New Library Rules

This is to let you know that HPL’s Rules of Conduct have been updated and made available for staff and the public on the HPL webpage.  You can find the updated rules here:  http://houstonlibrary.org/library-rules-policies. 

Updated signage is currently being prepared and will be distributed to locations by the end of the month.  Please take this time to remove signage from your location that includes the old rules, and refer to the rules on the internet in discussions with customers.

The updated rules are the result of work by the Executive Leadership Team, representatives from Customer Experience and the City’s Legal Department.  The rules needed to be revised to incorporate the recent change in definition of Library “premises” to include the “building and any city-owned property, plaza, green space, or walkway around the building.”  (City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 24, Sec. 24-5).

Significant changes include:

* A ban on smoking of any type on library premises, as described above.

* An addition to the rule on customer clothing, to include a prohibition on clothing that “exposes underwear or private body parts.”

* A change to the rule pertaining to the size of bags, etc., allowed, which is now no more than three feet in length.

There are several other changes to wording in the new rules.  Please become familiar with the entire list at your earliest convenience.

John Middleton is scheduled to attend the March Customer Experience Managers Meeting to discuss these changes.  In the meantime, Customer Experience staff should contact Laurie Covington (832-293-1367) if you have questions.

All other staff can contact John at 832-393-1681.

Thank you.

Regards

Roosevelt Weeks