Library Policy/ Patron Code of conduct


Library Policies:

  • The City of Wolfforth Library serves residents of the State of Texas.
  • A valid Texas Driver’s License or picture ID must be presented before a card may be issued
  • Children must be at least five (5) years old to receive a library card. Children between the ages of five (5) and fourteen (14) must have a parent/guardian's signature and provide a parent’s Texas driver’s license. Minors eligible for their own card must provide a parent/guardian’s license or ID number.
  • First-time check-out will be limited to one (1) item per person; subsequent checkouts will go up to fifteen (15) items per person if no fines are incurred and we are able to verify contact information. A welcome phone call or email will be used to verify the contact information given on the library card application within one week of joining the library.
  • Five (5) DVDs or makerspace kits, including Tonies, may be checked out per patron, with a limit of ten (10) per household/ family.
  • A library card or alternate form of identification will be requested before items are checked out.
  • Replacement cards are $2.00
  • Books and audiobooks are checked out for two (2) weeks. DVDs and Makerspace kits, including Tonies, are checked out for one (1) week.
  • It is the parent/ guardian’s responsibility to monitor the DVD ratings and book content that a minor checks out.
  • Items can be rechecked for an additional circulation period if they have not been reserved, and this can be done via the Catalog, over the phone, or through e-mail.
  • Items may be reserved online, by phone, email, or in person and will be held seven (7) days after notification unless other arrangements have been made.
  • No late fees will be charged on circulation print, audio, or video materials. A late fee of $3.00 per day will be applied to makerspace kits and circulating technology. Please see the fine-free policy for detailed explanations.
  • Items will not be checked out to anyone who has an overdue item. Any item out for more than thirty (30) days will be charged the full replacement cost of the item.
  • Do not leave audiobooks, DVDs, makerspace kits, or Tonies in the drop box. A $2.00 fine will be charged for each non-book item left in the drop box. If items left in the drop box are damaged, a replacement cost will be charged.
  • Staff can make photocopies for the public. Copies are .25 cents per page.  The library may also send and receive faxes for $1.00 per page.
  • All personal information will be kept confidential.

Patron Code of Conduct:

  • No tobacco products, food, or drinks will be allowed in the library.
  • Disruptive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Unattended/unsupervised children are not permitted. If an appropriate caregiver cannot be reached, unattended children will be placed in the care of local authorities.
  • Bringing pets into the building, with the exception of service animals or animals specifically invited for library-sponsored programs is prohibited.
  • Abuse or misuse of premises will be reported to local authorities.
  • Offensive language, conduct, or hygiene will cancel all library privileges.
  • Threats against library staff, patrons, or property will be promptly reported to local authorities.
  • When using cell phones, please be considerate of other library patrons.

Unattended Child Policy:

The City of Wolfforth Library welcomes children of all ages to use and enjoy the facilities, collections, and programs offered by the library. However, the safety of children in the Library is a serious concern. Unattended children can become frightened or anxious. An unattended child might encounter hazards or dangers that could be circumvented with adult supervision. An unattended child might also become bored or frustrated and act inappropriately in the Library.

Rules:

The Library does not provide care or supervision of children and does not accept responsibility for children in the Library. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their children’s safety and behavior in the Library. Parents should not use the Library as an alternative to daycare. For safety’s sake, parents should make sure that their children are sufficiently mature before allowing them to visit the Library by themselves. Parents should also realize that, even in their absence, they are legally responsible for their children’s behavior. To ensure a positive experience for children visiting the Library, the following rules have been developed.

1) Children eleven (11) years old and younger must be accompanied by a parent, a responsible adult, or a designated caregiver of sixteen (16) years or older.

  1. Young children seven (7) years old and younger should not be left alone in a different area of the library from their parent, adult, or caregiver. Close proximity is required.

2) Children of any age with mental, physical, emotional or behavioral problems which necessitate supervision must be accompanied by a parent or adult (18+ years) caregiver at all times.

3) Children habitually left unattended for long periods of time are an unacceptable use of the Library. The Library is not a daycare facility. Children of any age should not be left in the Library to the extent that they are missing meals, have no responsible adult to contact, or have no means to get home independently.

4) Children of all ages must adhere to the same standards of conduct as required of all patrons (see Library policies). Refusal to follow Library rules will result in individuals being asked to leave, whether or not parents or caregivers are present. Staff members reserve the right to notify parents, guardians or the Wolfforth Police Department as they deem necessary.

  1. The Library is not responsible for the supervision of children but will intervene if aware of a problem. Children who are disruptive will be asked by library staff to behave. If the disruptive behavior continues, the parent or guardian will be called and asked to come to the library to pick up their child. When a parent or guardian is telephoned and unavailable, the Wolfforth Police Department will be contacted.
  2. The Library is also not responsible for children outside the building who await transportation or who are socializing.

5) Parents and guardians should be aware of Library hours and make arrangements to meet or transport children under the age of fifteen (15) by closing time and severe weather events that may cause an early closing.

  1. All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.
  2. Youth will be given the opportunity to contact their parent or caregiver for a ride home.
  3. Staff will not transport children under any circumstances, ever.
  4. If a child’s parent or caregiver cannot be reached or has not picked up the child within fifteen (15) minutes of closing time, Library staff will turn the child over to the custody of the Wolfforth Police Department. A note will be left on the library door stating, “Unattended child is in the custody of the Wolfforth Police Department”. Names will not be noted on the sign.

6) Parents or guardians in violation of this policy may receive a copy of this policy or a letter from the Head Librarian. Repeated offenses of this policy can lead to a report to Child Protective Services.

Disruptive Behavior:

The library staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. However, continual disruptive behavior will not be permitted. Disruptive behavior is considered to be behavior that represents physical danger to the child or others, or behavior that interferes with other library users or staff. Disruptive behavior is behavior that is inappropriate in a library setting. Disruptive behavior that is unacceptable in the Library includes, but is not limited to:

  • Running, chasing, horseplay
  • Screaming, shouting, yelling
  • Pushing, hitting, fighting, biting
  • Throwing books or other objects
  • Bullying or bothering other people
  • Jumping on furniture
  • Dangerous use of toys

Library staff will approach disruptive children in the following manner:

  • Give a verbal warning to the child indicating that such behavior is disruptive to other library users and is unacceptable.
  • If the disruptive behavior continues, approach the parent or guardian with the same warning. If the child is unattended, give the child a second warning.
  • If the disruptive behavior continues, request the parent or guardian to escort the child from the library premises. Unattended disruptive children, older than eleven (11) years may be asked to leave the library after one warning. In such instances, parents will be contacted or, if the parent is unavailable, police assistance will be utilized.

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