Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/05/05 Written Communications - HebertWritten Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 LIBRARY USE RULES City of Leander Public Library – 8-2019 1. Purpose. The Leander Public Library is supported by the taxes of the people of Leander who expect each of our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe. The Library is intended for reading, studying, writing and listening to written or electronically transmitted materials, and attending Library or community sponsored programs and meetings. To this end, the Library has established these rules to protect the rights and safety of Library customers, staff and volunteers, and to help preserve and protect the Library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. 2. Definitions. (A) Except as provided, words and phrases in these rules mean what the words and phrases mean in the City Code. (B) In these rules: (1) “customer” means a person, other than an on-duty member of the library staff, who is present in the library, using the library, or borrowing library materials; (2) “director” means the director of the Library Department or the director’s designee; (3) “library” means any building or facility of the Leander Public Library, including the entrance ways and adjacent lawns, landscaping, and parking areas. (4) “staff member” means a City employee, contractor, or volunteer working in the library, and includes security personnel; (5) “user” means a customer using a workstation; and (6) “workstation” means a public-access computer and the adjacent space. (7) “parent/guardian” includes caregivers, relatives, teachers, etc. 3. General Expectations. (A) A staff member may not modify or waive the policies stated in these rules. (B) A customer must abide by the standards of behavior set forth in these rules. These rules identify prohibited behavior for Library customers, with consideration of the situation and age-appropriateness. (C) A staff member must report criminal activity that occurs in the Library to an appropriate law enforcement officer. 4. Children. (A) A child under the age of 8 may not remain in the library or on library property unless accompanied by a responsible person who is at least 16 years of age. A person accompanying a child is responsible for the child and the child’s behavior. Unless so accompanied, a child under the age of eight may not enter, remain in, or be left unsupervised in the Library. (B) Children are required to abide by the “Personal Behavior – Disruptive Behavior” policy set out below. Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 (C) When with children, parents/guardians who want to use computers should use those in the children’s area. (D) If a Library staff member determines that a child may not be safely turned away from the library or that the child is stranded, the staff member shall refer the child to the Leander Police Department. (E). Neither the City nor the Library staff assumes legal responsibility for unattended children nor shall any Library member drive any unattended child home or to another location. 5. Animals. (A) A customer may not bring an animal in the Library unless it is the customer’s service animal. (B) This does not apply to an animal used by the Library for a special event. 6. Food and beverages. (A) A customer may consume beverages and light snacks in the Library. Check with library staff to ensure compliance. (B) If, due to a disability, a customer must consume special food other than that above, the Library will provide a reasonable accommodation for that customer to consume that food in a designated area. (C) Water in a clear, capped bottle may also be consumed. (D) This does not apply to breast feeding or bottle-feeding an infant. 7. Attire and Hygiene. (A) A customer may not enter or remain in the Library in a bathing/swim suit, leotard or in clothing that does not cover both upper and lower torso, or without shoes. (B) A customer may not enter or remain in the Library if, because of lack of hygiene or excessive use of perfume or cologne, the person has a strong odor that would be offensive to a person of ordinary sensibilities. 8. Sleeping. (A) A customer more than ten years of age may not sleep in the Library. (B) If a disability is involved with a customer sleeping, the Library may provide a reasonable accommodation. 9. Smoking and tobacco use; burning materials. (A) A person may not smoke or use a tobacco product, including electronic smoking products in the Library. (B) A person may not ignite a flame, burn incense or any other material, or light a candle. 10. Photographing, filming or video recording (A) Filming or photographing any Library customer or staff member without prior knowledge and consent, including during Library sponsored programs is prohibited. Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 11. Restrooms. (A) A customer may not bathe, shave, wash clothes, or dry clothes in a Library restroom. (B) A customer may use a restroom lavatory only for washing the person’s hands or face. This does not apply to a customer attending an infant. (C) A customer may not take Library materials into the restrooms. 12. Personal belongings. (A) A customer may not bring a bedroll, blanket or sleeping bag in the Library. (B) A customer may not enter the Library with a cart or other wheeled device for carrying baggage/personal belongings. This does not apply to a file cart; book cart or wheeled back pack for book carrying or study use or wheelchair and/or other similar device for a person whose mobility is impaired. (C) A customer may not leave a personal belonging unattended in the Library. (D) The Library is not responsible for a lost, stolen, or misplaced personal item, whether the item was attended or unattended by the owner. (E) A customer who brings a personal item in the Library assumes the risk of loss or theft of the item. 13. Personal Behavior – Disruptive Behavior. A customer may not: (1) unreasonably disrupt the normal use of Library services or property by the library staff or other customers. If deemed being disruptive, patrons will be asked to discontinue any inappropriate behavior or asked to leave the Library. Leander Police may be called if necessary; (2) enter an area that is not open to the public; (3) block access to an entrance, passageway or resource; (4) solicit money or a donation or transfer of money or another thing of value from another person, regardless of the solicitor’s purpose or intended use of the money or other thing of value, and regardless of whether consideration is offered; or (5) distribute literature or otherwise solicit customers on Library property. (6) enter or remain in the Library in possession of any illegal drug or alcoholic beverage; (7) enter or remain in the Library if the person is intoxicated by a drug or alcohol; (8) use abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language; or direct such language toward any customer or staff member; (9) make an offensive gesture or display; or (10) access sexually explicit material on a Library computer or on a personal electronic device while in the Library or any property of the Library; (11) harass, sexually harass, abuse, threaten, or fight with a person; (12) threaten or actually damage Library property; Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 (13) incite a breach of the peace; (14) except as expressly permitted by state or federal law, carry or display a weapon; (15) perform a criminal act; (16) vandalize, steal, or recklessly or intentionally damage Library property or the property of another person. 14. Library Property (Exterior) (A) Use of Parking Lots a. Library parking lots are provided for Library users; other nearby city parks and facilities; and library/city staff for appropriate use. Commuter and overnight parking and any other use of parking lots by individuals who are not actively engaged in using Library and/or park facilities are prohibited. b. Parking lot problems associated with the above basic use policy shall be resolved by the Library Director by use of appropriate signage; police ticketing and/or towing; and/or other means. c. The Library Director may permit short-term exceptions to the basic use policy and may also enter into agreements that amend the policy with other public or private entities regarding use of Library parking lots. d. All agreements regarding use of Library parking lots that are applicable for six months or more must be approved by the Library Director. (B) Use of Library Grounds a. Camping is prohibited on all property administered by the City of Leander, including Library property. "Camping" means and includes: i. sleeping out-of-doors; ii. erecting or creating a shelter including, but not limited to a tent, cardboard box, sleeping bag, or newspapers; iii. the use of a recreational vehicle, camper or other similar vehicle iv. cooking/preparing food over an open flame or fire out-of-doors. b. Overnight sleeping in a parking facility or parking lot or overnight habitation in a vehicle in a parking facility or parking lot is prohibited on all property administered by the City of Leander, unless approved by the City in the case of events permitted through the City. If Library staff observes any person who has been notified of this rule, including notice by posted signs, acting in violation of this rule, staff shall contact Library Director. If Library Director is not available, the person in charge may contact local law enforcement and follow up with the Director. (C) Use of Exterior Plazas/Porches and Gathering Places a. Customers are to engage in activities associated with the use of the Library. b. Customers are to maintain conduct appropriate to the use of the Library. Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 15. Violations. (A) If a customer violates these rules, a staff member shall orally warn the customer to stop the behavior. If the customer fails to stop the unacceptable behavior, the staff member must ask the customer to leave the Library. (B) If a staff member determines that a violation of this policy is so serious that the customer remaining in the Library creates a danger to Library property, the Library staff, or to other customers, or interferes with the use and enjoyment of the Library by other customers, the staff member may ask the customer to leave without an initial oral warning. (C) If a customer refuses a request to leave the Library, the staff member should seek the assistance of law enforcement personnel. 16. Denial of Physical Access to the Library. (A) The director shall deny a customer physical access to the Library as provided in this section if the customer is asked to leave the Library for: (1) a violation of any combination of these rules in any combination of Library properties, for which the person was asked to leave the Library three times in a six month period; (2) any single violation of Section 13, 6-10 that involves physical injury to a person, theft of or damage to City property or to the personal property of another person, or a breach of the peace; or (3) any single violation of Section 13, 11-16. (B) The director must give a customer who is denied physical access to the Library written notice and an opportunity for a hearing with the City Manager. The City Manager’s decision will be final. (C) The period for which a customer is denied physical access to the library under this section is: (1) one year, beginning on the effective date of the denial; or (2) in the case of a customer who has had a previous denial of physical access under this rule that was not rescinded, the denial of physical access is permanent. (3) A customer who is denied physical access to the Library may continue to access Library information and programs in ways that do not require physical access, so long as the customer meets other requirements for access to the information and programs. If a disability is involved, the director shall provide a reasonable accommodation under applicable law. (D) Denial of physical access may be enforced through a criminal trespass notice. 17. Library Programs (A) All Library programs are open to the public. A fee may be charged for certain types of Library programs. Patrons may on occasion be prevented from attending a program or Library event if attendance exceeds the rated capacity of the particular meeting room space or for other reasons specified herein. Every attempt will be made to accommodate all who wish to attend a program. When safety or the Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 success of a program requires it, attendance may have to be limited. When limits must be established, attendance will be determined on a first come, first served basis. Advance registration or distribution of free tickets before the event may be used if attendance is anticipated to exceed capacity. Multiple sessions of popular programs will be scheduled whenever possible to allow for maximum attendance. (B) Library sponsored programs may be held at the Library, Library property or off-site as appropriate. Any sales of products at Library programs must be approved by the Library Director and benefit the Library by requiring a five percent (5%) donation of the proceeds from sales to the Library Foundation. Programs are for the promotion of literacy, educational, cultural and civic activities, which do not include commercial purposes or for the solicitation of business. (C) Schools and daycare or other organized groups should contact the youth services staff prior to attending scheduled programs. Groups that have not received advance authorization to attend a scheduled program will be admitted if space and materials are available at the advertised starting time with the understanding that it may not be possible to admit everyone in the group. When this situation occurs the group leader will be informed as to how many children can be accommodated. The group leader will then make the decision as to which if any members of the group attend. The group leader is expected to provide supervision for all children in their care, in or out of the program. In those instances when groups cannot be accommodated at scheduled programs library staff may offer to provide a special program for the group at a later and mutually agreed upon date. (D) Patrons without children may not attend children’s summer reading program and events (i.e. story time programs). Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 LIBRARY ANNEX MEETING ROOMS GUIDELINES City of Leander Public Library – 8-2019 With City of Leander program and event expansion, continued Library growth and existing Library space constraints the Library Annex Meeting Rooms will be used solely for use by the Leander Library, City of Leander and Leander Parks and Recreation programs and events. The use will begin September 1, 2019. City Government Use: Departments of the City of Leander Municipal Government may use the Library meeting rooms to include programs and activities open to the public; as well as staff meetings, training sessions and other invitation-only uses that may not be open to the public. Each of the Departments have discretion to charge entrance fees, class fees or allow fundraising for City sponsored programs. Examples are: Local, State and National elections; Boards and Commission meetings; City Employee Health Screenings; etc. Library Use: The Leander Public Library has the ability to use the Library meeting rooms to include library programs and activities open to the public; programs co-sponsored with other organizations; and staff meetings, training sessions and other invitation-only uses that may not be open to the public. The Library has discretion to charge entrance fees, class fees or allow fundraising for Library sponsored programs. Examples include: Library Foundation Used Book Fair; United Way Vita Tax Preparation; English as Second language ESL) classes; etc. Parks and Recreation Use: The Leander Parks and Recreation Department has the ability to use the Library meeting rooms to include programs and activities open to the public; programs co-sponsored with other organizations; and staff meetings, training sessions and other invitation-only uses that may not be open to the public. The Parks and Recreation Department has discretion to charge entrance fees, class fees or allow fundraising for parks and recreation sponsored programs. Examples include: Fitness programs, such as Zumba or yoga; Health Fairs; Summer youth camps; Special events such as Daddy/Daughter Dance; etc. Procedures: • Parks and Recreation Department will collaborate with other city departments and the Library on meeting room management and scheduling within library facilities. Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020 • Schedules will be determined according to equitable procedures in six month increments. • Partnership programs will be encouraged to enable the promotion of services to the community. All partnership programs will require an agreement or contract for the event or activity with the City of Leander. Written Communications - Hebert Received 5/5/2020