruptive to other patrons or staff
Any child under the age of 12 left unattended when the library closes will be transferred to the police department

14. Computers in the Youth Services department are reserved for children 18 and under. Anyone over the age of 18 must use the computers in the Main Library.

15. Cell phone use is not permitted in the library. Staff may, however, permit limited cell phone use in the Reference Department.

16. Leaving unattended personal items in the library is not permitted.

PENALTY PROCESS

1. First Violation

If a library staff member observes a person in violation of the Rules of Conduct outlined above, these procedures will be followed:

If the person in violation of the Rules of Conduct is a minor (under the age of 18), library staff are given the option of requesting that the minor leave or calling the minor's parents.

2. Second Violation

If a library staff member observes a person in violation of the library's Rules of Conduct, who is known to have been in violation of the policy within the previous six months (as documented by a written Incident Report on file for the first violation), library staff will follow the same procedures as for a first violation. In addition, the Library Director may suspend the person's library privileges for up to seven library open days. When possible, any such suspension will be issued in writing and will include the reasons for the suspension, the time period of the suspension, and will outline the appeals process.

If the person in violation of the Rules of Conduct is a minor, the Library Director may inform the child's parent or guardian of the child's suspension of library privileges.

3. Third and Subsequent Violations

If a library staff member observes a person in violation of the Rules of Conduct, who is known to have had a second violation of the policy (as documented by a written Incident Report on file for the second violation), library staff will follow the same procedures as for a first violation. In addition, the Library Director may suspend the person's library privileges for a period up to six months. When possible, any such suspension will be issued in writing and will include the reasons for the suspension, the time period of the suspension, and will outline the appeals process.

NOTE: Anyone breaking the law at the library will be evicted immediately and may have library privileges permanently suspended.

APPEALS PROCESS

Any person who has been banned from the library or whose library privileges have been restricted or suspended for a period in excess of one week has the right to have the decision reviewed by the Library Board of Trustees. A signed, dated appeal must be requested in writing within ten days of such suspension and must include the person's name, address, date and time of violation, type of violation, and the person's reason for appealing the decision. A request for an appeal shall be submitted to the Library Director for inclusion on the agenda of the regular Library Board of Trustees meeting held the fourth Wednesday of each month. The decision of the Board of Trustees on the appeal shall be final. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to seek a restraining order from the court to permanently ban any person who continues to violate the Rules of Conduct and/or the law.