McIntosh Memorial Library Use by the Public

The McIntosh Memorial Library will serve the public including all residents of the community and the Winding Rivers Library System area.  Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, political status, mental, emotional, or physical condition, age, or sexual orientation.

The use of the library may be denied for due cause.  Such cause may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library premises.

It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that patrons of the McIntosh Memorial Library have the right to use library materials and services without being unduly disturbed or impeded by other library users, and that patrons and staff have the right to a secure and congenial environment.

GUIDELINES

By using the Library you agree to the following guidelines.  Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the loss of Library use privileges.

  1. It is a patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper standards of behavior in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons.  If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the library and from the use of the library facilities.
  2. All children under age six must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the library.  If a young child is attending a preschool library program, we require the parent or person responsible for the wellbeing of the child remain in the library throughout the program.
  3. If a child is still at the library at closing time, every attempt will be made to contact a responsible adult.  If contact is unable to be made, the Viroqua Police Department will be contacted in order to report the child as unattended.  The library staff assumes no responsibility for children left alone at closing time.
  4. A child (whether with parents or not) who is continually being disruptive or disrespectful will be given a warning that he/she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library.  If after a second warning the child continues to be disruptive or disrespectful, he/she will be asked to leave the library.  If the child needs to contact a parent, he/she may do so and then wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.
  5. Smoking and the use of any form of nicotine delivery product are prohibited on library grounds, including but not limited to, chewing tobacco, dipping snuff, or e-cigarettes.  Smoking is defined as the holding, carrying, lighting, inhaling and exhaling of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other lit tobacco products or of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device or nicotine delivery system.
  6. Covered beverages are permitted on library premises, except near library computers.
  7. Shoes must be worn in the library at all times.
  8. Bicycles are not permitted in any library public area or entryway. Roller-skating and skateboarding are not permitted in the library. Wagons and strollers may not be left obstructing a corridor, hallway, aisle, entry or exit.
  9. Selling products or services, or soliciting donations is not permitted in the library, except as part of a library-sponsored program, or approved by the Library Director.
  10. Taking surveys, circulating petitions, distributing leaflets, and other similar activities are permitted in the library only when authorized by the Library Director.
  11. Animals, except those used to aid persons with disabilities, are not permitted in the library, except as part of a library sponsored program.
  12. The violation of federal or state laws or local ordinances will not be permitted on library property. Theft, vandalism, and mutilation of library property are criminal offenses and may be prosecuted. The library staff reserves the right to inspect all bags, briefcases, backpacks, and other such items when the staff has reason to believe this rule has been violated. The library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended.

 

 Approved with changes: May 18, 2017

Library Policies

Room Reservation Policy

Thank you for choosing one of our meeting rooms at the McIntosh Memorial Library (hereafter known as Library). The meeting rooms are available to organizations that wish to promote an open forum for knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Meeting room requests...

Document Disposal

All documents stored at the McIntosh Memorial Library are stored according to the Record Retention Schedule for Wisconsin’s Public Libraries and Public Library Systems.  This schedule was adopted by the Wisconsin Public Records Board on February 27th, 2006. The...

Meeting Rooms

Thank you for choosing one of our meeting rooms at the McIntosh Memorial Library (hereafter known as Library). The meeting rooms are available to organizations that wish to promote an open forum for knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Meeting room requests...

Teen Gaming

Use Policies Users must read the McIntosh Memorial Library Teen Gaming Policy. The gaming kits (4 controllers, 4 headphones, 4 nunchucks, 4 coil wristbands, one headphone splitter, and one timer) will be available on a first-come, first served basis for WRLS...

Patron Grievance

Purpose:  The Patron Grievance Policy addresses patron complaints regarding library services, materials, procedures, policies, and staff conduct.  Library policies and procedures have been developed to provide fair and efficient service to all individuals.  Persons...

In House Technology Use Policy

Use Policies Users must read the McIntosh Memorial Library In-house Technology Use Agreement. The devices will be available on a first-come, first served basis to WRLS cardholders only. Patrons must be 14 years of age or over to check out or use the device. A current...

Electronic Communication System

The McIntosh Memorial Library is honored to display community event announcements on our Electronic Communication Systems (ECS) at no cost to non-profit and community organizations.  The announcements will be displayed on the library’s ECS system located at the...

Comfort Room

Purpose The comfort room in the Children’s Department at the McIntosh Memorial Library is for use by lactating staff or patrons for the purpose of privately expressing breast milk, nursing or calming small children and infants as needed. Policy The comfort room will...

Circulation Policy

A.  Registration All borrowers must be registered and must have a valid local or system library card to borrow library materials. Patrons must fill out an application form to register for a library card. The following statement will be printed on the registration form...

Art Display Wall & Display Cases

The McIntosh Memorial Library maintains exhibit space on the “Art Wall”, in display cases, or other spaces that the Library designates for exhibit display in the Library facility. The use of these spaces is intended to further the Library Vision and Mission as adopted...

Cell Phone Usage

Cell phone use is allowed in the building as long as conversations  are not bothering other patrons.  Library staff reserves the right to require that people having loud and/or extended conversations go to an area where they will not bother other people. Approved with...

Damaged Books

A book is considered “damaged” if it is returned to the library in a condition that requires extensive repair OR is unable to be repaired and cannot be returned to circulation.  Examples of damaged books include, but are not limited to, water damage, mold, writing on...

Concealed Carry

The McIntosh Memorial Library prohibits firearms and other weapons in the Library by anyone other than a law enforcement officer.

Personal Property

The Library staff will not be responsible for any patron’s personal property.  Staff cannot monitor personal property or hold personal property behind a desk or in a staff area for any patron.

Personal Messages

Library staff will not relay or take personal messages for patrons.  If it is determined that an emergency exists, Library staff will page the person needed. Approved with changes: April 20, 2017

Laptop Use Policy

MCINTOSH MEMORIAL LIBRARY LAPTOP USE POLICY & LOAN AGREEMENT Use Policies Users must read the McIntosh Memorial Library Laptop Loan Agreement. Laptop computers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to WRLS cardholders only. Users must be at least...

Collection Development Policy

McIntosh Memorial Library Collection Development Policy  The McIntosh Memorial Library is committed to serving the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of all its patrons.  The Library has a responsibility to provide all individuals in the...

Public Relations Policy

The purpose of the public relations policy is to guide efforts to keep the community informed about the McIntosh Memorial Library’s mission, services, and resources and to foster a positive public image in order to maximize effective use and support. The objectives of...

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission, Vision & Values of the McIntosh Memorial Library   Our Vision The McIntosh Memorial Library is an inspiring beacon of lifelong learning, bringing knowledge alive, sparking imagination and creating possibility for a vibrant and creative Viroqua. Our...