STANISLAUS COUNTY LIBRARY
RULES OF BEHAVIOR

Adopted by the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors
on March 26, 1985;
Amended on March 11, 1997; April 1, 2003; December 19, 2006

 No person shall, in or on the grounds of any Stanislaus County library, engage in any behavior that interferes with another person’s use of the library or with the ability of a member of the library staff to perform his or her job.  This includes all disruptive and unsafe behavior such as that listed below:

GENERAL RULES:

1. Engaging in any activity prohibited by law.*
   
   
2. Being under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance as defined by California law.
   
   
3. Making loud noise, using offensive language, verbal abuse, insulting language, intimidating language, verbal threats or non-verbal threats, repeated unwelcome advances, offensive gestures, or staring at another person, which could reasonably be expected to disturb others.
   
   
4. Failing to maintain personal cleanliness or extremely poor hygiene.
   
   
5. Consuming food or beverages in the library, except in designated areas, as authorized by the County Librarian.  Patrons may consume water only, in closed containers, throughout the public areas of the library.
   
   
6. Smoking in the library.
   
   
7. Use of bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skates, skateboards, or roller blades in the library or on the walkways surrounding the library in any way to impede access to the library.
   
   
8. Obstructing library entrances, exits, aisles, or other areas in any manner with large items such as backpacks, luggage, wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, shopping carts, or any items named in 7, which may create a safety hazard.
   
   
9. Harassing a library customer or staff.  “Harass” includes any verbal or non-verbal conduct which is likely to frighten, embarrass, anger, or annoy a person to the extent that that person’s use of the library or ability to work in the library is unreasonably curtailed by the conduct.
   
   
10. Engaging in sexual conduct such as exposure or touching.
    
    
11. Engaging in any activity that may result in injury or harm to any person.
    
    
12. Running in the library.
    
    
13. Engaging in any activity that may result in damage to property, belonging to the library or another person including altering software configurations, or vandalizing or defacing materials, equipment or facilities.  (Note: The parent or guardian of a minor who willfully and maliciously commits any act within the scope of Education Code section 19910 shall be liable for all damages so caused by the minor.)
    
    
14. Bringing any animal, except for guide or assistance dogs onto the premises.
    
    
15. Soliciting, petitioning, or selling merchandise.  Conducting any business for personal gain or any service for a fee is prohibited.
    
    
16. Sleeping in the library facilities, utilizing the library facilities for bathing, washing clothes, washing utensils or other items, or preparing food.  No person shall camp in library facilities or on library grounds.  Camping means the use of library property for living accommodations.
    
    
17. Bringing in any weapons.  Weapons include all items listed in the Penal Code sections 653k, 171b, and 12020.
    
    
18. Participating in any gaming or gambling (Penal Code sections 330-337j).
    
    
19. Engaging in activities that are disruptive by repeated violations of computer use guidelines.

SAFETY RULES:

The library is not responsible for children who are left unattended.

Be aware of your personal property.  The library is not responsible for personal items
that are lost, stolen or damaged.

Any personal property left unattended will be subject to being removed.

INTERNET RULES:

1. The individual signing up must be the one using the computer.
   
   
2. No more than two people may sit at a computer terminal.
   
   
3. Customers aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with proper identification to use adult internet stations.  The parent or guardian must remain at the computer with the child to monitor use.  Children’s internet stations are reserved for children ages 4-12.  Children ages 4-8 must have an adult with them at the computer at all times.
   
   
4. Users may not:
   1. Use the Library’s internet terminals for illegal or unethical purposes.
   2. Make any attempt to alter or damage computer hardware or software.
   3. Use the computers to make unauthorized entry into other networks or systems.
   4. Invade the privacy of others or send harassing or threatening messages.
   5. Use the Library’s internet terminals to view or disseminate illegal images.
   6. Make unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.
      

Violations may result in loss of Internet privileges.  Any illegal activity involving the Library’s Internet connections will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.
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*Persons in apparent violation of any Federal, State, or Local law will be reported to law enforcement
 and legal action will be taken which may result in arrest and  prosecution.

The library reserves the right to restrict persons who do not abide by the Rules from the use of its facilities and premises.   Noncompliance with the library’s Rules may result in an individual being required to leave the library premises immediately and/or loss of library privileges.

INTERNET USE POLICY & PROCEDURES

Providing internet access at public terminals involves adapting what is ordinarily a private instrument, the personal computer, to a public setting.  When using a Library computer, privacy cannot be guaranteed.  Users are cautioned that the Library computers on which the public can access the internet are in public areas which must be shared by library users of all ages, backgrounds and sensibilities.  Individuals are asked to consider this and to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing potentially offensive information and images.

Users are cautioned that the internet is not a secure medium and the privacy of electronic communication cannot be guaranteed.  All transactions, files and communication are vulnerable to unauthorized access and use and, therefore, should be considered public.

Repeated access to sites that are offensive to other patrons and staff will be treated as harassment.

Internet Sign-up:

See a library staff member to sign up.  You must show a staff member your library card or photo ID to use the internet.  At the Modesto Library, sign up at the Magazine Desk.

You may sign up for two (2) one hour sessions per day.  Modesto offers a 15 minute express e-mail computer.  Customers may sign up for two (2) express e-mail sessions per day.

If there is no one waiting to use the internet, you may be allowed to stay on longer than the time allotment above-described.

If there are people waiting to use the internet, five minute warnings are given before time is up.  The five minute warnings are given in the order the customer signed up.

For rules governing use, see Library Rules.