NAPOLEON PUBLIC LIBRARY, McCLURE COMMUNITY LIBRARY, & FLORIDA PUBLIC LIBRARY
PATRON CONDUCT RULES AND POLICIES
The mission of the Napoleon Public Library is to provide the vital information the community needs and desires to make it a productive community in today’s society and to help its citizens obtain information for whatever purpose they are seeking.
The Library is supported by the taxes of the residents of the Napoleon Area School District as well as the citizens of the State of Ohio who expect our facility to be clean, comfortable, and a safe place for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing and attending Library or community sponsored programs and meetings. To this end, the Library Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers, and staff, for preserving and protecting the Library’s material, equipment, facilities, and grounds.
To help us provide a welcoming environment, please behave in the following manner when you are in the library:
· Keep noise to a minimum. Speak quietly to those around you. Portable radio devices (with headphones) or other entertainment or communication devices are permitted as long as they do not disturb others. Do not create noise unnecessarily. Cell phone use is permitted as long as conversations are kept short, and do not disturb those around you.
· Bring a snack. Light snacks and beverages (with lids) are permitted throughout the Library. Trash receptacles are provided for your convenience. Please no food or beverages near the computers. Note: Peanut or other food allergens may be present in the Library. Parents of minors with allergies shall monitor their children at all times.
· Walk. Running, fighting, pushing, and shoving are prohibited. They are dangerous and result in someone getting hurt.
· Dress properly. This means a shirt and shoes. No swimsuits or cleats, please.
· Leave your pets at home. Animals needed to assist the disabled or are previously approved are permitted.
· Keep the Library clean. Littering, bringing in garbage, articles with foul odor, or articles which, alone or in their aggregate, impede the use of the Library by other users are prohibited.
· Respect the Library property. Stealing, mutilating, altering, damaging, defacing or inappropriate use of Library property including computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones, and other equipment is prohibited. Staff may inspect oversize bags and other articles that could be used to conceal library property or call police to inspect a patron’s belongings when theft is suspected.
· Respect non-public areas of the Library. Patrons should refrain from interfering with library employees’ performance of duties.
· Patrons are responsible for Library fines. Failure to pay fines, fees, or other charges (including printing costs) due in accordance with the Library’s standard schedules will result in suspensions of borrowing privileges. Accounts with items due over 45 days or amounts due over $25 will be referred to a Collection Agency. The patron is responsible for the $10.00 referral fee.
· Lock bicycles and other wheeled devices on the designated rack outside the Library. (Exceptions include wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.) Using wheeled devices including skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, and scooters in the Library is prohibited.
· Solicitation of any form is not permitted on library property. Asking library patrons or employees to purchase for fundraisers is not permitted. Handing out flyers to library patrons is not permitted. Using the computers to run a personal business is not permitted. Job training or recruiting must be approved by the Director.
· The library will advertise community events. Please give your information to a Department Head. The library will not display any political information.
SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN POLICY
Children 10 years old and younger may not be left at the Library unsupervised.
· Children 6 years old or younger must remain with a parent/guardian/babysitter at all times while in the Library.
· A responsible person that remains in the Library must accompany children between the ages of 7-10 years old.
OTHER PATRON CONDUCT POLICIES
The Library embraces people of all ages, religions, genders, races, disabilities, physical appearances, nationalities, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.
· Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers or staff including stalking, staring, lurking, offensive touching, and obscene or inappropriate acts will not be tolerated.
· Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, local or other applicable law, or Library policy such as being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs and selling, using, or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
Solicitation and distribution of literature are prohibited on Library property.
ABIDE BY THESE RULES AND POLICIES
Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or Napoleon Police/Henry County Sheriff will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the Library’s established rules and policies could result in removal from the premises and expulsion from the Library for a period of one day or longer. Suspected illegal activities will be reported to Napoleon Police/Henry County Sheriff which could result in arrest or prosecution. Violations could also result in the restriction and/or termination of Library privileges, including the use of Library computers and other equipment.