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| . | Who May Use the Library The staff and trustees of the Potsdam Public Library recognize and
support the patrons in fully utilizing the facilities and services that the library has to
offer. However, the trustees and staff also understand that this may disrupt other patrons'
use of the library, and as a result have put together the following guidelines for patron
behavior. |
| . | I. Introduction |
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| (a) | Under the provision of Chapter 2.26 of the New York State Education Law, the Potsdam Library Board of Trustees may enact regulations that serve to insure the safety of all library staff and patrons, protect the usefulness of the materials collection, and maintain order in the library. | ||
| (b) | The Board of Trustees is committed to providing an atmosphere where people of all ages may come to read, browse, do research, study or participate in tutorial services or individual or group counseling or educational sessions provided by community groups. This policy does not prohibit quiet conversations between patrons and/or staff members or conversations required to carry on library programs or business. It is designed to preserve a reasonable quiet atmosphere where library patrons may use library services and materials without disturbance. |
| (c) | Inappropriate behaviors includes
any activity that disturbs others, interferes with library operations, damages the building or its furnishings, as well
as rudeness, profanity, or any other behavior generally considered unacceptable in
a public place. |
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| (d) |
This policy has been established for all patrons. If a patron is not
responsive to the needs of other library users or disregards the policies
protecting patrons, staff, and library property, the patron will be asked
to leave the library. |
| . | II. Specific Guidelines | Back to Top |
| (A) | The rights of individuals to use the library should not be abridged or denied. To guarantee these rights for all persons, no library patron shall engage in the following prohibited behaviors: |
| 1. | Eat or drink beverages in the computer areas except as provided for in the library's meeting rooms policy. | ||
| 2. | Smoke. The library is a smoke-free zone. Smoking is prohibited throughout the facility. |
| 3. | Willfully annoy another person. | ||
| 4. | Damage or deface public property. | ||
| 5. | Engage in loud or boisterous behavior. | ||
| 6. | Utter profane, obscene, or offensive language. | ||
| 7. | Be in a state of intoxication that causes a public disturbance. | ||
| 8. | Enter or remain in the library without a shirt or shoes, or wearing rollerblades. | ||
| 9. | Loitering on the premises under the circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety or health of any person or property in the vicinity. | ||
| 10. | Remain in the library after closing hours. | ||
| 11. | Interfere with other library patrons’ use of the facilities through extremely poor personal hygiene. | ||
| 12. | Sleep in the library for an extended period of time (no more than 15 minutes). |
| (B) | In most cases, electronics or other
types of personal equipment may be used in the library as long as they
do not disturb others. Examples of such equipment may include typewriters,
radios, televisions and cellular telephones. |
| 1. | Lap-top computers maybe used as long as the keyboarding does not disturb others. |
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| 2. | Cell phones should be turned to "vibrate
only" mode or the power turned off while inside the library. Patrons
are asked to step into the library lobby or outside the main library
rooms and meeting areas to talk on their phones. |
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| 3. | The library provides earphones and
the staff will attempt to find a quiet, supervised study space for
those patrons requesting one if one is available. |
| (C) |
No pets or other animals are allowed in the library unless
they are guide dogs or part of a library program. |
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| (D) |
Only persons on library business will be allowed to
solicit for the sale of goods and services in the library. Salespersons
may meet with authorized library personnel only. Exceptions may be made
for library-sponsored activities or organizations affiliated with the
library. |
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| (E) |
Petitions, nominating papers and the like may be placed
in designated areas, however, active solicitation of patrons is not allowed
on library property. |
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| (F) |
It is a charge of the library staff to see that the
rights of individuals to use the library are upheld. The staff is obligated
to enforce these guidelines so that the facility can be used to the fullest
by all persons. Questions regarding the interpretation of guidelines
will be referred to the Library Director or other staff members in charge. |
| . | III. General Guidelines for Handling Problem Patrons | Back to Top |
| (A) |
It is the patron's responsibility to maintain necessary
proper behavior standards in order to protect his/her individual rights
and rights and privileges of other patron |
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| (B) |
Occasionally, staff members may have to deal with patrons
who violate the rights of others or who create a disturbance in the library.
If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted
from the library and from the use of the library facilities. An incident
report must be immediately completed by the staff member in charge and
duly submitted to the Library Director. Those who are unwilling to leave
or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed
to do so by the staff, will be subject to the law. |
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| (C) |
A written report of any incident involving theft, vandalism,
illegal activity, or major disruptive behavior will be filed with the
Director as soon as possible after its occurrence. (A sample copy of
the "Incident Report" is attached.) |
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| (D) |
The Library Director, acting on behalf of the Board
of Trustees, may suspend the library privileges of any individual who
violates library regulations when severity or continued documented reoccurrence
warrants such action. The Library Director will inform the Library Board
of any such action taken. |
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| (E) |
The person whose library privileges are suspended shall
be advised in writing of the suspension and the reason(s) for such action.
The offending person shall also be informed that the suspension may be
appealed at the next regularly scheduled Library Board meeting. |
| . | IV. Unattended Children | Back to Top |
| (A) |
One of the primary missions of the library is to provide
a variety of services for children of all ages. The library encourages
visits by young children, and it is our desire to make these visits both
memorable and enjoyable for the child. |
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| (B) |
"Unattended" means that the parent or designated person is
not in close proximity to the child. Library staff cannot be expected
to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the
library. Parents or designated persons are responsible for their children's
behavior while in the library. Staff members will not drive a child home
during working hours, but will make attempts to provide for the child’s
safety by contacting parents, relatives or the local police. Staff who
elect to give a child a ride home during other times do this of their
own free will and are not acting as agents of the Potsdam Public Library. |
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| (C) | Even if the young person is attending a program, it
is required that a parent/responsible person remain in the library throughout
the program. |
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| (D) |
The library staff realizes that the library will be
noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion.
However, children (whether with parents or not) who are being continually
disruptive will be given a warning that he/she must settle down or he/she
will be asked to leave the library. If after a third warning the child
continues to be disruptive, he/she will be asked to leave the library.
If the child needs to contact a parent, they may do so and then wait
with a staff person until the parent arrives. |
