Policies

The Rock County Community Library is intended to be an inviting, comfortable, clean, and safe place. Library users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that respects the rights of everyone to use the library. 

These rules are intended to ensure that all Library users may enjoy good service in pleasant surroundings. Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Failure to comply with the library’s rules and policies could result in removal from the library for the remainder of the day, and exclusion from the library for a period determined by library staff. Violations could also result in the restriction and/or termination of library privileges, including the use of library computers.

Library users are expected to:

• Be respectful to library staff and other patrons.
• Use library collections, furniture, and equipment for their intended purpose.
• Be as courteous as possible when using cell phones or computers.
• Dress appropriately, including wearing a shirt and shoes. 
• Supervise children in their care.
• Comply with reasonable staff requests.

The following actions are examples of conduct not allowed on library property: 

• Failing to comply with a reasonable staff request.  
• Stealing, damaging, or inappropriate use of furniture or equipment in the library or on library grounds. 
• Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing things. 
• Creating disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards. 
• Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others. 
• Using cell phones and other communication devices in a manner that disturbs others. 
• Littering. 
• Smoking, chewing, and other tobacco use on library property. 
• Entering or being in the library barefoot or without a shirt. 
• Harass, intimidate, or threaten any library staff member or user.

Food and Beverages 

Food and beverages are not allowed in the computer lab. 

Children in the Library 

Parents are responsible for supervising their children in the library. The library is not able to provide long- or short-term child care. 

Children using the library on their own must follow library rules of conduct. Children behaving inappropriately may be required to leave the library. 

Revised and adopted by the Rock County Library Board, May 14 2019

[Adopted  5/14/2019]            

INTENT

Rock County Community Library provides free use of computers and access to the Internet to users of all ages. The purpose of the Computer and Internet Access Policy is to ensure the best use of computers and access to the Internet by the greatest number of people.

WHO HAS ACCESS

Any person holding a Plum Creek Library Card and has signed an Internet Access Agreement will be allowed time on the

Internet-access computers. Non-cardholders will sign the Guest User Internet Access form.

HOURS OF ACCESS

The Internet access computers are available during library hours. A computer may be reserved by signing up in-person or by phone. A time slot may be reserved up to one week in advance. If a person does not show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, the computer will be made available to other persons. Only one registered person may use a workstation at a time, except for an adult working with a child, unless special arrangements have been made.

DURATION OF ACCESS

Use of the computer is limited to one hour per person per day unless arranged with the Library Staff. Users must end their session and leave the terminal immediately when asked to do so by Library Staff. All printing must be completed within your scheduled time.

CHARGES

There will be a charge of $.25 per page for black and white prints, $.50 for a half page of color printing (or less), and $1.00 for a full page of color printing. The patron will be responsible for any charges incurred as a result of his or her use of the Internet to purchase items or subscriptions. 

LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE

Staff is available to introduce Internet access and provide initial instruction on its use. Staff is not obligated to help patrons troubleshoot personal social media or email accounts. To insure the equitable delivery of all library services, the amount of time staff has available to provide Internet instruction is limited.

WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS

This policy applies to any laptop used to access the Internet through the library wireless connection. Illegal and obscene sites are prohibited. Users are responsible for making sure their computer has the correct settings and necessary hardware. Library staff cannot assist users in configuring their equipment or troubleshooting problems. The Library cannot guarantee that users’ hardware will work with the library’s wireless connection.

RULES OF CONDUCT

1. Internet computers will not be used to access illegal sites or obscene sites as defined by local community standards or those potentially harmful to minors.
2. Users will obey copyright laws and licensing agreements.
3. Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted library or Internet files or networks, or to damage, or modify computer equipment or software at the library or at another location by using library connections.
4. Users will not disclose, use or disseminate personal information regarding minors without written authorization of the parent of legal guardian.
5. Parents or guardians bringing children to the library will not leave them unattended or allow them to violate noise and behavior policies while using the computers and internet.

MINORS

Children under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use the Internet access computers without consent of their parents or legal guardian.  Parents are responsible for their children’s use of the Library’s resources and facilities. The Rock County Library Board requests that parents or guardians work closely with children on selecting Internet resources consistent with personal or family values.

COMPLIANCE

The Library Director and Library Staff are authorized to take prompt and appropriate actions to enforce the rules and/or to prohibit use by persons who fail to comply with the Internet Policy.  Library employees are authorized to terminate any users session, or to prohibit a user from access if that user fails to comply with this policy. A second violation may result in permanent termination of computer privileges. Any user who feels he/she has been unfairly banned from internet use may file an appeal in writing with the library board. Appeals will be reviewed at the next regular meeting of the board, provided the appeal has been received seven days prior to the meeting.

DISCLAIMER

The Rock County Library assumes no liability or responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, that users or anyone else may experience through access to the Internet at the library. Laptops and other devices should never be left unattended in the library. The Library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user’s equipment, software, or data files.

The Rock County Library provides meeting rooms for civic, cultural, educational, and informational meetings held by community and business groups. Library sponsored programs have priority use.

The use of meeting rooms does not imply the library’s endorsement of any ideas expressed in the meeting nor the goals, objectives, or ideals of the person or organization using the library facilities.

The Library may allow the meeting rooms to be used for the sale of merchandise, solicitation of sales or for order placement, based on the discretion of the Library Staff. 

The Library is not responsible for any accident, injury, loss, or damage to the private property of individuals or organizations using the facility.

General Rules:

Users of the meeting room are expected to leave the meeting room in the condition it was found.  Precautions must be exercised to avoid damage to library furnishings, floor coverings and other library property. Damages or cleaning fees may be assessed following meeting room use.

Noise and conduct are expected to be maintained at a level that does not disrupt other people in the Library

The library is a smoke-free building.

No alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Groups of children and teenagers must have adult supervision.

Users of the meeting room are responsible for the setup and arrangement of tables, chairs, and equipment.

Reservations:

Meetings rooms may be scheduled up to three months in advance.

Each reservation must include the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Fees:

Non-profits:  Free during library hours, $10 during non-library hours.

Businesses: $50 for any hours in one 24-hour period   

A deposit may be charged at the discretion of library staff   

Personal events: (Birthday parties, showers, family reunions) Same as businesses.          

Revised and adopted by the Rock County Library Board, May 14 2019