Children in the library
The Garland Smith Public Library welcomes the use of its facilities and services by children of all ages and encourages them to visit often. The library strives to maintain an environment conducive to learning and developing a love of books. However, for their safety and security, children under the age of six must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult caregiver. No child under six may be left unattended in the library at any time. Patrons using computers and accompanied by underage children must keep the children within physical reach at all times. Staff members are not allowed to assume responsibility for any child in the absence of an adult, even for a very short time, nor are the staff responsible for determining if children are leaving the building with the designated caregiver or strangers. The library shall shelve materials in age-appropriate areas but it is the parents who are responsible for what their children read.
Patron Behavior
The Garland Smith Public Library adheres to the Library Bill of Rights and maintains that all patrons, regardless or origin, age, background, or views, are free to study, read, and utilize library materials without fear of harassment, intimidation, physical threats, or undue distractions.
In order to protect patrons' rights, the following activities will be strictly prohibited in the library:
- Any behavior that endangers the safety or health of others
- Violation while in the library of any local, state, or federal law
- Vandalism or deliberate destruction of library materials
- Smoking
- Eating or drinking
- Loud talking or use of abusive language
- Disrupting other patrons in any manner
- Loitering or Soliciting
- Pets (with the exception of seeing-eye dogs, etc.)
- Talking on a cell phone
In most cases the library director or a staff member shall give any patron who violates the library's rules one verbal warning. If the patron ignores the warning he/she may be expelled from the premises. The staff may contact the Marlow police if deemed advisable. The library director may deny any patron access to the library for violating library rules. The patron has the right to appeal the decision to the library board at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
Cell phones in the library
The Garland Smith Public Library seeks to provide an environment conducive to study and research. So that ringing cell phones and phone conversations do not disturb that environment, library patrons are asked to observer the following: upon entering the library, cell phones should be turned off or the ringer set to “silent” or “vibrating” mode; If a cell phone must be used please take the call outside the building; anyone receiving a call should immediately put the caller on hold and move outside before continuing the conversation.