Library Patron Policy
Library Cards
Students in grades K-12, who attend a Wells County school but live outside of Wells County or within Markle City limits, may have a library card for use during the school year only. Current proof of attendance is required. Borrowing privileges are the same as the age appropriate resident card with the exception of access to entertainment movies.
Digital Card
This card only allows access to our electronic materials. It is valid for 3 years. Residents, property owners, and all students and teachers at Wells County schools are eligible. Those who already possess another Wells County Public Library Card of any kind will not be granted a digital card.
Patron Policy for Young Children & Parents
- Children under 6 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver at all times while in the library. Parents may not leave their young children unattended while using other areas of the library or attending meetings.
- Children ages 6 and older may use the library unattended as long as they are engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library. Adult caregivers are encouraged not to leave children age 6 to 10 more than an hour unattended, as their attention spans are limited and they may become bored or disruptive after extended periods of time.
- A child or dependent adult who is disruptive or who is not reading, studying, using library equipment, or playing quietly may be asked to leave the library.
- If necessary, a library staff member will contact the police department to report cases of unattended children.
- In all situations, the parent or adult caregiver who has brought minor children or dependent adults onto the library premises or who has otherwise directed or allowed minor children or dependent adults onto the library premises shall be responsible for the care and safety of those individuals.
- The library is not responsible for the care and safety of minor children or dependent adults traveling to and from the library premises.
- The library staff does not take the place of the parent, act as caregiver, nor assume responsibility for the unattended children.
- Parents are encouraged to talk to the children’s librarian if they have questions or want additional information regarding these policies.
Standards of Patron Behavior
- Behave in a non-disruptive manner. Disruptive or unsafe behavior includes, but is not limited to, loud talking, loud equipment, inappropriate language, running, throwing things, hitting, pushing or shoving.
- Refrain from touching that is threatening, unwelcome, or inappropriate for a family-friendly setting.
- Avoid unlawful possession of firearms, fireworks, or other weapons on library property.
- Refrain from the use of all tobacco products on library property. This includes electronic cigarettes.
- Supervise behavior and safety of minors or dependent adults for which they are responsible.
- Attend to personal belongings.
- Use the library, furniture, equipment, and materials for their intended function.
- Keep passageways and access to the library or any parts of the library open.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
- Use covered containers when bringing beverages into the library and comply with posted “No Food or Drink” zones. Food must be confined to individually consumed snacks and must not be distracting to other patrons or damaging to library materials. Patrons must properly dispose of their food and drink trash.
- Use restrooms only for their intended purpose.
- Refrain from solicitation of any kind for any purpose without prior approval of the library director.
- With the permission of the librarian in charge use library telephones for local calls only.
- Avoid bringing animals, except for service or support animals, into the library without prior permission of the library director.
- Use library parking areas and sidewalks safely.
- Leave the library at the designated closing time.
Incident Reports
Incident reports are used for both patron or staff accidents and disruptive behavior.
- When an accident occurs, incident reports should be completed, signed and given to the director or branch manager.
- When disruptive behavior occurs, incident reports should be completed, signed, and given to the director or branch manger.
Video Surveillance
The Wells County Public Library strives to maintain a safe and secure environment for its staff and patrons. In pursuit of this objective, selected public areas of the library premises are under continuous camera surveillance and recording. This policy is in force to deter public endangerment, vandalism, theft, and mischief in unsupervised areas and to identify those individuals involved in such activity for law enforcement purposes. Use of recordings will adhere to the applicable federal, state, and local law concerning the confidentiality of library records and the protection of individual privacy. Clearly worded camera surveillance signage is prominently displayed at library entrances.
Reasonable efforts shall be made to safeguard the privacy of patrons and employees. Cameras are not installed in areas where staff and patrons have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Confidentiality/privacy issues prohibit the general public from viewing security camera footage.
Recordings may be used by authorized individuals or law enforcement to identify the person or persons responsible for library policy violations, criminal activity on library property, actions considered disruptive to normal library operations or violation of the library’s Standards of Patron Behavior.
Recordings are retained until the image capacity of the system is reached. The oldest stored images are automatically deleted. Recordings of incidents are retained and reviewed as long as considered necessary by the library director. All requests for footage by law enforcement will be referred to the library director.
Patron Privacy
Efforts are made to maintain a patron’s sense of privacy and safety. If individuals call or enter the building looking for a patron, staff will not provide information to those individuals. Patrons are welcome to walk through the building. Staff will not use the phone system to page an individual at the request of another individual. Staff may take a name and phone number to pass along if they see the individual. WCPL staff are not privy to personal relationships or protective orders between individuals and want to protect the safety of the patrons in our building.