Library Policies

Public Service Policy

Everyone has rights in the Val Verde County Library – patrons and staff. The Val Verde County Library has established the following policies to ensure that everyone has a pleasant experience in the Library. The Library staff will enforce these policies in a courteous but firm manner.

Val Verde County Library patrons have a right to expect certain behavior from staff when they are requesting or using resources:

  1. The right to equal treatment regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, or religion.
  2. The right to be treated politely.
  3. The right to conduct research in a safe environment.
  4. The right to request reasonable research assistance.
  5. The right to expect confidentiality when asking for research assistance.
  6. The right to request an exception to rules and/or make suggestions for changes in rules.

Val Verde County Library staff members have rights that should not put them in conflict with the rights of patrons:

  1. The right to be treated politely.
  2. The right to work in a safe environment.
  3. The right to ask the patron to abide by rules posted in public service areas.
  4. The right to offer options when a patron’s request exceeds the Library’s resources.

Library patrons are asked to conduct themselves in an orderly and considerate manner. Any behavior that disrupts that orderly use of the Library is prohibited. This includes, without limitation, behavior that:

  1. Constitutes a nuisance
  2. Presents a safety and/or security hazard
  3. Affects the ability of the Library staff to provide service to its patrons.

Prohibited behaviors include, without limitation, smoking, intoxication, drug use, soliciting, littering, excessive noise, offensive language, eating and drinking except in conjunction with specific Library programs. Staff will call the appropriate authorities for any patrons displaying signs of intoxication. 

Patrons are asked to dress appropriately; shoes and shirts are required. 

All electronic devices may be used with earphones and only in such a manner that does not disturb other patrons or Library staff. 

Cell phone usage should be kept to a minimum when making phone calls. If a patron needs to make a phone call in conjunction with a question they have or while using the computer, the Library asks for patrons to use a low voice to not disturb surrounding patrons. No speakerphone should be used, and when possible, take any phone calls outside of the library.

Animals are not permitted in the Library with the exception of guide animals, assistance animals, and animals brought in for special programs. 

Defacing or intentionally damaging Library property is prohibited as is theft and/or attempted theft of Library property or the property of patrons and staff, and may be subject to prosecution.

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. 

Patrons who believe they have been wrongfully accused of violating the Library’s Public Service Policy or believe that any of the above rules are inappropriate may speak with the County Librarian.

All library programming is FREE to the public.

Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research". If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.