The complete policy is available in the Administration Office at the Main Library, 201 Peterson Street between 9:30 - 5:00 pm M-Th and F 10:00 - 5:00 pm.
Library Facility Regulations
Internet Policies
Meeting Room Policy
Web Statistics Policy
Wireless Policy
Mission of the Fort Collins Regional Library District
The Fort Collins Regional Library District provides the people of Fort Collins and the surrounding communities a welcoming place to seek intellectual stimulation and personal enjoyment. We offer access to information using traditional and emerging technologies. To fulfill this mission:
* we have a skilled and knowledgeable staff;
* we make available a diverse collection of written, recorded and graphic materials;
* we sponsor exhibits, presentations, and performances of current and historical works that span the spectrum of ideas and art;
* we are a key community sponsor in encouraging lifelong learning.
LIBRARY FACILITY REGULATIONS
I. Purpose and Scope of the Regulations
These regulations apply to all Fort Collins Regional Library District facilities, including joint-use facilities. The library is a tax-supported facility, and citizens expect and deserve a clean, quiet, pleasant and safe environment. Unfortunately, the behavior of a few library visitors may destroy this environment for others. Behavior may become unacceptable when it interferes with another person's use of the library, when it could result in injury to oneself or others, when it violates the law, or when it could result in loss or damage to customer or Library property. At staff discretion, engagement in such behavior may subject the individual(s) involved to exclusion from Library premises and, in some cases, to legal prosecution. Examples of unacceptable library behavior include but are not limited to, the following:
II. Prohibited Acts
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A. The following are prohibited in all facilities covered by these Regulations:
- Use of any facility or equipment therein for other than its intended use, or alteration of any equipment or facility;
- Any action, event, or group of events that constitutes a violation of federal, state or local law;
- The failure to comply with direction given by Library staff acting in the performance of their duties or interference with the performance of such duties or other operations of the facility;
- Conduct intended to cause or causing the destruction, damage or theft of Library property, or the property of others;
- Public indecency, indecent exposure, or obscenity;
- Any action, which in the reasonable judgment of staff, constitutes an attempt to inflict or does inflict injury to other persons or damage to property, or which poses an unreasonable risk of such injury or damage, including running, fighting, wrestling, or climbing;
- Any conduct or expression that in the reasonable judgment of staff, intimidates others or incites unlawful or otherwise prohibited conduct;
- Any action which, in the reasonable judgment of staff, interferes with or obstructs the reasonable use and enjoyment by others of the facilities, including but not limited to:
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* Use of audio or visual equipment without headphones, or in a loud or disruptive manner,
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* Noise which is unreasonable in a library environment, including whistling, loud talking, and disruptive use of cellular phones,
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* Occupation of more than one seat or study space, use of library facilities for sleeping, or the overcrowding of study tables, carrels, computers or study rooms;
- The failure to maintain a level of personal hygiene that is non-offensive in a social environment, unless compliance is precluded as a result of a legally protected disability;
- Use of any Library facility for commercial activities not specifically authorized and arranged through Library management, including but not limited to:
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* sales or soliciting,
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* marketing or conducting surveys,
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* conducting classes or other instructional activities, or tours, except to the extent that same may be carried out in a manner comparable to use of the facility by the general public user;
- Conduct that disrupts or obstructs any program or activity that is a program of the particular Library facility or any other Library-sponsored activity or event;
- Possession or consumption of food or beverages in designated areas;
- Smoking or the use of chewing tobacco or other tobacco products;
- Use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs, or any visible intoxication from alcohol or drugs;
- Using bathrooms for bathing or washing clothes;
- Use of bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, or skates, whether or not motorized, except as expressly authorized;
- Possession of any animals except service animals, or as otherwise authorized by library staff;
- Failure to comply with any specific rules of use or conduct posted within any facility;
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B. Any requirements set forth herein may be waived or altered by the manager in charge of a facility as necessary to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities desiring to make use of that facility.
III. Enforcement Procedures
The Fort Collins Regional Library District staff shall enforce these Regulations. A program of progressive discipline shall be in effect for repeat or habitual offenders. Where deemed necessary or appropriate the police or other law enforcement officials may be contacted to assist with enforcement of these Regulations and applicable laws. Violations of these regulations that constitute a criminal act may result in arrest and/or the filing of criminal charges.
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A. For threatening or belligerent behavior that warrants emergency assistance, library staff shall immediately call 911 for police assistance.
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B. When a customer is disruptive:
Desk staff shall pleasantly but clearly ask the customer who is violating standards or behaving unacceptably to stop. (Sometimes the situation warrants patiently asking 2 or 3 times.) Sometimes the behavior is severe enough that staff will want to ask only once before proceeding to the next stage. Sometimes the behavior will happen over a period of several days or weeks before it is disruptive enough and/or tracked well enough to go to the next stage. Staff will write an Incident Report each time.
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C. A customer whose behavior does not change or stop as a result of a request (or repeated requests) from a Library staff member shall be informed that he or she must leave the Library. If he or she does not leave promptly and quietly, the police shall be called. Staff will write an Incident Report each time.
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D. If a customer returns to the Library the same day or on subsequent days and repeats the unacceptable behavior, a supervisor or his or her designee will ask the customer to stop the behavior and inform the customer that continued incidents could result in loss of library privileges. Staff will write an Incident Report.
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E. Depending on the severity or danger of the situation, if the customer does not stop, the police and/or public safety shall be called. If the police and/or public safety are not called, the customer shall be informed that he or she must leave the library. Either the police, public safety or a supervisor should tell the customer, orally or in writing, that because of his or her repeated behavior, Library privileges have been temporarily suspended, and that he or she must contact the Library Executive Director to determine the length of the suspension. The terms of the suspension could be for up to two (2) years. Further, Staff will write an Incident Report and immediately inform the Library Executive Director of the incident.
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F. Further action:
The Library Executive Director will determine the terms of any suspension of library privileges for up to a period of two (2) years. If the customer is a student of Front Range Community College, the action will be decided upon by the Library Executive Director in consultation with the Vice President of Front Range Community College Larimer Campus, or by his or her designee. Reinstatement of library privileges will be at the discretion of the Library Executive Director. The Library Executive Director may set reasonable and appropriate conditions for reinstatement of library privileges. The police and/or public safety must receive a copy of the suspension notice after the customer has met with the director.
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G. Right to Appeal:
The customer may appeal the suspension decision to the Library Board of Trustees filing a written statement of appeal, including basis of appeal, no later than seven (7) days from receipt of notice of the decision. If the suspension involves a student of Front Range Community College, the Trustees will make appeal decisions in concert with the Vice President of Front Range Community College Larimer Campus.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees December 3, 2007
PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE INTERNET POLICY
Like any library service or material, use by customers must be responsible and in accordance with library policy. All users of Internet access in the library must follow the Public Access to the Internet Policy listed below or face losing their Internet privileges.
Purpose Statement
The Fort Collins Regional Library District provides access to the Internet as one means of fulfilling its mission to inform, educate, entertain, and culturally enrich by providing books and other library resources, facilities and professional services for use by all individuals. All Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all users, with the understanding that it is the individual user's responsibility to demonstrate judgement, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using Public Library resources and facilities. Internet computers in the Children's area are filtered in accordance with state law. The Fort Collins Regional Library District does not want to tell you or your children what you can or cannot read or see. The Library does however want to provide you with options and choices.
Colorado Revised Statute 24-90-601, "Concerning Enhanced Protection for Child Users of Public Library Services from Harmful Materials on the Internet" was passed by the 2004 General Assembly and signed into law on April 23. In order to comply with this law, the Fort Collins Regional Library District has enabled continuous filtering on all public Internet computers in the Children's areas.
The Internet can pose challenges as an information resource. The Library cannot monitor or control the content of the Internet. Users may find some sites controversial or inappropriate. Internet sites should be evaluated regularly for their content, accuracy and availability. Users are encouraged to take advantage of the vast body of information on the Internet, but to exercise good judgment and discretion. The Library will periodically offer classes on Internet and computer use and will assist patrons with Internet use as time permits but cannot offer personal instruction. Staff is available to locate books, periodicals and other sources describing the Internet and its uses.
The Fort Collins Regional Library District supports the right and responsibility of parents to direct use of the Internet by their own children, and provides convenient access to filtered Internet.
Use of Filters
Customers may designate the preferred level of Internet access in their library record. Parents or legal guardians who sign their child's card may designate the preferred level of Internet access on their child's library record. The filter provided by the library may restrict access to sites which could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites which have legitimate research value. No filtering system is completely effective or efficient and the library does not accept responsibility for objectionable sites not blocked by the filter.
Addendum: Customers are encouraged to contact the filtering company for further information and assistance.
To access full Internet on filtered computers not in the Children's areas, please ask for disabling assistance at the desk.
Rules of Conduct
Use of the Internet at the Library is a privilege. Inappropriate use will result in suspension or cancellation of this privilege. All Internet users must adhere to the following rules.
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Internet computers will not be used for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials, which by local community standards would be considered obscene.
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Internet workstations may not be used for harassment, libel or slander of other persons.
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Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, State or Federal authorities.
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Library staff may limit use of computer equipment, which has been purchased from grant funds, according to the terms, or intent of the grant agreement.
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Installation, downloading, or modification of software may not be permitted and personal equipment may be prohibited from being attached to Library computers.
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Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
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Users will not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.
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Users will respect the privacy of other users, and will refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others.
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Internet workstations are only for purposes of Internet access and functions authorized and promoted by the Library.
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The Library is not responsible for any commercial transactions conducted by users on Library equipment.
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The Library does not provide patron email accounts.
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Users of the Library's Internet connection may be required to have a valid Fort Collins Regional Library District card or picture identification.
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Users must observe current procedures and limits on time and number of sessions allowed on the Internet.
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The Library's Standards of Acceptable Behavior apply to use of the Internet.
Termination or Prohibition of User Access
The Library staff reserves the right to determine if an individual's use of the Internet constitutes an inappropriate monopolization of community Internet resources, and may restrict the individual's use accordingly.
Library staff are authorized to terminate any user's access session, given cause to believe that the user has failed to comply with the Policy on Public Access to the Internet. The Library Executive Director, or his or her designee, may prohibit a user from subsequent access sessions for up to three months from the date of informing the user of that action.
Internet users whose access session has been terminated or prohibited for three months will be given information concerning the process to protest the action and/or request that Internet access privileges be reinstated. Temporary or permanent denial of Internet privileges at any Library District facility will be effective at all locations.
Library Wireless Policy
As a service to its users the Fort Collins Regional Library District provides free wireless Internet access. The Library does not provide technical support for wireless users.
Please be aware that the wireless network is not secure. Like many public wireless hot spots, information is not encrypted and is subject to electronic eavesdropping by others. Wireless users are responsible for providing for the security of their own equipment and electronic communications. Web links to wireless security information are provided on the library wireless welcome page users see when first accessing the network.
By using the wireless network you are agreeing to comply with this wireless use policy, as well as the Library's policies concerning use of the facility and standards of acceptable behavior. Policies are available for review at http://fcgov.com/library/policy.php.
The library exercises no control over and will not be held responsible for user-supplied equipment or Internet content that users choose to access or create using their own equipment.
While the library strives to provide a quality wireless system, it cannot guarantee the signal quality, bandwidth availability, or general Internet site availability at any time.
Meeting Rooms
Use of the Meeting Room is consistent with the Fort Collins Regional Library District Mission. The Library District makes meeting room space available with priority given to Library, Front Range Community College, governmental groups and non-profit group meetings, programs and functions.
PLEASE NOTE: Permission to use the rooms does not constitute an endorsement of any group’s policies or beliefs. Publicity for an event by a non-library group must not be presented in a manner which would imply library sponsorship of the group’s activities. ...more
Questions?
Library staff at any of the Information Desks will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Or, you may call 221-6663 or use the form to email us at Contact Us.
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