Chatham Community Library’s public address (PA) system is used by library employees to announce the routine closing of the building each day, as well as to communicate with patrons and staff in emergency situations.  In order to avoid disruptive noise and arbitrary use of the system, the library will follow these guidelines.

The PA system may be used by library staff for:

• Emergencies that apply to all occupants (e.g., severe weather warnings, instructions to evacuate or shelter in place)
• Locating staff or patrons in emergency situations (e.g., medical emergencies, attempting to locate a separated parent or child that staff have been unable to find by searching)
• Announcements of special library programs or events (not to include recurring programs such as story time or book club)
• Library closing announcements
• Any situation deemed appropriate by management or security

The PA system may not generally be used for:

• Requests by patrons (in person or by phone) to page someone in the library, except in emergency situations
• Announcements of meetings or events that are not sponsored by the library
• Announcements of regular library programs