Use of Library and Conduct Policy

Purpose: Establishes the guidelines for who may use Corwith Public library and standards of conduct while using the library and its premises.

Scope: Applies to all patrons using the Corwith Public Library.

Guidelines

1. The library will serve all residents of the city and rural Corwith area. Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, social, economic or political status. Services will not be denied or abridged because of differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or education.

2. The use of library services may be denied for due cause. Due cause may be failure to return library materials, destruction of library property, inappropriate use of internet, disturbance of other patrons and objectionable conduct towards staff and patrons.

3. Sex Offenders: In accordance with Chapter 692A Subtitle1 of Title 16 of the Code of Iowa, the Board of Trustees prohibits the presence of sex offenders convicted of sex offenses against minors on library property without written permission of the Library Trustee Board. People barred from the library property are entitled to use virtual services e.g. Libby (Bridges) or be allowed to check out books via currier or mail services. The library director is responsible for ensuring the proper library card application is filled out or suspended. Those sex offenders with a library card, does not grant them permission to enter the library without permission. Violation of this policy will be immediately reported to law enforcement.

Conduct

1. Patrons should maintain proper standards of conduct of behavior while visiting the library. Those patrons unwilling to follow standards of behavior may be asked to leave the library premises. If unwilling to leave, the staff may contact the law for assistance.

2. Cell Phone: To preserve privacy and noise level within the library, all patrons are asked to turn their phones off or to the silent mode while in the library. Conversation on the phone should take place in the hallway entry of the Corwith Public Library POLICY: USE AND CONDUCT 2025 library to not disturb other patrons. If patron conversations continue on their phone after a warning is issued, the patron will be asked to leave the library building.

3. Food and Drink may be brought into the library but must be eaten or drank at the table. No food or drink should be placed near the computers. If patron is not responsible with the food and drink to include spilling or not picking up, they may be reminded of library policy and/or be asked to leave the library. The library sometimes has activities and speakers and food is provided. It is up to the patron to be responsible for their own mess. The library staff will clean up after the event.

4. Children in the library: the library encourages visits by children, and our desire is to make the visit happy and memorable. Young children under six (6) should be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person. If a young person under age six (6) attends library programming and adult or responsible person shall attend during the entire program.

5. Children are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, computer use, crafts, movies and programs. Sometimes the noise level will be louder. However, children with (parent or responsible person) who are being disruptive will be given a warning, if the behavior continues the child will be asked to leave the library.

6. Smoking, E-cigarettes, Alcohol: Smoking or use of E-cigarettes is prohibited in library premises. No open flames are permitted in accordance to the City’s Fire Code. No Alcoholic beverages are allowed in the library without the approval of the Library Board of Trustees.

7. Service animals: these animals are trained to do specific tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. These animals may be allowed in the library by permission of the library director. If the service animal is out of control and the handler does not take action to control the animal, library staff will request the animal be removed from the library building. 8. Suspicious or loitering person or persons will be reported to law enforcement.

Approved 12/4/2025