Sto-Rox Public Library Policies

Sto-Rox Library Code of Conduct:

(Adopted January 1, 2011)

Library patrons are expected to use the library, including its facilities, grounds, resources, and materials in a responsible, appropriate, and courteous manner. Illegal acts or conduct in violation of federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, or regulations are prohibited. Behavior that disturbs or infringes on the rights of other library patrons, staff, or volunteers, or which damages library materials and property is not permitted. This policy applies to patrons of all ages. Actions prohibited include, but are not limited to:

• Engaging in disorderly conduct; drunken, dangerous or threatening behavior; fighting or challenging to fight; running; or using offensive or threatening words which disturb the good order of the library, and any other behavior that is disruptive to library use.
• Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriately using library property in the library or on library grounds, including library materials, computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones, furniture, and other equipment.
• Refusing to comply with requests by members of the library staff to comply with library policies.
• Using offensive or threatening behavior and language or behaving disrespectfully toward a library employee, volunteer, or patron.
• Blocking entryways, vestibules, book returns, restrooms, staircases, or other common areas.
• Any forms of harassment -physical, sexual, verbal -of library patrons, staff, or volunteers. Harassment may include initiating unwanted conversations, impeding access to the building, stalking, and the like.
• Displaying obscene or sexually explicit materials or intenet sites in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903. 
• Excessive noise and other disturbances such as loud conversations, laughter, cell phone use, or music which is disturbing to others, separate from an authorized library program.
• Soliciting, conducting surveys, and petitioning, except for library or library-related activities.
• Possessing or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Smoking or other use of tobacco.
• Consuming food or beverages in any type container, except when sanctioned by the library.
• Being in the library without shoes or shirt or with offensive body odor or personal hygiene.
• Bringing animals or pets into the library, except for service animals or for library programs.
• Intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing any property belonging to the library, a patron, or an employee.
• Removing library materials from the premises without authorization through established lending procedures.
• Using cell phones in the library. Cell phone calls must be taken in the building lobby or outside. Cell phones and pagers should be turned off or set to silent when in the library.
• Moving library furniture, beyond ordinary use, without library staff permission.
• Leaving a child under the age of 10 unattended by a responsible (18 or older) person.
• Students under the age of 18 are not allowed in the library during school hours (before 2:30pm)
• Misuse of restrooms. Smoking, bathing, hair-washing and doing laundry are not acceptable.
• Possessing weapons or explosives of any kind on library property, except those worn by uniformed officials.
• Indecent exposure.
• Gambling.
• Using sports equipment including bicycles, skateboards, and other wheeled devices in the library, with exception of motorized ADA devices, wheelchairs walkers, and strollers.
• Trespassing in non-public areas without the permission of library staff.
• Abuse of borrowing privileges.
• Littering.

Noncompliance

• Failure to comply with this policy and/or the library’s established rules, regulations, and procedures will result in a warning and may also result in exclusion from the library for the day or for a specified period of time or permanently, and/or arrest.
• Library staff and volunteers will not hesitate to call the McKees Rocks Police if they feel there is an imminent danger to patrons, staff, or the library facilities.
• The following activities are serious offenses and will result in permanent expulsion from the library:
  • Theft or damage of library materials or property.
  • Communication of threats, physical violence, or sexual offenses.
• Any person who is asked to leave the library as a result of violating these guidelines and refuses to do so shall be considered trespassing. The library staff will contact the McKees Rocks Police Department in all such cases.

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.