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5.
FACILITIES
Rules of the Library | Suspension of Library Privileges | Use of Library Bulletin Boards
Collection Diplays | Meeting Room Policy
SECTION
1: RULES OF THE LIBRARY
The
library facility is intended to preserve books
and related materials in organized collections
for reading and quiet study.
The
patrons of the Poplar Bluff Public Library are
expected to behave in a manner that does not
disturb other library patrons, disrupt the operation
of the library, or endanger library materials.
The
Library's rules are designed to promote the
safety and security of the Library's patrons
and Collections, and to ensure that the library
remains conducive to reading and study.
Library
patrons are not permitted to:
- Interfere
with another person's use of the Library
or with Library personnel's performance
of their duties.
-
Consume food or beverages in the library.
-
Lie or lounge on the floor, or sleep anywhere
in the library.
-
Lie down on furniture, put feet up on furniture,
or move furniture other than chairs at tables.
-
Smoke anywhere in the library
-
Use cell phones in restricted areas.
-
Play audio equipment so that others can
hear it. The use of head sets is permitted
as long as such use does not disturb other
library patrons.
-
Talk loudly, make noise, use abusive or
threatening language, or engage in other
disruptive conduct.
-
Use the library's rest room as laundry facilities,
bathing facilities, or gathering places.
-
Use library facilities to store personal
belongings.
-
Leave children unattended.
-
Solicit anywhere in the library.
-
Bring a bicycle inside the building.
-
Use roller skates, roller blades, or skateboards
on library property.
-
Go without shoes or shirts inside the building.
Any
person who deliberately mutilates or removes
without authorization any part of the library
collection, building, or furnishings is guilty
of a misdemeanor.
The
police will be called when library patrons willfully
and persistently violate library rules or engage
in criminal acts. After calling the police to
the library, staff members will cooperate with
law enforcement officials. The Library's staff
will file criminal charges and seek criminal
prosecution if law enforcement officials believe
that it is warranted.
All
library staff members are responsible for maintaining
order in the library. When staff members observe
a rule being violated, they are expected to
enforce the rule or to report the violation
to their supervisor. When enforcing library
rules, staff members are expected to maintain
a calm, non-judgmental attitude, to avoid a
loud tone of voice, and to avoid the use of
phrases that might be considered to be condescending.
SECTION
2: SUSPENSION OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES
The
Library Board has the right to exclude from
use of the library any person who willfully
violates the rules prescribed by the board.
Library
privileges may be suspended for the following
reasons:
- damaging
Library property
-
stealing Library materials
-
physically harming staff or patrons
-
persistent, willful violations of the Library's
posted rules of conduct.
Suspensions
will be for a definite time period, not to exceed
twelve months. The length of a suspension will
be determined by the Library Director or other
designated staff. Suspensions will apply to
all library facilities. Patrons who attempt
to enter the library facility while their library
privileges are suspended will be reported to
the police for criminal trespass.
Any
suspension of library privileges longer than
one day may be appealed to the Library Board.
Notice of an appeal of a suspension should be
made in writing to the Library Director within
two weeks of receipt of the notice of the suspension.
The Library Director will inform the appellant
of the date of the meeting at which the appeal
will be heard. Any notice of appeal received
later than a week before the next regularly
schedule Board meeting will be held until the
following Board meeting.
Library
borrowing privileges can be suspended for:
- not
returning Library materials.
-
not discharging fines or other debts owed
to the library.
The
suspension of borrowing privileges will not
limit a patron's use of other library services.
Suspensions
of library borrowing privileges may be appealed
to the Library Board. Notice of an appeal of
a suspension of borrowing privileges should
be made in writing to the Library Director,
who will inform the appellant of the date of
the meeting at which the appeal will be heard.
3:
USE OF LIBRARY BULLETIN BOARDS
A
limited amount of bulletin board space is available
for postings by nonprofit organizations engaged
in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable
activities in Poplar Bluff. Posters or announcements
should be submitted to the Library Director
for posting. The following items will not be
accepted for posting:
- ADVERTISEMENTS
OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES OFFERED BY COMMERCIAL
ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS.
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Requests for contributions.
-
Petitions
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Electioneering materials.
Because
space is limited, it may not always be possible
to post all posters and announcements that are
acceptable under the above guidelines. The following
priorities will be used to determine which posters
and announcements can be posted:
- Materials
produced by the City of Poplar Bluff and
its agencies.
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Announcements of events to be held in Poplar
Bluff.
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Materials produced by organizations headquartered
in Poplar Bluff.
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All other announcements.
Posters
and announcements will be displayed for no more
than thirty (30) days. The library is not responsible
for the care or return of posters.
4:
COLLECTION DISPLAYS
All
displays presented in the Library are prepared
by Library staff and designed to represent and
promote the depth and breath of the Library's
collections. Posters and materials from other
organizations may be used in the preparation
of such exhibits, but the emphasis of all such
exhibits shall be on the Library's collections,
not the views of the organization. The planning
and scheduling of such displays and the decision
as to which materials and posters will be included
is entirely at the direction of the Library
Director or his/her designee.
5:
MEETING ROOM POLICY
The
meeting rooms may be used for meetings or exhibits
as long as the space is not required for library
purposes. Library events will be given priority
over those of other organizations. If a scheduled
meeting must be cancelled for library purposes,
at least 24-hour notice will be given.
All
meetings must be open to the general public
and may not discriminate against any group or
individual because of religion, ethnic origin,
age or gender. The community rooms are available
for education, cultural and civic betterment
purposes.
Library
meeting and community rooms may not be used
for the selling or trading of any product or
service for profit or commercial gain.
Adopted
June 3, 2003
Guidelines
for use of Library Community Rooms
The Library is delighted to provide well-lighted
and clean community rooms to the public. Outside
exits are located on exterior walls for added
safety for those using the rooms.
Safety is always a concern, especially when
these rooms are used without supervision by
the staff. The upkeep and appearances of the
rooms is also a concern. Recently drinks and food have stained and damaged the rug. Money to replace damaged
and stained carpet is not available.
Hallways and traffic areas should not be used
as part of the meeting room. These areas should
remain clear and unobstructed.
The library
charges a nonrefundable fee of $20.00 for each use of the community roms, which must be paid
in advance of the meeting. Additional charges for parties may also be collected to offset the library's cost for additional cleaning hours.
Adopted November 3, 2003
Back to Meeting Room Policy
How
to Reserve the Meeting Room
The
room must be reserved as far in advance as possible.
Reservations will be taken between during regular
Library hours.
In
fairness to the number of groups wanting to
use the meeting rooms the library will not accept
reservations for a long series of meetings which
would designate the library as a regular meeting
place for an organization. However, a group
may reserve the meeting room on a month-by-month
basis.
An
adult member or sponsor of the organization
will be required to read and sign a copy of
these rules before any meetings may be scheduled.
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Conditions
for Use
- Smoking
or the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited
in all areas of the library.
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Meetings rooms shall be left clear of litter
and any spills should be reported immediately
to the staff.
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The library does not take responsibility
for lost or stolen items.
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The kitchen should be cleaned and wiped
dry before library closing.
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The kitchen provides access to running water
and electricity.
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Upon request the library will provide access
to a 30-cup percolator.
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All supplies used by the group, including
paper supplies and food items, are to be
brought in by the organization.
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An nonrefundable fee of $20.00 is charged
per meeting and must be paid in advance
of the meeting.
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Rooms
Available
The
Library has three rooms available for meetings.
- Board/Conference
Room - Main Floor - primarily used for meetings
of the Poplar Bluff Public Library Board
of Trustees, but is available for small
groups of 8 or under.
-
Large Community Room - Lower Level - Maximum
Room Capacity - 125
-
Small Community Room - Lower Level - Maximum
Room Capacity - 25
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Hours
of Use for the Public Meeting Rooms
The
meeting rooms are available during the Library's
regular hours. (Monday through Thursday, 9:00
a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 10:00 a.m.
- 5:00 p.m.). Groups must vacate the rooms at
least 15 minutes prior to the Library's closing
time.
No
meetings will be scheduled outside of the Library's
regular hours.
Adopted September 2004
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Equipment
A
slide projector, screen, podium, and VCR are
available upon request. The Library does not
have staff available to assist with the set
up or operation of equipment.
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Set
Up and Clean Up
Tables
and chairs are available, but set up is the
responsibility of the group scheduling the meeting
room. Trash should be picked up and the kitchen
should be cleaned. Set up and clean up should
be accomplished within the time period for which
the room is scheduled.
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Additional
Rules and Regulations for Meeting Rooms
- Attendance
at a meeting may not exceed the maximum
number of people certified by the Fire Department
as the occupancy limit for the room. These
limits are: Large Community Room, 125; Small
Community Room, 25; Board/Conference Room,
8.
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Any use of the meeting rooms that disrupts
the normal operations of the library will
not be permitted.
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Smoking is not permitted in the Library.
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Alcoholic beverages may not be served or
consumed in the Library or on the premises.
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Groups whose members are under the age of
eighteen must be accompanied by one adult
chaperon for each fifteen participants.
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Hazardous materials including, but not limited
to paints, solvents, and explosives are
prohibited.
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Groups using the facilities must comply
with the American for Disabilities Act and
upon 48 hours' notice are responsible for
providing qualified interpreters and/or
auxiliary aids as requested.
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Damages
and Liabilities
Neither
the Poplar Bluff Public Library nor the City
of Poplar Bluff will be responsible for articles
lost, stolen or damaged, nor for personal injuries
sustained on the premises.
Back to Meeting Room Policy
Denial
of Meeting Room Privileges
Failure
to abide by the Library's meeting room policy
and rules of conduct may result in the cancellation
or refusal of future reservations.
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