General Policies

1.0 General Policies 

Board Approved May 18, 2026 

1.1 Hours of Operation

The St. Joseph County Public Library is open to the public during the hours listed below under usual conditions. The Library Board reserves the right to change service hours as necessary. 

Main Library

• Monday through Thursday – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Local & Family History – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
• Friday and Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
• Sunday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Sunday hours are in effect the Sunday after Labor Day through Memorial Day)

Francis, Centre, German, River Park, Tutt, LaSalle and Western Branches 

• Monday through Thursday – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
• Friday and Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

North Liberty and Lakeville Branches 

• Monday through Thursday – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
• Friday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
• Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

1.1.1 Holidays 

The Library closes for the following holidays: 

The Library closes at 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. 

1.1.2 Staff Development Day  

Annually on the last Thursday of September, SJCPL will close all locations in order to provide dedicated time for training, learning, and professional enrichment for staff. 

1.1.3 Emergency Closing 

The Library reserves the right to close during severe weather or other emergency circumstances. 

1.2 Library Code of Conduct 

To provide the highest quality service to our visitors and ensure a safe, welcoming environment, SJCPL has established the following standards of behavior for all individuals on Library property. The following behaviors are prohibited: 

• Engaging in behavior or activity that can cause harm to oneself, others, the Library, and/or is prohibited by law. This includes but is not limited to the following: 
  • Being violent to or threatening others 
  • Harassing, stalking or intimidating others 
  • Using or possessing alcohol or illegal drugs 
  • Public intoxication 
  • Viewing or possessing pornography 
  • Damaging property 
  • Engaging in sexual misconduct 
  • Smoking & vaping in undesignated areas 
  • Stealing property 
  • Trespassing 
  • Brandishing weapons 
• Unreasonably interfering with others’ use and enjoyment of the library or with the functioning of library staff. This includes but is not limited to the following: 
  • Disrupting others with your behavior, odor, volume of voice or devices. 
  • Wearing clothing that does not cover underwear and private body parts, except while breastfeeding 
  • Having bare feet or chest in Library 
  • Bringing unauthorized animals in Library 
  • Being unhygienic
  • If under the age of 10, entering and/or remaining at Library without supervision of a person the age of 13 years or older 
• Using Library privileges, materials, equipment, fixtures, furniture, buildings, or grounds in a manner other than intended and/or in a way that may cause safety issues or damage. This includes but is not limited to the following: 
  • Having or consuming food in prohibited areas 
  • Misusing restrooms, such as laundering, shaving/haircutting, bathing, etc. 
  • Soliciting, selling or providing goods, proselytizing, canvassing, gambling or panhandling 
  • Unnecessarily obstructing use of Library facilities, property or resources 
  • Camping on Library property 
  • Lying down on the floor or furniture 
  • Accessing prohibited staff areas 
  • Leaving personal items unattended 
  • Having excessive baggage or carts 
• Ignoring Library staff instructions or directives. This includes but is not limited to: 
  • Refusing to adhere to or follow Library staffs’ reasonable directives 
  • Failing to exit Library at closing 
  • Failing to evacuate during an emergency or drill 
  • Returning to or refusing to leave Library property while Library privileges are suspended 

Failure to comply with this policy may result in the suspension of Library privileges, intervention of legal authorities, and/or removal from the building. The length of the suspension of Library privileges and/or eviction from Library premises shall depend on the nature and seriousness of the offense, any history or prior infractions of this policy or other Library policies, and any other circumstances the appropriate Library staff member deems relevant. 

1.2.1 Caregiver Expectations 

The Library does not provide childcare services. Children under the age of ten (10) must be under the direct supervision of someone who is at least thirteen (13) years old while in the Library. Caregivers are solely responsible for the safety and behavior of their children at all times. Children are considered unattended if they are in the Library without a parent, guardian, or responsible caregiver. If a child is left alone when the Library closes or appears to be at risk at any time, Library staff may contact the police or another appropriate agency. 

Studio 304 is available to individuals age 13 and older. Youth under age 13 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult age 18 or older. 

1.2.2 Social Media 

The St. Joseph County Public Library (SJCPL) uses social media to inform, entertain, and engage with our patrons, other libraries, and the broader community. Our content may include: 

• Library announcements, programs, and services. 
• Answers to patron questions. 
• Content that aligns with our mission. 

We encourage participation through likes, shares, and comments. By commenting and posting on SJCPL hosted social media, users agree to SJCPL’s social media policy. Comments that violate the policy will be removed, and users who repeatedly violate our policy may be blocked or banned. 

The following types of content are not permitted on SJCPL social media: 

• Comments or links that promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination such as content targeting individuals or groups based on gender, sexual orientation, disability status, race, age, national origin, or religion. 
• Threatening, harassing, or defamatory language, Including but not limited to, libelous or misleading statements about individuals or groups. 
• Obscene content or links, including, but not limited to, graphic or explicit imagery. 
• Spam and unsolicited promotions such as advertisements, petitions, or repetitive off-topic posts, comments, or messages. 

SJCPL social media is a space for respectful and constructive engagement. We encourage discussions, feedback, and debate that are expressed in a civil manner. 

Third-Party Content Disclaimer 

Posts and comments made by individuals or groups do not reflect the views of SJCPL. The Library does not endorse external links, images, or opinions shared by users. 

Comment Removal & User Blocking 

Patrons who violate this policy may: 

• Have their posts removed or hidden. 
• Be blocked or banned from engaging with the Library’s social media accounts. 

1.3 Food and Beverages 

SJCPL is committed to providing a welcoming, clean and comfortable environment for the public. The Library has adopted the following policy for the consumption of food and beverages in public areas of Library facilities. 

Library patrons may consume beverages at all library locations, provided the beverages are in a spill proof container such as a cup with a lid, closeable bottle or sports bottle. Patrons are requested to immediately report any spills to library staff. 

Food is permitted except in the following areas: the Reading Room, Local and Family History, and Studio 304 at Main. Library patrons are not allowed to consume food while using the public computers at any Library location. 

Food and beverages should be consumed in a manner that does not distract other Library patrons nor damage library materials or property. Patrons must clean their eating area and dispose of any trash or waste from their food and/or drink. 

For groups serving food while using Library meeting rooms, please refer to the Meeting Room Guidelines found on the meeting room booking page on our website. 

1.4 Community Bulletin Boards 

The St. Joe County Public Library provides public bulletin board space as a service to the community. This space is open to all individuals and organizations to share information about local events, services, and opportunities. 

Who Can Post 

Flyers may be submitted by: 

• Community groups
• Nonprofit organizations
• Government agencies

What Can Be Posted 

Materials may promote:

• Educational, cultural, civic, or recreational events
• Services or resources available to the community

Materials may not:

• Contain content that could be considered discriminatory or harassing based on a group or individual’s protected status (i.e., race, color, religion/religious creed, sex/gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin/ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or status in any other group protected by federal, state or local law) or which advocates in any way for such discrimination.
• Promote or oppose political candidates or ballot measures.
• Include religious proselytizing (e.g., calls to convert or join a faith).
• Be designed for individual or commercial profit or gain.

Requirements

• Must be professional in appearance (no handwritten materials)
• Must be dated
• Must not exceed 8.5” x 11”
• Must include the name and contact information of the sponsoring organization
• May not be displayed for more than 30 consecutive days
• One flyer per event, per organization

Space and Approval

All materials must be approved by Library staff before posting. Approval is not guaranteed and may be denied based on space limitations or content guidelines. Flyers may be rotated or removed early at staff discretion to make room for newer announcements.

Disclaimer

Posting a flyer does not constitute endorsement by the Library. The Library does not review or verify the accuracy of posted materials.

1.5 Personal Property

Patrons are responsible for the security and safekeeping of their personal property while using Library facilities or services. The Library is not responsible for the loss, theft, damage, or security of personal belongings brought into or used within the Library, including when personal property is connected to, charged by, or otherwise used with Library resources or equipment. 

Lost and found personal property is held at each Library location for a limited time as a courtesy. The Library is not responsible for the safekeeping of lost and found items. The Library reserves the right to inspect, discard, donate, or otherwise dispose of any unclaimed property.

1.6 Telephones

Library service desk phones are not available for public use, and the Library does not page or locate patrons for incoming calls.

Select locations may offer public courtesy phones, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Courtesy phones are intended for brief, essential calls. To ensure equitable access, the Library may limit the length of phone calls.

1.7 Video Surveillance

The Library maintains a video surveillance system at all of its locations. The surveillance system captures video only. Audio access has been disabled. The purpose of video surveillance is to enhance the physical security of the Library, its property, staff, and patrons.

1.7.1 Placement & Installation

Security cameras are installed at all ten (10) SJCPL locations, both indoors and outdoors.  The following placement rules apply:

• Cameras are installed in public areas only. 
• Cameras are not installed in any areas designated for personnel only.
• Cameras are not installed in areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in restrooms or lactation rooms. 
• Cameras are not positioned for the purpose of identifying a person’s reading, viewing, or listening activities in the Library. 
• Camera placement cannot be changed without the permission of a Senior Leadership staff member.

1.7.2 Authorized Access

Authorized access to the video surveillance system is limited to the following personnel:

• The Executive Director 
• Senior Leadership staff 
• Crisis Intervention staff 
• Branch Managers 
• Branch Assistant Managers
• Information Technology Managers and their designees 
• Contractors authorized by a member of Senior Leadership, for the limited purpose of performing repair, installation, and maintenance on the system 

1.7.3 Live Video Monitoring

Video monitoring of live footage is allowed only for safety and security purposes. It will not violate anyone’s reasonable expectation of privacy. Safety and security purposes include the following:

• Protection of individuals, including patrons, employees, and visitors 
• Protection of property, both Library-owned and privately owned
• Patrol of common areas and areas accessible to the public
• Investigation of criminal activity and/or disciplinary issues

Continuous monitoring of live footage will not occur on a regularly scheduled basis. It will only occur at times when safety or security issues arise or are suspected.

1.7.4 Use and Disclosure

Recorded data is considered confidential and secure. Authorized individuals may review recorded data, either live or stored, in relation to suspected criminal activity, suspected violation of the Library’s policies, or incidents where there is reasonable basis to believe a claim may be made against the Library for civil liability.

The following also applies to how data is used and disclosed: 

• In the event of a suspected crime or incident, still shots and/or video clips will be maintained until resolution of the specific incident.
• Still shots and/or video clips may be shared with public service staff to identify persons suspended from Library property. Still shots and/or video clips may remain accessible to staff until the person’s suspension period expires.
• Still shot and/or video clips may be used to request law enforcement assistance in reviewing criminal activity on Library property. 

1.7.5 Requests by Outside Agencies or Individuals

Requests made by a government agency to access the video surveillance system must be approved by the Executive Director or  the Executive Director’s designee(s). The Executive Director or  the Executive Director’s designee(s) will provide approval only when the government agency request is in accordance with state and federal law.

Access to the video surveillance system will not be provided to individuals from the general public.

1.7.6 Retention

Recorded video from the video surveillance system will be retained for thirty (30) days. Authorized library personnel may retain video footage or images for longer than thirty (30) days, when it is needed for identifying suspended persons, ongoing investigations, court proceedings, or for other uses as approved by the Executive Director or the Executive Director’s designee(s).

1.7.7 Signage

Signs are posted at Library entrances informing the public of video surveillance on the premises.

1.8 Use of Patron Photographs in Publicity Materials

SJCPL may take photographs and audio/video recordings to document use of the library, including those in attendance at library programs, community events and meetings. These media may be used in publicity material, including on SJCPL’s website  and social media. When required by law, the Library will obtain patrons’ consent to use these images and recordings. Individuals who do not wish the Library to use a photograph or video of them or their child should inform a Library staff member prior to, or while such photographs or videos are being taken. 

1.9 Individual/Commercial Photography and Video and Audio Recording

Individuals may take photographs, and audio/video recordings on SJCPL premises. Persons taking photographs and videos shall not (i) compromise a patron or staff member’s right to privacy or publicity, (ii) harass, intimidate, or threaten a patron or staff member, or (iii) block Library aisles, walkways, stairwells, doors, or exits.

Persons holding scheduled events or meetings in the Library study or meeting rooms may arrange for photographers and news media during their event. Filming and photography are restricted to the area reserved for the event and may not take place in other areas of the Library building. Filming and photography during an event shall not interfere with the use of library facilities by other Library users and shall not interfere with Library staff.  

Commercial or media photography or filming may occur in Library facilities only with the permission of the Library Executive Director or designee.