As expressed in the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement, the sole criterion for determining what library materials and services a person will use rests with the individual. In the case of a minor child under the age of 16, it is the opinion of the Oshkosh Public Library Board of Trustees that parents are responsible for monitoring or limiting their child’s library use if they feel it is necessary. However, the standards applied for one child shall not be imposed on another child or on juvenile patrons generally. The Board of Trustees affirms these principles of access, with the goal of fostering the widest possible access to the library's materials and services.
A library card from the Oshkosh Public Library provides access to all library materials and services for all patrons. Each person is encouraged to have their own library card and is responsible for all use made of it. Appropriate identification must be presented when applying for a library card.
In keeping with Wisconsin Statute 43.30(4), the Oshkosh Public Library considers a patron aged 16 years or older entitled to the same privacy rights as an adult regarding their library record, except in cases of lost or delinquent materials for which parents or guardians are held financially responsible.
If a parent or guardian desires to restrict the library card use of a child under 16 years of age, they may submit a written request to the Library Director.
This request may:
- Limit the child to checking out materials from the juvenile collections only.
- Restrict the child’s access to public Internet workstations or limit access to filtered workstations.
- Specify particular materials (by title, author, Dewey Decimal classification, or format) that the child may not check out.
These restrictions will be noted in the “notes” field of the child’s library account, along with the date the parental request was received. All restrictions will be removed automatically when the child reaches the age of 16, without further consultation with the parent or guardian.
Library staff will make reasonable efforts to enforce the parents' or guardians' choices. However, staff cannot be held responsible for:
- Materials checked out by another person and shared with the minor.
- Materials borrowed using a stolen or misused card.
- Materials the parent finds objectionable but did not specify for limitation.
- Materials used in the library that are available on open shelves.
- Any other attempt to willfully mislead staff.
Library staff will provide parents or guardians with information on their options for guiding their child's use of the library at the time of registration or as soon as possible thereafter.
As per Wisconsin Statute 43.30(4):
“Upon the request of a custodial parent or guardian of a child who is under the age of 16, a library supported in whole or part by public funds shall disclose to the custodial parent or guardian all library records relating to the use of the library’s documents or other materials, resources, or services by that child.”