Key Library Policies
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS POLICY
WPL Policy 4.1, Amended 2/24/03, Amended 7/25/05, Amended 11/28/05, Amended
9/25/06, Amended
7/23/07, Amended 9/24/07, Amended 1/25/10
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The Westchester Public Library offers access to computers and the Internet in support of the Library’s Mission Statement, which articulates the broad principles for library programs and services provided for Westchester patrons. The Library endorses the principles outlined by the State of Illinois, the American Library Association and the Illinois Library Association. The Library will not tolerate the use of library equipment to access material that is obscene, pornographic, harmful to minors and/or subjects patrons or library employees to unwanted Internet images.
Patron Responsibility
- Patrons must have their own valid library card to log on to library-designated Internet computers.
- All use of electronic resources must be ethical and legal. The user must comply withcopyright law and licensing agreements
- The parents or legal guardians are responsible for their child’s reading, listening and viewing of library material, including the Internet content.
- Violations of this policy will result in suspension or termination of a patron’s library privileges, and the patron may be subject to prosecution.
Use of Equipment and Software
- Use of all Internet workstations in the Youth Department is for children and students through age 13.
- Use of all Internet workstations in the Adult Department is for age fourteen years and older.
- To protect performance and reliability, patrons may save only to the floppy disc drive or to flash memory/USB storage devices. (Disks may be purchased from the Library.) Data saved to the hard drive is not retrievable. Access to the DOS prompt is restricted
- Only computer equipment and software owned and previously installed by Westchester Public Library may be used on WPL computers. Adding, deleting, copying, or modifying the installed hardware or software is not permitted.
- The Library is not responsible for damage to peripheral equipment or loss of data that may occur from use of the Library’s computers.
- The Library supplies paper for the printers. A fee will be charged for printing from any WPL computer.
Internet Specifics
- Internet access is available as an informational and educational resource.
- The Library does not permit electronic commerce or commercial activity. Exception: Lawful credit card purchases or orders of items by the user for personal use is permitted. However, sending any information, including credit card numbers, via the Internet is at the sole risk of the user. The Library has no control over the security of this data.
- As Internet resources are global in nature, the Library does not and cannot control the information available, including sources that may contain unreliable, offensive, controversial or inaccurate material. The selection, evaluation and use of information retrieved from the Internet are the sole responsibility of the patron, and subject to state and federal law.
- Violations of this policy will result in cancellation of a patron’s privilege to use the Internet. Examples include but are not limited to: harassment; violation of another patron’s rights; sending, receiving or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene/offensive;and any action that tarnishes the library’s reputation.
- Parents and legal guardians are responsible for their child’s safety on the Internet and for monitoring and supervising their child’s use of the Internet. Literature on safe sites for children is available upon request.
- In the case of a child without a card, parental supervision and use of the parent’s library card are required for children age 9 and under .
CONFIDENTIALITY OF USER RECORDS
WPL Policy 2.4, Adopted 5/27/03, Amended 6-23-08
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Circulation and registration records are confidential pursuant to the Library Record Confidentiality Act (75 ILCS 70/1-2). No such records shall be made available to the public or to any agency of federal, state or local government except pursuant to a court order. The exception is when a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe there is imminent danger of physical harm. In this case the officer may request information regarding identification of a suspect, witness or victim of a crime without a court order, but the information may not include records reflecting materials borrowed, resources reviewed or services used at the library. In this case the library will request that the officer sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the information.
The Library Records Confidentiality Act does not prohibit disclosure to law enforcement officials of information about a patron based on personal knowledge (such as a person’s name), or information based on personal observation of a person on library property (such as staff observing the person using library computers). No information relative to the purpose of the person’s use of the library will be given without a court order.
Confidential Relationship/Library Staff and Patrons
The relationship between library staff and patrons is confidential, including information about patron use of library materials or services, such as reference assistance and computer use. Parents or legal guardians of children under 18 may be provided with information about current materials, overdue materials and outstanding charges on their child’s library card.
Patron Access to Records
A library card barcode number or proper identification must be provided by a patron before any information about their record can be provided. Information is available by telephone only if a library card barcode number is provided. Westchester cardholders may view their records online through the Internet.
Search Warrant Policy
Library staff will cooperate with law enforcement officials as required by federal laws such as the USA Patriot Act, to allow access to items within the scope of the search warrant while at the same time seeking to protect the rights of patrons in accordance with the Illinois Library Records Confidentiality Act (75 ILSC 70/1-2). A copy of this policy will be provided promptly to officials upon arrival at the Library.
- Designated Library Contact
The library director will handle all requests to search library records pursuant to a search warrant. In the absence of the director, the assistant director, followed by the librarian-in-charge, will deal with a search warrant issue.
- Identify serving officer (see Exhibit AA: Law Enforcement Officer’s Request for Confidential Library Information)
The library director will request identification from the Law Enforcement Officials and record their names, badge numbers, and agencies.
- Review Warrant for Content
The library director will review the search warrant when served and will contact the library attorney for consultation concerning the scope of the warrant and compliance procedures.
The library’s attorney is:
William G. Raysa
- Request the Presence of Library Attorney
The library director will ask the law enforcement officials to wait until the library’s attorney is present before beginning the search. However, the search warrant may be executed immediately.
The library director will cooperate with law enforcement officials to help identify the records/evidence falling within the scope of the search warrant.
- No Access to Other Records
The library director will not permit access to records beyond the scope of the search warrant, i.e. records not specifically identified in the search warrant.
- Record Evidence Viewed or Taken
The library director will record all records or evidence viewed, copied, or removed from the library pursuant to the search.
No employee will disclose the receipt of the search warrant or the search to anyone except the library director, the library board president and the library attorney.
PATRON RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Revised and adopted by the Westchester Public Library Board 11/27/06
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The Westchester Public Library supports the right of all individuals to use the library without discrimination, providing such use maintains a clean, safe and comfortable environment for all patrons and employees. Patrons failing to follow the WPL Patron Rules & Responsibilities may be required to leave the Library. Damaging or destroying Library materials, equipment or furniture can result in suspension of patron library privileges, as well as criminal prosecution.
Respect for others:
- Patrons may use their cell phones in the Library foyer only.
- Patrons using profane, obscene, offensive, or harassing language with the intent to annoy another person will be asked to leave.
- Patrons exhibiting loud, boisterous or other disruptive behavior with the intent to annoy another person will be asked to leave.
- Sleeping in the Library is prohibited.
- Solicitation on Library premises is prohibited.
- The use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products in the Library is prohibited.
- While varying levels of personal hygiene are recognized, patrons who interfere with other patrons’ use of the Library because of extremely poor personal hygiene will be asked to leave.
- Weapons such as explosives, firearms, knives, look-alike weapons, or any other objects that can reasonably be considered as weapons, are not permitted on Library property or at any Library-sponsored event.
- Library patrons may not leave personal belongings in the Library when they leave the building. The Library is not responsible for any loss of users’ personal belongings through theft or otherwise.
Respect for Library facility and property:
- Use of the Library facility is available during public hours. Patrons cannot remain in the Library after its regular closing hour.
- Eating is prohibited in the Library except in designated areas, or when part of a library-sponsored event.
- Drinking of non-alcoholic beverages is allowed only if the beverage container has a covered lid.
- The Library is a smoke-free building.
- It is illegal to improperly remove library materials or equipment. The Library reserves the right to inspect the contents of all bags, purses, briefcases, backpacks, etc for Library materials.
- It is illegal to willfully damage or deface public property, including Library materials and equipment.
- Because the library is a public facility, patrons are expected to wear proper attire. No person shall enter or remain in the building without wearing a shirt and shoes.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
WPL Policy 4.5, Adopted 11/24/03
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The Westchester Public Library facility is provided to meet the
needs and desires of the community and is open to all residents
to use library resources in a constructive manner and in such a
way as not to deprive others of such use.
Any person abusing or violating proper behavior rules or engaging
in unlawful conduct (See Patrons Rules & Responsibilities below)
may be barred from library premises for specified periods of time
at the discretion of the librarian in charge of the building. The
librarian’s decision to bar the patron may be appealed in
writing within three (3) days to the library director or the director’s
designee whose decision shall be final.
Disruptive behavior is any behavior on library premises, which
infringes on the rights of others using the library or is otherwise
unlawful. Disruptive behavior also includes harassment of library
employees, which results in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
employment environment or unreasonably interferes with an individual’s
employment. Disruptive persons will not be allowed to interfere
with library service to others. If the situation continues, staff
may request the disruptive person to leave and/or contact the local
authorities for assistance. In the case of disruptive children,
staff may request the parent and/or guardian to escort the child
from the premises.
INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM
WPL Policy 1.2 Adopted 8/25/03,
Amended 2/28/05
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The Westchester Public Library affirms, endorses, and adopts as its own the principles articulated in the Library Bill of Rights, the Free Access to Libraries for Minors, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement, as adopted by the American Library Association (appended).
The Westchester Public Library endeavors to build a collection representing varying points of view. The criteria for the selection of materials on controversial issues are the same as for any other materials. Controversial materials have no distinguishing labels and are shelved in the general collection. The Library assures equal access to all library resources by patrons within the constraints of Illinois law. Patrons are free to select or reject for themselves any item in the collection. Individual or group prejudice about a particular item or type of material in the collection may not preclude its use by others. Parents or legal guardians have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children, and only their children, to library resources.
Parents or legal guardians who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials or facilities, should so advise and supervise their children. Librarians cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child.
UNATTENDED CHILDREN
WPL Policy 4.6
Adopted 11/24/03, Reviewed 7/25/05, Revised 4/24/06, Amended 9/24/07
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Children, age 8 and younger, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or assigned chaperone (age 16 years or older) on the same floor at all times. Older children, (age 9 and older) are welcome to use the library independently, however, responsibility for minors using the library or attending library programs rests with the parent/guardian. A responsible person must accompany at all times children of any age who have special needs. The library is not responsible for children left alone without proper supervision.
If a child (age 8 and younger) is left unattended at any time, or if a child (age 14 or younger) is left in the library at closing time, staff will attempt to contact the parent or guardian. If staff is unable to contact the parent/guardian within a reasonable amount of time, generally 15 minutes after closing, the local police will be contacted. Two staff members shall stay with the child until the parent/guardian or proper authorities arrive. Staff members are not to transport the child to another location
LIBRARY DOCUMENTS (FOIA)
WPL Policy 2.4.1 Adoped 5/27/03, Reviewed 5/23/05, Reaffirmed 8/24/09, Amended 1/25/10
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Library documents and records (other than user records covered by the Illinois Library Records Confidentiality Act), shall be available to the public in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) (FOIA) upon a written request which precisely describes the exact library public records desired. The Library need not create new public records to satisfy a FOIA request.
Upon providing Westchester Public Library’s FOIA Officer with a written request that describes a public record sufficiently to enable WPL to find the public record, the requestor has a right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of the requested public record.
A Westchester Public Library employee who receives a request for a public record shall promptly forward that request to the Library’s FOIA Officer.
The Westchester Public Library may charge fees for the copying and certifying of public records pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6. The Library may require at the time of the written request a deposit of not more than 50% of the estimated total fee.
The Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees authorizes the Library Director to serve as FOIA Officer and to accept and process requests for public records. The Director shall report action taken on FOIA requests at the next regularly scheduled WPL Board of Trustees meeting.
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