General rules of behavior are designed to protect the rights of library patrons, to outline for staff members acceptable and appropriate behavior on the part of patrons, and to preserve library materials and facilities.
RULES
Any behavior that disrupts or hinders public use of the Library is prohibited on Library property. This includes, but is not limited to, loud boisterous behavior, verbal or physical harassment, running, and fighting.
Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the behavior of their minor children in the Library.
Eating or drinking is permitted only when specifically approved as part of a program in the Library meeting room.
Smoking, chewing tobacco or similar products is not permitted inside any enclosed area of the building.
Patrons shall not send, receive, or display on computer screens any text or graphics which may reasonably be construed to be obscene.
Patrons shall refrain from using language or gestures which a reasonable person would find inappropriate for use in a public library.
Bicycles should be parked in the bicycle rack provided. Roller skating and skate boarding are not permitted in the Library. Wagons and strollers may not be left obstructing an entry or exit.
No pets or animals of any kind, with the exception of assistive animals or animals being trained as assistive animals, are allowed in the Library unless they are part of an official library program.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on Library property. Unless specifically approved as part of a library function or program.
Appropriate apparel, including footwear, should be worn in the Library. All patrons must wear shoes at all times.
Patrons are not allowed in non-public areas of the Library unless conducting official library business or as part of a library tour.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the loss of Library use privileges.
PROCEDURES
When possible, staff will first educate individuals about our behavior policy before taking stronger measures. Repeat misconduct or severe offenses (even a single event) may result in individuals being banned from the library from a day to a week to a year, to permanently. An incident report will be filled out by staff and filed. When a child is banned, staff will send a letter home to the child’s guardian.
Young children:
The Markesan Library encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child. Library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library.
Therefore, it is library policy that all children under age 10 must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the library. Also, if the young child is attending a library program, we require the parent/responsible person to remain in the library throughout the program.
Disruptive children:
Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. 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 will be asked to leave the library. If after warning/s 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.
In cases where:
the child appears to be a danger to herself/himself or others
the child appears to be threatened by others
the child appears to be ill or upset
Library staff will attempt to contact the parent or guardian of the child. In the event that the parent or guardian cannot be located, staff will contact the Markesan Police Department or Green Lake County Sheriff’s Department. In the case of an emergency staff will call 911. An incident report will be filled out by staff.
Disciplinary Procedure:
Inappropriate conduct will be addressed with a response proportionate to the severity of the conduct.
Staff members are expected to deal with problems they encounter or alert other staff. Any staff member has the right to ask other staff for assistance and should provide assistance when requested.
The staff person in charge is expected to have a greater awareness of policy and willingness to step in and serve as a resource in helping other staff deal with problems.
Library staff that follow policy and act in their best judgment in confronting a person who violates board approved policies and rules will be supported by the staff person in charge.
Response to problems, proportionate to the severity of behavior:
Any staff member may issue a verbal warning or may refer a problem to the staff person in charge.
The staff person in charge may evict a patron for violations of library rules or policies. Eviction will be from the library building as a whole, not just an area, and is for the balance of the day.
Any staff member may stop someone from using equipment if the use violates rules or policy. The staff person in charge may bar patrons from using the equipment for a period of time or permanently.
Any staff member observing serious criminal behavior should contact the staff person in charge who will contact the police or contact the police themselves when they are supervising the library alone.
The Library Board delegates authority to the Director to ban people from the Library for a period of time. If that person is unavailable, the staff person in charge may temporarily ban an individual until the supervisor can reach a decision. As a result of this decision, individuals may be banned for a limited time, indefinitely, or permanently. The length of the ban, rendered within 30 days of the offense, will depend on the following factors:
Severity of offense
Repeated offenses
Safety of staff and patrons
Pending legal charges
When an individual is banned they will receive formal notification which will be shared with the Police Department, the Library Board and the parents of the offender, if a minor. Should a banned individual return to the library in violation of the ban, they will be asked to leave. If the individual becomes disruptive staff will contact the Police. Formal notification will include reasons and the time period for the ban.
If the banned individual disagrees with the ban, they may submit a written appeal to the Library Director for reconsideration. If the banned individual is a minor the written appeal must include their parent or guardian’s signature. After receiving the written appeal the Director will address the appeal within 30 days and may modify the ban. Modification may include changing the length or conditions of the ban.
If the banned individual is not satisfied with the Library Directors decision after the written appeal was reviewed and acted on, they may submit a written appeal to the Library Board to be reviewed at the next scheduled Board meeting. After the Board has reviewed their written appeal, the individual and/or parent (if minor) will be allowed five minutes to speak on their behalf to the Board. Minors must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. The Library Board will issue a written decision within ten days after the meeting. The Library Board has the power to affirm, reverse or modify the banning period or conditions.
The Library staff will communicate disciplinary actions with all staff by filing a written incident report and communicating through electronic resources. Disciplinary actions beyond verbal warnings will be documented by library staff.
Approved 1/16/2020