Conduct

Use of Computers

1. Internet and word processing computers are available for public usage in all branches of the Concordia Parish Library.
2. All users should be familiar with the Computer Policy.  Copies of the policy are available on the computer and at the circulation desk.
3. Patrons wishing to use the computer must present their library card.
4. Initial sign-up time is 1 hour per session. At the end of the hour the system will automatically close the patron session. They must re-enter their library card number to start a new session. Each patron is allowed two logon sessions per day. Once both sessions are used, the system will not allow the library card number to launch another session until the next business day. If a patron closes a logon session prematurely or time runs out due to inactivity, the patron loses the session. The limit for one day of computer use is two hours maximum. The limit during peak periods will be 30 minutes.  No time extensions allowed. Certain situation should be brought to attention of staff. (Staff can extend for such as school assignments, social security forms, food stamp applications, job applications, academic tests, and Affordable Healthcare forms.)
5. Patrons having overdue materials and/or fines and/or fees for photocopies, will have computer services/privileges denied. Reference assistance for electronic resources will be allowed with staff assistance.
6. Non-residential visitors should be allowed to use a computer without a library card.  Visitor must show Driver’s License or Identification.  This privilege is only for visitors into the parish for a maximum of 5 days.
7. Headphones are available for Children’s Computers only.  Parent must ask at Circulation Desk and must return when finished.  The children are allowed to use headphones, whether the library’s or their own for the educational programs.  ADULTS are not allowed to use headphones but ear plugs are available for purchase and may be used by adults in the adult computer section.
8. Ear plugs are available to the adults at a cost $1.00.  These are the patrons to keep.
9. There are NO computer services available during Summer Children’s programming. The main focus at these times is centered on reading enrichment and child/family literacy.

Dress Code for Public

The Concordia Parish Library is a public agency supported by the taxes of the citizens of the parish, and they have the right to expect an atmosphere conducive to study, reading, and the legitimate use of library materials and services.  To foster such an environment, patrons must act in a considerate and appropriate manner. To use the public library, individuals must be properly and completely clothed.  Library patrons must wear shirts or blouses, trousers/pants/shorts (shorts of appropriate length-below panty line), shoes and under garments.  No swim suits allowed.  Women’s garments must cover chest/bosom.  All trousers must cover posterior. Hoodie jackets can be worn but hoodie cannot cover the patron’s head or face. The Concordia Parish Library Board of Control has adopted the guidelines for dress code.  Library staff members have been authorized to enforce these regulations.  The staff may require a patron to leave the library premises and may call the police for noncompliance with these guidelines for behavior. Violation of the above rules of behavior may result in eviction from the library and temporary or permanent suspension of library privileges.

Minors/Children in the Library

The Board and the staff welcome children into the library to study, and to browse through the fiction and picture book collections to begin to learn of the joy of books and reading.  The Board recognizes the importance of reading skills in the future of the child and the importance of recreational reading to the quality of life for all the citizens of the parish.  However, the Board does not place upon the staff of the library the role of “babysitter” or caretaker for unsupervised children.

1. The Library as an institution and the staff individually are not and shall not be responsible for the welfare of children left unsupervised in the library for any extended period of time.
2. Children will not be paged for telephone calls except in cases of emergency.
3. Children below the age of ten (10) years must be accompanied by an adult parent, guardian or older sibling.  The Library as an institution and the staff as individuals do not assume the role of parent or caretaker, nor childcare provider for minor children.
4. Parents shall supervise minor children while they are in the public areas of the library.
5. Minor children who remain at the library at the close of the business day will be allowed to call their parents/home to arrange transportation.
6. If children remain in or outside the library at the end of the public service day, the civil authorities, (Sheriff’s Office or Local Police) shall be notified.
7. Staff are not to take the responsibility of taking children home.

Order and Quiet

1. The library is a public space provided for general study and for quiet reflection.  It is also a place that provides programming for children and adults.  It is a place where people come to seek information and recreation from books.  The library staff shall seek to maintain an environment of order, peace, and quiet while providing all the disparate services of the library.
2. The library staff must work to maintain an atmosphere of quiet.  Patrons may be asked to speak more softly, and children must be instructed in the proper use of the library and the need for quiet.
3. It is the responsibility of all staff to control noise amongst themselves and in the performance of their duty, to set the example for patrons in the library.
4. It is the responsibility of all staff, not just the librarians to maintain the quiet and peaceful order of the library.
5. Children are not to be allowed to exhibit disruptive behavior.  If they are accompanied by an adult, then that adult shall be asked to temper the behavior of the child or remove him/her from the building.

Patron Complaints

1. It is understood that it will be impossible to please every patron of the library at every hour of the day, or with every decision that is made by the Board of Control, or by the Administrative Librarian or by the staff.  It is also recognized as the right of every patron to express his/her concerns and complaints about the library and to have these taken seriously.
2. There shall be a form to be given to patrons wishing to register a complaint about any materials in the library, in regard to any policy of the library, the physical facility, or other concerns.
3. The original copy of each form completed will be directed to the Administrative Librarian, with a copy retained at the branch where it was completed.
4. No patron complaint will be ignored.  Patron will be treated courteously.  No commitments with regard to the complaint can be made at that time.
5. The complaint should be directly sent to the Administrative Librarian.
6. The Administrative Librarian will respond within 7 business days.  The patron has two weeks to request the complaint go to the Board of Control.
7. A file shall be maintained of all complaint forms turned in to the Administrative Librarian.

Program Room Policy

The Concordia Parish Library Board of Control has set forth the following guidelines, rules, and regulations for the use of the program rooms for the library system.

• The program room is designed for library programming only.  The library is to host its educational programs for children and adults in the rooms.  The library may host non-profit, civic groups, government agencies, and/or cultural groups if the library is providing the program or co-sponsoring the educational event.

Sex Offender Regulation/Policy

In accordance with the Library’s By-laws ,the Library Governing Board of Concordia Parish Library has adopted on this 19th day of September 2012 the following  regulation/policy for the purpose of:

1. Compliance with the statutory mandates set forth in La. R.S. 14:91.2
2. Protecting children from contact with persons who have been convicted of sex offenses where the victim was under 13 years of age

Regulation: Effective January 1, 2013, persons who have been convicted of sex offenses where the victim was under the age of 13 (referred to as “sex offenders” for purposes of this policy/regulation) are restricted in their access to public library property, as follows:

1. Children’s Areas – No sex offender shall be physically present in any area of the library designated as a “children’s area” or “young readers’ area”
2. Peak Children’s Hours – No sex offender shall be physically present on public library property during peak hours of children’s use of the library.
   • During the school year, peak hours are defined as 3pm to 6pm.
   • During the summer, peak hours are defined as 8:30am to 12pm.
   • Peak hours of children’s use also include hours during which children’s programs are scheduled. A schedule will be posted on-line and at the circulation desk of the library branch.
   • Loitering within 1,000 feet – No sex offender shall loiter within 1,000 feet of public library property.
   • Employment – No sex offender shall apply for, work for, or otherwise provide services to a library branch as an employee, contractor, sub-contractor, or volunteer

Exceptions to these restrictions are:

1. Police station/courthouse/polling station – There shall be no violation of this regulation if the sex offender is reporting to a police station, courthouse, or polling station that is within the restricted area.
2. With special permission – There shall be no violation of this regulation if the sex offender has requested and has been granted written permission to be physically present on public library property from the library branch director or his designee, and the sex offender complies with any special restrictions contained within the permission.  Example: The sex offender may be allowed to bring their children to the library.

The Library Director shall be responsible for developing and implementing administrative and management procedures in furtherance of the policies stated herein. Recommended procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Background checks – Implement procedures to provide that library employees, contractors, sub-contractors, and volunteers who will interact with children or will be required to work in the restricted areas may be subject to criminal background checks.
2. Configuration – To the extent possible, each library branch shall be arranged in a manner to ensure that areas devoted to children and young readers may be easily supervised by library staff, and such areas are segregated from other library resources and facilities.
3. Notice – Implement procedures to ensure adequate public notice of each library branch’s times and dates of peak children’s hours and children’s programming. Adequate notice may include posting such information in a prominent location near the library’s entrance and on the library’s website.
4. Surrogate – Implement procedures to allow sex offenders to authorize a surrogate to check out library materials using the sex offender’s library card or may request mail service.
5. Enforcement – Implement procedures to update policies, where necessary, and enforce policies regarding unattended children.

The Library Director and members of the public are invited to make recommendations to the Library Board to improve this regulation or suggest legislative changes that will allow public libraries to more effectively achieve the public purposes set forth herein. Those recommendations, along with any supporting documentation, should be submitted bi-monthly to the Library Board by or before  the third Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, Attention:  Library Director. Authority Note Act 693 of the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature amended and re-enacted R.S. 14.91.2. The effective date of the Act is January 1, 2013.

Solicitation

1. All solicitation of patrons or employees within the confines of any library building or workspace and the parking lots and grounds is and will be prohibited.
2. The staff of the library may only be approached by groups and organizations offering services to the staff that have been offered to other groups of civil employees, and only after receiving the approval of the Administrative Librarian.