Policy

The Staff Use of Library Property and Services Policy ensures that Metropolitan Library System employees make appropriate use of library owned property and services for the benefit of the library’s customers.

Regulations

1. Public employees have a special responsibility to avoid not only the wrongful act but also to avoid the appearance of wrongdoing. Library employees observing a violation of this policy are expected to report it immediately to a superior as a matter of professional ethics.
2. Equipment and services covered by this policy include but are not limited to the following:
   • Library materials including, but not limited to, books, video and audio recordings, electronic media, magazines, newspapers
   • Personal computers and software
   • All databases available to the public including the library catalog and subscription databases
   • Internet access
   • Library maintained Email accounts
   • Business equipment such as photocopier, fax machines, telephones, typewriters
   • Library vehicles
   • Maintenance tools and equipment
   • Library furniture
   • Consumable office supplies such as paper, pens, pencils, binders/folders, notebooks
3. Library employees will obey all laws including compliance with U.S. copyright act regarding books and materials, and computer software.
4. Use of any library equipment, materials or services by library employees while on duty is for library business only. However, limited, occasional or incidental use for personal, non-business purposes is allowed provided it is:
   
   1. in compliance with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and guidelines of the Library; and
   2. reasonable in amount and does not interfere with work performance or Library business needs, and the work supervisor is in agreement with it. It should normally be limited to break and lunch times.
5. Off-duty library employees (employees on rest break, lunch break or otherwise not on duty) may use library equipment, materials, or services normally available to the public according to normal policy, procedures and guidelines for such uses.
6. Library employees must not use their knowledge of or access to library equipment, software or records for personal financial gain.
7. Library employees may not remove or alter records obligating friends, family members, themselves or others for return of materials when materials have not been returned.
8. Library employees must not use their knowledge of or access to library equipment, software or records to circumvent nor attempt to circumvent any library policies by such things as intentionally issuing fraudulent or duplicate borrowers cards.
9. Library employees may not store personal files, electronic or hard copy, on library premises. This includes any type of document, spreadsheet or media file including music and podcasts.
10. Library employees may not install on library computer equipment, computer software (including application software), screen savers, wallpaper, games, etc. that have not been authorized by library information technology staff through established procedures.
11. Employees violating this policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.