Policies and Guidelines FAQs

  • Patron Behavior

    Code of Patron Conduct

    Herrick District Library supports the right of all individuals to use the library safely and without discrimination. In order to properly maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for our patrons and staff, the Board of Trustees has adopted the following rules and responsibilities:

    1. Obey all laws, local ordinances, and library policies.
    2. Respect other patrons and employees. Do not annoy or harass other people, engage in loud or disruptive conduct, or cause a disturbance.
    3. Offensive, injurious, or threatening language, behavior, or gestures will not be tolerated.
    4. Stealing, defacing, or damaging library equipment, materials, or facilities is not allowed.
    5. To protect your personal belongings, do not leave them unattended.
    6. For your children’s safety, do not leave them unattended.
    7. Guardians are responsible for ensuring those in their charge follow the library’s policies and may not use the library in place of a care facility.
    8. Proper attire, including, but not limited to, shirt and shoes, is required. For your safety, wooden shoes and skates are not allowed.
    9. Eating is only permitted in designated areas. Beverages are permitted only in covered containers.
    10. The library property is a smoke-free and drug-free space.
    11. Public disturbances caused by intoxication will not be tolerated. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, except with the approval of the Library Director.
    12. Pets are not allowed in the library. Only service animals are permitted.
    13. Sleeping and/or laying down is not allowed.
    14. Weapons, dangerous objects and items that could potentially be used as weapons are not allowed on library property. The possession of any firearm, other than a lawfully possessed firearm, is prohibited in the library.
    15. Disruptive smells or odors are not allowed.
    16. Solicitation inside of the library is not allowed for any reason.
    17. Those seeking signatures on petitions may only position themselves at either side of the bottom of the stairs at the Main Library entrance and may not behave in a manner that disrupts the quiet of the Library, restricts free access to the building, or may be perceived as aggressive or intimidating.

    It is the responsibility of the Herrick District Library staff to insure the rights of all individuals to use the library as intended. Patrons who violate these rules and responsibilities will be asked to leave the library. They can appeal this decision by contacting the Library Director.

    Adopted by the Board, August 28, 1986. Amended October 26, 2000, February 26, 2004, April 30, 2009, March 21, 2013, February 24, 2017, October 28, 2021, October 26, 2023, April 25, 2024.

     

    2024 Code of Patron Conduct (PDF) 

    Willful Annoyance

    No person shall willfully annoy another person.

    Pets

    No person shall bring pets into the library.

    Covered Beverages

    No person shall drink from uncovered containers or eat on the first or second floors of the library. Food may be allowed in meeting rooms with prior approval from the library’s administrative office.

    Solicitations Inside the Library

    No person shall make solicitations inside the library for any reason.

    Solicit Signatures on Petitions

    No person shall solicit signatures on petitions in a manner that will disrupt the quiet of the library, restrict free access to the building, or act in a manner that a reasonable person would perceive to be an aggressive imposition, harassment, or intimidation. (Those seeking signatures on petitions may only position themselves at either side of the bottom of the stairs at the Main Library entrance.)

    Public participation at library board meetings

    Last Revision 7/2017
    At each regular and special open meeting, the members of the public may participate subject to reasonable constraints.
    The individuals appearing before the Board are expected to follow these guidelines:

    • Address the Board only at appropriate times as indicated on the agenda and when recognized by the Board President.
    • Complete a public comment card. Identify oneself by full name and address, and organization affiliation if appropriate and be brief. Ordinarily comments shall be limited to 3 minutes.
    • Delegations may select up to four spokespersons with a total time limit of 10 minutes.
    • The Board President may shorten or lengthen a person’s opportunity to speak.
    • No more than 20 minutes shall be allowed for discussion except by unanimous consent of the Board.
    • Conduct oneself with respect and civility towards others.

    Petitions or written comments to the Board shall be presented to the Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

    Revised by Herrick District Library Board 4-2000

    Revised and simplified by Herrick District Library Board 07-27-2017

  • Rooms

    The Herrick District Library provides meeting rooms to empower our community to connect, discover, and create, which is the Library’s mission. The primary intent of our meeting rooms is to provide space to implement regular Library programs. Not-for-profit organizations in the community are able to use the meeting rooms to provide programs open to the general public that are educational, cultural, or civic betterment in purpose.

    • HDL is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen items. Users are liable for any damage to furniture and fixtures. Room use may require liability and damage protection as determined by the Library Director or the Director’s representative.
    • Room users are responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
    • Smoking and alcohol use are prohibited in the Library.
    • Users of the rooms must be under adequate supervision by adults 18 years of age or older.
    • Room use is revocable by the Library at any time and for any reason.

    Endorsement

    The use of the meeting rooms by outside organizations does not imply endorsement of the organization or its programs by the Library. Organizations will not be permitted to use advertising or publicity that implies sponsorship or approval of the Library.

    No Discrimination

    HDL will allow room use on an equitable basis regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. HDL requires that all room users will uphold high ethical standards without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or other protected status.

    Fees & Charges

    The Library’s meeting rooms shall be available for use free of charge. Room users may be charged for use of the Library’s audiovisual equipment and support. Organizations may not charge fees nor hold fund raising events in the meeting rooms. Continuing education workshops may charge a fee to cover the costs of supplies.

    The Library Director is authorized to develop guidelines and procedures to implement this policy. Organizations may not use the meeting rooms in such a manner as to go against the guidelines.

    Revised/adopted by Board on June 21, 2007
    Revised mission and updated wording - Board approved on July 25, 2019
    Proposed to Policy & Personnel Committee 7/8/2021

    2021 Meeting Room Policy (PDF)

    Study Room Policy

    The Herrick District Library provides study rooms for individual or small group use that supports the Library’s mission. The study rooms are available free of charge.

    • Study rooms may be reserved or if they are available, may be used on a first come, first served basis.
    • Noise should be kept to a reasonable level as the rooms are not soundproof.
    • HDL is not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen items.
    • Users are liable for any damage to furniture and fixtures.
    • Room users are responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
    • Unattended items will be removed from the study rooms.
    • Ongoing office hours or classes are not permitted in study rooms.
    • Activities deemed to be disruptive to other users will not be permitted in the study rooms.
    • Smoking and alcohol use are prohibited in the Library.
    • Eating is prohibited in Study Rooms. Drinks must be in covered containers.
    • Rooms cannot exceed posted capacity.
    • Internet and Technology Use Policy applies.

    The Library Director is authorized to develop guidelines and procedures to implement this policy.

     

    Approved 3/24/2004

    Revised and Updated 10/30/2018, 7/29/2021, 4/25/2024

     

    2024 Study Room Policy (PDF) 

  • Technology

    Herrick District Library provides access to computers, the Internet and other electronic resources in support of our mission to Connect, Discover, and Create.  All computers for patron use are in public areas of the Library.  All patrons using computers and/or internet access at Herrick District Library must adhere to the following rules: 

    1. Parents or guardians of minors assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet while on Library property. 
    2. Certain areas of the Library are designed to be used by patrons of set age ranges.  Patrons outside of these age ranges are not allowed to log onto computer systems in those areas. 
    3. All patrons must adhere to federal, state and local laws governing the content, transmission and dissemination of information.   
    4. The Herrick District Library follows the rules and regulations of CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act). Therefore, the Library does not allow anyone using a computer on Library premises to view material that is obscene, sexually explicit and/or may be considered harmful to minors.   
    5. Patrons may only use currently installed software on Library computers. Computer configuration may not be altered. 
    6. Patrons should use only their own Library card or user account to access Library computers. 
    7. Patrons are prohibited from using resources and/or content that would harm Library materials, intimidate other users or in any way violate the Patron Code of Conduct. 
    8. The Library assumes no liability for loss or damage to users’ data or for injury arising from invasion of privacy as a result of using Library resources. 
    9. Patrons with questions or concerns about these rules and other users’ observance of them should be directed to Library staff. 

    Violators may be required to terminate their sessions, be asked to leave or be banned from the Library property for a period of time.  

    Internet and Technology Use Policy

    The Herrick District Library provides all patrons access to computers, various technologies, software, and the Internet in order to further our mission to empower our community to connect, discover, and create.

    Library computers and other equipment may only be used for lawful purposes. Examples of unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • Display of violent, obscene, or sexually explicit materials
    • Harassment of other users or violation of their privacy
    • Violation of copyright laws or software licensing agreements
    • Damaging equipment software or data belonging to HDL or other users
    • Unauthorized changes to software and/or hardware configurations of computers, TVs, printers, and all other library devices

    As required by Michigan Public Act 212 of 2000 and realizing that filtering software is not completely effective, the Library will take all reasonable and possible actions to prevent minors from accessing obscene material or sexually explicit material in their use of the Internet, which is deemed harmful to minors (as those terms are defined by state law).

    Violation may result in the loss of computer, Internet, and/or library privileges, subject to appeal and review. Illegal use of the computers may be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

    While the Internet provides many valuable sources of information, users are reminded that some information on the Internet may not be accurate, complete, current, or confidential. The Library has no control over the information on the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content.

    The Library Director is authorized to develop guidelines, procedures, and rules to implement this policy.

    Revised 4/2014

    Revised and approved 7/8/2021, 4/25/2024

    Internet and Technology Use Policy (PDF)

  • Collection

    Collection Development Policy

    Last Revision 10/2016
    The selection policy of the Herrick District Library supports the general mission of the Library, the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View Statement.
    It is the policy of Herrick District Library to meet the informational, recreational and cultural needs of the community by providing a variety of library resources. All acquisitions, before being purchased or accepted as gifts, are evaluated in terms of the following criteria and in the context of economic and space considerations. An item will not necessarily be judged against all criteria, but against those appropriate and applicable to it. These same standards determine the replacement, duplication, and withdrawal of materials.

    Selection Criteria:

    • Relevance to interests and needs of the communit
    • Anticipated demand or critical review and publicity
    • Suitability of physical form for library use
    • Local significance of the author or subject
    • Relevance to the existing collection’s strengths and weaknesses
    • Current or historical significance of the author or subject
    • Reputation and/or significance of the author/artist and publisher/producer
    • Relevance to the experiences and contributions of diverse populations
    • Price, availability in relation to Library materials budget
    • Public demand as expressed through requests and suggestions

    Youth Services

    The Youth Services collection provides materials for children from birth through age 18. Parents or guardians are responsible for materials accessed by children and teens.

    Digital Collection

    Selection of digital content can vary among vendors who supply digital content to the library. In digital platforms where individual title selection is not available, subscription to the service will be based upon the reputation and overall content offerings of the vendor.

    Requests for Reconsideration

    Herrick District Library cardholders may request the reconsideration of specific library material selection or placement by completing the Library Materials Reconsideration form. The request will be reviewed based on the above criteria.

    Collection Management

    Withdrawn library materials will be given to non-profit community organizations. Priority will be given to the Friends of the Herrick District Library.