The Scott County Library Board and
the library staff value and promote libraries that exemplify
respectful treatment of everyone. Library customers have the
right to expect friendly and competent library service provided
in a safe, and inviting atmosphere. Library staff have the right
to provide library services without fear of abuse or threatening
behavior from people using the library or on the library
grounds. To achieve that end, everyone is expected to act in a
manner that will not disturb others, interrupt library service,
or interfere with the use of the library by others.
Library
customers have the right to use library materials and facilities
that are readily available and that are in good condition.
The
following rules are intended to exemplify the principles of
respectful behavior and to ensure that the library is a welcome
place for everyone.
Rules
of Behavior
-
Everyone
is invited to use the books, magazines, PCs, and other
library materials in the library. Most library materials may
be checked out with a valid library card registered in Scott
County
-
Return
library materials on time and in good condition so that
others can use them too. (MN Statute 609.541)
-
Relinquish
books, other library materials, or PCs when you are asked
to do so by library staff.
Respect
the rights of other people in the library.
Silence
cell phone and pager ringers when in the library. Speak
quietly when conversing on the phone or in person, and keep
conversations short. When possible, hold conversations
outside the library or in areas where you will not disturb
others and you can expect privacy.
Be
quiet in designated study areas.
Do
not harass others, either by words or by actions. Do not
view computer screens or observe people who are using the
computers.
Do
not bring animals, other than service animals, into the
library,
Do
not use any form of tobacco in the library.
You
may eat, or drink non-alcoholic beverages in the library,
except in areas near computers and other equipment.
Do
not bring alcohol or illegal substances into the library
or on library property. Persons under the influence of
alcohol or illegal substances will be asked to leave the
premises.
These
rules and guidelines are intended to facilitate the comfort and
the protection of everyone who uses the library. The library staff
may require you to leave the premises, call the police, or
ultimately bar you from the library for non-compliance.
Children are an important part of our library community. As
librarians, we encourage children of all ages to visit the
library, enjoy our storytimes and other programs, learn from the
information available, ask us questions, borrow our books and
other materials, play on our computers, enjoy their time in the
library, and become lifelong library users. Children (and parents)
must respect the rights of the other customers. Library staff are
not babysitters, and, despite our best efforts, public places may not always be safe places
for unsupervised children.
To ensure a positive library experience, everyone is expected
to act in a manner that will not disturb others, interrupt library
service, or interfere with the use of the library by others.
-
For their safety, please make arrangements to pick children
up before the library closes.
-
For their safety, children under the age of eight must be
supervised by a responsible adult or teenager. Staff will
obtain the name of unsupervised children under the age of
eight and contact the parent or guardian to pick them up.
-
Children who are being disruptive will be asked by staff to
follow the rules. If the disruptive behavior continues:
-
staff will inform the parent/guardian that his/her child
is disturbing others. If the parent/guardian refuses to
cooperate or is unable to control the child, he/she and the
child will be asked to leave.
-
If the child is unsupervised, staff will obtain the child’s
name and they will either contact the parent or guardian to
pick up the child, or allow the child to call the parent or
guardian to pick them up.
-
A letter will be sent to the parent/guardian of all
disruptive or unsupervised children explaining the rules.
6/2004
