General Employment Conduct/Core Values
The Board of Trustees has established the following as its core values, and all Library employees are expected to adhere to/embody these values:
• Integrity: Employees are expected to be self-aware, accountable, responsible, honest, professional and truthful in their interactions with employees and patrons.
• Respect: Employees are expected to treat employees and patrons with courtesy, politeness, and kindness.
• Accountability: All employees must accept responsibility for their actions, behaviors, performance and decisions.
• Positive Attitude: All employees are expected to come to work with a positive attitude and to be approachable, alert to the needs of all patrons, and to provide exemplary service to the public.
• Teamwork: All employees are expected to work together as a team and to cooperate to accomplish the goals and purposes of the Library.
• Dedication to Service: All employees are expected to provide prompt, courteous, and friendly assistance to the public. All employees are expected to avoid, eliminate, or report situations or practices that may cause irritation to or discomfort for the public.
Professionalism
Employees are expected to be professional at all times, especially when assisting patrons or in view of patrons. The following personal behavior is not permitted in any public area inside the library:
• Extended personal conversations and gossip
• Mobile phone usage (may only be used on breaks)
• Gum chewing
• Eating
• Smoking or vaping is prohibited in all areas inside the library and on library grounds.
Confidentiality
All employees who create or who have access to circulation records and other records identifying the names of Library users with specific materials are directed to become fully conversant with, and to rigidly adhere to, the Library’s policy regarding confidentiality of Library records. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Attendance and Punctuality
Attendance is an essential function for most Library employees, and punctuality is essential to the smooth functioning of the Library. For these reasons, all employees are expected to arrive on time, ready to work, every day they are scheduled to work.
There may be occasions when tardiness is unavoidable due to an emergency or unusual situation. When employees expect to be late, they should notify their supervisor as early as possible. E-mail messages are not acceptable forms of notification (except in emergency situations). Employees who are late must report to their supervisor immediately upon arrival and make arrangements with the supervisor to make up the time during the day or week.
If unable to work, employees are expected to notify the appropriate supervisor as soon as possible, but at least one hour before their scheduled starting time. Employees must provide the reasons for their absence. Voicemail and text messages are acceptable forms of notification. E-mail messages are not acceptable (except in emergency situations).
Excessive absenteeism/tardiness and/or failure to show up or call in for a scheduled shift without prior approval will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Employees who fail to report to work or call in to inform their supervisor of their absence for three (3) consecutive days or more will be considered to have voluntarily resigned.
Supervisory Responsibility
Operations and Personnel Manager, or Director in the absence of the Operations and Personnel Manager, is responsible for maintaining proper conduct and discipline of Library employees. They are also responsible for ensuring that employees are informed about, understand, and comply with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, and immediately reporting any violation of laws, regulations, policies, or procedures to the Director, Operations and Personnel Manager and/or the Board.
Dress Code
Library staff are expected to wear professional work attire at all times as it is important that Library employees still project a clean and professional image to our patrons. All employees are expected to dress in a manner consistent with good hygiene, safety, and good taste.
Prohibited Attire
• Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing
• Clothing with potentially offensive logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans
• Clothing that is tight fitting (tight skirts that ride up; tight pants). Leggings and skinny jeans are permitted if worn with a long top.
• Clothing that reveals too much (cleavage, back, chest, stomach, bra, underwear)
• Halter tops, spaghetti straps, midriff/crop tops
• Graphic T-shirts
• Sweatpants, exercise pants, shorts
• Skirts shorter than 4 inches above the knee
• Flip flops, rain boots, high heels above 3.5 inches
• Hats
• Other clothing determined by the Operations and Personnel Manager
Dress Down/Summer Reading/T-shirt Exceptions
Library-themed attire provided or authorized by the Library may be worn as approved by the Operations and Personnel Manager and/or Director.
Religious/Cultural Exceptions
Employees with sincerely held religious practices which require the wearing of prohibited clothing (e.g., hijab, turban) will receive an exception to those prohibitions unless the exception would prove an undue hardship on the Library. Employees desiring an exception for these reasons should discuss the matter with the Operations and Personnel Manager.
Dress Code Violations
The Operations and Personnel Manager is expected to handle dress code violations in a discrete way, without embarrassment to the employee. Employees who are deemed to be in violation of this policy will be informed of their violation and are expected to correct the issue immediately. This may include having to leave work to change clothes (without pay). Repeated or flagrant violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
WPL Approved 3/12/2024, Amended 12/9/25
