ECRL Policies & Procedures

Approved 8/12/19 by the East Central Regional Library Board

Scope:  This policy applies to the library building, its surrounding parking lot and sidewalks.  In ECRL locations that are co-located with City facilities, the scope of this policy applies only within dedicated library spaces.

Purpose:  East Central Regional Library encourages the public to use its facilities, materials and services to fulfill their informational, educational and recreational needs.  To best serve all library users and staff, certain standards and rules of library behavior have been established to ensure that the library is a safe and welcoming environment for all.  Library users are expected to be courteous, considerate and understanding of other users and library staff and respectful of library property and the property of others. 

The Library recognizes and welcomes users of differing abilities.  Nothing contained in this policy is meant to discourage library use by such individuals.  Additionally, users should be advised that different areas of the library have different levels of activity and noise and act accordingly to allow for enjoyment of the library by all.

In accordance with the above, behavior becomes unacceptable when it interferes with the appropriate use of the library, the safety and security of library users or staff, staff’s ability to do their job or when it could result in damage to property.

The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

The library does not allow:

• Any behavior that is disruptive to library use
• Shouting, running, fighting and roughhousing
• Obscene or threatening language
• Verbal or physical harassment of library staff or other users
• Intimidation through stalking or staring
• Use of tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco)
• Engaging in sexual and/or obscene acts
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, or being under the influence in a manner that causes a public disturbance
• Use of sporting equipment inside the library facility
• Sleeping and/or snoring
• Not wearing proper attire, including shirt and shoes

The following policies further address more specific behaviors:

• Animals in the Library Policy
• Unattended Children Policy
• Solicitation Policy
• Photo and Video Policy
• Acceptable Internet Use Policy

Enforcement:  Enforcement of this policy will be conducted in fair and reasonable manner.  Library staff will intervene to stop unacceptable behavior.  Failure to comply with the Library’s policies or staff directives may result in removal from the library, suspension or revocation of library privileges and/or prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.  Staff may tell any user who is in violation of this policy to immediately leave the Library for the day.  Failure to leave at staff’s direction will be considered trespassing resulting in notification of law enforcement.  Suspensions or revocation of library privileges for periods longer than a day will be made in writing by ECRL Administration.

Appeals:  Appeals to suspension or revocation of library privileges may be appealed in writing to the Executive Director.

It is essential that each user of Internet services recognize the responsibilities that accompany access to the Internet’s vast array of services, sites, people and uncensored information.

The use of the library’s public computers is considered a privilege as detailed in East Central Regional Library’s Internet Access Policy (See next tab down). Users are advised that the following conduct is considered inappropriate:

• Placing or viewing unlawful information or images on the system
• Placing files or programs on any of East Central Regional Library’s computers
• Altering files or programs on any of East Central Regional Library’s computers
• Using abusive, harassing or otherwise objectionable language in either public or private messages
• Sending any files or portions of files likely to result in damage to the recipient’s databases or networks or any of East Central Regional Library’s databases or networks
• Sending unsolicited chain letters or broadcast messages
• Violating copyright laws or software licensing agreements
• Other use that would cause excessive congestion of the network or interfere with the functionality of the network for other users

Additionally, patrons using East Central Regional Library’s Internet workstations are advised to be considerate of others when viewing material which may be considered offensive to other library users.

All users of Internet services at East Central Regional Library are expected to abide by the terms of this policy. Users who misuse computers or Internet access will have their computer privileges revoked.

Users should further note that library staff can often help with basic computer use, but cannot provide support or information for specific software. The library will provide the training in Internet services to public service staff but due to library scheduling, Internet-trained staff may not always be available to users.

Approved by the East Central Regional Library Board of Trustees 12 February 2007

The East Central Regional Library endeavors to develop collections of materials and access to information from a variety of sources that meet the informational, cultural and educational needs of the taxpayers that it serves. It is within the context of this mission for the Library to provide Internet access from its buildings and on-line catalog.

The East Central Regional Library is heavily dependent on State and Federal Aid to pay for its telecommunications and Internet services. Both of these levels of Government require the use of Internet filters. The Library has installed filters on all of its public access Internet computers in compliance with these laws and in order to protect library users. The filter that we have installed, like all Internet filters, is a crude device. While it does block most pornography, some will still get through. It also blocks some legitimate sites. If you believe that the filter is blocking a legitimate site, please ask the staff to turn off the filter. Please also note that this does not give you the right to offend other users and staff with pornography.

Even with the filter working, some pornography will leak through, as well as sites that promote fraud and have online predators lurking. Parents who are concerned about these types of sites should accompany their children while they have access to the Internet.

Users should recognize that not all sources of information on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Patrons must exercise judgment and evaluate for themselves the value of the information found online. Library staff cannot provide answers to in-depth Internet or personal computer questions. We may, however, be able to offer searching suggestions and answer brief questions. Users should be reminded that more accurate, comprehensive and current information might be found in books, periodicals or other non-Internet sources.

Approved 8/12/19 by the East Central Regional Library Board

East Central Regional Library Unattended Children Policy

Purpose: East Central Regional Library (ECRL) welcomes children of all ages to use its facilities and services and strives to provide for the general welfare of all persons in the Library and for the safety and well-being of children using the library. However, ECRL reminds the public that the ultimate responsibility for the behavior and well-being of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or designated caregiver and not with ECRL personnel.

The ECRL Board has adopted the following policy regarding unattended children and vulnerable adults.

For the purposes of this policy the following definitions apply:

Unattended child: any young person using the library facility unaccompanied by a responsible adult or left alone in one part of the library while the adult is in another.

Vulnerable child: an unattended child whose safety or well-being could be endangered either in the building, or if they were to leave the library.

Vulnerable adult: Vulnerable adults are those individuals who because of physical or mental disability are dependent on others for care.

Children under 8 Years of Age:
Parents and caregivers must be aware that libraries are public buildings and that it is not in the best interest of children to be left unattended. No public place, including the library, can guarantee the safety of children. It is required that children under eight years of age be accompanied by an adult or caregiver at least 11 years of age when visiting the library. This parent or caregiver should be in the immediate vicinity of and in visual contact with the child.

Children 8 years and older:

Children 8 years and older may use the library on their own. Due to differences in child development, the library recognizes that some children over 8 years old may not be able to cope with being unattended and therefore recommends that children between 8 and 10 years old be accompanied by an adult or responsible caregiver while using the library.
Children using inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the library. If a child in this age group is not able to leave the library without an adult or responsible caregiver, they should not be left unattended in the library.

Behavior of children:

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for the behavior of their minor children in the library or on library grounds whether they accompany them or not. The ECRL Acceptable Behavior Policy governs acceptable behavior of all library users.

Contacting Law Enforcement:

ECRL staff will make a good faith attempt to contact the children’s parent or guardian if a child is identified as unattended and vulnerable. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached, local law enforcement will be contacted to assist.

ECRL staff will make a good faith attempt to locate a caregiver for an unattended vulnerable adult before calling local law enforcement to assist.

Parents or guardians are expected to make arrangements to pick up children before the posted library closing. ECRL staff will make a good faith attempt to contact a minor’s parent or guardian if a minor is unattended nearing closing time without means to leave on their own. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached and the minor remains at the library past the posted closing time, local law enforcement may be called to assist.