Library Policies

The Brighton District Library Children’s Garden is designed to be an interactive experience between parent and child. Young children may not be left unattended in the garden. Children twelve(12) years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult who remains in the garden to provide supervision and enhance the nature experience.

While using the Children’s Garden, please adhere to the following rules:

• All library materials must be checked out before entering the garden.
• Please be respectful of nature so that others may also enjoy the surroundings.
• Please remain on grass or walkways. No climbing on garden structures or fencing.
• No littering please.

During scheduled library programs the garden may be limited to registered participants only. The garden will remain closed during inclement weather. The garden closes 30 minutes prior to library closing.

Adopted by the Brighton District Library Board of Trustees, June 19, 2001.

See our borrowing page for full circulation information.

401 Confidentiality Policy – PDF

PUBLIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: 401
SUBJECT: Confidentiality Policy: Disclosure of Library Records
DRAFT:  July 7, 2020
APPROVED:  July 17, 2002
REVISED:  April 15, 2008, July 21, 2020

1. Policy; Library Records

It is the policy of the Brighton District Library (“Library”) to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of Library Records to the fullest extent permitted by law.  A “Library Record” pursuant to the Michigan Library Privacy Act and for the purpose of this policy means:

“a document, record, or other method of storing information retained by a library that contains information that personally identifies a library patron, including the patron’s name, address, or telephone number, or that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials from a library.”

For example, a Library Record would include, but not be limited to, surveillance video, patron circulation records, internet browsing history and program attendance records.  “Library Record” does not include non-identifying material that may be retained for the purpose of studying or evaluating the circulation of Library materials in general.  The Library Director shall be responsible for determining whether a particular document or video surveillance footage meets the definition of “Library Record.”

The Library takes seriously its obligation to protect the privacy of every patron, as required by law, even if this commitment to patron’s privacy may appear to cause inconvenience on occasion.  To that end, Library Records or other confidential information shall be released or disclosed only as provided for herein or otherwise provided by Michigan or federal law.

1. Freedom of Information Act Requests

All requests for public records that are not subpoenas, court orders or other legal process must be processed according to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) and the Library’s FOIA Procedures and Guidelines.  See Procedures and Guidelines and Written Summary for additional information.  “Library Records” are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA.

III.       Subpoenas, Court Orders or other Legal Process

Any employee of the Library who is served with a subpoena, court order, or other legal process to release or disclose any Library Record or other Library document from (1) a State or Local law enforcement agency or (2) a Federal law enforcement agency shall promptly notify the Library Director, or his or her designee.  If neither is available, the Library Board President shall be contacted.

1. Consultation with Attorney. The Library Director, his or her designee, or the Board President has the authority to consult with the Library Attorney regarding the sufficiency, scope or any other matter related to the subpoena, court order or other legal process.
2. Action by Library Director. After review of the subpoena, court order or other legal process, the Library Director, his or her designee, or the Board President shall take appropriate action to respond.
3. Opportunity to be Heard. Depending upon the type of subpoena or court order, the Library may appear and be represented by counsel at a hearing on the request for records.
4. Confidentiality. If a subpoena, court order or other legal process is submitted to the Library, the Library shall keep the subpoena, court order or other legal process confidential if required by court order, Michigan law or federal law. To that end, the Library may not be able to inform the patron that his or her records were sought.  The Library Board acknowledges that the Library Director, if required by a non-disclosure order or law, may not be permitted to inform the Board or its individual members that a local, state or federal agency has sought or obtained requested records.
5. Consent. In compliance with the Michigan Library Privacy Act, a person who is liable for the payment or return of the materials identified in a Library Record or portion of a record may provide written consent for the release of that record.  Further, a parent or legal guardian who signs to accept legal responsibility for return of his/her child’s (under the age of 18) Library materials and accepts financial liability for that child’s Library fines and other charges, may authorize the disclosure of the minor’s Library Records by signing the disclosure and release statement granting consent on behalf of the minor.

Read our full Collection Development Policy here.

The rules for the distribution of free materials are as follows:

• The Community Information Center, comprised of pamphlet racks in the foyer and a bulletin board in the lobby, is intended to disseminate information about community and regional events and services by display of free brochures or public posting of flyers, notices and posters.
• Such materials are limited to those of a civic, cultural, educational or recreational nature. Any literature promoting a business enterprise shall be excluded.
• Handwritten notices, or any materials smaller than 5″ x 7″, or larger than 11″ x 17″, may not be posted.
• All materials must be reviewed and posted by library staff.
• Any material left in the library after the specific advertised event has occurred shall be discarded by library staff.
• Materials promoting an ongoing service may be displayed indefinitely, or removed after one month by library staff, according to space limitations. Organizations wishing to claim excess materials when removed from display must leave a request in writing with Library administration at the time of distribution.
• Library administration reserves the right to limit any posting or distribution on the basis of timeliness, space, size and geographic impact.
• Distribution or posting of materials by the Library does not indicate the Library’s endorsement of the issues or events promoted by those materials.

Adopted by the Brighton District Library Board of Trustees, May 20, 1996.

Read the complete FOIA Procedures and Guidelines.

Read our complete Internet and Computer Use Policy here.

Read our complete Patron Behavior Policy here.

PUBLIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: 403

SUBJECT:  Children and Vulnerable Adults in the Library
APPROVED:  May 6, 1996
REVISED:  March 21, 2000, July 21, 2020

I.  Purpose

Children and vulnerable adults are welcome and encouraged to use the Brighton District Library (“Library”) at all times. The Library desires to make each visit an important one.  The Brighton District Library Board (“Library Board”) adopts the following Children and Vulnerable Adults in the Library Policy (“Policy”) with regard to children and vulnerable adults at the Library.

II.  Definitions

1. “Child” means a minor under the age of 18.
2. “Vulnerable Adult” means an individual age 18 or over who, because of developmental disability, mental illness, physical disability or other similar reasons, (1) requires supervision or personal care or (2) lacks the personal and social skills required to live independently.
3. “Responsible Caregiver” is an individual who is responsible for monitoring or caring for a child or vulnerable adult and who must be at least 16 years old.

III.       Rules and Regulations Regarding Children

1. All patrons, including children, are expected to comply with the Library’s policies, including its Patron Behavior Policy. Parents, guardians or Responsible Caregivers shall review and be fully aware of all Library policies governing children, particularly the Internet Use Policy.
2. Parents, guardians and Responsible Caregivers are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children regardless of age while in the Library.
3. Library Staff will not be expected to supervise or monitor children’s behavior.
4. Children under the age of 11 must be attended by a parent, guardian or Responsible Caregiver. The parent, guardian or Responsible Caregiver shall remain in the Library at all times.   If a child under the age of 11 is attending a Library-sponsored program on the premises, the parent, a guardian, or Responsible Caregiver is to remain on the premises for the duration of the program.
5. Children of any age who, because of developmental disability, mental illness, physical disability or other similar reason, require supervision or personal care shall be attended by a parent guardian or Responsible Caregiver at all times.
6. Children ages 7 and under must be within the visual contact of a parent, guardian or Responsible Caregiver at all times, including during programs and visits to the restroom. Children 7 and under may not be left in the Children’s Area alone.
7. Staff will not be responsible if unattended children of any age leave the Library premises alone or with other persons. Further, staff will not be responsible for children who may be asked to leave the Library if the child is in violation of Library policy.
8. We request that all unattended children be picked up at least ten minutes before closing time. Parents, guardians and Responsible Caregivers need to be aware of when the Library closes.
9. Children 11 years or older must know their telephone number and other contact information if they are unattended at the Library. It is a violation of Library policy not to come immediately and pick up your unattended child if the Library calls.

IV.       Rules and Regulations Regarding Vulnerable Adults

1. All patrons, including vulnerable adults are expected to comply with the Library’s policies, including its Patron Behavior Policy. Parents, guardians or Responsible Caregivers shall review and be fully aware of all Library policies.
2. Parents, guardians and Responsible Caregivers are responsible for the behavior and supervision of the vulnerable adult in their care while in the Library or on Library property.
3. Vulnerable adults who are unable or unwilling to care for themselves or who do not have the ability to use the Library independently may not be left alone in the Library and must have adequate supervision while in the Library.
4. Vulnerable adults who can understand and follow the Patron Behavior Policy and who can care for themselves are allowed to be in the Library unattended. They should have contact information for someone who can assist them in an emergency.
5. We request that all vulnerable adults be picked up at least ten minutes before closing time. Parents, guardians and Responsible Caregivers need to be aware of when the Library closes.
6. Vulnerable adults must know their telephone number and other contact information if they are unattended at the Library. It is a violation of Library policy not to come immediately and pick up your vulnerable adult if the Library calls.

V. Contact with Parent or Guardian for Unattended Child or Vulnerable Adult

1. Library staff will attempt to contact a parent, legal guardian, or Responsible Caregiver when:
2. The health or safety of an unattended child or vulnerable adult is in doubt;
3. A child or vulnerable adult is frightened while alone at the Library;
4. The behavior of an unattended child or vulnerable adult violates Library policy.
5. The unattended child 10 years of age or younger or vulnerable adult has not been met by a parent, legal guardian, custodian or Responsible Caregiver at closing time. An individual is considered an unattended vulnerable adult when he/she is not picked up by closing time and needs assistance procuring transportation.  A child is considered unattended at closing time if the child is under the age of 11 or a child of any age needs assistance procuring transportation.
6. If a parent, legal guardian, or Responsible Caregiver cannot be reached within 15 minutes after closing, fails to arrive within a reasonable time after being contacted, or has not arrived 30  minutes or more after the Library closes, Library staff will contact law enforcement officials to take charge of the situation involving the unattended child or vulnerable adult.   Library employees are not permitted to transport an unattended child or vulnerable adult under any circumstances.
7. If the parent, legal guardian, Responsible Caregiver can be reached within 10 minutes after closing and arrives in a reasonable time, the staff member shall explain the Library’s policy and provide a copy of this Policy.
8. Two Library staff members shall remain with the unattended child or vulnerable adult until the Responsible Caregiver or law enforcement arrives.

Violation; Enforcement; Appeal

Violations and appeals of this Policy shall be processed according to the Violations Policy.

Panhandling or Soliciting

Panhandling or soliciting Library staff or patrons for money, products, or services inside the Library or on Library property is prohibited. Sales of products or services that are incidental to Library programming may be permitted if approved in advance by the Library Director.

Campaigning, Petitioning, Interviewing and Similar Activities

As a limited public forum, the Library reserves the right to regulate the time, place, and manner for campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting on Library grounds as follows:

1. Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting are prohibited inside the Library building.
2. Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting outside the Library building, but on Library property are subject to the following requirements:
   1. Use of the Library property does not indicate the Library’s opposition or endorsement of the candidate or issue that is the subject of the petition, interview, campaign or discussion.
   2. Permitted areas for campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing and soliciting outside of the Library building shall be limited to the area north of the doors, outside of the brick pillars.
   3. No person shall block ingress or egress from the Library building or access to the parking areas.
   4. Permitted times will be limited to the operating hours of the Library.
   5. Campaign material, literature or petitions may not be brought into the Library, posted at the Library or left behind on Library property.
   6. No leaflets are permitted to be left on vehicles in the parking areas.
   7. Tables or Structures on Library Property: No table, stand, bookrack, sign or similar structure may be set up on Library property.  This does not apply to Library-sponsored or co-sponsored events.