Patron Services, Standards of Patron Conduct, and Unattended Children

This policy has been reviewed and approved by the Minburn Public Library Board of Trustees 2/8/2026

Confidentiality of library records is covered in Iowa Code, Section 22.7 and states that the records of a library shall be kept confidential when by themselves or examined with other public records, would reveal the identity of the library patron checking out or requesting an item or information.

Information concerning an individual’s account will be released to that individual only.

The Library interprets possession of a card (or card number in a phone or email request) as consent to use it unless it has been reported lost or stolen, or there is reason to believe that consent has not been given.

The library will release information to the parent or guardian of a minor child for the purpose of recovering overdue materials and settling accounts for lost, late or damaged material, and for other matters related to the recovery of material or charges incurred by minor children for which a parent or guardian may be considered liable. However, information will not be provided to the parent or guardian who is merely attempting to determine what library materials a minor child is using.

Confidentiality extends to information sought or received, materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired, and includes Internet and electronic resource search records; reference interviews and transactions, circulation records, interlibrary loan records, and other personally identifiable uses of library materials, equipment, or services.

The Minburn Public Library will ensure the confidentiality of a patron’s library record, account, and Library presence by securing and limiting access to these same records and back-up records to only approved staff members.

The Library cannot guarantee the confidentiality of information sought or received, or materials consulted or borrowed, from third party digital services to which we provide service.

The Library Director or the Director’s designee, as the lawful custodian of library records, is authorized to release records that are otherwise confidential “ . . . upon a judicial determination that a rational connection exists between the requested release of information and a legitimate end and that the need for the information is cogent and compelling” (Iowa Code 22.7).

All library users and employees should be free of any threat of harm, invasion of property, or gross indignity.  In an effort to protect these rights for all persons, the Library Board has approved the following rules.

No person shall engage in any conduct that disturbs or interferes with the legitimate use of the Library, including, but not restricted to the following:

• Willfully annoy, harass, or threaten another person.

• Behave in a disorderly, loud, or boisterous manner.

• Interfere with another person’s passage within the Library or on library grounds.

• Consume or possess alcoholic beverages, or use or possess controlled substances on library grounds or be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances in a manner that causes public disturbance.

• Possess any firearm, knife, any device which could be used as a weapon or other weapon prohibited by City Ordinance or State Statutes.

• Deface or destroy library property.

• Smoke in the Library.

• Remain in the Library without authorization after regular closing hours.

• Solicit funds or panhandle.

• Interfere with others’ use of the Library through poor bodily hygiene that is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance.

• Bring unauthorized animals into the Library except as required by persons with disabilities or special needs.

• Use skates or a skateboard in the Library or entrance.

• Play audio equipment at volume that is disturbing to other users.

• Campaign, petition, interview or survey patrons or staff in a manner that is disruptive to Library activities.

• Willfully expose patrons and staff to offensive images or language.

• Engage in loud or lengthy conversations (including conversations on cell phones) in areas intended for quiet study.

• Interfere with the Library’s right to maintain a clean, pleasant and safe facility.

• Use of the Library’s or public telephone for extended periods so that other patrons are prevented from using it as needed. 

• Attachment or use of private equipment to download or obtain website images or to obtain information about other patrons from public access computers, such as spyware.

Enforcement of these rules for persons may take the form of any of the following actions, depending on the severity of the misconduct that will be determined by the staff on duty at the time.  These disciplinary procedures are merely guidelines. They are not listed in any particular order and there is no requirement that any particular disciplinary action precede any other action.  The Library may choose to implement any of the procedures listed, including immediate banishment from the premises, at any time, depending on the seriousness of the violation.

• In the case of a minor disruption, the patron receives two warnings.  At the third offense, the patron must leave the Library for the rest of the day.

• In the case of any misconduct that, in the judgment of a staff member, is extreme, the offender may receive only one warning, be ordered to leave the building immediately, or the police may be called as appropriate. 

• Patrons causing disruptions on repeated visits will be warned by the Director or designee that they will not be allowed to enter the building if the behavior continues.  Patrons, who engage in repeated disruptive behaviors that interfere with others’ use of the Library, or who engage in behaviors that violate City Code or State Statutes, may be permanently banned from the Library premises by the Director.  An appeal of the Library Director’s decision may be made to the Library Board.  An appeal to the Library Board must be in writing.  

• Exceptions to the above may be authorized by the Library Director and/or her/his designee.

The Minburn Public Library is not responsible for unattended children. The library is a public building and all patrons, including minors, are welcome. However, at no time will the Library assume the responsibility of surrogate care provider for children in the Library. Children ten and under must be directly supervised by a parent or responsible caregiver at all times while in the library. Children or groups of children visiting the library from any preschool, child care or babysitting facility must be directly supervised at all times by caregivers to ensure safety and to monitor behavior. Caregivers must maintain direct visual supervision.

A child (or children) left habitually unattended is (are) deemed to be at risk. If a parent or guardian of an unattended child age ten and under cannot be contacted or located within one hour of the discovery that child is unattended, local law enforcement will be notified to take custody of the child.