HomePolicy and Procedures for South Park Township Public Library
SOUTH PARK TOWNSHIP LIBRARY BOARD
POLICY REGARDING INTERNET USE
Nov. 30, 1999
Whereby the South Park Township Library Board of the South Park Township Library recognizes the importance of the Internet and the World Wide Web as an invaluable source of information.
Whereby the South Park Township Library Board also recognizes that this same information may not be appropriate for all users of the Internet and of the South Park Township Library, the South Park Township Library Board of the South Park Township Library enacts the following policy for the benefit of all Library Users.
INTERNET USE POLICY
The South Park Township Library endeavors to provide our patrons with accurate, complete, current, and unbiased information in many formats. The Internet provides many sites that meet these criteria and is available, free of charge, to our patrons for recreational and educational use.
Since our Internet access computers are available to patrons of all ages, we provide blocking software for these computers. It is intended to prohibit access, by minors, to explicit sexual materials. This software is not infallible and material that is offensive, illegal or inaccurate may still be accessed It is the patron’s responsibility to determine if this material is of value.
The Library staff will not be responsible for supervising children while they are on the Internet. Parents or guardians are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet. The Library does not have the right or responsibility to determine the appropriateness of any material for a particular child. We strongly recommend that all children be supervised by an adult while using the Internet.
The Library is a public place and some materials may not be appropriate for viewing in this setting. Moreover, Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Crime Code, Sect. 5903 states that it is a felony offense “to display or cause any explicit sexual material… on any… viewing screen in such manner that the display is visible… in any establishment where minors, as part of the general public, may be exposed to view all or any part of such materials.” The Library staff will terminate any session that displays such material and the patron’s computer use privileges will be revoked. Printing of these materials is prohibited. In addition, Internet computers cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purposes including any activities prohibited under any applicable Federal, Pennsylvania or local law.
Internet users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium. The library cannot be responsible for any theft, fraud or invasion of privacy that may occur as a result of Internet use at the Library.
Patrons may not use the Internet at the Library for commercial or for profit purposes. In addition, patrons should be aware that some material on the Internet is copyrighted and is subject to rules and regulations regarding its use just as printed material is subject to these rules and regulations.
Policy for Patron Behavior Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees,
Oct. 12, 2004
Basis for Policy:
The South Park Township Library supports and promotes the use of its building and resources to its community. As an institution that supports lifelong learning and as a public building it is dedicated to serving all members of its community. The South Park Library is dedicated to creating an environment that is well maintained, accessible and safe for all its patrons. To this end, the Library has a responsibility to develop policies that protect the Rights of all its patrons, volunteers, and staff.
The Patron Behavior Policy defines the rules and regulations that constitute appropriate library behavior that ensures a fair, comfortable, user-friendly environment for all its community of users.
Enforcement of the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner.
Rules and Regulations:
- Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, or local law, or Library policy.
- Carrying dangerous weapons of any type, with the exception of law enforcement officers.
- Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs and selling, using, or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs.
- Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff, including but not limited to name calling, initiating unwanted conversations, stalking, offensive touching, and obscene acts such as sex acts and indecent exposure.
- Using offensive or abusive language or acting or behaving disrespectfully toward any library patron, volunteer, or staff.
- Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriate use of Library property in the Library building or on its premises.
- Removing material from the Library not in accordance with regular lending procedures.
- Soliciting and pamphleteering for services, money, items, or recruitment that is not related to the Library or Library-related activities, or approved by the Library Board.
- Distributing or posting printed materials, literature, or other items that have not been approved by the Library or Library Board for use inside the Library building.
- Trespassing in non-public areas, being in the Library without the permission of an authorized employee before, during, or after Library operating hours.
- Fighting, instigating a fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing objects.
- Creating any intentionally loud disruptive noise.
- Using audible devices without headphones or headphone sets at a volume that is disruptive to other patrons or staff.
- Using cell phones in the library building, cell phone and pager audible ringer must be turned off while inside the library building.
- Littering
- Smoking, chewing or any other tobacco use while inside the Library.
- Consuming food or beverages in public areas of the Library.
- Bringing in garbage, articles with a foul odor, or objects that are not defined as mobility, visual, or auditory aids that impede or disturb the use of the Library by others.
- Leaving a child 10 years or younger unattended in the Library
- Moving any Library property without the permission of Library staff.
- Not wearing shoes or a shirt.
- Bringing animals into the Library with the exception of assistance animals and those used for public programs.
- Loitering for extended periods of time on the Library premises.
Noncompliance:
- Failure to comply with this policy will result in a warning and may also result in being asked to leave the Library for the day, or a specified period of time designated by the Librarian in charge, or permanent expulsion from the Library.
- If the patron refuses to heed the Librarian in Charge’s verbal warning, the Librarian in Charge is to contact the South Park Township Police Department at (412) 833-1000 ext. 140 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. or (412) 833-4300 after 5:00 p.m.
- Any violation of Federal, State, or local law will result in permanent expulsion from the Library and/or arrest. These include but are not limited to:
- Threats
- Physical Violence
- Sexual Offenses
- Violations of the Pennsylvania Code Crimes and Offenses (Title 18, Chapter 59)
- Violations of Pennsylvania Code Crimes and Offenses (Title 18, Chapter 67)
- Drug Trafficking
- In circumstances in which the Library Staff feels that a patron poses an immediate threat to the Library Staff and or its patrons, the Librarian in Charge is to remove all patrons and staff out of the Library and then contact the South Park Township Police Department from a safe location.
- When the Police Department is contacted, with the exception of immediate threat, the Librarian in Charge must remain in the library until the police arrive to identify the problematic patron.
References:
Title 18. Crimes and Offenses, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Chapter 67. Section 6708, Propriety and Official Rights.
Title 18. Crimes and Offenses, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Part II. Definition of Specific Offenses, Article F., Offenses Against Public Order and Decency, Chapter 59. Public Indecency, Sections; 5901, 5903.
Title 18. Section 1. Crimes and Offenses, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Library Theft Act, Act 95 of Session 1982, Section 3291.1
Unattended Child Policy Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees,
Oct. 12, 2004
Basis for Policy:
The South Park Township Library both welcomes and encourages the use of the library by children. As an institution that supports lifelong learning and as a public building it is dedicated to serving all members of its community.
The Unattended Child Policy is in place as a means of protecting the safety of the children who use the library and ensuring and defining appropriate library behavior that supports a fair, comfortable, user-friendly environment for all its community of users.
The library staff is not responsible for the safety or behavior of children who enter the library.
Policy Statement:
Parents/caretakers are responsible for the behavior and safety of the child at all times while in the library building or on it’s premises. A caretaker is defined as a legal adult who acknowledges responsibility for the child. Children 10 years of age or younger must remain in the direct company of the parent or caretaker.
A child who is 10 years or younger who is attending a library program need not be accompanied by a parent/caretaker unless otherwise indicated. Parents/caretakers must, however, remain in the building during the length of the program.
Unattended Children at Closing Time:
- Parents are responsible for knowing the Library’s hours of operation.
- Staff will attempt to contact a parent or caretaker who is responsible for the unattended child.
- If no parent/caretaker has arrived at the Library 15 minutes after closing time, or contact time, the staff will call the Police Department. Police and staff will monitor the child until the parent/caretaker arrives.
- Staff will record the parent’s/caretaker’s name, address, telephone number and the child’s name.
- Once the parent/caretaker has arrived at the Library they will be handed a copy of the Unattended Child Policy.
- The police will be notified of any additional incidents.
- In circumstances where no parent/caretaker for the child can be contacted or no parent/caretaker arrives at the Library after a reasonable amount of time the child will remain in the care of the Police Department.
Appropriate Behavior:
Parents/caretakers are responsible for monitoring the behavior of their children at all times within the library. Appropriate behavior for children follows the Library’s policy for appropriate behavior for all library patrons. (See Patron Behavior Policy)
Noncompliance:
Disruptive Children 10 Years of Age or Younger:
- Parent/caretaker will be made aware of the child’s inappropriate behavior.
- If the parent/caretaker either refuses or is unable to control the child the librarian in charge will ask the family to leave.
- If the parent /caretaker refuse to leave the library then the library reserves the right to contact the police.
Disruptive Unattended Children 10 Years of Age or Younger:
- Child will be asked to behave.
- The library will then follow the portion of the document for Unattended Children at Closing Time in the library.
Disruptive Children Over 10 Years of Age:
- Child will be given an oral warning.
- If, after 10 minutes, the inappropriate behavior continues the child will be asked to leave the library for the day.
- Certain disruptive behavior will constitute immediate action, as all patrons are subject to the Patron Behavior Policy (see Patron Behavior Policy)
- If the child refuses to leave the library the Police Department will be contacted.
Neglected or Abused Children:
If the Library staff suspects that a child is neglected or abused they have the right to contact the South Park Township Police Department at (412) 833-1000 ext. 140 during 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or (412) 833-3400 after 5:00 p.m.
