Services and Facilities

CHAPTER IV

SERVICES AND FACILITIES

A. LIBRARY HOURS

1. The library will be open to the public during hours set by the Board of Trustees. Normal open hours will be:

a. WINTER
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM -Monday through Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM - Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Saturday
CLOSED - Sunday

b. SUMMER (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day)
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM - Monday through Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM - Friday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Saturday
CLOSED - Sunday

c. NORMAL HOLIDAY HOURS WILL BE:
Employee In-service Training Day** Closed
New Year's Day * Closed
Easter Closed
Memorial Day Weekend (Sat/Sun/Mon) Closed
July 4 * Closed
Labor Day Weekend (Sat/Sun/Mon) Closed
Thanksgiving Closed
Christmas Eve Closed
Christmas Day * Closed
New Year's Eve 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
*Library will be closed on day of legal observance
** Date will be announced.

Necessary closings or changes in hours due to emergencies or other reasons as authorized by the Board will be publicized to minimize patron's inconvenience. The Board may authorize additional holiday closings on an ad hoc basis.

B. EXTENSION SERVICES

1. The library will provide and deliver books and other materials to nursing homes and other facilities as determined by the Board.

2. Any homebound person residing within the limits of our library service area (City and Town of Menasha) may request library materials. Delivery of the materials will be accomplished in the most expeditious manner.

C. BOOK PACKS

Book packs (collections of books) will be leant to any teacher in the library's primary service area (the Menasha School District) for classroom use.

D. PHOTOCOPY SERVICE

1. The library provides self-service photocopying machines for public use. The library wishes to provide the services for the public's general copying needs, to facilitate the use of library materials and to minimize the temptation to damage library materials.

2. A statement regarding copyright compliance shall be prominently displayed on the machines. The library will not be responsible for copyright violations by members of the public.

3. Fees set by the Board shall be charged for duplicating on library machines. The amount of the charge will be kept as low as reasonably possible while still covering the costs of providing the service. The library does not wish to engage in unfair competition with private photocopying services. Fees collected will be deposited to the library's account at City Hall. The library will charge 10 cents per page for duplicating on library machines.

E. LIBRARY SPONSORED PROGRAMS

1. Programs of an educational or recreational nature will be sponsored periodically for all age groups.

2. The Youth Department will conduct story hours for young children on a regular scheduled basis.

F. MEETING ROOM USE

1. Introduction
The library provides meeting rooms for community use as a free public service.

2. Allowed use examples (not inclusive)
a. Events, programs and activities organized, sponsored or conducted by the library.
b. Club events (veterans, youth, sports, service, etc.).
c. Meetings (businesses, not-for-profits, unions, associations, political parties, etc.). Not-for-profit organizations may collect dues, fees, or other appropriate charges.
d. Classes offered by not-for-profit educational institutions, local municipalities, counties, or their subdivisions (class fees permitted).
e. Home-school classes, meetings, events, etc. (class and event fees permitted).
f. Religious organizations (meetings, clubs, events, services, etc.).
g. Political meetings, candidate forums, legislator "listening sessions," etc.
h. Events closed to the general public (if otherwise compliant with meeting room policies). Library employees have an absolute right to enter any meeting room at any time to insure library policies are being followed.
i. Legal negotiations, proceedings, conflict resolutions, depositions, etc.
j. Recitals (piano, voice, etc.).
k. Tutoring or test proctoring (fee or free) by the library or non-profit organizations.
l. Individuals (or formal or informal groups) for purposes of studying, researching, planning, etc.
m. Fundraising events for not-for-profit organizations.

3. Prohibited uses
a. Commercial events (where products, services or memberships are advertised, solicited, or sold) including educational classes or seminars, which charge a fee. (Library sponsored performers may sell merchandize related to their performance).
b. Gambling, in any form.

c. Serving/consumption/use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
d. Purely social events, including personal and family birthday parties, receptions, showers, etc.
e. Any event that is disruptive of normal library operations or services.
f. Any illegal activity.

4. Regulations
a. Meeting room reservations will be confirmed when a signed room use application is received by the library office during normal business hours.
b. Groups or individuals using a meeting room shall not publicize their event in any way that implies that it is sponsored, co-sponsored, endorsed, or approved by the library, unless permission to do so has been given in advance by the library director or designee.
c. Groups or individuals using a meeting room shall be responsible, jointly and severally, for reasonable care of the room and its furnishings and equipment and shall pay for any damage caused or inflicted by an organization, its members, affiliated persons, guests, invitees, etc. Nothing should be taped, hung, tacked, etc. to any walls, windows, doors, furniture, etc. (except for surfaces provided for such purposes) without prior permission.
d. The library cannot accept calls or relay messages to persons attending meetings except in emergencies.
e. Meeting rooms are available during normal library open hours. Meetings may be scheduled before or after open hours by special arrangement. Meetings and activities should be ended in time for cleanup and to permit all persons, equipment and supplies to leave the room (and library if after normal hours) by the end of the reserved time.
f. Meeting rooms are booked on a January-December year. Reservations are accepted beginning the first regular business day in the September before the meeting calendar year.
g. Regular monthly meetings are permitted, but regular daily or weekly meetings are not permitted. (More frequent room uses may be permitted on a temporary, ad hoc basis).
h. If necessary, the library reserves the right to transfer individuals or a group to another meeting room in the library.
i. If necessary, the library reserves the right to control parking by meeting room users, or to deny use to groups for which parking may interfere with use of the library by other users.
j. If an event is cancelled, the meeting room user shall contact library staff as soon as reasonably possible. Failure to do so may result in suspension of meeting room privileges.
k. Meeting rooms and/or kitchenette shall be left in an orderly condition. If library staff must provide more than reasonable cleanup, a fee of $25 (or more based on actual costs) will be charged. Any fee charged must be paid in full before the group may reserve or use a meeting room again.
l. Fire exit doors or pathways shall not be blocked in any way.
m. Refreshments may be served in all meeting rooms. More extensive meals are permitted in the Co. E Room only. Anyone serving food is responsible for cleaning up the room and for not leaving food behind.
n. The library shall not be responsible for any material used in or left in a meeting room, nor for the loss or damage of personal property.
o. As a courtesy, the library will try to set up the meeting room in a manner convenient to the group using it. If, for any reason, library staff cannot set up the room, the group using the room shall be responsible for any set up or take down that it requires.
p. The library director has the authority to issue reasonable meeting room rules and to revoke permission for use of meeting rooms if policies and rules are not followed, and has authority to interpret minor variations from this policy. Any person or group may appeal the director's decision to the library board.

G. PIANO

1. The library owns a piano, which is available for use by the public when the piano and/or the Co. E Room are not otherwise in use.

2. The piano will be available for use by responsible individuals and groups through prior arrangement at the main desk. The piano will not be used as a regular practice instrument, i.e., use by individuals will be permitted on an occasional basis. When more than one person wishes to use the piano, time restrictions may be imposed.

H. DISPLAYS AND NOTICES

1. Display cases and areas may be made available to groups or individuals engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities. Use of display space or bulletin boards by any group or individual does not imply that the library endorses or advocates viewpoints expressed.

2. Such displays must be consistent with the Library's policies and standards.

3. Any individual or group placing items on display may be required to sign a form releasing the Library from liability for loss or damage to the items.

I. PARKING

1. Parking in the library's lot to the west of the building is provided for library employees, library patrons, persons attending meetings or programs in the library, and others on legitimate library business. No other persons are authorized to park their vehicles in the lot.

2. Parking in the library lot is prohibited from 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. and is so posted. Exceptions include library employees, persons stopping briefly to deposit library materials in the night deposit slot or others specifically authorized by the library.

3. Violators of the above will be notified of library parking policies by placing a letter on their vehicles stating that their vehicles will be towed at owner's expense on the occasion of subsequent violations. The Library Director or staff member in charge will authorize towing.

a. On-street parking on First or Second Streets is controlled by City of Menasha Ordinance.

J. ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

1. All users of electronic information resources, including the Internet, are expected to use those resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational, recreational, and informational purposes for which they are provided. Responsible use of such resources includes:
a. Using resources for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purposes.
b. Not misrepresenting oneself as another user; not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system.
c. Not making changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware; not damaging or altering software components of any network or database.

d. Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.

e. Not sending, receiving or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably may be construed as obscene.
f. Only using software already loaded or authorized by the library. (To help prevent computer viruses.)

2. Children should have parental permission to use electronic resources, but the library has no practical means of enforcing a lack of permission. The library assumes no responsibility for the use of electronic resources by children. It is not possible for library staff to control specific information children may locate on electronic resources (such as the Internet). Just as libraries do not vouch for or endorse the viewpoints of written material in their collections, they do not do so for electronic information. Selection policies which serve to govern a library's purchase of written materials may not apply to material accessed electronically. It is the responsibility of the user (or the parents, guardian, or caregiver) to determine what is appropriate.

3. Misuse of electronic resources will result in suspension of access to them.

4. The Library may charge a fee for printing information from electronic resources.

5. In the interests of maintaining accessibility for all persons and preventing misuse of equipment and services, the Library may control access to electronic information sources by requiring identification and/or limiting the time an individual may use them.

K. INTERNET SERVICES

Menasha's Public Library is a community resource for information and knowledge. To this end, patrons have enhanced accessibility to ideas and information through the Library's connection to the Internet. All users of the Internet must use it in a responsible manner. Provision of access to the Internet does not mean or imply that the Library endorses or sanctions the content or point of view of any information or other content found on the Internet. Because the Internet is an open, worldwide communication forum, it has the potential for displaying a wide spectrum of ideas and graphics. Specific policies addressing Internet activity within the Library by children under the age of 18 follows below.
The Internet is an unregulated medium and Menasha Library staff cannot control access points (web sites), which often change rapidly and unpredictably. Accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of information found on the Internet vary widely and it can be expected that users will find that the Internet contains material of controversial nature. Users should be aware that this electronic information is often not verified as accurate or appropriate. Adults should be cautious when giving out personal identification information and children should do so only with parental consent.

1. Staff Monitoring
a. Library staff has the right to monitor Internet use for compliance with this policy. Misuse of the Internet will result in immediate suspension of use and/or termination of access to it.

2. Remedy
a. Any person may appeal suspension or termination of Internet access privileges to the Library Board at a regular meeting with a seven days advance written notice to the Library Director.

3. Prohibited Uses in the Library (boldface words are legal terms defined below)
a. Viewing, sending, receiving, printing, distributing, or displaying visual depictions that are obscene.
b. Viewing, sending, receiving, printing, distributing, or displaying visual depictions that are child pornography.
c. If a minor, or, in the presence of minors, or, in communicating with minors: viewing, sending, receiving, printing, distributing, or displaying visual depiction that are harmful to minors.
d. Misrepresenting oneself, for fraudulent or illegal purposes, as another user.
e. Unauthorized attempts to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others.
f. Using an Internet workstation to transmit threatening or harassing material.
g. Engaging in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating or hostile environment.
h. Unauthorized access or dissemination of adults' personal identification information without their permission.
i. Unauthorized access or dissemination of a minor's personal identification information without the permission of the minor's parent or guardian.
j. Seeking unauthorized access to any computer system.
k. Making changes to the settings or configuration of software or hardware.
l. Damaging or altering software components of any computer, network, or database.
m. Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed material in any form.
n. Using software not installed by the Library.

4. Definitions
a. Obscenity: Whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by law; and whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
b. Child Pornography: Any visual depiction, or any images that appear to be visual depictions, of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which includes actual or simulated sexual intercourse, bestiality, masturbation, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or lascivious exhibitions of the genitals or pubic area.
c. Visual depictions that are harmful to minors: Any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depictions that:
1) taken as a whole, and, with respect minors, appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
2) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact; actual or simulated normal or perverted sex acts, or, a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value as to minors.

5. Internet Use by Minors
a. It is strongly recommended children under 18 have parental permission to use the Internet. Library employees will not be able to consistently enforce this recommendation. Major responsibility for what children read or see on the Internet rests with the child's parent or other caregiver. Parents may wish to read the guidelines for Child Safety on the Information Highway (http://www.safekids.com/child_safety.htm).

b. It is not possible for the Library staff to control all information children may locate on the Internet. Just as the Library does not vouch for or endorse viewpoints or written material in its collections, it also does not do so for the Internet. The Library's Materials Selection Policy does not apply to the Internet.
c. The Youth Services Department of the Menasha Public Library has Internet computer(s) that are reserved for children in grades K-5. Parents of K-5 children who wish to allow them access to the Internet at the Library must give written permission. Parents are encouraged to instruct their children on how to use the Internet, and/or monitor its use by sitting with their children.

6. Notice to Minors

a. Children under the age of 18 must follow the rules in this policy, including all of the rules listed above under "Prohibited Uses." They must be extremely careful when using e-mail, chat rooms, instant mail, and any other form of electronic communication:
1) Do not give your real name; use an alias instead.
2) Do not give out your real address, telephone number, city or area in which you live.
3) Do not give out the name of the school you attend, or any other personal information, to any person on the Internet without your parents' knowledge and permission.
4) Do not disclose personal identification information of anyone else.