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Patron Policies

200 Library Use | 11/16/2010 Reviewed 2/20/2018                                                  
 
200.1 Behavior in the Library | Adopted by the Board of Trustees December 17, 2019
 
All library users are expected to respect the rights of others as posted. Posted rules are as follows:
 
We appreciate your help in keeping this community space clean, safe and family friendly.
 
You can expect our staff to be helpful, courteous and knowledgeable.
 
We expect our patrons to respect each other, library staff, and property.
 
A wide variety of activities are encouraged in our building, including some activities
that produce noise. Library users are welcome to converse, play and collaborate at a volume that is respectful to other library users.
Children under 12 are welcome with the supervision of a parent or guardian.
 
To ensure that all people who use and work at the Dormann Library can do so in a comfortable and safe environment, the Dormann Library reserves the right to determine what is considered to be disruptive or inappropriate behavior by the patrons in the library. In order to ensure that every patron has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the library, patrons visiting or using the library’s facilities or services must comply with the Dormann Library Policy, Behavior in the Library – Patrons while on the library’s premises.
 
Interfering with other patrons’ use and enjoyment of the library or with the library personnel’s duties will result in a request to leave the library.  If the patron continues to be a disruption, they may, at the Director’s (or the Director’s Designee’s) discretion, be banned from the library.  The length of time of the ban will be determined based upon the severity of the behavior. (Banning/Trespassing Notice: Appendix C).
 
Dangerous, destructive or illegal conduct, including but not limited to the following, will not be tolerated:
  • Physical abuse or assault, including fighting or challenging others to fight;
  • Engaging in intimidating or harassing behaviors, including following or stalking other patrons or library staff, staring fixedly or leering at others, or attempting to peer under another patron’s or staff member’s clothing;
  • Making violent or threatening statements to others;
  • Damaging, destroying, stealing, or otherwise vandalizing library property.
Any patron engaging in one or more of the above behaviors will be instructed to leave the library immediately and may have his or her library privileges suspended for a period of up to one (1) year depending on the severity of the violation.  In addition, law enforcement may be called and appropriate legal action may follow.
 
The following behaviors are also prohibited:
  • Using harassing, obscene, abusive, or insulting language or gestures;
  • Leaving children under the age of twelve (12) unattended by a parent, guardian, or caregiver;
  • Annoying other patrons by talking, gesturing, or otherwise interfering with their ability to read, study, contemplate, or use the Library;
  • Interfering with library staff’s performance of their duties;
  • Entering the library with animals other than service animals authorized by law;
  • Entering the library with bicycles, shopping carts, or other bulky items excluding items necessary to assist individuals with disabilities;
  • Using roller skates, scooters, skateboards, or other similar devices inside the library;
  • Using tobacco products  anywhere on library property;
  • Possessing, consuming, exchanging, selling, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs inside or outside the library building;
  • Lying on the floor or sleeping;
  • Using the public restrooms in any manner that is not usual or customary, including laundering or bathing;
  • Failing to wear appropriate clothing and shoes;
  • Making loud or unreasonable noise, including but not limited to the use of electronic equipment or mobile telephones at a volume that disturbs others.  Ringer volume should be set to silent or vibrate;
  • Carrying weapons of any type;
  • Petitioning, soliciting, or selling merchandise or services including distribution of handbills or flyers without the permission of the Library Director;
  • Loitering outside the library;
  • Adults loitering in the children’s area without a child;
  • Refusal to follow reasonable direction from library staff, including but not limited to leaving the library during normal closing procedures or following a suspension of library privileges or refusing to evacuate during an emergency.
Engaging in any of the above behaviors may result in one or more of the following consequences, depending on the severity of the violation:
  • Initial warning, given copy of Behavior in the Library – Patron
  • Library privilege suspended for one day.
  • Library privileges suspended for seven days.
  • Library privileges suspended for up to one year.
  • **Depending on the severity, suspension time may be determined at the discretion of the Library Director.
Patrons who are suspended from the library for a period exceeding one day may petition to have their suspension reviewed by the Director.
 
 
200.1a Incident Report | Adopted 2/16/2018
 
The Library Director will keep a confidential file of information on incidents in which a form has been filed. The purpose of the file is to track any serious problems that are reported by the staff.  Incident reports will be used to document instances of unacceptable behavior and to track problems of a reoccurring nature.
 
200.1b Grievance Policy
 
Patron may file a written request to Director, Dormann Library, 101 W. Morris St., Bath, NY 14810, to reconsider a ban. Their written request shall set forth their reasons for reconsideration of the ban.  If the Director upholds the ban, the patron may appeal to the Board of Trustees within 10 days after he/she receives the determination. Such notice shall be filed with: both the Library Director and the Library Board President, c/o Dormann Library; 101 W. Morris St., Bath, NY 14810. The Board shall hold a hearing within 30 days after the notice has been filed. The appellant shall be notified at least 10 days before the hearing.
At the hearing, the appellant may be represented by counsel, may present evidence, and may call and examine witnesses and cross-examine witnesses of the other party. The Board President shall preside and staff shall record all of the proceedings on tape.  Within 30 days of the completion of the hearing, the Board shall issue a written decision stating the reasons therefore. The Board shall have the power to affirm or reverse the written determination or to remand it to the Director or designee with instructions for reconsideration. The decision, except for remand, shall be a final determination for the purposes of judicial review.
 
200.2 Circulation
 
Books and other library resources are provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.
 
Books, magazines and audio CD’s may be borrowed for four weeks and renewed, if necessary. New books may be borrowed for two weeks.  Videos may be borrowed for seven days, seven videos per card, and renewed, if necessary. Library staff reserve the right to revoke borrowing privileges.  If a patron has five overdues or overdues of more than six weeks, borrowing privileges may be suspended. Lost or damaged items will be assessed replacement charge. If a patron has a bill of more than $20, borrowing privileges will be suspended. The Dormann Library does not charge overdue fines.
 
200.3 Overdue Notices
 
Patrons should make sure they know when their library materials are due and return them on time.  They may place library material in the book drop after hours.  If necessary, they may call the library (or use STARCAT) to renew library material.
Overdue material: Patron will receive a telephone call or email for the 1st (2 weeks) and 2nd (4 weeks) notices. If after six weeks the item(s) are still not returned, they will receive a bill for the replacement cost.  If they have more than five items overdue, they may lose all library privileges not only at the Dormann Library but any public library in the Southern Tier Library System.
 
200.4 Interlibrary Loan
 
Patrons must have a library card in good standing to borrow material from other libraries. When material arrives, patrons will be notified and all items should be picked up promptly.  Material left more than seven days will be returned to the lending library.
 
200.5 Patron Registration
 
Patrons must fill out the Southern Tier Library System Borrower Application (Appendix D) form to receive a library card.  Children of any age may get a library card.  A parent or guardian must fill out the registration form for children under the age of 16 and sign it to indicate that he/she will be responsible for all materials checked out on the child’s card.  There is a $1.00 replacement fee for lost or damaged card.
 
200.6 Confidentiality of Records | Approved 12/21/2010
 
All records are absolutely confidential.  Staff will NOT give out a patron’s name, address, telephone number, or any other information found in the database or on the registration card.  Staff will not reveal what a patron has on loan to anyone other than the patron.  Staff will not give out information such as who has a library card, who has a particular book, who is on a hold list, who owes money, etc.
 
New York State Civil Practice Law & Rules 4509 Chapter 112. Laws of 1988:
 
 §  4509.  Library records.   
Library records, which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association,  school,  college  and  university  libraries  and  library systems  of  this state, including but not limited to records related to the  circulation  of  library  materials,  computer  database  searches,  interlibrary   loan   transactions,   reference  queries,  requests  for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use  of audio-visual  materials,  films  or  records,  shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to  the extent  necessary  for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant  to  subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.
 
 
200.7 Unattended Minors and Vulnerable Adults | Adopted December 20, 2016
The Dormann Library staff is concerned about the safety and well-being of all its users.  Library facilities are public buildings and open to the public. Due to the many responsibilities of the library staff, monitoring of vulnerable adults or unattended minors is not possible.  Library staff does not assume parental responsibilities or oversight for minors or vulnerable adults while in the library.  A parent, legal guardian, or caregiver is responsible for monitoring the activities and managing the behavior of minors or vulnerable adults during their library visit. A vulnerable adult is defined as an individual over the age of 18 who is mentally or physically challenged to a degree that significantly impairs the individual’s ability to provide adequately for his/her own care or manage his/her own behavior without assistance.
Minors or vulnerable adults left unattended may be at risk.  There are many factors that could place them in danger; a minor or vulnerable adult could be tempted to go off with a stranger or could become ill.  Either of these or other emergencies could take place in a public building.
Therefore:
  • Minors under the age of 12/vulnerable adults must have a parent/legal guardian/caregiver in the immediate vicinity of or in visual contact with the minor/vulnerable adult at all times while in the library.
  • Appropriate law enforcement or child/vulnerable adult protective authorities may be notified to assume responsibility for the welfare of a minor or vulnerable adult left unattended.
  • Minors age 12 and older may use the library on their own.  However, a parent/legal guardian is responsible for the actions and the well-being of his/her own child.
  • Minors displaying inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the library. If a minor 12 or older is not able to leave the library without an adult, he/she should not be in the library alone.  This is a particular concern in inclement weather and after dark.
  • All minors/vulnerable adults should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.
  • If a minor or vulnerable adult is left at the library after closing time or in the event of an emergency situation, staff will attempt to contact a parent, guardian, or adult caregiver.  If transportation is not available within 30 minutes of closing, the police or sheriff will be called to assist.  Under no circumstances will library staff transport or take a minor or vulnerable adult away from the library building.