Library Policies

The library will be closed in observance of these days:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Presidents Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve & Day

New Years Eve & Day

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Library staff is dedicated to ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of your library records. In order for us to access and provide your information to you, a library card barcode is required. A child’s library card information may be accessed by the either the child whose name the card is in, or the custodial parent/legal guardian. Because information is accessible with a library card barcode, please report a lost/stolen card immediately. 

Click here to read the State of Illinois Library Records Confidentiality Act.

Borrowing Privileges – Registration Requirements

The Steger-South Chicago Heights (SSCH) Public Library District is a tax-supported public library. This means that people residing within the jurisdictional boundaries of the SSCH Public Library pay taxes to support the library. Those people who live within the jurisdictional boundaries of the SSCH Public Library need pay no additional fee to be eligible to receive their first library card. Library cards are renewed every three (3) years without additional fees, provided the library card holder continues to reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the SSCH Public Library and is a patron in good standing. There is a fee of $3.00 to replace damaged, destroyed, lost, or stolen library cards.

As a resident cardholder, the borrower identified on the valid borrower’s card may physically take his or her library card to another library to borrow materials. Those materials are the responsibility of the individual who borrows them, and are subject to all of the fines, rules, and regulations of the lending library.

Non-Resident Cards

Individuals residing beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of the SSCH Public Library and not within the boundaries of another public library, and owning no property within the jurisdictional boundaries of the SSCH Public Library, may purchase a nonresident fee card calculated based on the Tax Bill Method, applying the Library’s tax rate to the EAV on the individual’s tax bill. This fee entitles a non-resident cardholder to all the services that the Library provides to its residents, including reciprocal borrowing. The card must be renewed every year and is good for the entire family within that household.

Individuals residing beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of the SSCH Public Library, but owning (as an individual, a partner, the principle stockholder, or other joint owner) taxable property within the jurisdictional boundaries of the SSCH Public Library, upon presentation of a tax bill upon that taxable property, may obtain one (1) non-resident library card without the payment of the non-resident fee upon presentation of the most recent tax bill upon the taxable property. Each non-resident card issued pursuant to this Section is limited to the exclusive use of the individual whose name appears on its face. The individual must also surrender any other library card issued from an Illinois public library.

Staff Cards

Staff members that reside outside of the library’s boundaries may get a Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library card. The card must be renewed every three years or cancelled when the person is no longer employed by the library.

Registration Requirements

Adults wishing to register for a borrower’s card, renew an expired borrower’s card, or replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed borrower’s card at the SSCH Public Library must bring with them a government issued photo I.D with their current Steger or South Chicago Heights address. If the patron does not have a current photo I.D. then they will need to provide a government issued photo I.D. and two proofs of residency (utility bill, mortgage, checking account, government issued mail, voter’s registration card). In order to renew a library card the patron’s account must be in good standing.

Children under the age of 18 must have a parent’s signature on any initial application for a library card. Any authorizing parent must be fine free as well as any other dependent children in the household. Children may receive their library card at either five years of age or if they are entering kindergarten. The application must be completed with both the child and adult present in the library. Children under the age of 16 may use the proof of residency provided by their parent. Children 16 and over may choose to provide their own proof of residency, or use that of their parent.

Borrowing Privileges – Eligibility to Borrow

Individuals presenting valid borrower’s cards issued by the SSCH Public Library are eligible to borrow materials from the SSCH Public Library when the following conditions are met:

• No materials which are more than one circulation period are overdue on their card.

• No outstanding fines in aggregate excess of $5.00 have accrued to their card.

• The patron has the library card with them at the time of checkout. A photo id is not an acceptable replacement for the library card.

The library staff may not waive these regulations without the specific permission of the library director, however, the patron may request and receive a 24-hour hold on the item(s) he or she wishes to check out to allow the patron to correct the situation which has resulted in loss of eligibility to borrow.

The library cards of all dependent children and authorizing parent may be

restricted if one or more children or the authorizing parent have a minimum of $30.00 in overdue fines and/or have library materials that is in excess of six weeks overdue. The library staff will inform the library director when this regulation is violated, so that the best resolution may be reached.

Individuals presenting a valid card from another public library in Illinois may

borrow materials from the SSCH Public Library. The card must have the name of the individual presenting it, and expiration date in the future. The card must be either a resident borrower’s card or a system borrower’s card to be valid for reciprocal borrowing.

Adopted: September 2002

Revised: September 2008

Revised: June 2009

Revised: May 2011

Revised: January 2012

Reviewed: February 2016

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library has established, in addition to the schedule for lost or damaged items, the following schedule of fines for overdue materials as well as fees for other services provided by the SSCH Public Library.

Overdue Materials

• Books and Magazines: N/A

• DVDs, Blu-Rays, and Video Games: $1.00 per day, not to exceed the cost of the item

Cardholders who owe $10.00 or more in fines or charges for lost or damaged items will have their cards blocked from use. Unpaid bills for lost or damaged items may be sent to a collection agency.

Fees

• Copies: 10 cents per page for Black and White, 25 cents per page for Color. 

• Fax/transmission: $1.00 per page. Faxes are sent only within the continental United States. A library cover page must accompany all faxes.  

• Fax/receipt: 10 cents per page. The SSCH Public Library assumes no responsibility of notification of the receipt of a fax for an individual.

• Computer printouts: 10 cents per page for black and white copies, and 25 cents for color copies. This fee applies to all material printed by library printers.

• Computer/Internet usage: $2.00 per hour for non-resident library card holders and for patrons without a library card. Computer time will not be prorated. 

Adopted: September 2002

Revised: April 2008

Revised: May 2011

Revised: July 2014

Revised: February 2016

Revised: June 2020

Revised: January 2021

When patrons want material that is not available within the SSCH Public Library, we ask other agencies to provide it. This is the process of interlibrary loan. Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan have a circulation period that is determined by the SSCH Public Library. We are happy to borrow materials from other libraries for you, but we ask that you respect the date by which those materials must be returned to their home libraries. When the SSCH Public Library is lax in returning materials borrowed through interlibrary loan, the library can lose the privilege of borrowing materials in that way for any of its patrons. It is crucial, therefore, that materials borrowed through interlibrary loan be returned in a timely manner. Habitual failure to do so may result in individual loss of the privilege in order to preserve the privilege for other library patrons. When picking up an interlibrary loan the patron must have the card the loan was placed on. They cannot use another card for pick up.

Patron notification of interlibrary loan

When materials arrive patrons are notified by telephone, email or text. Please provide the Library with the information, and update the information with the Library when there are any changes.

Lost or Damaged Material

All charges for lost or damaged materials are set by the lending library. The patron is responsible for these charges plus the $5.00 processing set by the library system.

Materials Loaned

Books, magazines, compact discs, kits, audiobooks, DVDs, BluRays

Materials Restricted for ILL

Newspapers, current (3 months) books, audiobooks, compact disks, popular movies and children’s movies, video games, specialty items (Ukulele kit, record player, digital camera etc.)

Adopted: September 2002

Revised: May 2011

Revised: February 2016

The SSCH Public Library circulates materials in a variety of formats including (but not limited to) books, videos, DVDs, magazines, Blu-Rays. The following terms of loan are applicable as indicated:

• Books, Audio-Books, and CDs: 3 Weeks

• Magazines and CDs:  3 Weeks

• Adult DVDs (New) – Popular: 3 days (no charge)

• Adult DVDs (Older than 3 months): 7 days (no charge)

• Juvenile DVDs (New): 3 days 

• Juvenile DVDs (Older than 3 months): 7 days 

• DVD—Non-Fiction: 2 weeks

• Video Games (New): 3 days 

• Video Games (Older than 3 months): 7 days 

• Other Specialty Items: As assigned

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library also offers a longer loan period of 21 days for patrons that take extended vacations. Resources ineligible for this service include brand new books and new popular adult or juvenile DVDs, new video games, and any other items as decided by the Director.

Supporting the educational advancement of the children of the Steger-South Chicago Heights communities is at the heart of the mission of the library, and in order to insure that all the children have access to materials when needed, the staff may limit the number of materials a household may check out depending on school assignments and seasonal materials.

Most items may be renewed in person, over the Internet, or over the phone provided that there are no holds on the item and that the patron’s card is in good standing.

Adopted: September 2002

Revised: July 2008

Revised: May 2011

Revised: July 2014

Revised: February 2016

Reviewed: February 2020

Revised: January 2021

Materials borrowed via any mechanism are the responsibility of the library patron. Replacement cost (original purchase price) is the responsibility of any patron who borrows and loses any library material. In the case of children under the age of 18, it is the signing adults’ responsibility to pay for lost or damaged items in accordance with the following schedule of terms:

• Replacement cost of any item which is lost or damaged beyond repair.

• Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan, which are lost or damaged, are charged to the patron according to the bill provided by the lending agency.

• If lost materials are found, patrons are reimbursed for the replacement cost, excluding overdue fines.

• Patrons will be charged a fee for any damaged or lost packaging.

• Patrons will be charged for postage if overdue notices are sent by the library.

• The RAILS Library System charges a $5.00 processing fee for all lost, billed or replacement items which cannot be waived by the library.

• The library will accept billed, replaced or lost items up to 30 days with a receipt minus the $5.00 RAILS processing fee.

Adopted: September 2002

Reviewed: May 2011

Revised: April 2013

Reviewed: February 2016

Patrons may reserve materials, which are not immediately available for patron use, but are in the collection of the SSCH Public Library. When the reserved materials are available to the patron who has placed the reserve, the library will notify the patron. The specific title of the material will not be stated to anyone other than the library patron who placed the reserve. If the patron is not available a message will be left. The material will be held for the patron for a period of one week. If additional patrons are waiting for the material, the next patron on the list will be notified of the availability of the item, and the same procedure will be followed. If no additional patrons are waiting for the material, the material will be placed back into general circulation. Relay of the message to the appropriate person in the household, and prompt retrieval of the material, are the responsibilities of the patron.

Adopted: September 2002

Reviewed and Updated February 2009

Revised: May 2011

Reviewed: February 2016

I. SELECTION PHILOSOPHY

II. SELECTION RESPONSIBILITY

III. SELECTION CRITERIA

IV. WITHDRAWL OF MATERIALS

V. GIFTS

VI. RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS

I. SELECTION PHILOSOPHY

The goal of the material selection policy of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Library is to provide materials that meet the informational, recreational, educational and intellectual needs of the community. The Library will provide access to resources that balance viewpoints across a broad spectrum of opinion and subject matter in formats suitable to a variety of learning and recreational interests and skills. The Library considers the value of each item in its entirety and within the context of the collection. Using selection practices that are flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the community, the Library builds and maintains its collection for the general public while recognizing the need to serve the diverse populations of our community.

The Library is bound by the democratic principals expressed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and fully endorses the position of the American Library Association as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to View Statement, and the Freedom to Read Statement. As the latter statement concludes, “We believe…that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that suppression of ideas is fatal to democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours.”

II. SELECTION RESPONSIBILITY

Library Board Responsibilities:

It is the responsibility of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library Board to formulate, establish, review and update the Collection Development Policy. The Board delegates to the Director responsibility for materials selected.

Library Staff Responsibilities:

In accordance with Illinois Library Law, the overall responsibility for collection development, including selection, ordering, maintaining and weeding of all library materials shall be delegated to the Library Director who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Board of Trustees.

No employee may be disciplined or dismissed for the selection of library materials when the selection is made in good faith and in accordance with this written Collection Development Policy.

Although the staff exercises professional judgment in the selection of all materials, responsibility for the selection of materials for individual children and adolescents rests with their parents or legal guardians.

Finally, this policy is a tool for communicating to the public the criteria that is used by the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library for the selection and maintenance of the library’s materials. The selection process for materials is as follows:

III. SELECTION CRITERIA

The general criteria considered in selecting materials include:

 Popularity of author/subject

 Issues of current interest

 Authority of author/publisher

 Relevant to need and desires of the community

 Availability/Accessibility through the Library System

 Space considerations

 Budget Considerations

 Literary merit

 Representation of diverse points of view

 To build on existing strengths of the library’s collection

 Suitability of format or physical form through user requests

 Patron use or demand

 Local historical significance to the community

 The Library will not maintain a college textbook collection

 The Library will not purchase legal, medical or technical materials not addressed to lay persons.

In selection, consideration will be given to the work as a whole. No work shall be excluded because of specific passages or pieces taken out of context. Library users and all staff are encouraged to suggest titles for purchase. All suggestions will be considered and a decision made based on the above criteria, balancing the obligation to meet demand with the obligation to exclude materials which do not meet selection criteria or are available from other sources at lower cost.

Non-Print Materials

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library believes that non-print formats have a legitimate place in the public library. Non-print materials are subject to the same selection criteria as print materials.

Consistent with careful expenditure of public funds, the library purchases new non-print formats when warranted by community demand.

Interlibrary Loan

Economical use of materials selection funds requires that the interlibrary loan network be relied on to supply materials rarely used, or in special subject areas not covered in depth by the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library collection. The Library encourages requests for materials not in the collection. No charge is made for reserving materials, which are in circulation. Careful consideration is given to the purchase of requested material not held by the Library and the acquisition of several copies of titles for which requests accumulate. Emphasis is placed on adding to total area library resources rather than on duplicating materials available in school, academic or special libraries. If the Library does not purchase a requested title, the item may be available through the interlibrary loan network.

IV. WITHDRAWAL OF MATERIALS

The library is committed to maintaining a collection of vital and current materials and to effective use of space. To achieve these objectives, the Library withdraws materials that are dated, worn or are no longer in demand. The withdrawal of resources from the collection is an important process as selection. Some of the criteria for withdrawal are:

 To maintain the currency of the collection

 To eliminate resources no longer in demand

 To eliminate outdated formats

 To replace superseded editions of titles

 To address the lack of community interest

 To provide availability of newer or more valid materials

V. GIFTS AND DONATIONS

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Library gratefully accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that the materials become the property of the Library and are used as the Library deems appropriate. No conditional donations of materials are accepted.

Donated materials may be added to the Library collection; all such aterials are subject to the selection guidelines stated above.

The library cannot price gift materials for income tax purposes. A letter acknowledging the gift is sent to donors at their request.

Patrons who donate cash for the purchase of materials, whether as a memorial or for another purpose, are welcome to designate any of the four general funds: book, programming, building and technology. The staff in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the Library makes selection of specific titles.

VI. RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS

Steger-South Chicago Heights Library believes in freedom of information for all and does not practice censorship. Serious works, which portray various aspects of life, are not excluded because of their frankness. The Library encourages the examination of diverse opinions; thus all points of view are included in the resource collection.

Materials selection will not be determined by pressure from outside groups and organizations; rather, the Library will apply established professional standards in the selection and retention of its resources.

Once an item has been accepted under the Collection Development Policy of the Library it will not be removed from the resource collection unless (a) it is withdrawn under routine policy guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees, or (b) the Board of Trustees deems it is in violation of the Collection Development Policy.

Neither the staff, the Director nor the Board of Trustees will take responsibility for the selection by children for their reading material; that responsibility rests solely with the parent or legal guardian. The library will not limit freedom of expression or free access to ideas because materials may come into possession of children.

It is recognized that a patron of the Library District may find a particular work personally objectionable in some way. When this occurs, residents are encouraged to bring their concerns to the attention of the Library Director, either verbally or in writing. It is the responsibility of the patron to establish that a particular item may be in violation of the Collection Development Policy. Only registered library card holders of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library may make Requests for Reconsideration.

The Library Director may discuss the concern with appropriate Library staff and may communicate to the resident the rationale for selections. If the resident is unsatisfied with the response of the Library, he or she may again contact the Library Director, who provides the “Request for Reconsideration of Material” to be completed and returned to the library. The Library Director will convene a Materials Evaluation Committee consisting of the staff person responsible for selection in this area, one other member of the staff and the Library Director.

The Committee will meet to examine the material, as well as critical reviews of the material. The Library Director will prepare a report summarizing the Committee’s evaluation. A copy of this report will be sent to the person who submitted the “Request for Reconsideration of Material.”

If the person is not satisfied with the Materials Evaluation Committee’s report, s/he may request a hearing with the Library Board. The Library Board will consider the request at the next regularly scheduled board meeting, provided there is sufficient time before the meeting to prepare for a public hearing on the matter. Once the date is established, the resident is apprised of the meeting date and invited to attend.

The decision of the Library Board on reconsideration of material is final.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that changes in goals and objectives, needs of the public, professional trends, and budgetary conditions are reflected in its wording.

Adopted : 1/18/01

Revised: June 2009

Revised: May 2011

Revised: December 2013

Reviewed: September 2015

Use of the Internet and online services is a privilege extended to patrons, and not an automatic right or obligation of the Library.

Behavior in a manner which is disruptive, including but not limited to, the display of offensive visual material or activities that promote hatred or violence will not be tolerated. After the first instance the patron will be instructed to leave the site. Further violations may result in a suspension or revocation of computer privileges

• Patrons may use their own USB drives to use on the Library’s computers.

• The Library is not responsible for data or program loss, and will not reimburse patrons their money.

• Patrons may not alter or attach equipment (except a USB drive) to the Library’s hardware.

• Library staff will assist patrons at the computers provided there is adequate staffing in other areas of the Library. However, this should not be considered a training session. Staff will not help with the following: taxes or governmental programs.

• No more than two patrons per computer as this can cause a disturbance for other patrons in the area.

• If patrons are using the computers to access multimedia they will be required to wear headphones.

• Patrons are liable for any damages resulting from misuse or mistreatment of equipment or software. Any problems with either should be reported to the staff immediately.

• Patrons may use the public computers only for legal purposes. Examples of unacceptable purposes may include but are not limited to:

Harassment of other patrons or library staff

Libel or slander

Destruction of equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other patrons

Unauthorized copying of copy-righted material

Engaging in activities deemed unlawful under federal, state or local law

Violation of system security

Disruptive behavior

Use of the Internet in any way which violates licensing and payment agreements between the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library and database providers.

USAGE FEES

Non-Resident and Non-Library card holders: $ 2.00 per session/1 hour

Patrons under 18 are free

I have read and agree to abide by the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library’s Computer/ Internet Policy. Should I commit any violation of its terms, I understand that my access privileges may be suspended and appropriate legal action may be taken.

Adopted: January 2014

Revised: February 2016

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library is a tax-supported public institution and is dedicated to fulfilling its mission as a provider of quality and responsive library service to its community. In order to uphold this mission, the Board of Trustees of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Library has adopted a Code of Conduct that reinforces that the rights of the patrons and the library staff and the safety of the facility are paramount at all times. Violation of any of the following rules will result in a warning and/or expulsion from the property. Whenever necessary, police will be contacted. The director and supervisory staff have authority to carry out all powers of this policy. The staff of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library will enforce the code in a respectful and fair manner. Violations of the code include — but are not limited to — the following:

• Any action or event that violates federal, state or local law

• Vandalism of the library’s facility, materials or computers

• Patrons may eat or drink only in the designated areas

• Absence of shirt or shoes

• Gambling

• Loud talking, shouting, screaming or other loud noises

• Running, pushing, shoving or throwing items in the library

• Smoking

• Bringing in animals other than a service animal

• Using communication or electronic devices at a level that is disturbing to others

• Solicitation of funds, distribution of literature or promotional materials other than for the benefit of the library

• Access to staff areas unless accompanied by an employee

• Lewd or sexual conduct to other patrons or library staff

• Sleeping

• Overcrowding of the study tables

• Loitering

• Refusal to leave library facility or property

• Theft

• Hitting or touching other patrons or library staff

• No drug or alcohol use

• Excessive displays of affection

• Conduct that disrupts the operation of the library

• Leaving young children unattended at the library

• Verbal abuse of other patrons or library staff

• No parking bicycles or other vehicles in a manner that blocks or hinders entry to the library

• Disturbing others with offensive body odor

Any patron who violates the Code of Conduct shall cease such activity upon request by library personnel. If the behavior continues or the patron responds in an abusive fashion, they will be asked to leave library property immediately. If necessary, the police will be called and an Incident Report completed. In instances regarding minors, the incident may be reported to the parent or the guardian.

If the Code of Conduct violations have required staff intervention on more than one occasion, a 7-day suspension may be issued. Violent behavior will result in a minimum of 30-day suspension. In such cases, if the library has an address on file, a letter explaining the suspension will be mailed to the patron’s home, and an Incident Report will completed. If the patron is a minor, the letter will be mailed to the attention of the parent/guardian. Copies of the letter and the Incident Report will be kept on file with the library director.

Any 30-day suspensions will be reported to the Board of Trustees, and patrons wishing to appeal a suspension may do so upon written request to the Library director. The director will then notify the Board and a hearing will be held within 10 days of the written notification by the patron or parent /guardian. The patron may attend the special meeting, and the Board will notify the patron of the final outcome of the suspension in a letter sent by certified mail.

Illinois law authorizes the Board, “To exclude from use of the Library any person who willfully violates an ordinance or regulation prescribed by the Board.” 75 ILCS 16/30-55.55 — Updated Sept. 2011

Section 75 ILCS 5/1-7. [Confidentiality].

Sec. 1-7. Each library subject to this Act is subject to the provisions of The Library

Records Confidentiality Act [75 ILCS 70/1 et seq.].

Section 75 ILCS 70/1. [Confidentiality of records; statistical reports permitted].

1.(a) The registration and circulation records of a library are confidential information. Except pursuant to a court order, no person shall publish or make any information contained in such records available to the public.

(b) This section does not prevent a library from publishing or making available to the public reasonable statistical reports regarding library registration and book circulation where those reports are presented so that no individual is identified therein.

(c) For the purpose of this Section,

(i) “library” means any public library or library of an educational, historical or

eleemosynary institution, organization or society;

(ii) “registration records” includes any information a library requires a person to provide in order for that person to become eligible to borrow books and other materials and

(iii) “circulation records” includes all information identifying the individual borrowing particular books or materials.

Section 75 ILCS 70/2. [Short title].

Sec. 2. This Act may be cited as the Library Records Confidentiality Act.

Section 5 ILCS 140/7. Freedom of Information Act. Exemptions.

(1) The following shall be exempt from inspection and copying:

(l) Library circulation and order records identifying library users with specific materials.

Costs incurred by the library due to compliance with court orders will be charged to the agency seeking the information.

Patron records may only be disclosed to:

• The patron upon verification of identity with the library card.

• If the parent or guardian who signed for the card is in possession of the minor’s card then they may be given information

• If the parent or guardian who signed for the minor’s card does not have the library card then the only information available will be limited to items that are overdue, lost, or damaged or fines owed.

• Law enforcement officers, when staff members have knowledge of a name and description of a person who has committed, or threatens to commit a crime affecting Library staff, patrons, trustee or Library property. The requesting officer is required to complete the attached disclosure form.

• Law enforcement officers, when an officer believes there is an imminent danger or physical harm a patron. Information such as materials borrowed, resources reviewed, or services used at the Library may only be disclosed upon a court order. All such requests must be made to Library Director or senior staff member in charge.

Court Orders

Patrons should be aware that Section 21.5 of the US Patriot Act gives federal law

enforcement officers the ability to obtain a search warrant to gain access to certain library records on the basis that the officer(s) believe that the records sought may be related to an ongoing investigation related to terrorism or intelligence activities.

The Patriot Act also prohibits libraries or librarians served with such a warrant issued under FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) rules from disclosing the existence of the warrant or the fact that records were produced as a result form the warrant, under penalty of law. A patron cannot be informed that his/her records were given to a federal agent or that patron is the subject of a federal investigation.

• The Library Director will handle all requests for disclosure or search of library records pursuant to any legal process or order. In absence of the director the President of the Board of Trustees will be called.

• The Library Director or the Board President will request information from the law enforcement officials serving the process or order and will record their name, badge number, and agencies.

• The Library Director or Board President will review the process or order and immediately contact the library’s attorney. Then they will explain the policy to the law enforcement officials.

• If the court order is in the form of a subpoena, the Library Attorney will examine the subpoena to insure that a) the document is in proper legal form; and b) there has been a proper showing of good cause for its issuance, in a court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction. Until the legality of such process, order or subpoena has been affirmatively shown to the satisfaction of the Library Attorney, the Library will resist its issuance or enforcement until any such defects have been cured.

• If the court order is in the form of a search warrant, the Library Director or Board President will ask law enforcement officials to wait until the Library Attorney is present before beginning the search. However, law enforcement officials are under no obligation to wait and may begin the search immediately.

• The Library Director or Board President will assist officials in locating necessary information but will refrain from suggesting additional resources and will limit access to records according to those requested in the court order.

• The Library Director or Board President will record all information provided to law enforcement officials and will only discuss the court order with the Library Attorney.

Revised: January 2012

Reviewed: March 2016

The copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the reproduction, distribution, adaptation, public performance, and public display of protected material. Under certain conditions, public libraries are authorized to lend, lease, or rent copies of computer programs and videotapes to patrons for nonprofit purposes. Any person who makes an unauthorized copy or adaptation of a computer program or videotape or redistributes the loaned copy or publicly performs or displays the computer program or videotape, except as permitted by Title 17 of the United States Code, may be liable for copyright infringement.

This institution reserves the right to refuse to fulfill a loan request if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the request would likely lead to violation of the copyright law.

Adopted: December 2002

Reviewed: March 2016

DISPLAY CASE POLICY

Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District offers its main display case, located in the front vestibule of the Library, to non-profit groups and individuals based in the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District for the display of civic, cultural, educational, and public information consistent with the Library’s mission. The Library invites individuals and groups to share their artistic and informational materials with the community. Use of the display case is subject to the following rules and regulations:

1. A Display Case Reservation and Agreement Form must be completed and signed prior to any public use of the display case.

2. Permission to a group or individual to use the display case does not constitute the Library’s endorsement of the policies or beliefs represented in the display.

3. The Library assumes no responsibility or liability for the preservation, protection, loss of, or damage to any part of a display at any time. All items brought to and placed in the Library are done so at the owner’s risk. Exhibitors are solely responsible for installing and removing their pieces and/or display.

4. While displays consistent with the Library’s mission are always welcome, the display case may not be used for:

   1. Promotion or advocacy for partisan or individual candidate’s political meetings or events, such as political rallies, demonstrations, movies, fundraisers, promotion, protests, endorsements of political candidates or agenda, or public referenda.

   2. Promotions of advocacy for specific religious, philosophical, or motivational groups.

   3. Promotion or representation of personal or family interests.

   4. Promotion or representation for a for-profit business.

   5. Displays of a polemic or discriminatory nature.

   6. Display of material which is obscene, defamatory, invades a particular person’s privacy, or incites violence.

   7. Promotion or representation of any activity or purpose that is in violation of local, state, or federal ordinances or laws, including copyright and public performance laws.

5. The library’s display case is not available to individual political parties, candidates, or individuals or groups who wish to use it to support or oppose political parties, candidates, or public referenda.

6. The Library is not in any way involved in the sale of any exhibit item. No prices or price lists are to appear within the exhibit, not will library staff give any indication of an item’s value. The exhibitor’s contact information may be posted at the exhibitor’s discretion.

7. Determination of the appropriateness of the display of material for posting is solely the decision of the Library Director or delegated representative.

8. No group may reassign the use of the display case and the display must appear as described in the approved application.

9. No hardware, equipment, or objects are allowed in the display or in the setting up of the display that may result in the damaging of the display case. If such damage occurs, the group or individual responsible for the display will be held responsible. The potential for damage may be considered grounds for denial of the display case application. If the setting up of the display would interfere with normal Library activities, the display will not be permitted.

10. The display case must be restored to its original clean condition upon the end of the display term by the displaying party.

11. Priority will be given to Library-sponsored displays.

12. A display will remain in the case for one calendar month, unless otherwise specified.

13. The use of the Library display case is a privilege, not a right, and is subject to the Library’s sole and exclusive discretion. Accordingly, the Library reserves the right to deny the use of the display case to any group or individual.

14. The Library reserves the right to cancel any scheduled display in its sole and exclusive discretion.

15. If a group or individual violates the policies or procedures associated with the display case, future use of the case will not be permitted.

16. If an organization is denied the use of the display case, it can appeal to the Library Board of Trustees at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Adopted: April 2024

Click here to download this policy and a reservation form.

• Ebook readers may be borrowed by resident library card holders ages 15 and up in good standing (i.e. users with fines of $5.00 and over are blocked)

•  Photo identification in addition to a library card will be required

• The loan period is 14 days.

• Ebook readers may be reserved via the SWAN catalog or through the Front Desk. If the ebook reader is not reserved then it may be checked out on a first come first serve basis.

• Each ebook reader comes equipped with a charger, carrying case, kit package, list of ebooks and an explanation sheet.

• Late fines for the ebook reader are $2.00 per day, not counting the days the Library is closed. All the accessories must be returned with the ebook reader or it will not be checked in at the Front Desk.

• The user assumes full responsibility for the cost of replacement in the event the ebook reader or its accessories are lost, stolen or damaged. Replacement costs will be based on the Library’s reasonable assessment of the current cost for replacement and will not exceed $350.00.

• Patrons may not download content onto the ebook reader, and if they do it is considered a donation to the Library.

• There are no renewals for the ebook readers.

• Ebook readers cannot be returned in the drop box. They must be returned inside the Library and handed to a circulation clerk.

• Ebook readers are not available for interlibrary loan.

ADOPTED: SEPTEMBER 2011

Reviewed: February 2016

ETHICS ORDINANCE 12-7

PREAMBLE

WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly has enacted the State Officials and

Employees Ethics Act (Public Act 93-615, effective November 19, 2003, as amended by Public Act 93- 617, effective December 9, 2003), which is a comprehensive revision of State statutes regulating ethical conduct, political activities and the solicitation and acceptance of gifts by State officials and employees; and

WHEREAS, the Act requires all units of local government and school districts, within six months after the effective date of Public Act 93-615, to adopt ordinances or resolutions regulating the political activities of, and the solicitation and acceptance of gifts by, the officers and employees of such units “in a manner no less restrictive” than the provisions of the Act; and

WHEREAS, it is the clear intention of the Act to require units of local government and school districts to implement regulations that are at least as restrictive as those contained in the Act, and to impose penalties for violations of those regulations that are equivalent to those imposed by the Act, notwithstanding that such penalties may exceed the general authority granted to units of local government to penalize ordinance violations; and

WHEREAS, it is the clear intention of the Act to provide units of local government with all authority necessary to implement its requirements on the local level regardless of any general limitations on the power to define and punish ordinance violations that might otherwise be applicable; and

WHEREAS, because the Act provides for the imposition of significant penalties for

violations of said local regulations, it is necessary to adopt the required regulations by Ordinance rather than by Resolution;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE STEGER-SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1: The Code of Ordinances of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library is hereby amended by the addition of the following provisions:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1-1. For purposes of this ordinance, the following terms shall be given these definitions:

“Campaign for elective office” means any activity in furtherance of an effort to

influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to any federal, State, or local public office or office in a political organization, or the selection, nomination, or election of Presidential or Vice-Presidential electors, but does not include activities (i) relating to the support or opposition of any executive, legislative, or administrative action, (ii) relating to collective bargaining, or (iii) that are otherwise in furtherance of the person’s official duties.

“Candidate” means a person who has filed nominating papers or petitions for nomination or election to an elected office, or who has been appointed to fill a vacancy in nomination, and who remains eligible for placement on the ballot at a regular election, as defined in section 1-3 of the Election Code (10 ILCS 5/1-3).

“Collective bargaining” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 3

of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (5 ILCS 315/3).

“Compensated time” means, with respect to an employee, any time worked by or

credited to the employee that counts toward any minimum work time requirement

imposed as a condition of his or her employment, but for purposes of this Ordinance, does not include any designated holidays, vacation periods, personal time, compensatory time off or any period when the employee is on a leave of absence. With respect to officers or employees whose hours are not fixed, “compensated time” includes any period of time when the officer is on premises under the control of the employer and any other time when the officer or employee is executing his or her official duties, regardless of location.

“Compensatory time off” means authorized time off earned by or awarded to an

employee to compensate in whole or in part for time worked in excess of the minimum work time required of that employee as a condition of his or her employment.

“Contribution” has the same meaning as that term is defined in section 9-1.4 of

the Election Code (10 ILCS 5/9-1.4).

“Employee” means a person employed by the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library, whether on a fulltime or part-time basis or pursuant to a contract, whose duties are subject to the direction and control of an employer with regard to the material details of how the work is to be performed, but does not include an independent contractor.

“Employer” means the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library.

“Gift” means any gratuity, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance,

or other tangible or intangible item having monetary value including, but not limited to, cash, food and drink, and honoraria for speaking engagements related to or attributable to government employment or the official position of an officer or employee.

“Leave of absence” means any period during which an employee does not receive

(i) compensation for employment, (ii) service credit towards pension benefits, and (iii) health insurance benefits paid for by the employer.

“Officer” means a person who holds, by election or appointment, an office created

by statute or ordinance, regardless of whether the officer is compensated for service in his or her official capacity.

“Political activity” means any activity in support of or in connection with any

campaign for elective office or any political organization, but does not include activities (i) relating to the support or opposition of any executive, legislative, or administrative action, (ii) relating to collective bargaining, or (iii) that are otherwise in furtherance of the person’s official duties.

“Political organization” means a party, committee, association, fund, or other

organization (whether or not incorporated) that is required to file a statement of

organization with the State Board of Elections or a county clerk under Section 9-3 of the Election Code (10 ILCS 5/9-3), but only with regard to those activities that require filing with the State Board of Elections or a county clerk.

“Prohibited political activity” means:

(1) Preparing for, organizing, or participating in any political meeting, political rally, political demonstration, or other political event.

(2) Soliciting contributions, including but not limited to the purchase of, selling, distributing, or receiving payment for tickets for any political fundraiser, political meeting, or other political event.

(3) Soliciting, planning the solicitation of, or preparing any document or report regarding anything of value intended as a campaign contribution.

(4) Planning, conducting, or participating in a public opinion poll in connection with a campaign for elective office or on behalf of a political organization for political purposes or for or against any referendum question.

(5) Surveying or gathering information from potential or actual voters in an election to determine probable vote outcome in connection with a campaign for elective office or on behalf of a political organization for political purposes or for or against any referendum question.

(6) Assisting at the polls on election day on behalf of any political organization or candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(7) Soliciting votes on behalf of a candidate for elective office or a political organization or for or against any referendum question or helping in an effort to get voters to the polls.

(8) Initiating for circulation, preparing, circulating, reviewing, or filing any petition on behalf of a candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(9) Making contributions on behalf of any candidate for elective office in that capacity or in connection with a campaign for elective office.

(10) Preparing or reviewing responses to candidate questionnaires.

(11) Distributing, preparing for distribution, or mailing campaign literature, campaign signs, or other campaign material on behalf of any candidate

for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(12) Campaigning for any elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(13) Managing or working on a campaign for elective office or for or against any referendum question.

(14) Serving as a delegate, alternate, or proxy to a political party convention.

15) Participating in any recount or challenge to the outcome of any election.

“Prohibited source” means any person or entity who:

(1) is seeking official action (i) by an officer or (ii) by an employee, or by the officer or another employee directing that employee;

(2) does business or seeks to do business (i) with the officer or (ii) with an employee, or with the officer or another employee directing that employee;

(3) conducts activities regulated (i) by the officer or (ii) by an employee, or by the officer or another employee directing that employee; or

(4) has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the official duties of the officer or employee.

ARTICLE 5

PROHIBITED POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

Section 5-1. Prohibited political activities.

(a) No officer or employee shall intentionally perform any prohibited political activity during any compensated time, as defined herein.

No officer or employee shall intentionally use any property or resources of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District in connection with any prohibited political activity.

(b) At no time shall any officer or employee intentionally require any other officer or

employee to perform any prohibited political activity (i) as part of that officer or employee’s duties, (ii) as a condition of employment, or (iii) during any compensated time off (such as holidays, vacation or personal time off).

(c) No officer or employee shall be required at any time to participate in any prohibited political activity in consideration for that officer or employee being awarded additional compensation or any benefit, whether in the form of a salary adjustment, bonus, compensatory time off, continued employment or otherwise, nor shall any officer or employee be awarded additional compensation or any benefit in consideration for his or her participation in any prohibited political

activity.

(d) Nothing in this Section prohibits activities that are permissible for an officer or

employee to engage in as part of his or her official duties, or activities that are undertaken by an officer or employee on a voluntary basis which are not prohibited by this Ordinance.

(e) No person either (i) in a position that is subject to recognized merit principles of

public employment or (ii) in a position the salary for which is paid in whole or in part by federal funds and that is subject to the Federal Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration applicable to grant-in-aid programs, shall be denied or deprived of employment or tenure solely because he or she is a

member or an officer of a political committee, of a political party, or of a political organization or club.

ARTICLE 10

GIFT BAN

Section 10-1. Gift ban. Except as permitted by this Article, no officer or employee, and no spouse of or immediate family member living with any officer or employee (collectively referred to herein as “recipients”), shall intentionally solicit or accept any gift from any prohibited source, as defined herein, or which is otherwise prohibited by law or ordinance. No prohibited source shall intentionally offer or make a gift that violates this Section.

Section 10-2. Exceptions. Section 10-1 is not applicable to the following:

(1) Opportunities, benefits, and services that are available on the same conditions as for the general public.

(2) Anything for which the officer or employee, or his or her spouse or immediate family member, pays the fair market value.

(3) Any (i) contribution that is lawfully made under the Election Code or (ii) activities associated with a fundraising event in support of a political organization or candidate.

(4) Educational materials and missions.

(5) Travel expenses for a meeting to discuss business.

(6) A gift from a relative, meaning those people related to the individual as father,

mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, great aunt, great uncle, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sonin-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, and including the father, mother, grandfather, or

grandmother of the individual’s spouse and the individual’s fiancé or fiancée.

(7) Anything provided by an individual on the basis of a personal friendship unless the recipient has reason to believe that, under the circumstances, the gift was provided because of the official position or employment of the recipient or his or her spouse or immediate family member and not because of the personal friendship. In determining whether a gift is provided on the basis of personal

friendship, the recipient shall consider the circumstances under which the gift was offered, such as: (i) the history of the relationship between the individual giving the gift and the recipient of the gift, including any previous exchange of gifts between those individuals; (ii) whether to the actual knowledge of the recipient the individual who gave the gift personally paid for the gift or sought a tax deduction or business reimbursement for the gift; and (iii) whether to the actual knowledge of the recipient the individual who gave the gift also at the same time gave the same or

similar gifts to other officers or employees, or their spouses or immediate family members.

(8) Food or refreshments not exceeding $75 per person in value on a single calendar day; provided that the food or refreshments are (i) consumed on the premises from which they were purchased or prepared or (ii) catered. For the purposes of this Section, “catered” means food or refreshments that are purchased ready to consume which are delivered by any means.

(9) Food, refreshments, lodging, transportation, and other benefits resulting from outside business or employment activities (or outside activities that are not connected to the official duties of an officer or employee), if the benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of the official position or employment of the officer or employee, and are customarily provided to others in similar circumstances.

(10) Intra-governmental and inter-governmental gifts. For the purpose of this Act, “intragovernmental gift” means any gift given to an officer or employee from another officer or employee, and “intergovernmental gift” means any gift given to an officer or employee by an officer or employee of another governmental entity.

(11) Bequests, inheritances, and other transfers at death.

(12) Any item or items from any one prohibited source during any calendar year having a cumulative total value of less than $100.

Each of the exceptions listed in this Section is mutually exclusive and independent of every other.

Section 10-3. Disposition of gifts. An officer or employee, his or her spouse or an

immediate family member living with the officer or employee, does not violate this Ordinance if the recipient promptly takes reasonable action to return a gift from a prohibited source to its source or gives the gift or an amount equal to its value to an appropriate charity that is exempt from income taxation under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now or hereafter amended, renumbered, or succeeded.

ARTICLE 25

PENALTIES

Section 25-1. Penalties. (a) A person who intentionally violates any provision of Article 5 of this Ordinance may be punished by a term of incarceration in a penal institution other than a penitentiary for a period of not more than 364 days, and may be fined in an amount not to exceed $2,500.

(b) A person who intentionally violates any provision of Article 10 of this Ordinance is subject to a fine in an amount of not less than $1,001 and not more than $5,000.

(c) Any person who intentionally makes a false report alleging a violation of any

provision of this Ordinance to the local enforcement authorities, the State’s Attorney or any other law enforcement official may be punished by a term of incarceration in a penal institution other than a penitentiary for a period of not more than 364 days, and may be fined in an amount not to exceed $2,500.

(d) A violation of Article 5 of this Ordinance shall be prosecuted as a criminal offense by an attorney for the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District by filing in the circuit court information, or sworn complaint, charging such offense. The prosecution shall be under and conform to the rules of criminal procedure. Conviction shall require the establishment of the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.

A violation of Article 10 of this Ordinance may be prosecuted as a quasi-criminal offense by an attorney for the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District, or, if an Ethics Commission has been created, by the Commission through the designated administrative procedure.

(e) In addition to any other penalty that may be applicable, whether criminal or civil, an officer or employee who intentionally violates any provision of Article 5 or Article 10 of this Ordinance is subject to discipline or discharge.

FOIA Officer: Jessica Rodrigues - jess@sschlibrary.org

FOIA Sheet

FOIA Form

General

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library is grateful for gifts, and its collection has been enriched by donations of materials as well as contributions. Through donors, the library has been able to acquire materials which could not have been purchased otherwise. The library staff can supply, upon request, a list of needed materials for consideration by the donor.

Donation of Books and Audio Visual Materials

In accepting a gift of materials, the library reserves the privilege of deciding whether items donated should be added to the collection. Out of the many books and other materials which citizens so generously give, a considerable proportion can be used. Some cannot, because any library material, though of value in itself, may be: (1) a duplicate of an item of which the library already has a sufficient number; (2) outdated–interesting but not of sufficient present reference or circulating value to the library; and/or (3) in poor condition–which would not justify the expense of processing it, i.e. cataloging and preparing it for circulation. The material will be judged by the same standards of selection as those applied to the purchase of new materials. The SSCH Public Library accepts gift books with the understanding that books which are useful to the library collection will be retained and other books disposed of in whatever manner the librarian deems best. The Library necessarily reserves the right to interfile gifts with other collections on the same subject, so that all collections are organized and classified according to

library standards for the best public service.

Gift Book Program

The Library welcomes monetary contributions specifically for book purchases in memorial to or in honor of named individuals. In order that the Library can properly honor the generosity, a special form to record the information is used and should be completed.

Donation of Art Objects and Other Types of Materials

Donations of other kinds of items such as computers, paintings and various equipment are often not suitable for the Library use. Each item will be evaluated and, if it cannot be used, may be donated to the Friends of the Library for sale or to another agency where the item can be used. Although such gifts are usually welcomed and valued, final decision on their acceptance rests with the Board of Library Trustees.

Monetary Donations

The Library welcomes monetary contributions. It is our custom to expend monetary funds on materials, equipment, or a project which is acceptable to the donor. Although it is unlikely, there may be an occasion in which the restrictions set by the donor make it impossible for the library to accept the contribution. All donations are subject to the approval of the Library Director with the backing of the Library Board of Library Trustees.

Recognition of Gifts

For memorial books to the library, the library may place within the book the name of the donor, if desired. Accepted gifts will be honored in our gift remembrance book.

Use of Gifts

All gifts are accepted with the understanding that it may someday be necessary that they be sold or disposed of in the best interest of the library. The Library cannot commit itself to perpetually housing a donation.

Income Tax Statements

The library cannot appraise the value of a donation of materials or art. It will, however, issue the donor a letter acknowledging the donation. It is the donor’s decision whether he or she will determine the value of the donation or utilize an independent appraiser. While the gifts to the Library as a governmental unit qualify as tax deductible, the donor will have to consider the particular circumstances of his or her situation for the specific effect.

Restriction

No donation can be accepted unless it is given to the library without restrictions unless the Board of Library Trustees has specifically adopted an agreement to do so. All gifts may be used, sold, or disposed of in the best interest of the library. All donations are accepted only if, in the opinion of the Library Director and the Board of Library Trustees, they are in the best interests of the library.

Form

A Gift Agreement Form must be signed by the donor and approved by the Library Director for unrestricted gifts and the Board of Library Trustees for restricted gifts.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to protect social security numbers from

unauthorized disclosure. Regarding the use of socials security numbers, Steger-South Chicago Heights intends to comply with the provisions of the Identity Protection Act (5 ILCS 179/1 et seq.)

Requirements: All employees who have access to social security numbers in the course of performing their duties must be trained to protect the confidentiality of social security numbers. Training will include instructions on the proper handling of information that contains social security numbers from the time of collection through the destruction of the information.

Only employees who are required to use or handle information or documents that contain social security numbers will have access to such information or documents. Social security numbers requested from an individual will be provided in a manner that makes the social security number easily redacted if required to be released as part of a public records request.

When collecting a social security number, or upon request by the individual a statement of the purpose or purposes for which the social security number is being collected and used must be provided.

Prohibited Uses:

No employee may do the following: Publicly post or publicly display in any manner an individual’s social security number.

“Publicly post” or “publicly display” means to intentionally communicate or otherwise intentionally make available to the general public.

Print an individual’s social security number on any card required for the individual to access products or services.

Encode or embed an individual’s social security number in or on any cards or documents, including but not limited to, using a bar code, chip, magnetic strip, RFID technology, or other technology.

Require an individual to transmit his or her social security number over the Internet,

unless the connection is secure or the social security number is encrypted.

Print an individual’s social security number on ay materials that are mailed to the

individual , through the U.S. Postal Service, or any private mail service, electronic mail, or any similar method of delivery, unless State or federal law requires the social security number to be on the document mailed, including , but not limited to, any material mailed in connection with the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Act, any material mailed in connection with any tax administered by the Department of Revenue, and documents sent as part of an application or enrollment process or to establish, amend, or terminate an account, contract, or policy or to confirm the accuracy of the social security number. A social security number that may permissibly be mailed under this Section may not be printed, in whole or in part, on a postcard or other mailer that does not require an envelope or be visible on an envelope without the envelope having been opened.

Collect, use or disclose a social security number from an individual, unless:

Required to do so under State or federal law, rules or regulations or the

collection, use, or disclosure of the social security number is otherwise

necessary for the performance of that agency’s duties and responsibilities;

The need and purpose for the social security number is documented before

collection of the social security number; and

The social security number collected is relevant to the documented need and

purpose.

Require an individual to use his or her social security number to access an Internet

website.

Use the social security number for any purpose other than the purpose for which it is collected.

The prohibitions listed immediately above do not apply to the following circumstances:

• The disclosure of a social security number pursuant to a court order, warrant, or subpoena.

• The collection, use, or disclosure of social security numbers in order to ensure the safety of other employees.

• The collection, use, or disclosure of social security numbers for internal verification or administration purposes.

• The collection or use of social security numbers to investigate or prevent fraud, to conduct background checks, to collect a debt, to obtain a credit report from a consumer reporting agency under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, to undertake any permissible purpose that is enumerated under federal Gramm Leach Bliley Act, or to locate a missing person, lost relative, or a person who is due a benefit, such as a pension benefit or an unclaimed property benefit.

Adopted : May 2011

Reviewed: March 2016

The mission of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library is to provide resources for lifelong learning, and by providing equal access to the Internet the library reaffirms this commitment to our patrons. This Internet Access Policy is compatible with thelibrary’s endorsement of the Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read statements from the American Library Association. The library urges patrons to become informed consumers and carefully evaluate information obtained via the Internet. Information obtained from the Internet may not be accurate, reliable, current or always available. Certain information obtained via the Internet may be illegal, or considered controversial

or offensive by some patrons.

General Guidelines for Internet Use

• The library supports only library owned computer equipment. Installing or attempting to install any program on library equipment is prohibited.

• The library reserves the right to deny use of a computer to those patrons having excessive fines and or overdues.

• The library shall not be responsible for any unauthorized or illegal activity conducted over the Internet, nor shall it be responsible for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from files or programs downloaded from the Internet.

• Library staff may provide assistance to patrons in the use of library computers and or the Internet as time and staff knowledge permits. Staff members will assist patrons to input their personal information on the Internet, but they will not be legally responsible for any repercussions concerning the action.

• The staff will not provide assistance for online governmental services.

• There is a maximum of two patrons on any one public computer at a time.

• The public computers automatically shut down 15 minutes prior to the library’s closing.

• All printing is .10 per page or as posted.

• Patrons may not bring in their own software to install on the library’s computers.

• Patrons may not bring in their own paper for the printers.

• Information may not be stored on public computers.

• The settings of the computer may not be altered.

• Patrons may purchase flash/jump drives at the Front Desk for $10.00 (or cost as posted.)

Adult Internet Services

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library uses an automated reservation system to register users for Internet Access. All patrons must read and click the “I Agree” button on the Internet Access Agreement Form in order to access the Internet.

The library charges adults a fee to access the Internet and the fee breakdown associated with the access is:

Out of district library card holders or patrons without a library card – $1.00 per half hour or as posted

The patron’s time will not be prorated.

The reservation system allows 1 hour of computer time and if the patron needs extra time then they must click on the button to extend their computer use.

Patrons may continue to use the Internet past their allocated hour provided there is not a reservation for the computer.

Patrons without a library card must pay $1.00 (or as posted) before accessing the Internet.

Juvenile Internet Services

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library uses an automated reservation system to register users for Internet Access. All patrons must read and click the “I Agree” button on the Internet Users Agreement Form in order to access the Internet.

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library does not have filters or blocking software on any of the computers in the library, and parents/caregivers are solely responsible for the Internet information selected or accessed by children at the library.

Parents may wish to supervise their children’s Internet sessions.

Children under the age of 18 will not be charged for access to the Internet.

Children under the age of 18 should remain in the Children’s Department or in the Young Adult section of the library. Children under the age of 18 will only be allowed on the adult computers if all other computers are full and it is a homework assignment. They will have only 1 hour to complete their work.

During the school year, children will only be allowed one one – hour computer session per day.

On school days, students are welcome to use computers in designated areas observing a limit of 1 one-hour session per day. If no one is waiting for the computer, an additional 15 minutes may be added by library personnel.

On weekends, holidays, and school breaks children are welcome to use the computers in designated areas. On these days they may have up to two nonconsecutive hours per day.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The library staff will not disclose patron’s use of the Internet except pursuant to a valid court order or a subpoena authorized under federal, state or local law or if there is imminent danger to a patron or staff member

Legal Use

Patrons may use the public computers only for legal purposes. Examples of unacceptable purposes may include but are not limited to:

• Harassment of other patrons or library staff

• Libel or slander

• Destruction of equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other patrons

• Unauthorized copying of copy-righted material

• Engaging in activities deemed unlawful under federal, state or local law

• Displaying or disseminating sexually explicit or sexually suggestive material

• Violation of system security

• Disruptive behavior

• Use of the Internet in any way which violates licensing and payment agreements between the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library and database providers.

Consequences for any of these activities may include:

• Immediate termination of their Internet session

• Suspension of computer use and other library use privileges as follows:

• After 5 warnings / complaints : 5 day suspension of computer privileges

• After 10 warning / complains : 1 year ban of computer privileges

• Notification of appropriate law enforcement officials

• Prosecution under the full extent of the law

Copyright

Materials obtained or copied on the public computers may be subject to copyrights laws which govern the making of reproductions of copyrighted works. A copyrighted work may not be copied without the permission of the owner unless the work falls under the “Fair Use” provision. Copyright violation may subject violators to an action for damages and/or injunction. The library is not responsible for insuring that proper copyright protection measures are followed.

Public Wireless Access

The Steger-South Chicago Heights offers free Wi-Fi access to its patrons. The Wi-Fi is available to any device capable of accessing wireless Internet transmissions. Patrons who access the library’s Wi-Fi signal must abide by the library’s Internet Access Policy. The responsibility of connectivity rests with the patron and not the library. The staff will not provide any technical support, troubleshooting or configuring of a patron’s device. The staff is prohibited from making any physical contact with any device.

The library cannot guarantee a Wi-Fi signal or that the entire public area will contact a Wi-Fi signal. There may be “dead spots” within the building.

The library will not guarantee that an electrical outlet will be available to patrons wishing to access the Wi-Fi network. Electrical outlets can be accessed providing they do not impede or block traffic in the library. Patrons can only access the network from designated seating areas in the library. Rearranging of tables and chairs is prohibited unless the director has given prior approval.

The library’s Wi-Fi signal is available to patrons only during hour of operation. The signal and access is unfiltered. Information sent to/from any device may be captured by anyone else with a wireless device and appropriate software.

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library assumes no responsibility for the safety of devices or equipment used in connection to the library’s Wi-Fi wireless access.

Adopted September 1, 2009

Revised: January 2013

Revised: February 2016

Size and cost of laminating pouches:

Letter (9 x 11½”) : $1.00

Legal (9 x 14½”) : $1.50

Menu (11½ x 17½”) : $2.00

Any item less than 2 x 2″ must be attached to a larger sheet of paper

Payment must be made when materials are left for lamination.

Lamination is done once a week, staff time permitting. All materials must be picked up during regular business hours within 7 days after customer notification. Due to the heat process involved in lamination and the possibility of special coatings on the materials, the library assumes no liability as to its effects on the items being laminated.

The information that is to be processed may not represent treason or libel (as proven in court) or pornography.

Copyright Statement: The Library adheres to the copyright laws of the United States (Title 7 US Code) governing the making of copies of copyrighted materials.

Prices for this service may increase at the discretion of the Librarian

Adopted: November 19, 2015

This policy refers to the southwest Meeting Room. Use of the children’s wing addition/multipurpose space is restricted to Library-sponsored programs. Library functions take precedence over all other activities. In the event that Library functions are being disrupted or interfered with, the Library reserves the right to change or cancel reservations. The use of the meeting room does not constitute an endorsement of these groups or their programs by the library, its staff or the Board of Trustees. Groups are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and must provide qualified interpreters or auxiliary aids for their programs when requested.

The following organizations or groups may use the meeting room:

• Library staff, Board of Trustees and board committees

• Library programs

• Meeting for organizations and committees in which the library is involved

• Local governmental agencies

• Non-profit organizations and community groups

The meeting room may not be used for:

• Fundraising

• Social Occasions

• Religious Services

• Partisan political meetings or rallies

• Commercial meetings in which products or services are solicited

• Any activities that would substantially or materially interfere with library functions

Meetings are subject to approval by the Library Director.

There will be no charge for use of the meeting room

No admission may be charged for the event or program.

Prior approval from the director is needed before an organization can serve refreshments and they must be provided by the group.

The people using the room shall leave it in neat, clean, orderly condition; if not, the group/individual will be given notice that continued offense will result in denied access to the meeting room. Organizations using the meeting must reimburse the library for any damage that may occur to the building, furniture and equipment.

Groups of children under age 18 must have an adult sponsor present. One sponsor is necessary for every 10 children.

Smoking is not permitted. Alcoholic beverages may not be served.

Reservations must be made on the Library’s application form.

Reservations should be made at least 72 hours in advance.

Reservations will not be accepted for more than three months in advance.

The Board reserves the right to request any organization to change its regularly scheduled meeting to another date, or withdraw a scheduled meeting by giving not less than thirty (30) days prior notice to the proper officer of the organization.

Meeting Room capacity is 20.

The Meeting Room may be used only during regular Library hours. No meeting may continue after the Library closes unless special accommodations are made in advance.

The Library is not responsible for any equipment, supplies, materials, clothing, or other items brought to the Library by any group or individual attending a meeting.

The Library Board and staff do not assume any liability for groups or individuals attending a meeting in the Library.

All press releases. Promotional materials or other forms of publicity must be approved by the Library director. They must contain the statement, “This is not a Library sponsored program”

Organizations using the meeting room may not use the Library’s information as a point of contact for its organization.

Organizations are responsible for their own set up and clean up of the meeting room. Staff will inspect the room before and after all meetings.

Groups will be booked in order in which they filed the application.

An organization must designate one individual over 18 to assume legal responsibility for the room and fill out the application. The signee must have a Steger-South Chicago Heights library card and it must be in good standing. The applicant must be present for the entire meeting, since he or she is one of the responsible parties.

All meetings must be open to the public except for closed sessions of governmental bodies in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

The library has precedence over all other activities and will notify organizations as soon as possible if there are any scheduling conflicts.

When a group cancels a meeting, timely notice should be given to the Library.

Adopted: September 27, 2001

Revised: June 2009

Revised: January 2013

Revised: November 2015

Meeting Room Application Form

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District provides notary service in accordance with the Illinois Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312). Library notaries will decline to provide notary services in situations that do not comply with the provisions of this law, including any prohibited acts. Current guidelines can be found in the Illinois Notary Public Handbook, available through the Illinois Secretary of State Office’s website.  

Notary services at the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library are free-of-charge, but they are not guaranteed. The library recommends that those seeking notary services contact the library prior to their visit to ensure that a notary is available and to verify types of services provided. Since notary services are offered as a courtesy and are not the commissioned employee’s primary duty, requestors may be asked to wait, reschedule, or make an appointment for services.  

According to the National Notary Assn., “...notarization is the assurance by a duly appointed and impartial Notary Public that a document is authentic, that its signature is genuine, and that its signer acted without duress or intimidation and intended the terms of the document to be in full force and effect.” As such, the notaries public at the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library adhere to the following:  

• Documents to be notarized must be signed in the presence of the notary and all signatories must be present. Likewise, any oath must be administered in the presence of the notary.  

• Signers must possess a current, valid, state or federal government-issued identification document that includes the requestor’s photo and signature. Such documents include a state-issued driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport, or a U.S. military ID.  

• Documents must be completely filled out with no empty sections other than where the requestor will sign the document. Sections that don’t apply should be marked “N/A.”  

• Documents will only be notarized with the current date.  

• Illinois law requires that a notary and the person seeking notarization be able to communicate directly with each other. Therefore, the library is only able to notarize documents in English and for requestors that understand the English language at the present time. Translators are not permitted.  

• A notary shall not take acknowledgement of any person who is blind until the notary has read the instrument to such person.  

• A notary cannot take the acknowledgement of a person who is mentally incapacitated or who does not appear to understand the nature and effect of a document.  

• Library notaries cannot provide legal advice or counseling regarding documents, nor can they prepare documents.  

• The library reserves the right to refuse notary services at any time.  

The library provides only basic notary services. The following are not available for notary services:  

• Deeds or other documents of conveyance of ownership of real estate property  

• Mortgages, or other refinancing documents  

• Government I-9 forms/Employment Eligibility Verification  

• Estate planning documents (wills, codicils, living wills or trusts)  

• Apostilles - a form that certifies that a document issued in one country can be used and considered valid in another country  

• Documents that are not in English  

• Additional witnesses for documents: The library does not provide witnesses and witnesses may not be solicited from staff or patrons using the library. In order to serve as a witness, the witness must personally know the person whose document is being notarized and must be in possession of valid photo identification.  

• Certification of Copies: Illinois law does not authorize a notary public to certify copies of any document, including but not limited to passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, death notices, and marriage certificates. Persons requesting certified copies will be referred to the official who has custody of the original document or to the office where the document has been officially filed.  

• Verification of the validity of all documents is the responsibility of the signers.  

Notaries will not provide services if the requestor, document, or circumstance of the request for notary services raises an issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the library. In this event, the notary may, at their discretion, decline to provide notary public service.  

All notarial acts will be recorded in the notary’s Notary Public Record Book or “journal,” and signers will be asked for their signature next to their entry in the journal. Information recorded in the journal includes:  

• Date  

• Each signer’s name and signature  

• Type of ID provided 

• Description of the document being notarized. 

 Adopted: 9/2024 

Please state your name and organization that you represent.

Individuals have 5 minutes to speak. Organizations should designate 1 individual to speak on their behalf.

There is a cumulative 30 minutes for public comments. A majority vote by the Board can alter the limit.

Speakers may only offer objective criticism of programs and policy in open session.

Personnel complaints will not be heard in open session.

All comments are addressed to the Board as a whole, and no comments are addressed to individual members, staff or the public.

The Presiding Officer may take such actions as are required to maintain an orderly meeting. Discourtesy or disorderly conduct shall be deemed a breach of order, and such misconduct shall be dealt with as appropriate.

Adopted: 6/2011

Reviewed: 2/2016

In an effort to keep library phone lines available for incoming calls, patrons needing to use library phones to make calls may only do so in emergency situations.  In the event a patron needs to use a phone for an emergency situation, he/she will generally be permitted to only use the phone to make one call. 

Adopted 6/27/2024

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Library District serves a diverse public with unique individual needs and levels of ability to conduct research independently. At times of peak activity within the library, it is mandatory that rules for providing reference assistance be established. The most recent standards document, Serving Our Public: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries, provides the model for this reference policy.

Reference service and materials are available to all persons who reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the library regardless of the age, race, sex, social, or economic status of the patron. Reference service and materials are available during all hours the library is open and are provided in response to all forms of inquiry including but not limited to patrons in the library, the telephone, fax, and email. Reference service requested in-person is given first priority; telephone, fax, email and Internet requests will be handled in the subsequent order. Patrons with in-depth or research questions may be asked to come to the library instead of handling the question over the telephone, or the staff will return the call within 24 hours. All requests for information receive an answer or status report within one working day.

In the instance of legal, medical, investment, or tax reference questions, the staff may only guide the patron to the material available on the topic of interest. The staff may not evaluate or interpret the information provided nor may the staff define the meaning of terms, offer investment advice, select income tax forms, or serve as a surrogate for a professional in any of the fields listed above. If all materials within the library are beyond the understanding of the patron, the patron will be advised to consult with their professional from the above listed fields for additional information or advice.

Other instances in which reference service is limited includes answers to puzzles or contests. The staff will assist patrons in their search for information, but will not answer questions for them. The staff will not proctor exams nor will they conduct genealogical research on behalf of the patrons, but will direct them to resources found within the collection. The staff cannot give financial appraisals for collectibles and the staff cannot translate materials for patrons, but will help them locate materials for the translation.

The Board of Trustees and library director of SSCH Library District encourage staff of all levels to pursue continuing education opportunities which will enable them to better meet the needs of the library’s patrons. All staff members receive in-house training regarding appropriate responses to patron questions, including reference questions. This training includes reference interviewing techniques, reader’s advisory service, and bibliographic instruction. All staff members are taught to treat each question asked with respect insofar as the level of assistance required and the topic of the question. The staff will answer reference questions regardless of their personal beliefs; all questions will be handled impartially and with no personal biases. Names of users and the transactions, which occur between users and the staff, are confidential and not discussed outside a

professional context.

Reference materials regardless of format may not be removed from the library.

Staff

The reference staff shall have the knowledge to meet the information needs of the patrons of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library. The staff will be familiar and competent with various sources and technologies used in the library.

Continuing education is fundamental to the professional growth and development of the reference staff and the library will encourage and support these efforts on behalf of its staff.

The reference staff has read and understands the policy as outlined in this document.

Evaluation

The Reference Service Policy of the library will be evaluated every two years by the staff, administration and the Board of Trustees.

There will be a regular evaluation of the reference service and resources of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library at least every two years by the library’s reference staff.

Adopted: 6/2009

Reviewed: 9/2015

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library is committed to serving the children of the community through exemplary programming, collection development and customer service. This commitment extends itself to the safety of children while at the library, and this policy has been designed to insure that your child’s experience at the library is a positive one. We ask that parents recognize that the library is a public place and that staff members are not licensed childcare professionals and that we are no substitute for parental responsibility. This Safe Child Policy was created by the Library Board of Trustees to establish a policy and procedures that will minimize the safety risk to children in the library, and help the staff in dealing with disruptive or unattended children.

Parents or other caregivers are solely responsible for the welfare and behavior of the children using the library. Children under the age of 10 must be supervised by a responsible caregiver 18 years of age and up at all times when in the library. If a child under the age of 10 is found to be unattended anywhere in the library (or an older child that is unattended and in distress), staff will attempt to locate the child’s parent or caregiver. If the library staff cannot locate the parent or caregiver within the building they will try to illicit a phone number for a responsible adult.

After being called, the caregiver has 30 minutes to come to the library and take responsibility for the child in question. After 30 minutes or if the caregiver cannot be located the Steger police will be called and the child will be placed in their custody.

• Children under the age of 6 must be directly supervised and within sight of their caregiver at all times.

• Children under the age of 6 must remain within the same area as the parent/caregiver unless the child is attending a program, and then the caregiver must remain within the building.

• Children 10 and over may be left unattended in the library provided they are mature enough to understand and follow the library’s rules and behave in a proper manner.

• Disruptive children are subject to the same rules as adult patrons in the library, and if caregivers cannot be located in the library then the Steger police will be notified and placed in their custody.

• Children 17 and under are at risk and will not be left unattended by staff after closing. If the caregiver has not picked the child up within 15 minutes of closing the staff will call the Steger police and the child will be placed in their custody.

• Library staff will not transport children home.

Procedures:

Unattended children during public hours:

If the parent/caregiver is in the building the youth services staff will look for caregiver, reunite with child and explain policy.

If the parent/caregiver is not in the building:

• Staff will alert the library’s supervisor

• Try to obtain a name and phone number for a parent/caregiver

• Stay with the child until parent/caregiver arrives

• Explain policy to parent/caregiver & give a copy of policy

• Write an incident report

• If the parent/caregiver does not arrive within 30 minutes then the staff will call the Steger police and place the child in their custody.

• Any unattended children in the library past 7:00 pm will be notified by staff that they need to secure a ride home prior to closing.

Unattended children at closing:

• Children will be asked if they have a ride home 15 minutes prior to closing. If not, they will be allowed to use the library’s telephone if necessary.

• Staff will obtain names, telephone numbers and library card numbers for children left after closing.

• 2 staff members must remain with the child until either the police or the parent/caregiver assumes responsibility for the child.

• If after 15 minutes after the library closes and the child is still at the library the staff will call the Steger police and ask them to assume responsibility for the child.

• Staff may leave after the police have the child in their custody.

• Staff will write an incident report at the time of the incident.

Adopted: 6/2009

Revised: 11/2015

Purpose

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and patrons. To meet this goal and fulfill our mission to serve the community, the library has installed security cameras with the intention of discouraging unlawful behavior and protecting the security of individuals and their property inside the library.

Scope of Surveillance

Cameras are placed in public areas determined by library staff to best establish a secure environment for the library and its patrons. Cameras will not be placed where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Signs are posted at all public entrances notifying the public that areas in and around the library are recorded by security cameras. Some footage is recorded. Recorded footage is only available for a limited time based on the amount of content.

Access to Footage

All library employees have access to real-time footage. Staff will monitor cameras as needed to ensure the safety and security of individuals inside and around the library. Footage and images may be saved as supplemental record of accidents, suspicious activity, unruly or unlawful behavior, or other reasons deemed necessary for the safety and security of the library by library staff. When the review of footage is necssary, staff will do so out of public view. The library upholds the Confidentiality of Records Policy, adopted by the Board of Trustees.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement will be allowed access to live or recorded footage upon request in situtations involving a threat to public security.

FOIA

Individuals from the public may request recorded footage from the Freedom of Information Officer.

Adopted January 2022

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library uses a variety of social media applications to keep the public informed about Library events and topics. We believe that through the use of social media, we are accessible to our patrons and can be where they are. The Library’s social media sites are maintained and monitored by Library staff.

Patron Use Guidelines

The administration and the staff reserve the right to monitor all content before it is posted on any of our social media sites, and to remove any content that we believe to be inappropriate content. Inappropriate content is defined as but not limited to;

• Obscene or racist content

• Harassing or threatening language

• Copyrighted or trademarked material without authorized permission

• Comments, postings or hyperlinks not related to the topic

• Commercial promotion, advertisements, organized political activity or spam

• Libelous and/or slanderous statements

• Personal or private information without the consent of the individual

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library is not responsible or liable for content posted by any subscriber. By choosing to comment or utilize any of the Library’s social media sites the user agrees to these rules.

We understand that social media is a 24/7 medium; however, our moderation capabilities are not. We may not see every inappropriate comment immediately, and it may take time for the staff to remove it from the site.

Abuse of the policy may result in the poster being barred from the Library’s social media sites.

Parents are responsible for their minor children’s use of the Internet.

Team Members and Guidelines

The following rules and guidelines apply to the use of social media, whether such use is for the Library on Library time, for personal use during non-work time, outside the workplace or during work time while using Library owned equipment. Employees should have no expectation of privacy while using Library equipment and facilities for any purpose including the use of social media. The Library reserves the right to monitor, review, and block content that violates this policy. Team Members will:

• Refrain from the use of unprofessional pseudonyms.

• Will post only factual and accurate information with the correct spelling and

• grammatical rules.

• Refrain from political advocacy

• Refrain from gossip concerning users, other employees, Board members or the Library administration.

• Refrain from discussing confidential Library matters through the use of social media. Employees have a duty to protect employees’ personal information and the confidentiality of Library patron account information.

• Refrain from using Library logos, addresses, telephone number, fax number or email addresses on social media sites other than those sponsored by the Library.

• Will identify themselves as team members of the Library on their personal sites are encouraged to state that their viewpoints and opinions are their own, and not those of the Library.

• Refrain from posting photographs of Library events, or other team members engaged in Library business unless they have received the Library’s explicit permission.

Adopted: 1/2013

Reviewed: 11/2015

A volunteer shall be considered as any individual, 13 years and older, who assists with work done at the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library, without remuneration.

The Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library recognizes that volunteers are a valuable resource for the Library. Their energy and commitment help the Library meet its commitment to quality service to our members. They are valuable advocates and help connect the Library to the community and other organizations.

The purpose of library volunteers is to enhance and not replace adequate staffing. Volunteers are bound by rules contained in the Library’s policies and guidelines, especially those that pertain to patron privacy and confidentiality.

Library volunteers are recognized by the public as library representatives and they will be guided by the same work and behavior policies as employees. Library volunteers work with the same status of “at will” employees, and the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library has the right to terminate the volunteer’s working association with the Library at any time, for any reason.

People who want to volunteer at the Library must fill out an application form which is kept in a folder at the Front Desk, and interview with the Volunteer Coordinator. The Library will keep a record of their volunteer hours in a log book. The Library does not accept volunteers for court ordered community service. Members of the Friends of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library are not required to apply in order to volunteer in the Library.

Adopted: 2/2013

Revised: 11/2015