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Nocona Public Library

Library Policies

The following policies govern how we use our library.

Rules of the Library:

Behavior Rules Governing the Use of Nocona Public Library

Definitions and scope

These behavior rules shall apply to all buildings, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by the Nocona Public Library (such buildings and grounds are hereafter referred to as the "premises") and to all persons entering in or on the premises.

Listed below are the library's behavior rules. Persons who violate these rules may be ejected from the premises and excluded from all library premises for the period of time listed below.

Any person who violates rules 1-5 while in or on library premises will be immediately ejected and excluded from Nocona Public Library premises without first being given a warning. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of up to three years, and the incident will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

·      1. Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state or local criminal statute or ordinance.

·      2. Directing a specific threat of physical harm against an individual, group of individuals or property. Violation of this rule will result in a minimum exclusion of one year.

·      3. Engaging in sexual conduct, including, but not limited to, the physical manipulation or touching of a person's sex organs through a person's clothing in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification.

·      4. Being under the influence of any controlled substance or intoxicating liquor.

·      5. Possessing, selling, distributing or consuming any alcoholic beverage, except as allowed at a library-approved event.

Any person who violates rules 6-19 while in or on library premises will be given up to one warning at the discretion of library staff; then the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day. Subsequent offenses by that person will result in that person's immediate ejection and exclusion from Nocona Public Library premises. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of up to one year.

·      6. Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the library, or disturbs library staff or patrons, including, but not limited to, conduct that involves the use of abusive or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking.

·      7. Using library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures or buildings in a manner inconsistent with the customary use thereof; or in a destructive, abusive or potentially damaging manner; or in a manner likely to cause personal injury to the actor or others.

·      8. Disobeying the reasonable direction of a library staff member or volunteer.

·      9. Soliciting, petitioning, or distributing written materials or canvassing for political, charitable or religious purposes inside a library building, including the doorway or vestibule of any such library building or in a manner on the library premises that unreasonably interferes with or impedes access to the library.

·      10. Interfering with the free passage of library staff or patrons in or on the library premises, including, but not limited to, placing objects such as bicycles, skateboards, backpacks or other items in a manner that interferes with free passage.

·      11. Placing personal belongings on or against buildings, furniture, equipment or fixtures in a manner that interferes with library staff or patron use of the library facility, or leaving personal belongings unattended.

·      12. Bringing bicycles or other similar devices inside library buildings, including, but not limited to, vestibules or covered doorways.

·      13. Operating roller skates, skateboards or other similar devices in or on library premises.

·      14. Parking vehicles on library premises for purposes other than library use. Vehicles parked in violation of this rule may be towed at the owner's expense.

·      15. Smoking or other use of tobacco.

·      16. Consuming food or drink that creates a nuisance because of odor, garbage or spills.  No food or drink of any kind are allowed inside the Nocona Public Library.

·      17. Bringing animals inside library buildings (with the exception of service animals), except as allowed at a library-approved event, or leaving an animal tethered and unattended on library premises is not allowed.

·      18. Violating the library's rules for Public use of computers which are posted at every computer station table.

·      19. Taking library materials into restrooms if the materials have not been checked out.

Repeat Offenses

Individuals who repeatedly violate these Behavior Rules after having been previously excluded for library rule violations may face a longer exclusion than indicated in these guidelines. Repeat offenders need not violate the same rule to be subject to stricter enforcement and may not be warned that their behavior is inappropriate before being excluded.

Library Use Guidelines

Nocona Public Library provides access to all through its collections, programs, facilities and resources.  We ask that visitors help us serve our patrons effectively by providing a welcoming and safe environment.  We ask that visitors help us maintain an atmosphere that is conductive to learning and community engagement by following our Library Use Guidelines.  To ensure a safe and positive experience for all, please DO NOT:

  • Remove library materials from the building without checking them out.
  • Use another person's library card number without that person's permission.
  • Engage in any activity prohibited by the library's computer and internet use guidelines.
  • Engage in any activity prohibited by law.
  • Leave a vulnerable adult or child age 12 and under unattended.
  • Use tobacco in any form inside the library.
  • Sleep on library property.
  • Eat or drink inside the building.
  • Solicit, distribute leaflets or post notices without permission from NPL management.
  • Bring in animals other than service animals.
  • Use loud, abusive or profane language.
  • Harass library users or staff, including intimidating, annoying, following or staring.
  • Enter the library with hygiene conditions or unsanitary belongings that interfere with the use of the library by other patrons or staff.
  • Enter non-public or staff only places.
  • Bathe, shave, or wash clothes on library property.
  • Use bicycles, skates, skateboards or similar items inappropriately on library property.
  • Park vehicles on library premises for purposes other than library use.
  • Engage in disruptive or unsafe behavior, including interfering with the use or operations of the library by users or staff.
  • Enter the library without shoes or appropriate clothing.
  • Use computers, areas of the library, or attend programs designated for children or teens without a need to access those collections or accompanied by a child or teen.
  • Block isles, shelves, entrances or leave items unattended at any time.
  • Take photographs or videos in the library without permission from library director.

We ask patrons to follow all Nocona Public Library policies and guidelines or abide by any reasonable request from staff or security to refrain from disorderly or disruptive behavior.  Violations of policy or guidelines may result in removal from the facility and/or suspension of library privileges.  Any suspension of privileges applies to all Nocona Public Library facilities.  Illegal activity may result in arrest.  To appeal a suspension, a request must be made in writing to the Nocona Public Library Advisory Board, Nocona Public Library, 10 Cooke Street, Nocona, TX 76255 or library@cityofnocona.com.  This request must be made within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the notice of violation.  The written appeal will be reviewed with in ten (10) business days of the receipt of the request for an appeal.  The suspension of privileges will remain in force during the review period.  The decision will be sent e-mail or by U.S. Postal mail.  This decision will be final. 

Nocona Public Library Public Computer Use Agreement

§ 43.22. Obscene Display or Distribution

• (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly displays or distributes an obscene photograph, drawing or similar visual representation or other obscene material and is reckless about whether a person is present who will be offended or alarmed by the display or distribution.

• (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

Act. 1973,63rd Leg., p.883, ch. 399, 1 eff. Jan. 1, 1974, Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd leg., ch. 900,1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Public use computers are provided as a public service free of charge on an as-is basis with no guarantee and no warranty.  Nocona Public Library's public computers are subject to periodic maintenance and unforeseen downtime.

Information passing thru the Library's public computers and our internet is NOT secured and could be monitored, captured or altered by others.  There are risks involved with using a public use computer, such as viruses, malware, loss of data or theft of your private information, possible hacking/snooping by others connected, possible hardware/software failure.  It is your sole responsibility to protect your information and equipment from all risks associated with using the internet, including any damage, loss or theft that may occur as a result of your use of Nocona Public Library's public use computers or internet.  For your safety, remember, our computers are PUBLIC USE COMPUTERS and anything you download or save can be viewed by ANYONE!  The usage of Nocona Public Library's public use computers are monitored in real time.  This means that Nocona Public Library staff can monitor the web pages that you are viewing from a staff computer.

All devices are the responsibility of the owner.  Library staff is not allowed to configure patron's equipment, nor can they provide more than general assistance in getting connected to the internet.  The City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library assumes NO responsibility for the safety of patron's personal information or devices; patrons must keep devices and all personal equipment with them at all times. 

In using the public use computers, you agree and hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless, the City of Nocona, its officers and employees, and any affiliate, from any damage that may result from your use of Nocona Public Library's use computers or internet.

While using Nocona Public Library's public use computers or internet, you acknowledge that you are subject to and agree to abide by all law, and all rules and regulations of the City of Nocona, the State of Texas, and the federal government that is applicable to internet use and the use of public computers.

At its sole discretion, the City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library may terminate this public service at any time without prior notice.  At its sole discretion the City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library may add or change passwords for our public use computers or internet at any time and as often as we feel necessary.

Use of Nocona Public Library's electrical outlets is prohibited.

Due to limited bandwidth, the Library staff may limit the type of internet use.

Any attempt to circumvent library procedures or any unauthorized attempt to access or manipulate library equipment will result in permanent disconnection from our internet, Wi-Fi or public use computers and all library privileges could be revoked.

•  User must sign a NOCONA PUBLIC LIBRARY PUBLIC COMPUTER USE AGREEMENT.

•  User must have a library card and library account must be in good standing.

•  User must sign in each time a computer is used.

•  Computers have a time limit of one (1) hour.  If you still need a computer at the end of one hour, you must log off and go to front desk to ask for another session.  If there are other patrons waiting to use a computer you will have to wait for a turn.  A patron receiving another computer session is at the discretion of library staff.

•  The use of pornography sites, and any other inappropriate web pages is prohibited.  No PRIVATE BROWSING allowed.  Even the attempt to view these sites may result in the loss of computer privileges.

•  Patrons may reserve a computer for testing or classes by contacting the library by phone or in person.  These reservations must be made at least one (1) hour in advance.  Nocona Public Library has the right to reserve computers for classes or testing without notice.

•  Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to use a computer without a PARENT sitting at the same computer with the child.

•  If you print, you must pay.  Black and white prints are $.10 per page, color prints are$.25 per page.  If you print pages you DO NOT NEED or if pages do not print as you anticipate, you are still responsible for paying for those pages.

•  Nocona Public Library's public computers automatically shut down daily at 5:00 pm.  All work that is incomplete and has not been printed, will be lost when computers shut down.  

•  The use of flash drives or memory sticks is allowed.

Nocona Public Library WI-FI Agreement

Texas State Penal Code Excerpt

§ 43.22. Obscene Display or Distribution

• (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly displays or distributes an obscene photograph, drawing, or similar visual representation or other obscene material and is reckless about whether a person is present who will be offended or alarmed by the display or distribution.

• (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

Act. 1973,63rd Leg., p. 883, ch 399,1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974, Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd leg., ch. 900, 1.01, eff.Sept. 1, 1994.

Wireless access is provided as a public service free of charge on an as-is basis with no guarantee and no warranty.   Nocona Public Library's wireless network is subject to periodic maintenance and unforeseen downtime.

Information passing through the Library's wireless access is NOT secured and could be monitored, captured, or altered by others.  There are risks involved with connecting to a public wireless connection, such as viruses, malware, loss of data, possible hacking/snooping by others connected, possible hardware/software failure.  It is your sole responsibility to protect your information from all risks associated with using the internet, including any damage, loss or theft that may occur as a result of your use of Nocona Public Library's wireless access.

All devices are the responsible of the owner.  Library staff is not allowed to configure patrons' equipment, nor can they provide more than general assistance in getting connected to the wireless network.  The City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library assumes NO responsibility for the safety of devices; users must keep their devices and all equipment with them at all times.

In using this free internet access, you agree and hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless, the City of Nocona, its officers and employees, and any affiliate, from any damage that may result from your use of Nocona Public Library's wireless access.

While using this wireless internet, you acknowledge that you are subject to and agree to abide by all laws and all rules and regulations of the City of Nocona, the State of Texas , and the federal government that is applicable to Internet use.

At its sole discretion, the City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library may terminate this public service at any time without prior notice.

At its sole discretion the City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library may change the password for this wireless internet at any time and as often as we feel necessary.

Use of Nocona Public Library's electrical outlets is prohibited.

Due to limited bandwidth, the Library staff may limit the type of internet use.

Any attempt to circumvent library procedures or any unauthorized attempt to access or manipulate library equipment will result in permanent disconnection from the library's WiFi network.

•  Nocona Public Library's Wi-Fi connection is password protected and the password could change with notice.

•  You must have a Nocona Public Library card to access our Wi-Fi connection.

•  Nocona Public Library's Wi-Fi will not be available during hours that the library is closed.  Wi-Fi will automatically turn off prior to closing time.

•  Users are responsible for using the services in an ethical, considerate manner and must comply with all relevant laws (local, state or federal).

•  The City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library is not responsible for any misuse of information that users submit/transmit via the internet or e-mail.

•  Misuse of the Wi-Fi may result in the loss of Wi-Fi and computer privileges, loss of library privileges and/or possible prosecution.

•  Damages resulting from misuse are the user's responsibility or the responsibility of the parent/guardian of the minor user.

•  Children under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign a computer/Wi-Fi Agreement Form in order to use the Wi-Fi.  Parents must come by the library and sign the form in person.

•  Children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian in the library at all times.  They cannot be left unattended while adults are using Wi-Fi.

•  Printing cost are $.10 per page for black and white.  Color prints are $.25 per page.  You must pay for all prints at the front desk when prints are picked up.

•  Nocona Public Library staff will not assist with personal devices.

•  The City of Nocona/Nocona Public Library reserves the right to limit, restrict, or deny computing resources and facilities to those who violate library policies, regulations, guidelines and/or local, state or federal laws.

•  Signal strength may vary.  Patrons may have to move to a different seat in the library to get a Wi-Fi signal.