Patron Responsibilities and Conduct Policy

The library provides access to materials, information, services, and programs to the community. Our doors are open to all, regardless of origin, age, sex, background, or views. In order to protect everyone’s access to the library, to ensure the safety of patrons and staff, and to protect the building and its resources, the Barrett Memorial Library has established the following general guidelines.

Available to all patrons and guests:

• Prompt, friendly, courteous, and confidential library staff assistance
• A clean, safe building with seating for reading, meeting, and working
• A variety of library programs for all ages and interests
• Free access to public computers with internet access and high speed WiFi network
• Free use of scanners for emailing and saving documents, and digitizing print photos
• Pay-per-use printer, copier, and fax equipment

Beverages in covered containers are permitted in all areas of the library building except near public computers.

In addition, library card holders have access to services and resources that include:

• Library collections in all member libraries of the SHARE consortium (Kenosha, Racine, Rock, and Walworth county public libraries)
• Special circulation collections available only at the Barrett Memorial Library (WiFi hotspots, snowshoes, Bilibos, kits, pre-loaded Kindles, Launchpads, vinyl records and more).
• Online databases including Libby/Overdrive (digital ebooks and audiobooks), Kanopy, and hoopla
• Library materials outside of the SHARE consortium via interlibrary loan requests
• 24/7 material returns via Book Drop

Patrons and visitors are expected to:

• Accept that the library is a public space shared by many 
• Avoid disruptive behaviors that may hinder other library patrons
• Be courteous and respectful of all other patrons and staff
• Conduct themselves in a safe and orderly way; allowing others to do the same
• Attend children in their care, keep them supervised and safe, and pick them up before the library closes. Children 8 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent or a designated responsible person who is at least 12 years old. If the young child is attending a library program, the parent/responsible person must remain in the library throughout the program
• Respect library property
• Safeguard personal items
• Alert library staff promptly of any concerns 
• Comply with all federal, state, and local laws as well as Barrett Memorial Library policies
• Not conduct surveys, circulate, or solicit signatures for petitions, distribute information, campaign, canvass, request donations, or perform any other similarly defined activities with patrons or staff in the library and on the public property surrounding the library
• Not smoke or vape in the library building or on the library grounds

Failure to follow library use guidelines may result in eviction from the library and may include a ban from future library use. Inappropriate conduct will be referred to the Williams Bay Police Department. 

 

Reviewed May 2022. Revised and Approved June 2022.

Who may use the library?

A. The library will serve all residents of the community and the public library system area. Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic or political status; or because of mental, emotional or physical condition; or because of age; or because of sexual orientation.

B. The use of the library may be denied for due cause. Such cause may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library premises.

Barrett Memorial Library provides internet access via public computers to enhance information, communication, and learning opportunities for our patrons. Wireless internet access is also available throughout the building and parking lots to those who bring their own devices.

The Library has no control over internet content and is not responsible for the accuracy or type of information found there. Patrons who access the internet bear their own responsibility in terms of suitability, reliability, copyright, and other legal applications. The Library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s personal equipment or viruses or data that may be downloaded from its internet service. The use of the internet and email is not guaranteed to be private.

Barrett Memorial Library reserves the right to have the Library Director or designee make on-the-spot decisions about particular sites that may be deemed inappropriate in a public setting, and to end the user’s session if internet use results in disruption of Library services, illegal or unacceptable use, or if patron behavior becomes inappropriate. Persons found accessing sites deemed illegal or unacceptable will lose their internet privileges for one year; at the end of that year they may apply to the Library Board in person to reinstate their privileges.

Library staff is available to help educate users about internet use only as time permits.

Printing is available at a cost from the public computers as well as wirelessly from personal devices.

Registration

All borrowers must be registered and must have a valid local or system patron card to borrow library materials.

Patrons may either register in person or online via the Library website for a new library card. Those who register online receive a temporary ID that expires in 30 days. To obtain a permanent library card they must bring to the Library a photo ID that has a current address, or, if such an ID is unavailable, present a photo ID and an accompanying piece of documentation with a current address listed. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a photo ID to sign for the permanent card.

 

Patrons whose residences lie outside Wisconsin are able to register for library cards for an annual $50 fee.

All registrants must digitally sign an application form in person that states the following for the patron’s information and acceptance:

By giving us your digital signature, you are agreeing to the following:

I hereby agree to obey all the rules of the Barrett Memorial Library; to be responsible for the replacement cost of lost or injured books or other materials/items borrowed on my card; and to give immediate notice of change of address, email address, or phone number to the library.

All library cards expire after 24 months. In order to renew a library card, patrons must produce identification and must clear all outstanding replacement cost items.

 Lost or forgotten cards

If a patron loses their library card, they should notify the library as soon as possible and request a replacement. There is a $2.00 replacement cost for adult cards.

All patrons, adult and juvenile, are expected to bring their library cards with them if they intend to check out items. Barrett Memorial Library will accept any photo identification for a patron who has forgotten to bring their library card. 

 

Loan periods

The Barrett Memorial Library follows the loan period guidelines as established by the Lakeshores Library System.

Reserves

 

The Barrett Memorial Library is a member of the SHARE consortium and follows the guidelines as established by the SHARE Library System.

 

Damaged materials

 

If materials are damaged so as to be judged by the library as being unsuitable for the collection, the patron must pay the replacement cost. Each library in the SHARE system includes the cost of replacement as part of the item record.  In the case of the loss of an item from another SHARE library, the owning library receives the check for the lost item. In the case of damaged items, the owning library assesses the cost for the damage.

Lost items

When a patron loses a Barrett Memorial Library item, they can either:

• pay for the item at the price indicated on the item’s record
• ask for the replacement price

When asking for the replacement price, the process may take up to one week. The replacement price can only be determined by the Library Director. In the event that the item is old and there is no price, the patron will need to wait for the Library Director to price the item.

 

When a patron loses an item from a SHARE library other than Barrett, they must pay the price as listed in the catalog.

 

The Library Director does not have the authority to forgive the cost of a lost item. 

 

 

Reviewed October 2022; Approved October 2022.

 

Public Use of Community Rooms and Conference Rooms

The primary purpose of the Barrett Memorial Library’s meeting spaces is for Library activities and programs, which take precedence over all other use of the spaces. In support of community activities and in its role as an anchor institution in our community, the Barrett Memorial Library (“Library”) makes its meeting spaces available for use by the public when not in use by the Library. Designated Community Rooms and Conference Rooms in the Library may be reserved by the public subject to the criteria outlined in this policy.

Contingent on availability, rooms may be reserved up to three months in advance of a date. Applications and negotiations must be made by one person related to the group. This person shall be designated as Contact Person/Applicant, hereafter referred to as “Applicant”. Same‐day walk‐in use will be granted on a first‐come, first‐served basis. Library programs, activities, and events are given priority over all other room uses; in extenuating circumstances, the Library reserves the right to preempt any previously scheduled event for Library use. All meeting spaces have established minimum and maximum limits to ensure patron safety and best utilize Library design.

Community Rooms are defined as larger spaces that hold 20 people or more and where setup can be altered. They are available for use by organizations including non‐profits, community and neighborhood groups, and organizations for the public good, educational and cultural institutions, benevolent organizations, and government agencies. For‐profit agencies may use the space, but not for the purpose of sales or solicitations.

Community Rooms can be used for educational, cultural, civic, intellectual, community service, or charitable purposes. Such programs must be free and open to the public. A minimum number of 20 attendees is required.

Meetings with a restricted invitation list may be held in Library community rooms, including board or administrative meetings, organizational meetings, planning meetings, book clubs, and neighborhood watch group gatherings.

Conference/Study Rooms are smaller spaces with fixed setups that provide a quiet, semi‐private setting. They may also be used by organizations for meetings as for community rooms. Additionally, they may be used by adult individuals (age 18 and over) for meetings and for purposeful research, work, and/or study. These rooms are not suitable for public programs, and meetings do not have to be open to the public. Maximum room capacities will be enforced. Examples include a staff meeting for an organization or a free tutoring session.

General requirements:

Rooms may be used only during Library open hours, unless specific arrangements are made by the applicant with the Library director in advance and in writing. In such case, provisions must be made for compensating Library staff on site, as well as any other costs for keeping the Library open and functional.
No one can be admitted to the Library before open hours, and the meeting or program must terminate and everyone must be out of the building 15 minutes prior to close. To ensure equitable access to meeting spaces, room use is limited to five (5) continuous hours per use, and up to a collective maximum of twelve (12) times per calendar year. The capacity of the room may not be exceeded, and the Library reserves the right to move a meeting to an alternate space based on number of attendees. The room must always be attended. The applicant or designee must be present during the entire use of the space, should be the last person to leave, and should advise Library staff when they vacate the room. The applicant is responsible for relaying usage requirements to all attendees. Children and young people in the group must always be adequately supervised by adults. The ratio of adults to children per Wisconsin Child Care Regulations must be upheld. See https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/2436.pdf for those guidelines.
No group, organization, or individual may use the address of the Library as a permanent or mailing address.
Reservations will be held for 45 minutes, at which time the space will be released for others to use.
Failure to arrive for scheduled reservations multiple times may result in the denial of subsequent requests for meeting room use.
Meeting space users may not post signs, banners, flags, or other displays on the interior walls or ceiling, or the exterior of the Library. Notifications may be posted in appropriate places inside the Library and must be removed after the meeting.
Exits and doorways may not be covered and must remain unobstructed for fire safety. If there are blinds in the room, these must be kept open unless there is a specific reason for darkness (film, computer training on screen), and then permission must be obtained from Library staff.
No advance deliveries will be accepted by the Library for meetings or programs. Materials may not be stored at the Library before or after a room use. The Library will not be responsible for any equipment or items left in rooms.
Permission to use a space does not imply Library endorsement of the views, aims, policies, or activities of any group or organization.
Permission to use a space is revocable and does not constitute a lease.
Applicant is solely and fully responsible for the space and all its contents, and for any and all loss/damage to the building, furniture, or equipment, including laptops, projectors, and other A‐V equipment.
The applicant must manage the orderly behavior of all attendees, and the Library Code of Conduct must always be observed. Use of the meeting spaces may not be disruptive of the programs and activities of the Library, nor may it create a public safety hazard. Noise level is subject to regulation by staff. Smoking and vaping are not permitted. In the event of misconduct, Library staff may immediately terminate the event/meeting and clear the premises.
Tables and chairs may be available for use by groups. Groups assume full responsibility for arranging the space and, following room use the group must clean and restore the room to its original condition and arrangement. If additional custodial assistance is required to clean or repair the facility after the room use, the group will be billed the actual cost of any clean-up and/or damages.
Laptop computers may be checked out for use. Library telephones and telephone jacks are for staff use only. If utilizing laptop computers during a space use, users must work within the Library network environment. Users agree to comply with the Library’s Computer Use Policy, including returning laptop(s) to staff one-half (½) hour before closing. The Library is not able to provide computer instruction or technical assistance for equipment.
Light refreshments may be served by the group. Members of the group are responsible for bringing all serving equipment, napkins, cups, and other supplies needed for the refreshments. The group is responsible for all food setup and cleanup, and removal of all garbage. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Groups must agree to abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide requested accommodations for meetings or programs. The agreement to provide accommodations is to be included in the publicity or notices for each meeting or program (outlined below).
Groups are responsible for producing their own notices or publicity for their event. Notices of meetings, flyers, news releases or any other promotional materials describing an event must include the correct Library name and address. The Library may not be identified as a co‐sponsor of a program or meeting. Publicity must also include the following statements: 1. Permission to use a Library space does not imply Library endorsement of the aims, views, policies, or activities of any group or organization.2. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities. For more information or to request accommodations, contact (applicant name) at (your telephone, address, email and/or other contact information). For programs, the contact person’s name and contact information will be given to anyone who would like more information about the event.
The Library may impose additional reasonable conditions for the use of its spaces to ensure that public or private property is not damaged through use of its facilities, and to ensure that the comfort, convenience, safety or welfare of the public is not disturbed. The Library, at its discretion, may require a space user to provide adequate security services and/or insurance. A representative of the Library may enter a room and attend any program or meeting held in Library facilities.
Any departure from these policies may be made only with written authorization of the Barrett Memorial Library director.
Prohibited Uses:

Money‐making or commercial activities including monetary solicitation. The use of the meeting spaces shall not result in financial gain to the community room user or the organization. No profit can be earned from an event held at the Library.
Programs or meetings where an admission fee is charged or raffle held; or those where donations, collections, or fees of any kind are taken.
Activities involving the sale, advertising, or promotion of products or services or programs, including compilation of mailing lists for any type of future solicitation.
Social functions or personal/family activities including family reunions, showers, birthdays, or other celebrations.
Entertainment or recreational purposes.
Unlawful activity.
Failure to comply with Library policy may result in the denial of subsequent requests for meeting room use.