PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY

In order to insure a fair opportunity for public comment and to allow the Board to maintain control of its meetings:

1. A Public Comment period will be provided at all public meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Library District.
2. Any citizen of the District may address the Board only during the time specified for Public Comment, unless otherwise allowed by motion and approval of a majority of the Trustees.
3. Each speaker will be limited to five minutes per subject for a total of no more than twenty minutes per meeting, unless otherwise authorized by the Board in advance of the designated Public Comment period.
4. The official body authorized by law to act on behalf of the District is the Board of Trustees and not individual trustees, administrative staff or employees.
   Accordingly,
   
   Speakers will address comments to the Board and not to individual trustees, administrators, or staff;
   
   Trustees will listen to Public Comment and consider them during the deliberations as a Board
   
   Trustees are not required to answer questions or engage in debate during the Public Comment period;
   
   Speakers may be directed to staff or other sources for responses to questions raised during the Public Comment period.
5. Public Comment or concerns that require more deliberation, research or study may be considered for addition as an agenda item at meetings subsequent to the meeting in which they arise.

ACCEPTABLE USE
OF THE LIBRARY POLICY
The Board of Trustees of the San Miguel County Public Library District #1, Wilkinson Public Library, adopts and makes public the following written policies:

sssThe Wilkinson Public Library Board of Trustees encourages all members of the community to use the library. It is the Board’s hope that patrons of all ages perceive the library as a warm, inviting, and pleasant place to be. In order to ensure that all library users are able to utilize the library without unnecessary distractions, each library patron must behave in a manner that respects the rights of all users of the library.
sssWilkinson Public Library strives to balance the rights of users to access different information resources with the rights of patrons to use the library and its resources free from harassing sounds and visuals. We ask all our library users to remain sensitive to the fact that they are working in a public environment shared by people of all ages, with a variety of information interests and needs.
An atmosphere that is conducive to learning will benefit all individuals who use the library. Therefore, the Board of Trustees hereby adopts the following Behavior Policy:
Disruptive behavior will not be allowed. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Loud or boisterous behavior and other disorderly conduct.
2. Vulgar, abusive, or threatening language.
3. Misuse of library furnishings or equipment.
4. Excessive socializing without regard for the disturbance caused to other library users.
5. Running, throwing, fighting or any other behavior which disrupts other library patrons.
6. Viewing or downloading visual material that by local community standards would be considered obscene.
The following actions are not permitted in the library:
1. Solicitation
2. Smoking
3. Loitering
4. Eating (Except in the program room, outside spaces, and in designated areas during library events)

sssPatrons who cause repeated disruptions will be asked to leave the library premises. The Marshal will be contacted if the disruptive patron refuses to leave or reenters the building.
sssChildren under age 8 must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult, at all times, in all areas of the library, and on its grounds.
sssUnattended children between ages 8 and 18 are free to utilize the library as long as needed, provided their behavior is not disruptive to other patrons or staff members. Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior on library premises. It is not the library’s responsibility to provide child care. If disruptive behavior continues, library staff are given the options of requesting the child leave, calling the parents, or calling the Marshal to escort the child home.
sssStaff are authorized to call the Marshal when the library closes if unattended children have not been picked up.
sssPatrons who repeatedly violate this behavior policy will be issued a suspension letter, suspending all library privileges for a defined period of time. The Library Director may issue the suspension letter after the first violation of this behavior policy if it is determined that such violation is severe. An “Accident/Incident Report Form” should be completed when a suspension letter is issued.

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UNATENDED CHILD POLICY
The Board of Trustees of the San Miguel County Public Library District #1, Wilkinson Public Library, adopts and makes public the following written policies:

sssThe Wilkinson Public Library welcomes the use of its facilities and services by children of all ages. Our services and programs are offered to make the library enticing to children, to encourage them to visit the library and to develop a love of books,
reading and libraries.
sssResponsibility for the welfare and the behavior of children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or an assigned chaperone. Though staff will always respond with care and concern, they cannot assume responsibility for children’s safety and comfort when they are unattended. Staff members may need to contact authorities such as the Town Marshal or emergency personnel either to assist with the enforcement of discipline in the library, to ensure the safety of an unattended child, or to provide emergency care in the event of an illness or accident.
sssParents should not use the library as an alternative to daycare. Parents should also realize that, even in their absence, they are legally responsible for their children’s behavior. For safety’s sake, parents should make sure that their children are sufficiently mature before allowing them to visit the library by themselves. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or an assigned chaperone when using the library. Unattended children eight and over are free to use the Library’s resources as long as needed, provided that their behavior is not disruptive to other patrons or staff members. During regular service hours, if library staff judge that any youth is not coping adequately or is behaving in a disruptive manner, and a parent or caregiver is not
present, staff will contact the Town Marshal.
sssThe Library is also not responsible for the care and supervision of unaccompanied children prior to opening or after closing the building. The Library is not responsible for children outside the building who await transportation or who are socializing. Adults responsible for unattended school-age children using the library should be aware of the Library’s hours and make arrangements to meet the children on time. Should it be determined that a child has been left at the library without a ride or assistance home at closing time, staff members will attempt to contact a family member. If a family member cannot be reached, the Town Marshal will be called to escort the child home or keep the child until parents can be reached. A staff member will remain with the child until the Marshal has arrived. Staff members are not permitted to remain after hours with an unattended child nor give him/her a ride home. The Library Director will be informed whenever this action becomes necessary. The Director will contact the child’s parent or guardian to explain the library policy and why the action was required.

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INTERNET USE POLICIES

The Board of Trustees of the San Miguel County Public Library District #1, aka Wilkinson Public Library, adopts and makes public the following written Internet Use Policy.

Background

The Wilkinson Public Library will provide free, equitable, and organized public access to Internet resources.  This access honors the fundamental library principle of intellectual freedom, an abiding respect for the dignity and privacy of individual inquiry.

The Wilkinson Public Library is committed not only to providing public access to the Internet in general, but also to:

• the development or purchase of local information resources (such as the catalog of our holdings, periodical indexes and databases, and other databases of local or regional interest);
• the identification and organization of links to resources the library believes fit its general collection policies; and
• search tools that reach far beyond the organizational efforts of the Wilkinson Public Library to the manifold offerings of the Internet.

Disclaimer

In total, the Wilkinson Public Library has no control over information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content.  Much of the information on the Internet is timely, useful, and/or entertaining.  Some of it is dated, erroneous,  offensive or illegal. Library users should cast a cautious and critical eye on any and all data they discover.  The job of the library is access, not endorsement.

Filtering of Library Internet Computers
In 2000, Congress passed The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires libraries receiving certain types of federal funding to install a technology protection measure that blocks images ("visual depictions") that are obscene (as defined in CRS 18-7-101(2),  contain child pornography (as defined in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2256(8)), or are harmful to minors; except that no technology protection measure may block scientific or medically accurate information regarding sexual assault, sexual abuse, incest, sexually transmitted diseases, or reproductive health. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld CIPA in 2003. In addition, the Colorado legislature passed the Internet Protection in Public Libraries Act in 2004, which mandates similar protective measures for computers in public libraries. As a result, commercial filtering software is installed on all Wilkinson Public Library computers. No filtering software is 100 percent accurate. Filters may falsely block constitutionally protected speech, or they may fail to block access to illegal or objectionable material. Filtering software is not a substitute for parental judgment and oversight. The Wilkinson Public Library believes that the reading and viewing activity of children is ultimately the responsibility of parents who guide and oversee their own children's development. The Wilkinson Public Library does not intrude on that relationship, except when mandated by law.

The Wilkinson Public Library utilizes commercial filtering software to block access to obscene and sexually explicit materials.  Library users 17 years of age or older may request unfiltered Internet access.  Library District Internet computers may not be used to access materials that by local community standards would be considered obscene. Library staff is authorized to take prompt and appropriate action to prohibit use by those who fail to comply with the District’s Acceptable Use of the Library Policy.

Use of Electronic Resources

Any of the following actions may result in the loss of library privileges and/or criminal prosecution or other legal action.  Unacceptable use of the Wilkinson Public Library’s electronic resources includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• It is not acceptable to use Wilkinson Public Library’s electronic resources for illegal or criminal use.  Specifically, users shall not view or print “child pornography” as defined above, or material which is “obscene” as defined by C.R.S.18-7-101.

• It is not acceptable to violate the legal protections provided by copyright and licenses to programs or data.

• It is not acceptable to use Wilkinson Public Library resources to seek to infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage or alter the software or hardware components of a local or remote computer or computing system.

• It is not acceptable to seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users.  Users shall not represent themselves as another user unless explicitly authorized to do so by that user.

• It is not acceptable to falsify one’s age to gain access to Internet sites or to request that Internet filters be turned off. 

• It is not acceptable to engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory.

• It is not acceptable to use the library’s computers to distribute solicited advertising.

• It is not acceptable to allow a person under the age of 17 to view materials, or expose a person under the age of 17 to viewing of materials, that are “harmful to minors”  as defined by C.R.S. 24-90-602(3). 

• Downloading from the Internet is limited to removable media only (e.g. compact disk, flash drive, etc.)  Downloading files of programs greater than ten megabytes is discouraged.

• Headphones must be worn when accessing a program or game that utilizes sound.

• A violation of the library’s Internet Use Policy is also a violation of the Acceptable Use of the Library Policy, and  is prohibited.

Additional Rules Governing Wireless Access

1. Library staff members are not allowed to install or configure any hardware or software in patrons’ laptops or mobile devices.

2. The Library assumes no responsibility for any alterations or interference with a laptop’s or mobile device’s configuration, operation, or data files resulting from connection to the wireless network.

3.  Anti-virus and security protection are the responsibility of the patron.

4. The Library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user’s equipment, software, data files, or other personal property brought into or used at the Library’s facilities.

5. The Library cannot guarantee that the service will be available at any specific time, nor can the Library accept reservations for wireless access.

6. Patrons shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Wilkinson Public Library, its officers, trustees, employees, and agents against all claims, actions, and judgments based upon or arising out of the patron’s use of Library wireless connections.

Internet Safety for Minors 

The library urges minors and their caregivers to keep in mind the following safety guidelines:

1. Never  reveal your own or anyone else’s full name, phone number, address, or any other personally identifying information to anyone you do not know on the Internet.

2. Never arrange a face to face meeting with someone via the computer without parent’s or guardian’s approval.

3. Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make you uncomfortable.

4. If you become aware of the transmission of child pornography, have parents or guardians report the incident to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

5. Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.

6. Remember that some things you read may not be true.

Public Users’ Security
Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users’ activities.  The Wilkinson Public Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law.

Remedies and Enforcement
The Library reserves the right to take appropriate remedial or disciplinary action as outlined in the Acceptable Use of the Library Policy to ensure compliance with this Internet Use Policy. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in an appropriate manner, including referral to law enforcement authorities.

Guidelines on Access to Information
The Wilkinson Public Library is guided by the following American Library Association statements on access to information:
·        The Library Bill of Rights
·        Freedom to Read Statement

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