Library Code of Conduct
Rules and regulations are necessary for the protection and comfort of all Library users and for the safeguarding of the physical facility and its contents. The cooperation of all who enter is necessary to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to study and to pleasant utilization of the Library by the public. As the Library is the property of the City and the taxpayers, each Library user is expected to exercise reasonable care in his/her use of the facilities, as in any other public property.
General Rules
- Library users are permitted to bring covered drinks into the Library
- Using tobacco products is not permitted in the Library
- With prior approval, appropriate light refreshments may be consumed in the Meeting Room
- Shoes, sandals or other appropriate footwear must be worn in the building for health and safety reasons
- Skating of any kind is not permitted on library property
- Patrons are not allowed to bring pets of any kind or size into the Library, except for legal guide dogs and other assistance animals
- Soliciting is prohibited in or on the Library premises
- No weapons are permitted in the Library (per Texas Attorney General’s opinion regarding criminal trespassing in Texas Penal Code sec. 30.05)
Disruptive Behavior
Library users have a reasonable expectation to use the facility without being disturbed by the behavior of others.
Disruptive behaviors include (but are not limited to):
- Running/jumping/throwing objects/standing on chairs or tables
- Excessive noise (above a conversational level)
- Unacceptable language (cursing, explicit language)
- Treating others with disrespect (name calling, insults, yelling, threats)
- Misuse of Library computers (not adhering to the Internet use policy)
- Vandalism of Library property (graffiti and any other intentional damage to the building or library materials)
- Fighting (any violent physical contact such as pushing, hitting, wrestling)
- Cell phones must be turned off, or set to silent, when entering the Library and may only be used in the Library lobby.
Consequences for Disruptive Behaviors
In most cases, individuals or groups who exhibit disruptive behavior will be asked to stop the specific behavior. If the behavior continues after a warning, the offending party shall be asked to leave the Library immediately. If the party refuses, the police shall be called. The length of the dismissal will be the rest of that day, unless otherwise decided by a Library manager.
- Individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and who are displaying disorderly conduct shall be requested to leave the Library premises
- Physical abuse, harassment, assault on another person or the use of abusive, insulting or threatening language to any person shall be cause for dismissal of the offending person or persons from the Library
Chronic offensive behavior, including failure to abide by these rules, destruction of property or interference with service to others may be considered sufficient grounds for barring from the premises. A decision to bar someone from the premises should be made by the Library Director.
Farmers Branch Manske Library Smoking Policy
The purpose of the Farmers Branch Manske Library is to deliver library services which provides quality cultural, educational, civic, economic and recreational experiences for all residents of Farmers Branch. To help promote a safe, healthy and pleasant environment, the Farmers Branch Manske Library has a no-smoking policy in the building and on the grounds of the Farmers Branch Manske Library with the exception of the external amphitheater area. Smoking will only be allowed in the amphitheater located immediately west of the library building.
FARMERS BRANCH MANSKE LIBRARY UNATTENDED CHILDREN POLICY
The Farmers Branch Manske Library is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming, exciting, and safe environment for people of all ages. The Farmer Branch Manske Library welcomes children of all ages to use and enjoy the facilities, collections, and programs.
It is for the safety of each child that the Library has adopted this Safe Child Policy. The safety of children left alone at the Library is a serious concern of Library staff. The Library staff; however, has many duties to perform in order to serve all the residents in Farmers Branch and customers of the Library. The Library staff cannot monitor the safety and behavior of children using the Library. The Library staff cannot supervise children at the Library or prevent children from interacting with, or leaving the Library with persons who are not the parents, guardians or appropriate caregivers. Furthermore, the Library cannot prevent unattended children from coming and going from the Library. The responsibility, supervision and safety of children in the Library rests with the parent, guardian or caregiver and not with the Library staff.
Children under the age of 10 must be supervised at all times by a parent, guardian or responsible caregiver 16 years of age or older. The Library staff will contact the parent, guardian or caregiver (when possible) of any applicable unattended child to remove the child from the Library.
If a child under the age of 10 is attending a Library program, a parent, guardian or caregiver must be in the building and aware of the location and behavior of the child at all times.
Upon close of the Library, two members of the Library staff will wait 20 minutes with any unattended patron under the age of 13 for the parent, guardian or caregiver to arrive. After 20 minutes, the Library staff will contact the Farmers Branch Police.
Parents, guardians or caregivers are responsible for being aware of the hours of operation of the Library. Parents, guardians or caregivers must also keep in mind that the Library may close unexpectedly for reasons beyond the control of the Library staff and therefore parents, guardians or the caregivers should ensure that children should know what to do should this occur. The Library staff cannot transport any children or care for children after the Library has closed for any reason.