APPROPRIATE LIBRARY USE POLICY & SAFE CHILD POLICY

Appropriate Library Use Policy

Policy Statement
The Thomas Crane Public Library is supported by the taxes of the people of Quincy who expect our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe places for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, and attending Library or community-sponsored programs and meetings. To this end, the Library is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library users, volunteers, and staff, and for preserving and protecting the Library's materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.

Regulations

1. Theft of library materials, use of false identification to obtain a library card, or use of another person's library card without permission are against state law and will be prosecuted (MGL Ch. 266, Sec. 99).
2. Those who damage or deface library materials or property will be prosecuted (MGL Ch. 266, Sec. 100). Parents or legal guardians can be liable for damage done by a child under 18 (MGL Ch. 231, Sec. 85).
3. The children's areas within Library facilities are reserved for use by children, their caregivers, and adults interested in the children's collection. The young adult areas are reserved for teens and those who accompany them. Patrons not included in these categories may be required to leave the children's or young adult areas and instead use other areas of the Library.
4. During the hours the Library is open, its public parking lots at the Main Library, Adams Shore Branch, and North Quincy Branch are reserved for people who are inside the Library or participating in programs on the Library grounds. Library users may park for up to two hours per day during library hours, in marked spaces only. The Library's parking lot on Spear St. is reserved for Library staff; others may park there with Library authorization only. Illegally parked vehicles in any Library parking lot may be ticketed or towed at the owner's expense.
5. All bags and other articles are subject to inspection by security and other authorized personnel. The Library reserves the right to limit the size and number of items brought into the library.
6. For the comfort and safety of library users, volunteers, and staff, and the protection of Library property, the following actions are examples of conduct not allowed on Library property:
   • Engaging in any activity in violation of federal, state, local or other applicable law, or Library policy
   • Carrying firearms and dangerous weapons of any type (except by law enforcement officers)
   • Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs and selling, using, or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs
   • Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other library users, volunteers, or staff, including stalking, staring, lurking, offensive touching, and obscene acts such as sex acts and indecent exposure
   • Interfering with another person's right to use the library or with the library staff's performance of their duties
   • Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriate use of Library property in Library facilities or on Library grounds, including computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones, and other equipment (see also Thomas Crane Public Library Computer & Internet Use Policy)
   • Creating disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards
   • Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing things
   • Gambling and group activities which are disruptive to the Library environment
   • Trespassing in nonpublic areas, being in the Library without permission of an authorized Library employee before or after Library operating hours, or camping on Library grounds
   • Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others. Using cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices in a manner that disturbs others. Cell phone and pager audible ringers must be turned off. Cell phone use is allowed only in the atrium area of the Main Library
   • Using photographic, sound recording, or video recording equipment, including cellular camera telephones, within the Library or on Library grounds without prior authorization from the Library
   • Consuming food or beverages in public areas of the Library, including restrooms (except for drinking fountain use, baby bottles, nursing and locations where use is authorized, including the Main Library atrium and café areas, the Main Library community meeting room, at authorized events, and in specific areas of branch libraries as designated by the branch librarian)
   • Using restrooms for bathing, shampooing, or doing laundry
   • Smoking, chewing, rolling cigarettes, and other tobacco use in Library facilities or on Library grounds
   • Littering
   • Bringing in garbage, articles with a foul odor, or articles which, alone or in their aggregate, impede the use of the Library by other users
   • Leaving packages, backpacks, luggage, or any other personal items unattended. These unattended items are subject to immediate confiscation.
   • Using wheeled devices in Library property or on Library grounds, except in designated areas, including skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, motorized or nonmotorized scooters, and shopping carts (except for motorized ADA assistive devices, wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers)
   • Lying down or sleeping in the restrooms or on any floor, bench, table or seat in the Library, having feet on furniture, or blocking aisles, exits or entrances
   • Entering the Library barefooted, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment
   • Moving Library furniture from where it is placed by Library staff
   • Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children (see also Thomas Crane Public Library Safe Child Policy)
   • Bringing pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for disabilities, into the Library, except as authorized by the Library Director
   • Soliciting or conducting surveys not authorized by the Library
7. Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or security staff are authorized to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the Library's established rules, regulations, and policies could result in removal from the premises and expulsion from all Library facilities for a period of one day to one year, or in arrest or prosecution. Violations could also result in the restriction and/or termination of Library privileges, including the use of Library computers and other equipment.
8. Expulsion from Library facilities for more than one week may be appealed in writing to the Library Director.

Adopted by vote of the Library Board of Trustees, February 12, 2007; Amended February 11, 2008
Supersedes: Patron Behavior Policy, adopted September 1995

Safe Child Policy
[Arabic Version]
[Chinese Version]

Policy Statement
The library seeks to create a welcoming environment for people of all ages, to encourage the use of its resources and services and to develop a lifelong love of reading. While library staff strives to create a safe and comfortable place for children, the library is a public building, and as such it can be a dangerous place for children alone. Library staff are not responsible for supervising children and cannot know if children are leaving the building with parents or with strangers. Young children unattended at closing time could be left alone just a few feet from a busy street. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for monitoring their children's safety, activities, and behavior while visiting the library. This Safe Child Policy has been established for the protection and well being of children using the library.

Definitions
Unattended Child
An unattended child is any child aged nine or under using the library unaccompanied by a responsible adult such as a parent, guardian, teacher, other adult caregiver, or a responsible child aged 14 or older.

Vulnerable Child
A vulnerable child is any child aged 13 or under using the library unaccompanied by a responsible adult, whose safety or well being would be endangered if he or she were sent out of the library building.

Regulations

1. Children aged four and under must always be closely supervised ("within sight") by a responsible adult or child aged 14 or older.
2. Children between the ages of five and nine must be directly supervised (in the same room or area of the library) by a responsible adult or child aged 14 or older. Caregivers must remain in the building while a child is attending a library program.
3. Children aged ten and older left unattended must be mature enough to follow the library's Patron Behavior Policy. Consequences for violating this policy may include being asked to leave the library. As a general rule, if a parent or guardian feels a child is not mature enough to be left home alone without supervision, he or she is not mature enough to be left unattended in the library.
4. Library staff do not seek out unattended children, but if an unattended child or a child being supervised by a child aged 13 or under comes to the attention of staff, staff will attempt to locate the adult caregiver in the building or by telephone. When the caregiver is located, staff will explain and provide a written copy of the library's Safe Child Policy. If the caregiver cannot be located, staff will notify the police.
5. A child aged 13 or under unattended at closing time may be deemed vulnerable. Staff will attempt to locate the caregiver in the building or by telephone. If the caregiver cannot be located within 15 minutes after closing time, staff will notify the police. Two staff members will wait with the child until a caregiver or the police arrive. If the parent/guardian arrives before the police, staff will explain and provide a written copy of the library's Safe Child Policy. If the police arrive first and take responsibility for the child, staff will give police a written copy of the Safe Child Policy to provide to the parent/guardian.
6. Should the library close early due to unexpected circumstances such as inclement weather or a power outage, staff will attempt to locate the caregiver for any unattended or vulnerable child. If the caregiver cannot be located within 15 minutes after closing time, staff will notify the police. Two staff members will wait with the child until a caregiver or the police arrive. If the parent/guardian arrives before the police, staff will explain and provide a written copy of the library's Safe Child Policy. If the police arrive first and take responsibility for the child, staff will give police a written copy of the Safe Child Policy to provide to the parent/guardian.
7. Library staff are not authorized to transport any child away from the library under any circumstances.
8. In case of a medical emergency involving an unattended or vulnerable child, the staff will call 911 for emergency assistance and then attempt to contact a parent/guardian, in that order.
9. If a parent/guardian repeatedly leaves a child unattended in the library, after being informed of the library's Safe Child Policy, staff will notify the police.
10. The library will have written copies of the Safe Child Policy available at all service desks and will provide copies of the policy to caregivers of unattended and vulnerable children.

Adopted by vote of the Library Board of Trustees, October 18, 2004

Last Modified: February 12, 2008
©Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy, Mass. 02169