Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sat: 9am-5pm, Tue & Thur: 12pm-8pm | Closings
*Computers, printers & faxing services shut down 10 minutes before library closing.
In order to provide resources and services to all people who visit the Schiller Park Public Library in a manner that ensures both their safety and an atmosphere of courtesy, respect, and service excellence, the Board of Trustees of the Schiller Park Public Library determines the rules and regulations for Code of Conduct of the Library, including but not limited to, rules of behavior necessary to protect the rights of individuals to use Library materials and services, to protect the rights of the Library employees to conduct Library business without interference and preserve Library materials and facilities. Illinois Law authorizes the Board to “exclude from the use of the Library any person who willfully violates the rules prescribed by the Board”. Ill Rev. Stat. Ch 81 Sec. 4 – 7 (1991).
Any conduct that disturbs Library users or staff, or that hinders others from using the Library or Library materials is prohibited. The library staff will enforce these guidelines in a consistent and impartial manner, without discrimination.
These behavior rules shall apply to all buildings, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by the Schiller Park Public Library and to all persons entering in or on the premises.
Listed below are the library’s behavior rules. Persons who violate these rules may be ejected from the premises and excluded from all library premises for the period of time listed below.
Dress Code
Patrons must wear proper clothing in the library building at all times including shirts and shoes. Patrons must maintain a level of hygiene that does not hinder the use of the library by another patron.
Minor Disruptions:
The violating patron may receive up to 2 warnings; however, receipt of such warnings before further action is not required. At the third offense, the patron must leave the building for the rest of the day.
Major Disturbances:
The offender either receives one warning or may be ordered to leave the building immediately for the rest of the day.
Criminal behavior
The offender will not be given a warning. The appropriate law enforcement agency will be contacted and the offender will be immediately ejected and excluded from the Schiller Park Public Library premises. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of time determined by the Schiller Park Library Board of Trustees.
Individuals who repeatedly violate these Behavior Rules after having been previously excluded for library rule violations may face a longer exclusion or suspension than indicated in these guidelines. Repeat offenders need not violate the same rule to be subject to stricter enforcement and may not be warned that their behavior is inappropriate before being excluded.
Suspension from the Library means that the patron may not enter the library premises for any reason. If the suspended patron enters the library premise, the police will be called to remove the patron and the patron may be subject to criminal charges. In addition, other library privileges, such as the use of the Schiller Park Public Library Card, will be suspended.
The Library Director shall be advised of each infraction of a disruptive behavior by both adult and minor patrons. This will be done in writing by the Library staff involved on an Incident Report. This report will be kept on file. The report will reflect the number of dates and incidents the patron was disruptive and action taken. In the event of a suspension greater than three days, any patron may make their appeal in writing to the Library Director and/or Schiller Park Library Board of Trustees. The matter will be considered on at the next available monthly Board Meeting.
The Schiller Park Library is committed to providing quality programs and services to children in a welcome and safe environment. However, the responsibility for the care, safety, entertainment and behavior of children and teens using the Library rests with the parent/guardian or caregiver and not with library staff members except within the content of defined library programs and activities. While a child may attend a library program or activity alone, the caregiver should remain in the building and be readily available should care or supervision be required. Public libraries, by their nature are dynamic and busy places, are subject to “stranger danger” and are not necessarily safe for unattended children.
Children 9 years of age and under shall not be left unattended in the Library under any circumstances. They must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or caregiver. A caregiver must be at least sixteen years of age. Parents/guardians, if delegating their responsibilities to a caregiver, must ensure the caregiver is a responsible person of suitable age. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide child care, the Library and its staff will not be used for this purpose. A parent/guardian or caregiver must remain with the child during the entire time period in the Library, and must directly supervise the child.
Library staff members may contact the proper authorities, such as the Police Department, in the event a child 9 years of age or under is left unattended in the Library, or the parent/guardian or caregiver fails to directly supervise the child; for example, by leaving the child alone in the Children’s Room.
If the same child is left unattended repeatedly the Library staff will contact the parent. If the situation recurs the police will be notified.
In the case of children over age 9, parents may be notified, if an unaccompanied minor’s behavior in the Library is a problem.
Children are subject to the same rules of conduct as other patrons and are subject to the same consequences, including being asked to leave the Library.
If unattended children age 13 and under are present in the Library at closing time or at the time of an emergency closing, the Library staff shall attempt to contact a parent/guardian by phone to come pick up the child immediately. If unsuccessful the Librarian in Charge will contact the local police department. At least two staff members should wait with the child until the police arrive to take custody of the child.
POSTING OF BEHAVIOR POLICY
This policy shall be posted in the Library and on the library website and copies will be available upon request.
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