Policies, Plans, and Reports

Our Policies

Patron Code of Conduct

ADMITTANCE TO/CONDUCT IN A LIBRARY

1. The library is to be open free of charge for library purposes at the hours posted.  No person using the library shall:

• Create any unnecessary disturbance for other library users and staff and/or contravene board policy
• Take away any item from the library unless the item has been properly checked out in agreement with the procedures established for the circulation of library items.
• Go into or stay in the library except during those time periods chosen for public use.
• Solicit other library users or staff for personal, commercial, religious or political reasons.

     2. Except with the permission of the Library Manager, no person shall:

• Consume food or drink
• Bring any animal, other than an aid dog, into the library
• Bring a wheeled vehicle or conveyance, other than a wheelchair or walker, baby carriage or stroller, into the library

    3.  Persons who do not act in accordance with this policy shall be asked to put an end to their                   actions.  If the action continues or the seriousness of the action justifies it, library staff will direct           the person to leave the building and/or library staff may ask for outside assistance.

    4.  No Member of the public is to be left in the library building for any purpose without a staff person           or member of the Board present at all times.  Security persons may have access to the building             under special circumstances

Violence and Harassment Policy

Purpose:

The Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board recognizes its legal and moral responsibility to ensure that employees and volunteers in its library service points are able to pursue their duties in an environment free from violence and harassment, within the context of the Alberta Occupation Health and Safety Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

The Board is committed to providing an abuse-free work environment in which all people respect one another and work together.  Any act of violence or harassment committed by or against any individuals affiliated with this organization is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated.

DEFINITIONS

Workplace Violence:

• any act in which a person is abused, threatened, intimidated or assaulted at work.  It includes threatening behavior, verbal or written threats, verbal abuse, and physical attacks.

Harassment:

• any behavior that demeans, embarrasses, humiliates, annoys, alarms or verbally abuses a person.  This includes words, gestures, intimidation, bullying or other inappropriate activities.  It may include discriminatory treatment based on an individual's race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, or other legally protected characteristic.

Sexual Harassment: 

• any unwelcome behavior that is sexual in nature.  This includes unwanted sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors, and other unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature

POLICY:

1. Employees or any other individuals affiliated with Saddle Hills County Municipal Libraries shall not subject any other person to workplace violence or harassment or allow or create conditions that support workplace violence or harassment.  The behavior need not be intentional in order to be considered harassment.  If it is offensive or it intimidates others, it will not be tolerated.
2. All complaints of violence or harassment will be investigated in a timely and confidential manner.  Prompt corrective action may be taken.  Anyone engaging in workplace violence, sexual harassment or other forms of sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and included termination of employment.
3. For acts of violence or harassment by individuals outside of this organization, action taken will commensurate with the incident up to and including temporary withdrawal of services and/or legal action.
4. No action shall be taken against an individual for making a complaint unless the complaint is made maliciously or without reasonable and probable grounds.
5. Appropriate support will be provided for the victim(s) as needed.
6. Reasonable, justifiable, consistent, and non-discriminatory acts of discipline, provided by an individual who has the authority to provide such discipline, shall not be construed as harassment.

Procedures for handling complaints

If an employee or volunteer believes he/she is being harassed, the employee or volunteer shall:

1. Tell the individual his/her behavior is unwelcome and ask him/her to stop
2. Keep a record of incidents (dates, times, location, possible witnesses, what happened, the employee's own response).  The employee or volunteer does not have to have a record of events in order to file a complaint, but such a record can strengthen his/her case and assist him/her in remembering details over time.
3. File a written complaint if, after asking the harasser to stop, the harassment continues.  The employee should report the problem to the Chairman of the Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board without fear of reprisal.
4. The Chairman of the Saddle Hills Library County Municipal Library Board will promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint and will inform the Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board of serious incidents.
5. If the complainant is not satisfied with the actions taken by the Chairman of the Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board or the Director, he/she may file a written complaint with the Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board.

The Chairman of Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board will promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint and take appropriate action.  The chairman will inform the Saddle Hills Municipal Library Board of actions taken.

Internet Use Policy

Purpose

The mission of a public library is to meet the information of its residents.  In response to changing technology and changing information need, libraries have designated one or more computers for public access to the internet and other electronic resources.  The internet, as an information resource, enables the library to provide information beyond the limits of its own collection.  However, the internet is an unregulated medium with no governmental control over the content.  While it offers a wealth of information that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching, it also contains information that may be offensive, disturbing or illegal.

INTERNET ACCESS POLICY

The Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the internet and is not responsible for its content.  Patrons are responsible for the internet sites they reach and the information they access.  Parents or guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the internet sites and information accessed by their children and their children's use of the internet.

The public access computers, the internet, and other electronic resources provided by the library are available equally to all residents.  Access will make available on a first come, first served appointment basis.  Only parents or guardians may restrict the access of their own children to these resources.  Everyone wanting to use public access internet computer must sign a User Agreement prior to use.  A parent or guardian must sign a User Agreement on behalf of children up to and including 17 years of age, or as designated by the library.

The Saddle Hills County Municipal Libraries and it's staff cannot control the availability of access to the internet, including wireless service (if applicable), or to specific information sites, or electronic resources.  Access is not available at all times and information sites change rapidly and unpredictably.  As well, not all internet information sources provide accurate, complete, or current information.  Patrons need to be careful information consumers and question validity of the information received.

Staff will be available to assist patrons in accessing information on the internet by offering search suggestions and by answering questions, but library staff cannot provide in-depth training on the internet, computer hardware or software use, or computer jargon.

Use of the public computer is at the sole risk of patrons.  The libraries will not be responsible for damage to a patron's computer, peripheral equipment or storage media, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from a patron's use of the libraries' computers, whether from computer virus infection, or otherwise. 

Patrons are responsible for any willful damage to the libraries' computers or for commercial transactions made while using the libraries" internet connection.

Misuse and/or abuse of the computer terminal or the rules governing internet access will result in suspension of internet access privileges at the discretion of the Library Managers.

Access Procedures:

Libraries that implement these policies will establish computer and internet access procedures.  

Inclement Weather Policy

Purpose:

The Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board recognizes that on occasion, inclement weather or other conditions may prevent the library from opening, postpone opening, or require early closing. The primary factor regarding inclement weather decisions will be the safety of staff and library patrons. However, maximum effort will be made to maintain regular municipal library operating hours.

Policy:

The Saddle Hills County Municipal Library Board is a standard for all here Municipal Libraries within Saddle Hills County: Bonanza, Savanna and Woking:

In the event that conditions arise requiring a premature closing of the school building due to inclement weather, the Library Manager, following discussions with the chairman, may close the municipal library to the public. The decision will take into account the actions of Peace wapiti School Division and safety concerns. Situations which may result in closing the municipal library may include, but are not limited to, inclement weather, a power outage, unsafe or unhealthy conditions and special community functions.

If Peace Wapiti School Division closes a school because of inclement weather, the Library manager should contact the Chairman and discuss whether the municipal library should also close. No child may be sent to the municipal library if the schools close early due to weather or emergencies.

Once a decision has been made to close, the Library manager shall notify the necessary social media outlets(website) to broadcast the closing to the general public and board members.

Libraries will also be closed on all statutory holidays.

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