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Patron Rights & Responsibilities

Staff Commitment to Service

The library exists to provide quality library service to the taxpayers who support the system and those who use the library’s facilities, collections and services. Administration and staff are responsible for giving the best possible service in an open and inviting atmosphere. Patrons shall be encouraged to enjoy library facilities and materials, and staff shall be available to assist patrons with finding, using and borrowing materials in a courteous and helpful manner.

Patron Rights

All Mercer County Library staff members are trained to understand and demonstrate that the library’s patrons are the library’s reason for existence and should always be treated with great respect. All staff members know that patrons have rights, which include:

  1. Library patrons are always greeted with verbal acknowledgement, a smile, and eye contact, and are treated courteously in all circumstances.
  2. Library patrons are able to check out books and other materials, register for new cards, and pay fees without undue red tape or delays.
  3. Library patrons are able to get current bestsellers and popular materials in a reasonable amount of time.
  4. Every effort will be made to resolve patron complaints and answer patron questions within 24 hours.
  5. Library patrons’ phone calls will not be transferred or left on hold unnecessarily.
  6. Library patrons should expect staff to make the library system work for them.
  7. Library patrons are able to suggest new materials and services, and to find out what happens to their suggestions.
  8. Library patrons who are under age 18 deserve the same courteous and considerate treatment as adult library patrons.
  9. There are no stupid patron questions. Library patrons are entitled to accurate information and answers to all their questions.
  10. Library patrons are entitled to clean, safe, and reasonably quiet library facilities, while recognizing that libraries are multi-function community spaces used by a great number of people with different needs and expectations
  11. Library patrons are the most important people in the library’s business, external and internal. Library patrons are not an interruption of staff work but the purpose of it.
  12. Library patrons do staff an honor when visiting the library. Staff are not doing them a favor by serving them. Library patrons are to be treated as valued guests.
  13. Library patrons are people who bring staff their wants and needs. The staff’s job is to appropriately fill those wants and needs.
  14. Library patrons have the right to expect library employees to behave professionally and present a neat, clean appearance.

Patron Complaints

All library patrons have a right to question library policies and their personal circulation records, as long as this is done in a reasonable manner. Staff members who receive such patron questions should carefully and courteously explain policies and take all necessary steps to ensure that patron circulation records are accurate. If the patron still has questions or objections, he/she should be referred to the Director or Assistant Director. In the interest of patron service, the Director or Assistant Director should attempt to resolve the problem immediately. If the situation requires gathering more information, the Director or Assistant Director should keep the patron informed regularly on the problem-solving process.

Patron Responsibilities

The Mercer County Public Library is dedicated to providing a secure, friendly, helpful, comfortable and safe environment where patrons are able to conduct their business and interact in a pleasant manner. Our patrons have a role in this as well and are expected to use the library responsibly. The library has established the following rules for patron conduct in the library.

  1. Engaging in any activity that violates federal, state, local or other applicable law is not permitted.
  2. Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriately using library property in library facilities or on library grounds, including computer hardware and software, is not permitted.
  3. Possessing alcohol or being impaired due to alcohol consumption is not permitted.
  4. Selling, using, possessing, or being under the influence of illegal drugs is not permitted.
  5. Verbally or physically harassing or threatening another person is not permitted. This includes but is not limited to: making suggestive comments, yelling, using obscene language, threatening violence against another person, stalking, staring, gesturing, offensive touching or any sexual harassment, obscene acts such as sex acts or indecent exposure, or brandishing any item that is deemed to be a weapon.
  6. Carrying concealed firearms or dangerous weapons of any kind is discouraged in the library. The right to do so is limited to what is allowed by state law.
  7. Creating disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming, yelling, or banging on computer keyboards is not permitted.
  8. Entering or being in the library barefoot, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene (including pests on a person or belongings), or being otherwise attired in a way that is disruptive to the library environment is not permitted.
  9. Exposing others to biologically hazardous material by spitting, occupying public areas with open wounds or soiled clothing, or otherwise creating an unsanitary condition is not permitted anywhere on library grounds.
  10. Lying down or sleeping in the restrooms, or on any floor, or couch, table or seat in the library or on library grounds, or loitering or blocking aisles, exits or entrances is not permitted.
  11. The use of tobacco products is not permitted inside any library building or vehicle. This ban includes tobacco and tobacco products; chewing, rolling of tobacco, any burnable product, electronic cigarettes, and vaporizers.
  12. All trash, including cigarette butts, must be disposed of safely in designated receptacles.
  13. Bathing, shaving, or washing clothing in restrooms is not permitted.
  14. Recreational use of skateboards, skates, or bicycles on library grounds is not permitted. Bicycles may not be brought inside any library building.
  15. Food and drink are permitted in designated areas only.
  16. Playing audio equipment without headsets or making unreasonable noise is not permitted.
  17. Panhandling, distribution, or selling of non-library approved material is not permitted.
  18. Inappropriate use of the Internet or violation of the library’s Patron Computer and Internet Use Policy is not permitted.
  19. Service animals for people with disabilities (or service animals in training) are welcome. No other animals are permitted.
  20. The library does not accept or assume responsibility for personal belongings. Unattended bags and packages may be turned over to law enforcement as a matter of precaution.
  21. The library does not accept or assume responsibility for unattended children. Police may be notified of unattended children at closing or at any time there is concern for the child’s well-being.
  22. The library parking lot is for the convenience of patrons while using the library. Vehicles left in the lot for more than 24 hours without approval by the Library Director may be towed at the owner’s expense.
  23. Bags and briefcases are subject to inspection at exit.
  24. Failing to comply with a reasonable request from library staff is not permitted.

Library staff reserve the right to ask a patron to leave or to call the police if these standards are not followed, if any laws are being broken, or if it is perceived that a potentially dangerous situation exists. Severe or repeated violations may result in denial of library privileges on a temporary or permanent basis.