Rules of Behavior

In order to insure constructive use of Simsbury Public Library facilities, materials, and services, as well as the personal comfort of all patrons, the Library Board of Trustees has established the following rules for use:

1. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the Library.
2. Please keep voices and activities at a level that will not disturb others around you. This is not limited to, but also includes the use of cell phones.
3. Any individual or group using disruptive or abusive language, unacceptable behavior, or otherwise creating a hostile environment will be asked to leave the Library.
4. Children under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended. The Library assumes no responsibility for the care and supervision of children. Parents or caregivers must supervise the behavior of their children. (See Unattended Children Policy)
5. Smoking, the use of open flames and the use of alcoholic beverages are not permitted on Library premises.
6. Pets are not permitted in the Library. Only animals properly identified as service animals that aid the physically challenged and those involved in Library programming are allowed.
7. Patrons must be fully clothed, including footwear, and shall also maintain a generally acceptable standard of personal hygiene. Unpleasant body odor which may offend others is considered unacceptable.
8. The Children’s Room of the Library is for the exclusive use of parents/caregivers and their children or adults using resources which are only available in that area.
9. A Library patron who vandalizes, steals, or destroys any Library material, equipment or building components will forfeit all Library privileges and will be subject to financial liability for damages.
10. Soliciting is not allowed on Library premises.

We ask your cooperation in maintaining an environment that provides enjoyable use of the Library. Patrons are encouraged to report disruptive individuals to the staff. Concerns should be brought to the attention of the Library Director. If necessary, the Simsbury Police Department may be called.

Revision approved by the Library Board of Trustees November 18, 2013

Rules for Borrowers

• Library cards are issued to all Simsbury residents who have proof of residence. All borrowers must present a valid Library card or other identification to borrow materials. The Library encourages each individual who uses the Library to apply for a Library card regardless of age.
• Books are generally checked out for three (3) weeks; with up to three (3) renewals for non-fiction titles allowed unless the item is on hold. No renewals are allowed if there is a hold on the book. Some popular materials have a loan period of one (1) week.
• Extended loan periods are available on all older fiction and paperbacks in all departments.
• Fines for overdue materials accumulate at the rate of 15 cents a day for books to a maximum of $5.00 per item and $1.00 a day for audio/visual materials and Pronto books to a maximum of $5.00 per item. There is no maximum total fine amount.
• Overdue notices will be sent as a courtesy in a timely manner by email. Bills for replacement, if needed are generated four (4) weeks after the first notice was sent or six (6) weeks after item is past due. Bills for replacement will be sent for the price of materials, plus the maximum fine of $5.00 per item. If the patron returns the material, the bill for replacement charge is cancelled and only the maximum fine is owed.
• Patron borrowing privileges are blocked when there is a bill for replacement on the record, or unpaid fines accumulate to $10.00 or more.
• A non-resident barcode will be issued to a patron whose Connecticut card is not compatible with our system.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials

All complaints regarding inclusion of any item in the Library’s collection must be made in writing to the Library Director on the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form (PDF), and must be signed by the complainant. The Library Director shall investigate the complaint and respond in writing within fifteen (15) days after the Library receives it. Copies of all written complaints and the Library Director’s responses shall be furnished to the Library Board of Trustees and a permanent record shall be kept of them.

The Library Director shall also give the complainant a copy of this Policy and advise such person that if he or she is unsatisfied with the Library Director’s response, a request may be made in writing within ten (10) days of the Library Director’s response so that the issue be reviewed by the Library Board of Trustees. The Library Board of Trustees shall have the ultimate responsibility for responding to the complaint, consistent with policy guidelines, and such response shall be made in writing to the complainant. A permanent record of all such responses shall be maintained.

Confidentiality of Library Records

Circulation records are confidential in nature. Such records shall not be made available to any person, organization, governmental agency or other entity except pursuant to a valid order, subpoena, or other process as may be authorized by law relating to civil, criminal or legislative investigative power. This policy shall not apply to minor children, whose records may be made available to their parents or legal guardian upon written request. All requests for disclosure of information shall be presented to the Library Board of Trustees. Where it deems appropriate, the Library Board of Trustees may direct counsel for the Library and/or Library personnel to resist disclosure of such records until ordered to make disclosure by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Privacy of Library Records

Public libraries face the dilemma of having the responsibility of protecting the privacy of their patrons while responding to legitimate national security concerns. The Simsbury Public Library recognizes the confidentiality of information sought or received and materials consulted, borrowed or acquired by a Library patron.

The Simsbury Public Library strives to create a Library environment that is:

• Crime free
• A safe place
• A place for learning and pursuit of knowledge and information on any topic.
• A place where patrons can ask any question and discuss any topic.

The Library will do its utmost to uphold the privacy and confidentiality of patrons’ free access to information. The Library will rely on existing laws and Library policies to control behavior that involves public safety or criminal behavior.

About the USA Patriot Act of 2001

HR-3162 became Public Law 107-56 in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The Act provides law enforcement with broader boundaries when investigating information accessed and transmitted by patrons with regards to national security concerns.

Access to patron information may include but not be limited to:

• Database Search Records
• Circulation Records
• Computer Use Records
• Inter-Library Loan Records
• Reference Interviews