Library Membership and Use Policy

Updated July, 2026

The Lake Placid Public Library belongs to the entire community. We are committed to providing free access to educational, informational, cultural, and recreational material, programs for all ages, and creating welcoming spaces for learning, discovery, recreation, and connection.

Library membership comes with both privileges and responsibilities. By using the library, obtaining a library card, or participating in library programs and services, members and visitors agree to help maintain an environment that is safe, respectful, and enjoyable for everyone.

This policy explains the shared responsibilities that apply to all library members, visitors, and users of library services.

What We Ask of Our Members and Visitors

We ask that all library users:

Treat library staff, volunteers, and other users with courtesy and respect.
Use library spaces in a manner that allows others to comfortably enjoy the library.
Respect library materials, equipment, furnishings, and facilities.
Follow borrowing guidelines and return materials on time, so they remain available to others.
Supervise children in accordance with this policy.
Follow staff directions regarding safety, facility use, and applicable library policies.

Borrowing Responsibilities

Library materials are community resources shared by everyone.

Members with library cards are responsible for:

Returning borrowed materials by their due dates.
Keeping account contact information current.
Responding to notices regarding overdue, lost, or damaged materials delivered through phone calls, emails, or printed mail.
Paying replacement costs for materials that are lost or damaged beyond normal wear.
Accepting financial responsibility for all materials checked out on their library account and for any minor child account for which they have agreed to assume responsibility.

Members with significant lost book fees, damaged book fees, or other unresolved charges may have borrowing privileges suspended until their fees are resolved. The library will make reasonable efforts to notify members of overdue materials before accounts are restricted.

Access to borrowing privileges throughout the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System is governed by system-wide circulation policies as well as those of each individual library. More can be found on their website at cefls.org.

Expected Conduct

To ensure a welcoming environment for everyone, library users are expected to engage in activities associated with the normal use of a public library, including reading, studying, attending programs, using library materials and technology, and participating in community activities.

Thank you for showing respect to others by

Entering the library with appropriate footwear and attire.
Maintaining personal hygiene.
Consuming food and beverages in a limited manner that does not damage materials, furnishings, equipment, or create excessive mess.
Using children’s and teen areas for their intended purpose, which is for young library visitors and their caregivers to work or play quietly and to access collections in those spaces.
Tidying areas of the library that you have used by properly disposing of trash and recycling and placing used library materials on reshelving carts.
Departing the building promptly at closing time.

Thank you for refraining from

Disruptive Behavior

Excessive noise, shouting, or disruptive conversations.
Playing personal media without headphones or at a volume audible to others.
Photographing, filming, or recording other library users without their consent in a manner that interferes with privacy, comfort, or normal library use.
Refusing to comply with reasonable directions from library staff regarding safety, facility use, or library policies.
Using profanity, abusive language, or other hostile behavior directed at others such as harassing, intimidating, threatening, or stalking any library user, volunteer, or staff member.

Unsafe or Illegal Conduct

Fighting, physical aggression, or threats of violence.
Possessing or using weapons except as permitted by law and library policy.
Possessing, using, selling, or distributing illegal drugs or alcohol.
Being visibly impaired in a manner that disrupts library operations or creates a safety concern.
Any activity that violates federal, state, or local law.

Misuse of Library Facilities

Damaging or stealing library property.
Blocking entrances, exits, aisles, or walkways.
Using restrooms for bathing, shaving, laundering clothing, or other purposes unrelated to their intended use.
Leaving personal belongings unattended for extended periods.

Solicitation and Distribution

Without prior approval from the Library Director, visitors and users may not engage in commercial sales, solicitation, canvassing, petitioning, fundraising, or distribution of materials within library buildings.

Technology and Internet Use

Visitors using library computers, networks, and internet services must comply with the library’s Internet and Computer Use Policy.

Children in the Library

The library welcomes children and families and seeks to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for young library users.

Responsibility for a child’s safety, behavior, and wellbeing rests with the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, not with library staff. Parents and caregivers should have a plan for children in the event of early closing, weather emergencies, or unexpected building evacuations.

Children Under Age 8

Children under age 8 must be accompanied by a parent, caregiver, or responsible person at least 14 years old who remains nearby and maintains visual contact with the child.

Children Ages 8-10

Children ages 8-10 may use the library independently only if a parent or caregiver remains in the building and is immediately available if needed.

Children Ages 11 and Older

Children aged 11 and older may use the library without direct supervision. Parents and guardians remain responsible for their child’s conduct and wellbeing while using the library.

Library Programs

Children ages 8-10 may attend library programs without a parent or caregiver in the program room, provided the parent or caregiver remains in the library and reconnects with the child at the conclusion of the program.

Unattended Children

If a child appears to be unattended in a manner that creates a safety concern, library staff will attempt to locate a parent or caregiver. If no responsible person can be located, the library may contact law enforcement or other appropriate authorities for assistance and complete an incident report for internal documentation of the event.

Dogs in the Library

Dogs are welcome at the discretion of library staff when their presence does not interfere with library operations, programs, or other visitors’ use of the facility.

For the comfort and safety of all library users:

Dogs must remain on a physical leash at all times.
Dogs must remain under the handler’s control and close to the handler.
Any barking, growling, jumping, or other disruptive behavior is not permitted.
Dogs must be dry and hygienic.
Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs and for any damage caused by their animals.
Dogs may not block aisles, entrances, exits, or access to library services.
Dogs should not be left unattended anywhere on library property.
Library staff may require a dog to leave if the animal’s behavior creates a disruption, safety concern, or excessive sanitation issue.

Addressing Concerns

Library staff are committed to handling policy violations respectfully, professionally, and with the goal of resolving issues whenever possible.

Depending on the situation, staff may:

Provide a reminder of the applicable policy.
Issue a verbal warning.
Ask a visitor to modify their behavior.
Ask a visitor to leave the library for the remainder of the day.
Temporarily suspend library privileges.
Contact law enforcement when safety concerns or legal violations occur.

Serious incidents involving violence, threats, harassment, weapons, illegal activity, or repeated violations may result in longer suspensions of library privileges or trespass orders.

Appeals

Individuals whose library privileges have been suspended for an extended period may submit a written request for review to the Library Director and Board of Trustees within 30 days of the action.

The Board will review the circumstances and communicate its decision in writing.