Library Policies
Appropriate Library Behavior
1. Drinking of non-alcoholic beverages is permitted in the library except by the computers. Consumption of food is limited to pre-packaged snacks or wrapped items that are consumed by an individual and are not damaging to library collections or furnishings. No outside delivery of food is permitted with the exception of meetings held in the meeting room. Patrons must discard all trash in appropriate containers, immediately report spills to staff, and leave all areas clean for use by others.
2. Use and/or display of all tobacco, smoking, or vaping products, including e-cigarettes, are prohibited throughout the municipal building and on the grounds of the municipal building.
3. Those who steal, damage or deface library materials or property may be prosecuted. Parents are liable for damage done by a child under the age of eighteen.
4. Improper use of restrooms, including, but not limited to, bathing, shaving, hair trimming, and laundering is prohibited.
5. Blocking the aisles, walkways, or entryways is prohibited. Disruptive groups congregating inside or outside the library will be required to disperse.
6. Bicycles may not in any way interfere with entering or exiting the library. They should be parked in the bicycle rack in the east parking lot.
7. Items carried into the library, such as backpacks, must be stored out of pathways and within reach of the owner. Athletic equipment such as skateboards or in-line skates may be carried into the library, however, they may not be used in the library.
8. Threatening, harassing, abusive, or intimidating language or behavior will result in immediate expulsion from the library and possible legal action.
9. Creating a disturbance by making noise, talking loudly, whistling, singing, using profanity, running or engaging in other disruptive behavior is prohibited. This includes stalking, prolonged staring at or following another with the intent to annoy.
10. Using personal electronic equipment in a manner that annoys or disturbs other patrons and staff or interferes with library service is prohibited.
11. Cell phones should be set to low volume, silent (vibrate) or turned off when entering the library. Extended conversations that might disturb other patrons should be taken outside. Patrons who need to simultaneously use their phone and a computer should limit themselves to short, quiet phone calls.
12. Animals, other than service animals, are not permitted in the library, unless as a part of a program authorized by the Library Director.
13. Patrons sleeping in the library may be awakened by library staff if there is concern for the patron’s health or well-being, or if the patron’s sleep is disturbing others. Sleeping in the library for extended periods is prohibited.
14. No patrons shall carry, possess or transport a weapon in an open or concealed manner. Weapon includes but is not limited to a handgun, an electronic weapon, a knife, or a billy club.
15. Appropriate attire is required. Shirts and shoes must be worn in the library.
Everyone has the right to use library resources provided their behavior does not interfere with the rights of others to do the same.
Behavior which violates library policy, interferes with the use of the library by others or interferes with staff in the conduct of their duties is not permitted. Patrons engaging in such behavior may be asked to stop the behavior and/or may be asked to leave the library. Library staff have the authorization to determine if a patron should leave the library. The police may be called. The patron’s library privileges may be revoked. Unlawful activities will promptly be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Patrons shall cooperate with library staff who must interpret and apply rules and policies. Upon request, patrons shall be required to provide their correct name.
Entrance to this public library indicates that you are willing and able to act courteously toward all other persons here, act respectfully with regard to public property, and follow all library rules.
Approved at June 1, 2021 meeting of the Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees
Bulletin Boards
It is part of the Library’s function to provide access to intellectual, educational, informational, recreational, and cultural resources of the community.
The Library has the following posting and public information “giveaway” areas available:
- One bulletin board in the lobby
- One table inside the Library
- Other bulletin boards and display spaces in the Library are reserved for Library postings.
Posting Guidelines:
- The Library may post notices from non-profit organizations, educational institutions, public utilities, and governmental agencies.
- The Library will not post notices from for-profit organizations, notices of merchandise or services sought or for sale, rental announcements, postings of political party platforms, endorsements of candidates, or notices advocating the election of any candidate or referendum position.
- All items must be reviewed, dated, and posted by Library staff. Notices posted or left on tables without authorization will be removed.
- The appearance and content of the notice must be suitable for display in a public service area.
- Due to limited display space, the Library reserves the right to restrict the size, number, and location of display materials. Preference will be given to Library sponsored events.
- Posting of materials does not imply Library endorsement or consent.
- The Library will not accept responsibility for the accuracy of the statements made in materials.
- The Library assumes no liability for the quality or safety of any goods or services which may be the subject of postings, displays or pamphlets.
- The Library reserves the right to remove all notices and accepts no responsibility for the loss, condition or destruction of postings.
- Postings and information displays will be for a maximum of 30 days.
- Library staff will be responsible for removing items after the information has expired or at the end of 30 days, whichever is sooner.
This policy adopted by the Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees on February 1, 2011. Reviewed and Accepted as is on May 4, 2021.
COVID Specific: Library Behavior Policy
Patron Responsibilities and Conduct
Safety of our patrons and staff is our number one priority. The Public Library is taking precautions to help prevent any exposure or infection but cannot guarantee that the library is virus free. Anyone not following established safe policies set forth may be asked to leave the facility. If you or any person in your household is not feeling well, please remain home for the safety of everyone.
These specific COVID policy amendments supersede existing library policies.
- A face covering is required for anyone over the age of 2.
- Six feet social distancing must be maintained with anyone who is not a member of your household.
- Patrons should wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer prior to entering the library, before and after using computers, and after contact with high touch areas.
- Prolonged socializing is not permitted at this time.
- We will operate at a reduced or limited capacity to comply with social distancing requirements.
- Restrictive barriers of any kind may not be removed to accommodate access.
- Time limits for Internet access will be enforced.
- Time limits for browsing the library collection will be enforced.
- No more than one individual per computer station.
- Exception of one additional individual living in the same household.
- No more than one individual can be browsing. Exception of one additional individual living in the same household.
Approved by Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees on July 7, 2020.
Curbside Pickup
- Contact the Library by email clearlakelib@clearlakelibrary.org or by telephone 715-263-2802
- Please allow staff 48 hours to respond to your request. We are not working on the weekends.
- Staff will use gloves and wear a mask when handling the items but you still might want to quarantine the items for up to 72 hours
- Pick up location is at the southwest entrance to the Library. Your items will be on a red cart inside the door.
- There is a red bin inside that door for you to return your items
- Returned items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours so please don’t panic when they aren’t removed from your account the same day you returned them to the Library. There are no late fees being charged at this time.
- Our hours are Monday, Thursday, and Friday: 9 am – 5 pm; Tuesday: 9 am – 7 pm; and Wednesday: 10 am – 7 pm.
When you make arrangements to pick up your items, let us know if you also want to come in and browse or use a computer. We are open by appointment.
Disc Cleaning
The Clear Lake Public Library now offers a cleaning service for your scratched or
dirty CDs and DVDs. The following terms and conditions apply:
- The library does not guarantee successful repair of any discs presented to the library for cleaning and repair; some damage is too great for the machine to remedy. All discs will be examined prior to cleaning and will be rejected if repair is not possible.
- The library assumes no responsibility for replacing any discs that become damaged or destroyed during the cleaning process. The patron agrees not to hold the library liable for any result of the cleaning service.
- Patrons may bring in a maximum of 5 discs/week, and all discs brought to the library to be cleaned must be inside a case and clearly marked to ensure the materials are returned to the correct owners.
- A $2.00 fee will be charged per 1-sided disc, and a $3.00 fee will be charged per 2-sided disk. This fee is to offset the library expense of staff time, upkeep of the machine, and cleaning solutions used during the cleaning process. The library will only accept CDs, DVDs, Books on CD, and Blu-rays.
- The patron will be contacted by phone or e-mail when the discs are repaired and ready to be picked up. Please allow 7 days for the cleaning process to be completed. Discs will not be repaired on an “as-you-wait” basis.
- Payment will be received at time of pick-up. Cash and checks made out to the Clear Lake Public Library are acceptable. Patrons have two weeks from the time of contact to pick up their materials. After this time period has expired, any materials left at the library will become property of the library.
- Most discs will be returned in like-new condition, but there may be a slight, barely noticeable circular pattern on one side of the disc. This is normal, unavoidable, and should not affect the playability of the disc.
Approved by Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees 2/7/17
Donations & Gifts
Donations of new or gently used books, DVD’s, music CD’s, books on cd, and puzzles with all their pieces are always welcome. All donations become the property of the library. The library reserves the right to utilize donated materials in whatever way best benefits the collection. Donated items are examined for their currency, physical condition, and usefulness to the library’s collection. Donations may be added to the collection, given to The Friends of the Library for their book sale, passed on to other libraries, or discarded if necessary.
The library DOES NOT accept:
- Materials in poor condition (i.e. musty, moldy, damp, falling apart, etc)
- Textbooks
- LP records
- Newspapers
- Pamphlets
- National Geographic Magazines
- Reader’s Digest condensed books
- Encyclopedias
- Videocassettes
- Cassettes
- Games
- Puzzles with missing pieces
For tax purposes, the donor is responsible for obtaining an estimate or appraisal of the donated materials before turning the items over to the library. The library is unable to assess the value of donated items.
Making a monetary donation to the library for the purpose of purchasing new material is an excellent means of honoring or remembering a loved one. It would be a unique birthday or anniversary gift, or a long-lasting memorial of a deceased person. In order for an appropriate item to be purchased, suggestions of subjects of interest to the honoree should accompany the donation. Any item that is purchased can have a bookplate affixed which indicates the person being honored and can list the name of the donor.
Due to staffing limitations, the library is unable to pick up donations of materials.
This policy adopted by the Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees on April 13, 2021
Non-Emergency/Emergency Closing of Library
Holidays
The Clear Lake Public Library will follow the guidelines set up by the Village Of Clear Lake regarding days and time to be closed.
Currently the Village is closed New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the Village Office is closed on the previous Friday. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the Village Office is closed on the following Monday.
All of the above days/dates will be posted on the Library’s website at the beginning of the year.
Facility Upgrades
The Clear Lake Public Library will close on days decided by the Director and the Library Board of Trustees that are determined necessary for the upgrading of the Library facilities. Upgrades may include but are not limited to: computer installation, staff training, and facility improvements.
Additional closed dates will be posted on the Library’s website, on the Library’s Facebook page, and at the Library.
The Director will inform MORE Consortium staff of all closed days/dates.
The primary factor dictating the decisions made in the following situations is the safety of the library staff and patrons.
Inclement weather
The Clear Lake Public Library may delay opening, might close early, or will be closed on those days that inclement weather produces unsafe conditions. This determination will be made after consultation with Village officials and/or the President of the Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees, review of weather reports, and upon hearing what the schools and other libraries are doing. If patrons are present when the decision has been made to close the Library early, they will be informed immediately and given 30 minutes to vacate the premises.
The municipal building meeting room is a designated tornado shelter. If patrons are present when there is danger of a tornado, library staff will escort them to the meeting room. If a patron chooses to leave the building, he/she does so at his/her own risk. No patron will be allowed to return to the Library until the all clear is given.
Safety Concern
The Clear Lake Public Library may also close or be locked down in situations where the Police and/or Fire Departments believe that the Library needs to be closed or locked down.
Power Outage
In the event of a power outage, library staff will use their best judgment to determine if the library needs to close.
Scheduled Programs
If a program was scheduled for when the Library is now closed, it is cancelled. Closing notices will be posted at the Clear Lake Public Library, on the Library’s Facebook page, on the Library’s website, and on the Library’s answering machine if time permits.
November, 2018
Reviewed and Revised December 6, 2022
Reviewed, revised and approved March 7, 2023
Safe Child Policy
The Clear Lake Public Library welcomes visits by children. However, when children are left unattended at the Library, problems can arise. Young children may become frightened or confused and wander away. Older children cannot be expected to deal with a small child who is frightened, tired, or ill. Older children left on their own for extended periods may become bored and disruptive. Since the library is a public building, children might be approached by strangers. If an unattended child has a medical emergency, the library staff cannot take legal responsibility.
Therefore, to protect children who are using the library and to provide all patrons with a facility that is safe and pleasant, the Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees adopts the following guidelines:
- An unattended child is a child ten years of age or younger who is apparently unaccompanied by a responsible caregiver.
- Parents, guardians, teachers, and caregivers are responsible for the behavior and supervision of the child at the library.
- The library staff requests that parents, guardians, teachers, and caregivers stay within sight of the child when in the library. Exception: When a child attends a library program where adult supervision is not required, a parent, guardian, teacher, or caregiver is expected to pick up the child as soon as the program ends.
- Children age eleven or over may remain in the library unattended for a period of time not to exceed 4 hours, provided they abide by the policies set forth by the Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees.
- The library staff reserves the right to contact parents, guardians or other proper authorities if minors are left unattended and require supervision.
- If the library is closing, at a regular time or in an emergency situation and a parent or guardian of a child cannot be located, the Clear Lake Police Department will be called to take the child.
This policy adopted by the Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees on April 13, 2021.
Support Site for Donations
Should a non-profit organization, educational institution, or governmental agency wish to collect donations at the Clear Lake Public Library, the organization will need to contact the Director for permission.
The decision to provide space will be at the discretion of the Director. The Clear Lake Public Library will not be responsible if a donation is lost or damaged. The support will be terminated if the Director finds that the need is no longer valid.
Clear Lake Public Library Board of Trustees
Reviewed and accepted as presented August 3, 2021
Clear Lake Public Library
350 4th Ave, PO Box 365
Clear Lake, WI 54005
715-263-2802
clearlakelib@clearlakelibrary.
OPEN, CURBSIDE AVAILABLE
Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday - Closed