A copy of this policy can be downloaded by clicking here.

Pasadena Public Library System welcomes people of all ages to utilize its programs, facilities, collections and services. In order to ensure the safety and well being of children and young adults who use the library, and to ensure that the use of The Children’s Library and Teen Central are consistent with the mission, vision and values of Pasadena Public Library System while maintaining an atmosphere of constructive library use, the following policy regarding unattended minors and the appropriate use of The Children’s Library and Teen Central is adopted.

Rules & Guidelines

Use of The Children’s Library
The materials, services and equipment in the Pasadena Public Library System’s The Children’s Library are intended for the use of children, their parents and caregivers, and others needing children’s materials and services for some specific purpose. All other customers are asked to use the adult areas of the library. Young Adults are asked to use Teen Central.

Use of Teen Central
The materials, services and equipment in the Pasadena Public Library System’s Teen Central are intended for the use of teens ages twelve through seventeen. Gaming equipment, computers and special programs are limited to participation and use by teens ages twelve through seventeen. All other customers are welcome to use the teen collection, but once material has been selected, they should use The Children’s Library or adult areas of the library.

Unattended Minors
Pasadena Public Library System defines an unattended minor as any young person under the age of eighteen who is unaccompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or older, and who is unable to care for his or her self, or use the library responsibly.

Inappropriate and irresponsible behavior may include but are not limited to: 1) disruptive behavior, such as running, shouting, climbing, rude actions, horseplay, etc.; 2) verbal or physical abuse of staff or customers such as cursing, rude or demeaning comments, talking back to library staff or customers, hitting, biting, kicking, punching, teasing other customers, etc.; and 3) damage to property of the library or of customers such as breaking or ruining supplies or property, improper use of furniture or equipment, theft, vandalism, etc.

Parents or adult caregivers are legally responsible for the welfare and behavior of their children; the library is not responsible for unattended children. Library staff may refer children who are left unattended in the library to appropriate authorities including the police or child welfare agencies.

Children under age 8
Any child under the age of eight (seven years old or less) must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. An exception exists for children attending a planned, scheduled library program without a parent or caregiver in the room. However, the parent or caregiver is expected to remain in the library building and immediately join the child at the end of the program.

Children age 8 through age 11
Older children ages eight through age eleven may need adult supervision to ensure their safety and to maintain appropriate behavior and responsible library use. Although they may be by themselves in the library, a parent or caregiver must be on the premises at all times. Staff members will use their judgment and discretion in determining whether or not an unattended child needs a parent or caregiver to provide supervision.

Young Adults ages 12 and up
PPLS recognizes that many young adults are responsible enough to be in the library without adult supervision. However, if library staff identifies behavioral issues or recognizes that a young adult cannot use the library responsibly on their own, staff may ask young adults to leave the premises. Additionally, parents may be contacted, and if continuous behavioral issues occur, a young adult may be required to have a parent or caregiver present while using the library or, in some cases a young adult may be banned or have library privileges suspended.

Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Library staff will ask children and young adults to comply with library rules or instructions. Children and young adults whose behavior is disruptive to library rules and instructions will be asked to leave the library grounds. Children will be given the opportunity to make a phone call to a parent or guardian to inform them of the circumstances. If a child is too young to leave the library by themselves, a parent or the police may be called to pick up the child. (Police non-emergency number: 713-477-1221)

At closing time or in the event of an emergency (closing for weather or a power outage), staff will assist unattended children and young adults in calling a parent or responsible adult to pick them up. If someone cannot be contacted within 15 minutes of a child or young adult being left alone or at the library’s closing time, Public Service staff will call the police who will assume responsibility for the child or young adult. (Police non-emergency number: 713-477-1221)

Interlibrary Loan Policy

Download a copy of this policy by clicking here.

The Pasadena Public Library will obtain materials not currently in the library’s collection for patrons according to the procedures established by the library administration.

Interlibrary Loan Procedures

• To be eligible for Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service the patron’s account must have been established for at least three (3) months and have no overdue items or outstanding fines.

• The library will process not more than five (5) concurrent requests per patron.

• The patron will be responsible for any fees assessed by the lending library and all costs beyond normal postage fees.

• The library will not process requests for material that has been published within the previous six (6) months and/or has a list price less than or equal to $10.00.

• Requests to renew ILL items must be made at least three (3) business days prior to the item’s due date.

• The patron will be charged a minimum fee of $50.00 for lost or damaged items.

Questions concerning ILLs should be directed to the reference department at the Main library 713-477-0276 ext. 4120.

Limits for Lending Materials to Other Libraries

1. We will charge a fee of $5.00 to cover the cost of postage.

2. Limit of 5 items checkout for individual borrowing libraries at any given time

3. Pasadena Public Library will not lend:

• Out of Print Items & Rare Books
• Reference Materials
• Items published in the last 12 months
• Art Prints
• Genealogy
• Periodicals
• Microfilm
• Audiovisual Materials
• Items that cost less than $10.00 and more than $100

FOODS AND DRINK

Because of the potential damage to library computers, food and/or beverages are not allowed in the library Business Center or around the public computers in the various parts of the library.

Patrons may consume food and covered beverages in the rest of the library except for the following designated areas – the genealogy room, the children’s library and the meeting rooms where separate rules apply.

Download a copy of this policy here.

The Pasadena Public Library welcomes donations of new and gently used books, magazines, and audio-visual materials. While donated materials are sometimes used to enhance the Library’s collection, acceptance of donations does not guarantee the inclusion of the materials in the collection. Upon evaluation, donated material may be added to the collection, sold in the Friends of the Library book sale, or discarded. The evaluation and disposition of donated materials is the responsibility of Library staff authorized by the Library Director.

Donations must be in acceptable physical condition. The following types of materials will generally not be accepted:

a. Items containing or smelling of mold or mildew

b. Items with stains

c. Books with yellowed pages (exception: rare books)

d. Books that have writing or underlining

e. Books that have broken spines

f. Items that are damp and/or musty

g. Encyclopedias, unless in exceptionally good condition, leather bound, etc.

Donations of local history materials are encouraged. Yearbooks of high schools in Pasadena are especially desirable.

Receipts for tax purposes are given by the Library to donors and are limited to a general acknowledgment that a gift was received. Donors will be required to know the number of donated hardbacks, paperbacks, and audio-visual items. Assignment of value for income tax and other purposes is the responsibility of the donor. The Library does not appraise materials or endorse appraisals provided by donors.

The donor is responsible for delivering all donations to the receiving door in the back of the Central Library Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Donations are accepted at the Fairmont Branch during open hours. For more information at Central, call Kenya Johnson, 281-998-1095 ext. 14. For more information at the Fairmont Branch, call Bill Pierce, 713-475-4990.

Public Computer Use Policy

Pasadena Public Library System

Download a copy of the policy by clicking here

The Pasadena Public Library System provides computer access to all library customers to meet their informational, educational, and recreational needs. Wireless network and Internet access are available in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local regulations. Misuse of library equipment or software, including and not limited to all malicious or illegal activities, is prohibited. The library reserves the right to terminate any customer’s computer session and to suspend access to the library’s computer services.

In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA ~ Public Law 106-554), the Library does filter Internet access for both minors (persons under the age of 18) and adults to certain visual depictions that are (1) obscene (as defined in Section 1460 of Title 18, United States Code), (2) child pornography (as defined in Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code), or, with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors, and (3) harmful to minors. Furthermore, all customers must abide by §43.22 and §43.24 of the Texas Penal Code, which prohibits the intentional or knowing display of such materials, while being reckless about whether a person, and especially a minor, is present who will be offended or alarmed by the display. Accessing obscene, illegal, or inappropriate sites will result in disciplinary action including and not limited to termination of the customer’s computer session.

Computer access

Computer access is managed by Smart Access Management (SAM) software. All stations are available on a first-come-first-served basis and the SAM software regulates all waiting lists. Reservations are not available. To access any library computer, the customer must set up an account using his/her library card number. Free library cards are available to Texas residents. If the customer does not have a library card, a visitor’s pass may be purchased for a fee. Each pass is valid for one business day. For more information about obtaining a library card, see the library card policy.

Printing and saving documents

Color and black & white printing is available for a fee and is managed by SAM. The library assumes no responsibility for customer error or website malfunction. Printing illegal, malicious, or inappropriate materials will result in disciplinary action including, and not limited to revocation of library computer privileges. Printer services are maintained by CoinCopiers of Houston. Prior to printing, funds must be added to customer’s SAM account. Money added to a SAM account is nonrefundable. Refunds for printing errors provided at the sole discretion of library staff.

An external storage device (e.g. USB flash drive) is required to save any file. All work not saved to an external device will be lost at the end of all computer sessions.

Computer zones

Each location is divided into various appropriate zones. Age, time limits and services vary by zone. The zones include youth computers, teen computers, Internet stations, Business Center, and catalog terminals. The following guidelines govern access in each zone:

Youth and Teen computers

Parents or guardians are ultimately responsible for all materials accessed through the Internet by minor children; the library assumes no responsibility for sites and materials accessed by minors while using library equipment. For more information on Internet safety see the FBI-maintained site A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety (http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm).

All Internet access is filtered in the Youth and Teen zones. If a minor customer needs unfiltered access, he/she must be accompanied by an adult. Special accommodations for unfiltered access will be made in another computer zone. Requests should be directed to Library staff in the Youth, Teen or Reference department.

Internet, Microsoft Office suite, and games (both educational and recreational) are available.

Youth computers

• Computers are available to customers under the age of twelve years.
• Each computer session lasts 30 minutes.

Teen computers

• Computers are available to customers between the ages of twelve and seventeen.
• Each computer session lasts 60 minutes. Teens may only be allowed to use public computers for two hours per day during peak use periods.

Internet stations and Business Center

• Computer sessions last 60 minutes, but provided no other customers are waiting, the customer may log in again or ask staff to extend their session.
• Internet and Microsoft Office suite are available on the computers in these zones.
• All Internet access is filtered in these zones. Customers age eighteen and over can unfilter their session at will. If a minor customer needs unfiltered access, he/she must be accompanied by an adult. Requests can be directed to any member of the Reference staff.

Internet stations (Central and Fairmont)

• Stations are available to customers over the age of thirteen.

Business Center (Central)

• Stations are available to customers over the age of fourteen.
• In addition to Internet and Microsoft Office suite, additional services such as faxing, document scanning, etc. are available for a fee. For a complete list of services and related fees, please see the Business Center Services menu.

Wi-Fi access

• Wi-Fi is available to anyone with a wireless ready device.
• The library does not assume responsibility for damage to customers’ personal devices while utilizing the library’s Wi-Fi access.
• Access to library printing services is not available through Wi-Fi access.

Library Catalog terminals

• Terminals are available to any library user.
• Catalog terminals only access the library catalog and allow limited virtual services and online customer account access including placing holds, online customer registration, etc.
• Bypassing library security to access other Internet sites is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action including and not limited to termination of the customer’s computer session.
• Printing is not available from these terminals.

 

A copy of these guidelines is available for download here.

GENERAL BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES, A to Z

Library policy is intended to ensure that all library users enjoy their library experience, unimpeded by avoidable disturbances and unpleasant circumstances. The library director reserves the right to refuse service and library access to those who do not observe the following guidelines:

ALCOHOL: The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.

ANIMALS: Bringing animals into the library except those needed to assist patrons with special needs is not allowed.

AUDIO EQUIPMENT: Playing audio equipment so that others can hear it is not allowed.

BICYCLES: Bicycles must be parked in designated areas outside the building.

CELLULAR PHONES: The use of cell phones in the library is strongly discouraged. Calls may be made from the lobby. Cell phones should be set to vibrate/silence upon entering the building.

CHILDREN: While in the library, children under 9 must be supervised by a responsible person not under 13. Children under 9 may not be left alone. Please be aware of closing times.

CUDDLING: Excessive displays of affection are inappropriate behavior for the library.

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT (MISUSE OF): The abuse of computer equipment violates the law and violators will be prosecuted. Abuse of equipment includes actions that damage the equipment, misappropriation of hardware attempts to alter the software., etc

DAMAGES: Those who damage or deface library materials or property will be prosecuted. Parents are liable for damage done by a child under the age of eighteen.

DISTURBANCES: Creating a disturbance is not allowed. Inappropriate behavior directed at staff and/or other library users will not be tolerated.

DRUGS: Anyone caught in possession of or using any illegal drug, narcotic, inhalant, or misusing prescription drugs will be prosecuted.

FEET: Patrons with bare feet are not permitted in the building.

FOODS AND DRINK: Food and/or beverages are not allowed in the library, except at designated times or in designated rooms.

INTERFERENCE: Interfering with another person’s library use or with the library staff’s performance of their duties is not allowed.

LIBRARY FURNITURE (MISUSE OF): Patrons are forbidden to sit on tables, place feet on furniture, lie on floors, deface walls, etc. Patrons should sit one to a chair.

LOITERING: Loitering on library property is not allowed and will be discouraged particularly if the offending party prevents others from enjoying the library.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS: The library is unable to guarantee the security of patrons’ personal possessions. Persons caught with possessions of others will be reported to the Police.

PORNOGRAPHY: Using library computer equipment to view pornographic or obscene material is not allowed.

REST ROOMS: Misusing the rest rooms (e.g. using them as a laundry or washing facility) is not allowed.

RUNNING: Running is not allowed in the library building.

SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLER SKATES: Patrons may bring these into the library while they look for materials, however they may not be used on library property.

SLEEPING: Habitual sleepers, noisy sleepers and those who are sprawled on furniture or the floor will not be tolerated. Library users who simply doze off for a short time will ordinarily be left alone.

SOLICITING: Soliciting (including asking for donations or signatures on petitions) is not allowed in the library building.

STAFF ONLY AREAS: Patrons are not allowed to enter areas posted “Staff Only” without permission.

SUICIDE: All threats of suicide will be taken seriously and immediately reported to the Police.

THREATS: Threatening behavior, including, but not limited to, violence, threats of violence, and possession of weapons is not allowed and will be immediately reported to the Police.

TOBACCO: Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in the library

VANDALISM: See DAMAGES

Please note…

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of unacceptable behavior. Any activity that disturbs other patrons, damages library property, interferes with the normal function of the library, or violates the law – even if not explicitly enumerated on this list – is not allowed and the staff will take appropriate action. That action can include — but is not limited to — a verbal warning, the permanent revocation of library privileges, and criminal prosecution.