The Austin County Library System is supported by the taxes of the people of Austin County who expect each of our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe. The library is intended for reading, studying, writing and listening to written or electronically transmitted materials, and attending library or community sponsored programs and meetings. To this end, the library has established these rules to protect the rights and safety of library customers, staff and volunteers, and to help preserve and protect the library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.

Patrons must abide by the standards of behavior set forth in these rules with consideration of the situation and age-appropriateness.

Library Use Rules

The Austin County Library System is supported by the taxes of the people of Austin County who expect each of our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe. The library is intended for reading, studying, writing and listening to written or electronically transmitted materials, and attending library or community sponsored programs and meetings. To this end, the library has established these rules to protect the rights and safety of library customers, staff and volunteers, and to help preserve and protect the library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.

Patrons must abide by the standards of behavior set forth in these rules with consideration of the situation and age-appropriateness.

Service to Patrons with Disabilities

The Austin County Library System adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that assure equal access to employment opportunities and access to all library facilities, activities, and programs. The Austin County Library System offers the same services to patrons with disabilities as to all other segments of the population

Children in the Library

The Austin County Library System libraries are public facilities that offer services to a wide range of citizens, and children. Children under the age of ten should never be left unsupervised in any area of the library. If a parent/responsible adult who is at least 17 years of age cannot be located, staff will call the local Police or Austin County Sheriffs’ Department to report an abandoned child.

Older children who are disruptive or misbehaving will be asked to leave the library.  If the child cannot safely leave the library to return home on his or her own, staff will allow the child to remain at the library until a parent can be contacted or will contact the Austin County Sheriffs’ Departments depending on the severity of the situation.

Patron Code of Conduct

So that all may have a safe, fair, and pleasant opportunity to patronize the libraries in the Austin County Library System and enjoy all the libraries have to offer, please observe the following while in the library:

• No smoking or using tobacco products
• Keep your personal belongings with you at all times
• Mute your cellular phone
• No soliciting, petitioning, distributing written materials, or canvassing for political, charitable, or religious purposes without prior approval of the library director
• Footwear and shirts are required.
• Children under 11 years must be accompanied by an adult, and cannot be left unattended.
• Children age 10 and older may use the library unattended by an adult, and are subject to other library rules and policies concerning conduct.
• Unauthorized use of library cards is not permitted.
• Any behavior which is disruptive or hinders others’ use of the facilities or library staff’s ability to do their jobs is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Using threatening or obscene language or gestures
• Conduct that creates unreasonable noise
• Using audio or video devices without headphones
• Damaging, destroying, or tampering with library property
• Moving library furniture without permission
• Public intoxication
• Sleeping in the library
• Verbal, physical, or sexual harassment of patrons or staff

Patrons who violate any of these guidelines will be given notice of this policy. A violation may result in a patron’s expulsion from the library, suspension of library privileges, or criminal prosecution or other legal action, as appropriate.

Internet Policy

The Austin County Library System provides computers for public use. Online library catalog computers access the library’s holdings and provide access to other resources, including the Internet. Computers and software programs are provided to permit patrons to improve computer skills, test new computer programs, and enhance self-learning through self-improvement and testing software. Software is purchased according to the material selection policy to support specific areas of library service. Programs are selected, updated, and discarded according to the material selection policy. Computers provide access to the Internet, the library catalog, and to the Texas State Library (TexShare) online databases.

Patrons can schedule a session for general computer orientation with a library staff member by setting up an appointed time. During the general orientation, library staff will explain correct operating procedures and discuss rules for use of the computers. All users are required to check out a computer at the circulation desk using their own library card. Library staff cannot provide training on computer technology or software; however, online tutorials and self-instructional videos may be available for some software programs.

 Users agree to observe all copyright and licensing laws and will not duplicate any computer programs or documentation unless expressly labeled as being “in the public domain” or “shareware.” No personal software or files may be loaded or stored on library computer hard drives. Any files left on the computers will be deleted. Users will have to supply their own recording media (portable storage devices) when needed.

Conditions of Library Computer Use:

To ensure that these electronic resources are provided fairly and equitably, the following conditions shall apply:

• Public computer workstations will be available during the library’s normal hours of operation until 15 minutes prior to closing.
• All computer users, using their own library card, must register at the circulation desk.
• Computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• The library reserves the right to set time limits for individual sessions of use so monopolizing of Internet resources is minimized. Time on the workstations is limited to one (1) hour if someone is waiting.
• Gaming and music is limited to 30 minutes.
• One person per computer. Exceptions can be made by the library staff member on duty.
• Users shall not attempt to upload, install, set up, run, or execute any program or software not authorized by the library on any of the library’s computer workstations or systems.
• This prohibition does not, however, restrict users from uploading text documents, such as resumes, other types of forms or documents to send to another device.
• Users may download information to a portable storage device. However, the user is cautioned regarding computer viruses.  The library is not responsible for damage to the user’s disk or computer, for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the library’s Internet service.
• Library staff can only give limited assistance and cannot tutor the patron on the use of a program or computer.

Statement on Privacy and Confidentiality of Library Records

The Austin County Library System (ACLS) recognizes its responsibility to protect the privacy of each patron’s personal records relating to their use of library materials. We affirm patrons’ Freedom to Read, as set forth by the American Library Association.

Records are required for controlling the use of library materials both on and off the library premises. These records are not in any way intended for the purpose of monitoring a user’s reading or pursuit of information. Circulation records are kept to protect public property. Summary statistics of library use are kept to measure organizational activity.

Library commitment to privacy and confidentiality has deep roots not only in the law, but also in the ethics and practices of librarianship. In accordance with the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics: “We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted.”

In accordance with Texas Government Code Section 552.124 of the Public Information Act addressing Records of a library or Library System and the surveillance provisions included in The USA PATRIOT ACT (Public Law 107-56)., Austin County Library System protects the privacy of library patrons by prohibiting access to patron information by third parties.

Information about library materials on loan, reserve, or used in the library, as well as personal information is restricted to the cardholder and will not be disclosed to a third party except:

• As reasonably necessary for the operation of the library;
• To persons authorized in writing by an adult patron and in possession of that patron’s library card; or
• To a law enforcement agency or a prosecutor under a district court order or subpoena in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 552.124.

Information that can be provided to parents upon presentation of their child’s library card, to an authorized person as stated above, or by telephone to patrons who provide the name and library card number:

• The number of items on loan and the due dates.
• Number of books on hold.
• Fines and fees due on the account.
• Due date information about specific items when the titles are provided by the requestor.

User Access and Responsibility

Library patrons are entitled to view their personally identifiable information and are responsible for keeping their information accurate and up to date. The library will explain the process for accessing or updating patron information.

Data Integrity and Security

ACLS takes reasonable steps to assure data integrity. We protect personally identifiable information by electronically purging or manually shredding data once it is no longer needed for library business purposes. We have invested in appropriate technology to protect the security of any personally identifiable information while it is in the library’s custody.

Parents and Children

ACLS respects the privacy and confidentiality of all library users, no matter their age. Parents or guardians of a child under age 18 who wish to access their child’s library records will have to provide the child’s library card or card number and the child will have to give their consent for their parent to access their records. This is according to the law.

Staff Access to Personal Data

Library staff may access personal data stored in the library’s computer system only for the purpose of performing their assigned library duties. Staff will not disclose any personal data collected from patrons to any other party except where required by law or to fulfill your service requests. The library does not sell, lease or give users’ personal information to companies, governmental agencies or individuals except as required by law or with the user’s authorization.

Illegal Activity Prohibited and Not Protected

Users may conduct only legal activity while using library resources and services. Nothing in this statement prevents the library from exercising its right to enforce its policies, protect its facilities, and network and equipment from harm, or prevent the use of library facilities and equipment for illegal purposes. The library can electronically monitor public computers and external access to its network and reserves the right to do so when a violation of law or library policy is suspected. Staff is authorized to take immediate action to protect the security of library users, staff, facilities, computers and the network. This includes contacting law enforcement authorities and providing information that may identify the individual(s) perpetrating a violation.

Meetings at the Library

A Library may be used aa a meeting place for any local not-for-profit, non-commercial group of at least three individuals engaged in an educational, cultural, intellectual, or civic activity. The individual or group as a whole, is responsible for damages that result from the group’s use of the library. Library should be left as was found. If the furniture is rearranged, it should be returned to the original arrangement at the end of the meeting.

Displays, Exhibits, Bulletin Boards Policy

The Austin County Library System libraries make attempts to provide the Austin County communities with limited, temporary space for displays, exhibits, and bulletin boards to further the Library’s mission to provide information and services that promote lifelong learning, literacy, and love of reading and to enrich the quality of life in our community. Not all Library buildings can accommodate postings, displays, or exhibits. To make the most efficient use of the space that is available, the Library has established the following criteria for such material.

• Any individual or group requesting to post, display, or exhibit materials should bring the material(s) or, in the case of an exhibit, a representative sample of the materials, to the circulation desk.
• Because display space is very limited at the Austin County Library System branches, preference will be given to the Library, Library support groups, City, and City-related material. As space permits, announcements of events and activities of tax-supported or non-profit educational, cultural, and charitable organizations will be posted.
• The Library does not assume responsibility or liability for materials exhibited in Library facilities. The Library reserves the right to refuse to post, and the right to remove announcements, posters, displays, or exhibits which do not meet the above criteria or which have been posted for a reasonable length of time.