In order to provide the best service, the Waterville Public Library is open during scheduled hours whenever possible.  The Library is, however, concerned about the safety of its employees and patrons.  When extreme weather situations are imminent, whoever is in charge of the library at the time may close the library.  If extreme weather, such as a blizzard or severe storm (although not limited to these examples) is forecast with a high percentage of probability, Library staff may choose to close.  The Library recommends that patrons call the library to see if it is open before venturing out in inclement weather.

Approved By the Board of Trustees – 5 Dec 2022

In our efforts to provide a comfortable environment for all library users, we have established a Library Behavior Policy for our patrons.  The purpose of the policy is to define unacceptable behavior and also to suggest conduct that is appropriate in a library.

Violations of the policy will result in increasing levels of action, ranging from asking the patron to leave the library for the remainder of the day to the patron’s permanent loss of all library privileges to legal prosecution.  The level of action shall be determined on a case-by-case basis and shall be within the sole discretion of the Library Director or his or her designee.

Unacceptable Behavior causes excessive noise levels, creates disturbances, interferes with other patrons’ use of the library, damages library property and is not permitted in the library.

Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Use of profane and/or abusive language
• Harassment of others, either verbally or by physical actions. This includes any actions that other patrons or staff members perceive to be harassing
• Use of alcohol and narcotics is not permitted. Patrons under the influence of either alcohol or narcotics will not be allowed on the Library premises
• Carrying weapons of any kind. This does not apply to law enforcement officers or those with concealed carry permits.
• Indiscriminate pulling of materials from shelves in a manner that disrupts the orderly and proper arrangement of library materials
• Radios and other sound producing devices may not be used in the library unless they are used with headphones and the sounds are not audible to others
• Patrons bringing cell phones or paging devices into the library should set them to the silent or vibrating mode. Patrons talking on cell phones should use the lobby area.  Patrons talking in a loud or disruptive manner or using profane or abusive language will be asked to leave the library
• Solicitation, vending and distribution of petitions or surveys are not permitted in the library or on the library grounds without the prior consent of the Library Director or his/her designee
• Animals are not allowed inside the library without permission. Animals needed to aid individuals with disabilities are exempted from this rule.
• Only staff and authorized individuals are allowed in staff areas
• Roller blades, skateboards or other athletic equipment shall not be used in the library. Patrons bringing these items to the library may check them at the front desk
• Toys must remain in the children’s area and or community room.
• There shall be no loitering on the library grounds
• All patrons must leave the premises after closing, unless they have librarian permission or are participating in a prescheduled program or meeting.
• Loud, disruptive conversations, including shouting
• Threatening others either verbally or by physical actions. This includes any actions that other patrons or staff members perceive to be threatening
• Throwing, running and climbing in the library
• Library staff cannot be expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children, under the age of 18. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children
• Children 7 years of age and younger must be accompanied by and at all times be under the supervision of a parent or other responsible caregiver who is at least 13 years of age. The library staff and this policy recognize that the children’s area of the library may be louder and have more commotion than the adult areas of the library.  However, if a child is disruptive and cannot be quieted or calmed, the parent or caregiver must remove the child from the library.

General Mission

The Waterville Public Library provides access to the Internet and productivity software for library users from multiple computer terminals in the library.   The library also offers free wireless Internet access in the library to people who have their own portable wireless devices. This policy also applies to wireless use of the library Internet connection.

The Internet offers information of every kind through a vast global network. This resource fits into the mission of libraries as forums for information and ideas, and into this library’s mission.

Regulations:

Privacy and Confidentiality

The library does not monitor an individual’s use of any sites except when material displayed on the screen is not appropriate in a public environment and User Responsibilities are violated. Customers use the Internet at their own discretion.

In general the library will treat information on computers as confidential. Requests for disclosure of information regarding an individual’s use will be honored only if approved by the appropriate library administrator, when authorized by the owners of the information or when required by local, state or federal law.

User Responsibilities

To use computers in the library, customers must:

• Not access, create or display information that is obscene as defined by Kansas law (KSA 21 4301) (KSA 21 4301C)
• Not disclose or disseminate personal information that could threaten or create vulnerability for any person or the library
• Not use library computers for any illegal or criminal use
  Respect the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data (US Code Title 17)
• Not tamper with computer hardware and/or software or attempt to gain unauthorized access to any data or computer network
• Respect other users’ privacy and rights.

The library reserves the right to terminate a computer session at any time. Staff is authorized to take immediate action to protect the security of computers and the network and ensure the fair and reasonable use of Internet resources. This includes confiscating disks, requiring a user to leave the computer or the premises, and contacting law enforcement authorities. Use of personal laptop computers in the library are also subject to the same user responsibilities.

The library’s wireless network is NOT secure. The library is not responsible for the safety of personal equipment, device configurations, security or data files resulting from connection to the library’s wireless access.

Restrictions, Age Limits and Parental Supervision

There are no age restrictions for children’s internet use in the library when supervised and supported by an adult.

Children under the age of 7 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

Parents and guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet through the library.  Concerned parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children’s access to the Internet; library staff cannot provide this supervision.  Filters are not always 100% effective in blocking sites that may be offensive to any individual.  They can also block desired and inoffensive material.

Computer Usage Procedures

To use computers in the library, customers (adults and children) need to sign in with name and time.  Sign-in sheet is located on the staff desk.

Time Limits

Children under age 18 are limited to 1 hour on the computer and will be asked to get off for waiting patrons before adults, if doing homework the time limit may be extended at library director’s discretion. 

Adults:  Computer sessions are limited only to 60 minutes when other customers are waiting, otherwise there is no time limit.  If other patrons are waiting, the current user has until their time limit to leave computer after being informed of other waiting.

The library does not reserve computers. They are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Customers using wireless devices on the library’s network do not have time limits.

Printing

Printouts are 10 cents per page for black and white, and 25 cents per page for color.

Printers are not part of the wireless network in the library. If you need to print at the library, you will need to save your work to a disk or thumb drive, then log on to a public PC and send your print job(s) to a library printer.

Downloading Files

Downloading of files to a flash drive is permissible.  Data cannot be stored on the hard drive or the library’s network.

Availability of Staff Assistance

Library staff will offer searching suggestions and answer questions, but generally cannot provide individual training concerning Internet use or computer skills.  Interested customers are encouraged to use manuals and guides available in the library, or schedule time for individual in-depth help.