Patron Code of Conduct

The Library’s mission is to advance knowledge, inspire lifelong learning and strengthen our community. The Library’s “Code of Conduct” is designed to foster this mission. Toward these ends, certain behavior becomes unacceptable when it interferes with this mission and compromises the rights of others, causes damage to the buildings, equipment or materials, or causes injury to oneself or others.

The Library System is supported by the taxes of the residents of St. Lucie County who have a right to expect each of our  facilities to be clean, pleasant and safe places for selecting materials, browsing, reading, researching, writing, using Wi-Fi, thinking, and attending Library programs.

Those willing to cease unacceptable behavior are always welcome to stay. However, those unable to comply will be asked to leave. If necessary, the authorities will be called. Parents, guardians, and/or caregivers are solely responsible for the safety and behavior of their children. They are  advised that children, like all Library users, are expected to comply with the Library’s “Code of Conduct,” and a child who violates those rules may be asked to leave Library  premises.

People who have received a notice that restricts future access to the Library may request a hearing. The request must be made in writing within 48 hours of the notice (exclusive of weekends and holidays). The Library Manager will conduct an informal hearing of the people involved in the incident. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Manager may affirm, modify, or cause the notice to be canceled. An appeal of the Manager’s decision may be made to the County Administrator.

Examples of unacceptable Library behavior include:

1. Abusing or harassing Library patrons or staff physically or verbally. Abusing or vandalizing Library buildings, materials,computers, equipment or other property.
2. Bathing, shaving, or washing clothes or other inappropriate use of the restrooms.
3. Begging, soliciting, hawking, peddling and/or other forms of commercial activity.
4. Behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other patrons or staff.
5. Being loud, unruly or boisterous.
6. Bicycling, roller skating and/or skateboarding on Library property.
7. Bringing animals, except service animals for persons with disabilities, into the Library.
8. Bringing weapons, or facsimiles thereof, into the Library unless authorized by law.
9. Consuming or possessing any food or beverage at a Library computer work station; small wrapped foods or dry snacks and beverages in covered containers are permitted in other Library areas.
10. Engaging in sexual activity including inappropriate displays of public affection.
11. Entering staff areas of the facility without being accompanied by a Library employee.
12. Entering without shirts and shoes.
13. Harassing, intimidating, stalking or prolonged staring at patrons or staff.
14. Leaving individuals, minors or adults requiring care or   supervision unattended for long periods of time or at closing.
15. Loitering, sleeping or the giving the appearance of sleeping.
16. Misusing the computers. 
17. Operating a radio, telephone or other device at a volume that others can hear.
18. Placing feet on table or chairs.
19. Possessing, consuming or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
20. Running, throwing or other forms of physical activity inappropriate in a Library setting.
21. Smoking or using other tobacco products including smokeless cigarettes.
22. Stealing.
23. Violating an active trespass warning.
24. Violating the St. Lucie County Library System’s Internet Policy.
25. Wearing perfumes or having bodily hygiene that generates strong odors that is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance or health risk to others.

Pest Control Policy

It is the responsibility of the St. Lucie County Library System to maintain a healthy and clean environment for all Library users and to protect the County's investment in Library collections, equipment, and property. To fulfill this responsibility, the library may restrict a user’s ability to borrow materials and/or to visit Library facilities when such use may jeopardize the health and cleanliness of Library facilities, collections, and users.

 

Examples of situations where borrowing of materials may be restricted or suspended include, but are not limited to:

• Evidence that items on loan to a patron have been returned with insects that are known to be damaging to library materials, or that can result in pest infestations in library facilities, e.g., roaches, silverfish, bed bugs and some types of beetles.

Examples of situations where access to Library facilities may be suspended include, but are not limited to:

• Patron or patron possessions with fleas, lice, or bed bugs.
• Patrons with clothing or possessions that are stained with urine, feces, fluids containing visible blood or other body fluids.

Should it become necessary to restrict or suspend Library privileges of a patron to protect Library collections, facilities or other users, notification of the suspension will be made in writing by the Library Director or a Library Division Manager.

Any patron who has privileges restricted or suspended under the terms of this policy may request a re-evaluation of the suspension under the terms described below. 

Decision and Appeal Authority

The Director of Libraries will make decisions about reinstatement of privileges. Decisions of the Director may be appealed to the County Administrator or designee.

Reinstatement of Library Privileges

Patrons who have had Library privileges restricted or suspended under the provisions of the Pest Control Policy may have full privileges reinstated in two ways. 

 

Reinstatement Through Limited Borrowing and Inspection of Returned Items

1. A patron who returns items with evidence of bug infestation will have borrowing privileges restricted for a period of three months. During the restriction period, the patron will be limited to a total of three checkouts and three holds at any given time.
2. The patron will be required to return items to a supervisor at the service desk in sealed plastic bags. Returned items will be inspected by Library staff for evidence of pests identified in this policy.
3. If after three months no evidence of pests has been found in returned items, the patron will have full privileges reinstated.
4. If evidence of pests is found during the three months, all borrowing privileges will be suspended. Full privileges may be reinstated under the terms of the second method listed below.

Reinstatement Through Proof of Residence Treatment or Inspection
Full reinstatement of privileges may be granted based on evidence that the address in question has been inspected by a licensed professional in the field of pest control with no sign of infestation, or that the residence has been treated. Confirming information may include copies of receipts for treatment, a letter from a licensed pest control company or a written statement from the owner or property manager of a multi-family rental residence. In some circumstances, proof of a change of residential address may also be accepted.

Appeal

An aggrieved Patron may appeal a determination of bug infestation to the County Administrator or designee.  An appeal shall be in writing and filed within 15 days of said determination.   All appeals shall contain a written statement containing sufficient detail of the grounds for the appeal. While an appeal is pending the above procedures will be followed.  The County Administrator or designee will issue a decision within thirty days or receiving the appeal.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board on January 23, 2023

Approved by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on February 21, 2023

The Library welcomes citizens' expressions of opinion concerning materials acquired for the Library collections. Requests to remove materials will be considered within the context of the policies set forth in the Collection Management Policy.

Anyone who wishes to request that a specific item be reconsidered for inclusion in the collection of materials should complete and sign the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form. The completed form will be forwarded to the Library’s Collection Librarian. The Library’s Collection manager will consider the request in a timely fashion, reviewing the questioned material in its entirety and conducting the necessary research in order to re-evaluate the item's appropriateness for inclusion in the  Library's collection. If necessary a committee of senior staff will be convened to  review the item in question. The Chair of this committee will consult with the Library Director and a decision made regarding the retention or removal of the  item.

Once a decision has been made regarding the retention or removal of the  material, a letter from the Library Director explaining the decision, and the  reasons for it, will be sent to the person who submitted the Reconsideration form.

If the person indicates dissatisfaction with the resolution, he/she may appeal to  the Library Advisory Board. The Library Board will reconsider the decision based  on whether or not the particular item conforms to the Criteria for Selection outlined in the Board-approved Collection Management Policy.
Approved by the Library Advisory Board on July 16, 2018

Materials in the Library’s collection are selected under the guidelines established in the Library’s “Collection Management Policy” which states that the Library Director is responsible for the selection of library materials and, under her direction, this responsibility is delegated to staff who are qualified for this activity by reason of education, training, and experience. The term “materials,” as used in the policy, includes books, periodicals, pamphlets, pictures, photographs, audio recordings, films, video tapes, DVDs, software, databases, microforms, posters, displays, educational toys, and any other form or format in which information and ideas may be conveyed, either existing or as may be developed.

The Library recognizes that there will from time to time be citizen complaints or concerns about a specific title or type of material selected for or deselected (weeded) from the collection. When a complaint is made, the Library must ensure that the complaint is handled seriously and, equally important, that the fundamental principles of intellectual freedom are upheld. These procedures provide the systematic approach to be followed.

Steps in the Request for Reconsideration procedure, detailed below, must be followed (in the order elaborated) by citizens when challenging materials, and by the Library staff, Director, and Library Advisory Board when reconsidering challenged materials and rendering a decision about these materials. If citizens do not follow steps in the order elaborated, their complaint will not be considered further by Library staff, Director, or Library Advisory Board.

The procedure detailed below addresses challenges to materials where the goal is to remove the material from the Library’s collection or to otherwise limit access to the material. Although not specifically addressed, the same procedures apply to challenges in which the goal is to add the material to the Library’s collection or to limit the Library’s ability to weed the collection. In other words, this policy and its procedures apply to any and all challenges to the Library’s collection.

1. Initiation of Requests for Reconsideration. Individuals or groups may initiate complaints about specific titles or types of materials in the Library’s collection by talking to or writing to any member of the staff, the Director, or a member of the Library Advisory Board. At this point, such communications are considered informal complaints. The appropriate response to an informal complaint is for the staff, Director, or Board member to offer the complainant a Request for Reconsideration Form (available on the Library’s website). In addition, the rationale for having a formal complaint procedure should be explained. No further action is to be taken by staff, the Director, or a member of the Library Advisory Board unless and until a Request for Reconsideration is made in writing on the appropriate form and the completed form is returned to the Library. All completed Request for Reconsideration forms are forwarded  to the Technical Services Supervisor who serves as the Chair of the Request for Reconsideration Committee. Additionally, no further action can be taken unless and until the complainant returns the challenged material, if it is checked out to the complainant.

2. Acknowledgement of Receipt of Request for Reconsideration. Once a complaint is received in writing on the Request for Reconsideration form,(appended to this procedure) it is acknowledged promptly by the Technical Services Supervisor or the Library Director. The complainant is written a letter which describes the Library’s procedure and the time it will take to reconsider the material thoroughly. Copies of these procedures and the Library’s “Collection Management Policy” are sent to the complainant as enclosures to the letter.

3. Inquiries about Specific Requests for Reconsideration. From time to time, complainants, other members of the public, the press, etc., may have questions concerning the status of a specific Request for Reconsideration. Questions should be addressed to the Library Director.

4. The Library Director or her designee appoints a committee of professional staff members to evaluate the challenged material. Usually, this committee is made up of three senior staff and is chaired by the Technical Services Supervisor. Members of the committee weigh several factors when reconsidering challenged materials: they read, listen to, or view the material in its entirety; they also look at the material in relationship to the Library’s “Collection Management Policy” and to the rest of the collection; in addition they look at what literary critics and reviewers think of the material. After coming to individual conclusions, the committee meets to discuss the challenged material. The committee recommends one of several actions to the Library Director: to retain the challenged material in the collection; to retain the challenged material but to move it to another location in the collection; to withdraw the challenged material.

The Library Director then evaluates the challenged material, weighing the factors listed above, and considers the committee’s recommendation. If the Library Director does not concur with the committee, she refers the matter back to the committee. If the Library Director concurs with the committee, she writes a letter to the complainant which states her decision and the reasoning behind the decision. This letter also outlines the steps the complainant must take to bring the matter to the attention of the Library Advisory Board, if the complainant remains unsatisfied.This step takes some time, usually a minimum of eight weeks. Until the Director’s decision is rendered, other than the copies needed for the review process, the challenged material will remain on the shelf.

Reconsideration by the Board. If still not satisfied, the complainant may choose to bring the matter to the attention of the St. Lucie County Library Advisory Board. This action may be taken only after receiving a written decision from the Library Director. To initiate Board consideration, the complainant should write to the Library Director or President of the Board and request that the matter be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting. The letter must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the next regular meeting of the Board. If received after that time, the matter will be deferred automatically until the succeeding regular meeting. The Library Director or Board President shall acknowledge receipt of the letter from the complainant in writing, and shall include in the acknowledgement the schedule of Board meetings at which the matter will be considered.

Once the Request for Reconsideration is on the agenda, the Board shall decide by a majority vote of the members present whether it wishes to consider further the Request for Reconsideration.

If the Board votes to consider the matter further, an ad hoc review panel of Board members is selected to evaluate the challenged material and the matter is placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Board. If the Board does not vote to consider the request further, the matter is ended.

5. Ad Hoc Review Panel. The ad hoc review panel is selected by random drawing of three names from the Library Board roster. Members of this panel weigh several factors when reconsidering challenged materials: they read, listen to, or view the material in its entirety; they look at the material in relationship to the Library’s “Collection Management Policy” and to the rest of the collection; in addition, they look at what literary critics and reviewers think of the material. After coming to individual conclusions about the challenged material, each member of the panel completes a Board Evaluation of Challenged Material Form (appended to this procedure). Each recommends one of several actions to the Library Advisory Board: to retain the challenged material in the collection; to retain the challenged material but to move it to another location in the collection; to withdraw the challenged material. These recommendations are made with reference to the fundamental principles of intellectual freedom. 

6. Board’s Decision on Challenged Material. Having voted to consider the matter further in step number 6 (above) and having placed the matter on the agenda, final action on the disposition of the challenged material is taken at the next regular meeting of the Board (unless the challenged material is lengthy, in which case the matter may be postponed one regular meeting). The Board’s final decision is announced publicly at this meeting. A vote in favor of at least five members of the Board (a majority vote of the full Board) shall be required to remove materials from the Library’s collection, to move materials from one collection to another, or to otherwise restrict access to materials. Whatever the board’s decision, the principles of the Library Bill of Rights should be reiterated and how the decision is in accordance with those principles should be explained. A very brief statement of the reason for the decision should also be made; e.g., “We have concluded that the material meets our selection criteria, and will be retained without restriction.”

July 16, 2018

Purpose

The St. Lucie County Library System (the “Library”) recognizes that patrons with disabilities may be accompanied by service animals that are trained to assist or accommodate a person with a sensory, mental, or physical disability of perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with disabilities. The Library recognizes legal rights of its patrons under federal and state laws regarding the use of service animals. The Library considers the health and safety of all patrons, the public, and library staff to be of utmost priority.

Background

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), state, and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of a facility where the public is normally allowed.

Service Animal Determination

1. “Service Animal” is defined as an animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
2. Assistance animals (e.g. emotional support animals) and pets do not fall under the statutory definition of a “service animal.” While these animals may provide comfort to their handlers, the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship does not constitute work or tasks under the ADA. As these animals do not qualify as service animals under the ADA, the Library is not required to allow them in the libraries.
3. If it is not obvious that an animal brought into a library is a service animal, Library staff may ask:
   a). whether the animal is a service animal required because of a disability; and,
   b). what specific tasks the animal is trained to perform.
4. A staff member attempting to ascertain whether a dog is a service animal shall not ask about the nature of a person’s disability.
5. If the animal is not a service animal as defined by ADA, staff shall require the handler of the animal to remove the animal from the library. This shall not apply to animals which are participating in a program or event sponsored by the Library.

Guidelines for Service Animal Behavior

1. The handler of a service animal must maintain the animal on a leash and/or must be in full control of the animal at all times.
2. A service animal may be excluded/removed from the library if its behavior poses a threat to the health or safety of others, or when its behavior creates a disruption to activities going on around it [e.g. barking or growling at others.] Service animals which are not housebroken, bark excessively, are uncontrolled, or are otherwise disruptive will be required to leave the premises.
3. Service animals may never be left unattended on library grounds.
4. Service animals are not allowed on library furniture or fixtures, and must remain on the floor or be carried (as appropriate) by their handlers at all times.
5. The handler of a service animal will be asked to remove the animal from the library if this policy and/or the patron behavior policy is violated.
6.  The owner/partner/handler of a service animal who will not comply with this policy and/or the Behavior Policy may be asked to leave and/or be trespassed from the library.
7. Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a violation of the Library’s Behavior Policy and may result in suspension of library privileges.

While the Library occasionally presents educational programs that feature animals, members of the public may only enter a library with an animal if it is a service animal that requires accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Appeal

Patrons who have been asked to leave or to remove their animal have the right to submit a written appeal to the Library Director. The request should explain why the patron feels he/she or their dog should not have been removed from the library premises and thus why the ban should be lifted. Patrons may submit their appeal via email saintr@stlucieco.org or via USPS, Library Director, St. Lucie County Library System, 101 Melody Lane, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. The Library Director will review the appeal, and contact the patron within thirty (30) days to discuss the matter. Following the discussion, the Library Director will issue a written decision within fifteen (15) days.

Patrons may appeal a decision of the Library Director to the County Administrator or designee. Patrons may submit their appeal via email to rockyl@stlucieco.org, or via USPS to County Administrator, 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982, within ten (10) days of the date of the Library Director’s decision. The County Administrator or designee will review the appeal and issue a written decision within thirty (30) days of the date of receipt of the appeal.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board: April, 15, 2019
Approved by the BOCC: July 16, 2019

Policy Statement 1

The St. Lucie County Library System is committed to providing an inviting and safe space for teenage patrons to engage in individual and group activities. The social nature and unique characteristics of this age group require a separate space designed for their needs. The Lewis, Morningside and Hurston Branches have designated Teen Areas.

Regulations

1. Teen Areas are for middle school and high school students in 6th-12th grade.
2. The Library recognizes that some families homeschool their children. Homeschooled students 6th-12th grade are encouraged to take advantage of the Teen Area for studying, accessing computers and utilizing the collection
3. While patrons of all ages are welcome to browse and check out materials from the Young Adult collection, the use of computers and other electronic equipment within this area is exclusively for the use of middle school and high school students.
4. Parents or caregivers may be in the Teen Area with their child, if their child is between 6th and 12th grade.
5. The Library reserves the right to utilize the Teen Area for scheduled teen programs, events and gaming activities.

Policy Statement 2

Teens are expected to respect the overall Library environment, and may not engage in activities or communications that disrupt other Library users or staff. All other Library policies apply to the Teen Area. The Library reserves the right to limit the use of the Library by teens who, in the judgement of Library staff, are infringing upon the rights of other library users by inappropriate behavior.

Regulations

1. Teens shall respect each other, library staff and other patrons in word and action.
2. The Teen Area will be used only for its intended purposes.Pushing, shoving, throwing, hitting, spitting, public displays of affection, swearing, abusive language is not permitted.
3. Verbal or physical abuse of staff or patrons such as cursing, rude or demeaning comments, disrespectful language, talking back to library staff or customers, hitting, biting, kicking, punching or teasing other customers is not permitted.
4. Any behavior considered aggressive by staff may result in the police being notified and further actions may be taken.
5. Vandalism, theft or damage of library property or library grounds is a legal matter and the police will be notified.
6. Food and beverages are prohibited near computer equipment.
7. The entire Library Code of Patron Conduct applies to the Teen Area

Policy Statement 3

The Library recognizes the importance of supporting the educational and recreational needs of teens by providing access to computer equipment. The Library has designated the computers located within the GameZone and at the entrance to the Teen Area as Teen Only Computers.

Regulations

1. The use of the teen computers is restricted to middle school, high school, and homeschooled student’s grades 6th-12th.
2. On occasion, Library staff may use the teen area and equipment for very specific library instructional programs for adults. Every effort will be made to schedule these programs during non-demand teen hours.
3. No exceptions will be made for library patrons whose age falls outside of this range.

 

 Approved by the St. Lucie County Library Advisory Board on January 23, 2017

Unattended Children Policy

1. The St. Lucie County Library System is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment that encourages children to visit the Library, use Library collections and services, and attend Library programs.
2. Library staff is available to assist and support children with their use of Library resources; however, the library does not act “in loco parentis” and does not assume responsibility for children left unattended on Library premises. Unattended children are children of any age who are apparently unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, and/or responsible caregiver in the Library.
3. Parents, guardians, and/or caregivers are solely responsible for the safety and behavior of their children. They are advised that children, like all Library users, are expected to comply with the Library’s “Patron Code of Conduct” and a child who violates those rules may be asked to leave Library premises.
4. Library staff may call the police, the sheriff’s department or other appropriate County agency if a child is left unattended when a Library facility closes or if a child otherwise appears to be at risk.

Procedure

If an unattended child in need of supervision is present in the library during operating hours, and library staff is concerned about the child’s welfare or behavior, staff may approach the child. Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis according to the following factors:

1. Age of child
2. Length of time the child has been left unattended
3. Behavior of the child
4. Whether or not the child appears to be in distress, in need of assistance, care or attention

If the child is unattended staff may take the following steps:

1. The supervisor will attempt to contact the caregiver
2. If the caregiver cannot be reached, two staff (the supervisor, plus one other staff member) must wait to see if the child is picked up.
3. If the caregiver cannot be reached, or if the caregiver has not arrived within 20 minutes after the library’s closing time, the police will be called and the child turned over to the authorities.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board July 7, 2014