Library Use Policy

The library facility is intended to preserve books and other materials in organized collections for informational, educational, and recreational use.

The patrons of the North Chicago 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 staff, patrons, and collections and to ensure that the library remains conducive to its purpose.
 
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,
• Play audio equipment so that others can hear it. The use of headphones is permitted as long as such use does not disturb other library patrons.
• Bringing animals into the library, except those needed to assist a patron with a disability,
• Talk loudly, make noise, use abusive or threatening language, or engage in other disruptive conduct,
• Use the library's restrooms as laundry facilities, bathing facilities, or gather places,
• Use library facilities to store personal belongings,
• Leave children who are in need of supervision unattended.
• Bring a bicycle inside the building,
• Solicit anywhere in the library,
• Use roller skates, roller blades, or skateboards on library property,
• Go without shoes or shirt 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 appropriate.
 
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 use of phrases that might be considered to be condescending.

Suspension of Library Privileges

The Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 81, Paragraph 4-7, permit the library board "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 or stealing library property or 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 for longer than one week 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 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 scheduled 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 in any way limit a patron's use of other library services.
Suspensions of library borrowing privileges may also be appealed to the library board. Notice of an appeal of a suspension 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.

General Information

Children and adults are equally welcome and encouraged to use the services of the library. The basic function and responsibility of the Children's Department is to encourage and facilitate the use of the library by parents, students, adults working with children, and children of all ages. Collections of children's books and materials, a variety of programs, and trained staff are available at the North Chicago Public Library branch.

Supervision

Policy on Children's Use of the Library

Policy Background: The general approach, attitudes, and policies of area libraries were considered in developing this policy. Mayor objectives of the policy are To increase community awareness of the function and purpose of the library. To encourage and maintain appropriate, orderly, and equitable use of the library for all patrons. To communicate the library's concern for the safety and welfare of the children of our community. To clarity staff response to difficult situations involving unattended children. It is not the library's function or purpose to be a care center for children while parents or other supervising adults are outside the Children's Department or outside the library.

North Chicago Public Library strives to provide an atmosphere conducive to study and research. Patrons with children are welcome. However to protect your children, as well as in recognition of the rights and privileges of other library patrons, please observe the following:
In Order To Maintain a Safe, Orderly and Proper Environment for Library Use, the Following Policy Is In Effect

• Parents or caregivers are responsible for the behavior, safety and supervision of their children at all times in the library and on library premises.
• Parents or caregivers must provide such reasonable supervision of their children as is appropriate based on the age and level of responsibility of each child.
• The library staff is not responsible for the safety, care, or supervision of children of any age, whether in the library or on library premises.
• Children age ten (10) and younger must be accompanied by an individual age twelve (12) or older at all times and in all areas of the library except when participating in a library sponsored program. During programs, parents or caregivers of children age ten (10) and younger must remain in the library.
• Library staff is not responsible for the care and supervision of children prior to opening or after closing of the library.
• Parents and caregivers should be aware of library opening and closing times and make suitable arrangements to meet and/or transport their children.
• Staff will not transport children home or to any other destination under any circumstances.
• If the library must close in an emergency, library staff will make an effort to alert parents to make sure the child will be picked up.
• Parents should make certain that work and home telephone numbers are on file with their application card for use in the event of an emergency. Library staff may require students using the library after school to provide this information.
• Parents should not direct their children to the library in the event of emergency school closings in that the same conditions that have caused a school closing may also effect library operations.
• Children, like all other library users, are required to respect library property and to act in a manner appropriate to the use and function of the library.
• Parents or caregivers should be aware that the behavior of young children may at times be disturbing to other patrons; in this event, staff may request that they temporarily remove their children from the library to ease the situation.
• Others engaging in disruptive or other inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the library. Police assistance will be requested if necessary.
• Young children may not be left unattended in the library.
• Anyone bringing young children into the library shall take full and complete responsibility for them and must monitor their activity.
• Children are expected to use the library in a quiet, orderly manner just as we expect from all patrons. Loud, noisy or disruptive behavior is inappropriate in the library. Children, as well as the responsible adult, will be asked to leave if this type of behavior occurs.

If it is unsafe for a child to leave the building without an adult, s/he should NOT be in the Library unattended.

ONCE AGAIN, PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS, NOT LIBRARY STAFF, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN VISITING THE LIBRARY.