guidelines for library furnished cell phones

Adopted by Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees on February 18, 2014; revised March 7, 2017.

1. GENERAL

• The Spokane Public Library will provide a cell phone or pay a reasonable cell phone allowance to any employee who requires a cell phone on a regular basis in order to perform their job.

2. GUIDELINES

• Key factors in determining whether an employee is a candidate for a library furnished cell phone will include the following:
  • The employee works at more than one location on a regular basis and travels between locations during a typical work day;
  • it is necessary for the employee to be readily accessible in order to satisfactorily perform job duties;
  • it is not possible to contact the employee in a timely manner through the regular phone system; and,
  • no other less costly solution is available.
• The employee or their supervisor may initiate the request for a library furnished cell phone; the request should be submitted to the library business office. If the request is approved the Library will purchase the least costly cell phone plan available that will meet work needs.
• The library may offer an employee the option of a monthly allowance for the work related use of an employee’s personal cell phone in lieu of purchasing a phone for the employee’s use. If the employee accepts an allowance (s)he will be required to furnish his/her personal cell phone number to the Library, and the number will be published for internal use as necessary.
• Work-related stored voice and/or text messages are subject to public information retention and disclosure laws regardless of whether the phone is owned by the library or by the employee.
• Personal use of a Library provided cell phone is prohibited, unless such use is only occasional and no additional expense is incurred. Personal messages stored on library owned equipment can become subject to requests for public information and may be accessed by the library when necessary for business reasons.
• In Washington State a traffic infraction may be issued for holding a wireless communication device to the ear, or for sending, reading, or writing a text message using a wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle. Therefore, library employees are prohibited from using a cell phone, or any other wireless communication device, while operating a motor vehicle on library business unless an appropriate hands-free device is used. The Library may purchase a hands-free device for use with a cell phone furnished by the library when it is deemed necessary.