Sto-Rox Public Library Policies

Sto-Rox Public Library

Code of Conduct

February 2024 Update

In order to protect the rights of Sto-Rox Public Library patrons and staff, the following behaviors are not permitted in the Sto-Rox Public Library including, but not limited to:

• Abuse/vandalism of facilities, equipment, or materials;
• Infringing upon the rights of others to fair and equal access to any of the Sto-Rox Public Library materials;
• Unauthorized or fraudulent use of the Sto-Rox Public Library facilities and/or equipment including but not limited to the phone system, mail system, computer system, or use of any of the above for any illegal act;
• Disorderly, belligerent, lewd, or obscene conduct or expression;
• Disruption, obstruction, or interference with Sto-Rox Public Library operations and those of the Sto-Rox Public Library patrons, through the use of excessive noise, fighting, and/or intimidation;
• Physical and /or psychological abuse, threat, or harassment of any member of the Sto-Rox Public Library staff or its patrons, including physical, sexual, visual, or verbal abuse in any form;
• Violation of any local, state, or federal law;
• Intoxication and/or drug use;
• Use of language that is offensive to other patrons or staff, including abusive, obscene, or threatening language;
• Engaging in overt sexual behavior;
• Unlawful activities will be reported to the police and, when appropriate, violators will be subject to arrest.

Patrons who exhibit unacceptable behaviors will be asked to discontinue the prohibited behavior.

The Sto-Rox Public Library reserves the right to require repeatedly disruptive patrons to leave the premises and/or to restrict or suspend their privileges for a specified period of time, in some cases permanently.

Those who disregard a request to leave the Sto-Rox Public Library made by a staff member may be reported to the police.

A patron who believes that he/she has been treated unfairly may petition the Library Director.

Sto-Rox Public Library reserves the right to amend this Code of Conduct as necessary.

Sto-Rox Library’s Internet Policy:

• The library’s internet computers are for use by patrons to engage in educational, recreational, and information-seeking activities.
• Library computers must not be used for fraudulent or unlawful purposes, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, Pennsylvania, or local laws, including activities In violation of 18 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Section 5903.
• As the library has no control over materials that may be viewed on the Internet, please be aware that information found on the Internet may be outdated, incorrect or biased. Please critically evaluate all materials.
• Library staff will assist patrons in accessing the Internet; however, users are ultimately responsible for their own searches and navigation.
• The library is a public place in which displaying material that may be considered obscene or offensive is prohibited. Library staff reserves the right to terminate any session when such material displays on the screen.
• Although the library’s computers are filtered as required by the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA), sites on the Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for viewing by children. The library staff cannot monitor or supervise children’s use of the Internet. As with other library materials, supervision of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Adult supervision of children during any computer activity is strongly advised.

rev. 8/2005

With proper identification, library cards can be issued for any patron who doesn’t already have a card with any other Allegheny County library.

Proper identification for anyone age 18 and over is a photo ID with current address or a check stub, bill, or piece of mail no older than two months. Patrons must complete and sign a library card application.

Children and teens under 18 are required to have a children’s application completed and signed by a parent or guardian. The parent/guardian has the ability to prohibit their child from using the library’s computers by signing the appropriate line on the application. If they do not do so, both the child and the parent/guardian must sign the Rules for Online Safety notification on the reverse of the application. The parent/guardian will present proof of address with the completed application.

If the patron is in the system, but no longer has a card, they may purchase one for $1.00. If the patron has a card, but does not have it with them, they have the option of paying a $0.50 charge to check out items and/or use the computer.

• Beverages in covered containers are permitted throughout the library. Please use extra caution near computers, laptops, photocopier or other electronic equipment.
• Food may not be consumed in the library unless it is offered as part of a designated library program, or otherwise approved by the library Director or library.
• Food is permitted in the front lobby area at designated tables.
• Please immediately report any spills to library staff.
• Please help keep the library clean for other library users by disposing of waste in trash and recycling receptacles located throughout the library.

Please consider giving to the Sto-Rox Public Library. A gift given to the library is one that can be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

Monetary Gifts

Monetary gifts to the library will be utilized to purchase materials or equipment, support library programs, or In other ways that the Board deems appropriate. Recognition of these gifts will be at the discretion of the library Board of Trustees.

If monetary gifts are offered with specific restrictions, including endowment funds, Board approval of such restrlctions is required before such monetary gifts are accepted.

Gifts may serve to honor or memorialize a donor, family member, or friend, and at the same time will contribute to the cultural enrichment of the community.

Sponsorships

The library welcomes sponsorship of programs, projects and events from individuals and groups including, but not limited to, businesses and service organizations. Sponsorships must be approved by the library Board.

Donations

The Sto-Rox Public Library will accept donations of used books, audio books, music CDs, DVDs, puzzles and games on a case-by-case basis -depending on available space.

Items not retained for the collection may be sold as part of the Library Book Sale. Material is evaluated based upon the library’s collection development standards. Selection decisions for donated material are at the discretion of the library staff only.

Once donated items are received by the library, they become the property of the library and cannot be returned, regardless of collection decisions. The library will NOT accept the following donations:

• Encyclopedias/World Books
• Reader’s Digest Condensed books
• Textbooks
• Magazines
• Books that have been stored in a basement or attic that may be dirty or musty
• Books that are very old or damaged in any way

Library staff will provide a signed and dated receipt for tax purposes; however, the library is prohibited from placing a monetary value on any donated material.

Sto-Rox library encourages visits by young children, and it is the desire of the library to provide enjoyable experiences for all children. However, the care, safety and behavior of children using the library is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

An unattended child is defined as:

• A young child who is unable to care for themselves or who may need assistance and is not under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or designated responsible person.
• A child who is below the age of seven (7) or who is older but appears to need staff supervision.

The library acknowledges that the maturity of children at different ages varies. These rules are subject to the discretion of library staff, who may apply these rules to children other than the ages stated below, if they deem it necessary.

• Children under age seven (7) must be accompanied and directly supervised by a parent, guardian, or designated responsible person at all times while in the library.
• The library is not responsible for the safety or well-being of any patron beyond the extent reasonably expected of a public facility.
• Staff cannot, under any circumstances, fulfill ANY requests by parents/guardians/designated responsible persons to watch (babysit) children who are enjoying the library.
• Parents or legal guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children (under the age of 18) while using Sto-Rox library, regardless of whether they are accompanying their children or not.
• The library staff is not responsible for any unattended minor child(ren).
• The library staff is not responsible for preventing a child (or children) from leaving the building.
• Children attending scheduled library programs are, for the duration of the program only, considered to be supervised by library staff and are thus not unattended.
• A child under the age of seven (7) may attend a scheduled activity or program by themself, however, the parent or guardian must be ready to meet that child promptly when the program ends or have made arrangements clear with the child regarding leaving the library on their own or with a designated caregiver.
• Children ages seven (7) or older may be in the library unattended for a reasonable period of time as long as they are engaged in legitimate library activities. Appropriate library behavior is expected.
• If a child exhibits disruptive behavior, behavior that seriously or consistently disturbs library patrons or staff, damages library property, interferes with library service, or endangers the well­being of the disruptive child or others, they will be asked to leave the library. If the child needs to contact a parent or guardian, they may do so and then wait in the library until the parent or guardian arrives.
• When the library staff is made aware of an unattended child or children left at closing, library staff will call the police if the parent or legal guardian cannot be reached.