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Stevens
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Stevens
Memorial Community Library |
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Policies
Access for the Disabled With the construction of the Robert Schnabel addition to the Stevens Memorial Community Library in 1992, the building is now accessible to the handicapped. Because of security problems caused by the distance of the disabled access door to the charge desk, the door will be kept locked at all times. When a patron needs to use this door they should ring the front desk using the button by the door. The library staff will then press a button which will unlock the door to allow the patron access. The building is nearly completely accessible to wheel chair users. Library staff will be available to assist patrons who need assistance in inaccessible areas. Board Memorial Policy The Board will consider memorials for individuals associated with the library on a case-by-case basis. If a board member thinks that a memorial should be made, this should be brought up for consideration at a regularly scheduled board meeting under new business or additional business. If a decision is made to make a memorial, the librarian will purchase materials and then write a check for the amount of the purchase from the Trustee Checking Account. CIRCULATION POLICY Any properly registered individual may take out any circulating item in the adult or children’s room collections unless the individual’s privileges have been revoked for one of the reasons listed below. There are no limits on the numbers of materials that can be taken out by any given patron unless they are restrictions placed on a child by a parent at the time of registration. All materials circulate for a two-week loan period and may be renewed once in person or by phone. Exceptions are listed below: REFERENCE MATERIALS- Do not circulate. CD-ROMs - Do not circulate. CURRENT MAGAZINE ISSUES - Do not circulate. NEW BOOKS - Circulate for 1 non-renewable two-week loan period due to the high interest generated by new materials. VIDEOS - Circulate for 1 non-renewable week loan period. RETURNING MATERIALS All materials except CD’s, Records, Audio Cassettes, and Videos may be returned in the 24 hour drop box at the rear of the building. The materials restricted from return in the drop box are so restricted because they may be damaged by placing them in the return. If a patron returns restricted materials in the drop box they lose their privileges to borrow these materials for 1 month. Videos and audio cassettes must be rewound when returned. There will be a $1.00 charge per cassette that needs to be rewound. OVERDUE MATERIALS Charges will be $0.25/day for adults and $0.10/day for children. The exception is that video overdue charges are $3.00/day. A patron’s borrowing privileges are stopped upon accrual of a charge equal to or greater than $2.00 The maximum overdue charge that can accrue per item for a child is $5.00. The maximum overdue charge that can accrue per item for an adult is $15.00. The first reminder for patrons that have overdue materials is sent 2 weeks after the due date. The second reminder for patrons that have overdue materials is sent 4 weeks after the due date. Patrons are sent a legal notice 6 weeks after the due date. Legal notices shall contain the following: Identification of the materials that need to be returned.
PLEASE BE FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE BOOKS DESIGNATED ON THE ENCLOSED SLIPS MUST BE RETURNED WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE. A copy of a patron’s legal notice is sent to an appropriate law enforcement agency’s office 10 weeks after the due date. The statute of limitations concerning a person who has not returned material is no more than six years. While civil or criminal action may not be taken on an individual after this six year period has expired, the library will continue to deny individuals library privileges until they have reimbursed the library or otherwise settled the dispute. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY Collection Mission Statement The mission of the library is to provide materials and services to help residents from the surrounding communities obtain information meeting their personal, educational, recreational, and professional needs. Special emphasis is placed on supporting learning at all academic levels and on stimulating interests in and appreciation for reading and learning. The library serves as an educational and recreational center for all residents of the community. Materials we collect may include books, local history materials, records, newspapers, magazines, films, compact disks, CD-ROMs, books on tape, microforms, clippings, videos, and pamphlets. Authority & Responsibility The authority and responsibility for the selection of library materials are delegated to the library director. Suggestions from library trustees, staff, and patrons are encouraged. Selection Criteria The library does not promote particular beliefs or views. It provides materials which individuals may examine to make their own decisions. No material shall be condemned because of isolated words or passages and selection shall be guided by the Library Bill of Rights. Each item must be considered in terms of its own excellence and the audience for whom it is intended. No single standard can be applied in all cases. Some materials may be judged primarily in terms of artistic merit, scholarship, or value to humanity; others are selected to satisfy the informational, recreational, or educational interests of the community. The director will select materials based on publisher and jobber listings, reviews in professionally recognized periodicals, standard bibliographies, booklists by recognized authorities, and occasionally the advice of competent people in specific subject areas. Collection Organization The collections will be appropriately cataloged, classified, and organized in such a way that encourages easy use by patrons. Each piece will be identified as library property and maintained in a usable, attractive condition. Weeding An up-to-date, attractive, and useful collection is maintained by retaining or replacing essential materials, and removing, on a systematic and continuous basis, those works that are worn, outdated, of little historical significance, or no longer in demand. The director is responsible for making deselection decisions. An inventory will be maintained. Reconsideration Procedures The choice of library materials by users is an individual matter. Responsibility for the reading materials of children and adolescents rests with their parents or legal guardians. While a person may reject materials for himself or herself and for his or her children, he or she cannot exercise censorship to restrict access to the materials by others. The library supports intellectual freedom and has adopted the following statements as policy: ALA Freedom to Read Statement, ALA Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to View statement of the American Film and Video Association. Citizen requests for reconsideration shall be made in writing and given to the library director for a written response. Appeals will be directed to the Board of Trustees for final decision. CONFIDENTIALITY OF LIBRARY RECORDS Stevens Memorial Community Library supports the confidentiality of library records. No information will be given to any person or agency at any time for any reason regarding any individual's use of library materials. Circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users will be kept confidential. These records shall not be made available to any agency of state, federal, or local government except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of and pursuant to federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigative power. The library will resist the issuance or enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made in court of competent jurisdiction. DISRUPTIVE CHILDREN Unattended Children age 9 and over
Children under age 9 who are attended by an adult
Unattended children under age 9
DISTRIBUTION OF FREE PUBLIC SERVICE MATERIALS The Board of Trustees recognizes that the public library has a role in the community to disseminate information which is community-oriented and which residents of Attica and/or library users will find useful. The Board recognizes that individuals and many civic, social, cultural, recreational, educational, and health-related agencies and organizations view the library as a place for publicizing activities and concerns. In line with constitutional rights and privileges and the Library Bill of Rights, the Board does not discriminate toward any group or individual or purpose they represent. Space is provided in the lobby of the library for free distribution of brochures and flyers provided by agencies and organizations which provide information of interest and/or use to the community and to library users. Materials which are to be freely distributed must meet the following criteria:
Equipment & Supplies With the exception of pens, pencils, paper, and book bags, equipment and supplies that are purchased to aid in running the library are not for sale to the public. If library patrons are in need of supplies like book cleaner, binding tape, book pockets, etc., they may use library vendor catalogs available from the staff person who maintains supplies to obtain vendor information that they can then use to contact the vendor and purchase the supplies. The library will not place orders for library patrons. Fax Machine Use of the FAX machine is now open to Friends of Stevens Memorial Community Library. The fee to use the machine will be $1.00 per page whether sending or receiving. Directions for using the machine are posted above the machine, but Friends are encouraged to ask for staff help in using the machine. When the library receives a fax, an attempt will be made to contact the person for whom the fax was intended. If we are unable to determine for whom the fax was intended or if we are unable to contact the person, the fax will be placed in patron pick-up at the circulation desk. FREE ACCESS TO LIBRARIES FOR MINORS (An interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights) Some library procedures and practices effectively deny minors access to certain services and materials available to adults. Such procedures and practices are not in accord with the Library Bill of Rights and are opposed by the American Library Association. Restrictions take a variety of forms, including, among others, restricted reading rooms for adult use only, library cards limiting circulation of some materials to adults only, closed collections for adult use only, collections limited to teacher use, or restricted according to a student’s grade level, and interlibrary loan service for adult use only. Article 5 of the Library Bill of Rights states that, "A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because or origin, age, background, or views." All limitations on minors’ access to library materials and services violate that article. The "right to use a library" includes use of, and access to, all library materials and services. Thus practices which allow adults to use some services and materials which are denied to minors abridge the use of libraries based on age. Material selection decisions are often made and restrictions are often initiated under the assumption that certain materials may be "harmful" to minors, or in an effort to avoid controversy with parents. Libraries or library boards which would restrict the access of minors to materials and services because of actual or suspected parent objections should bear in mind that they do not serve in loco parentis. Varied levels of intellectual development among young people and differing family background and child-rearing philosophies are significant factors not accommodated by a uniform policy based on age. In today’s world, children are exposed to adult life much earlier than in the past. They read materials and view a variety of media on the adult level at home and elsewhere. Current emphasis upon early childhood education has also increased opportunities for young people to learn and to have access to materials, and has decreased the validity of using chronological ages as an index to the use of libraries. The period of time during which children are interested in reading materials specifically designed for them grows steadily shorter, and librarians must recognize and adjust to this change if they wish to serve young people effectively. Librarians have a responsibility to ensure that young people have access to a wide range of informational and recreational materials and services that reflects sufficient diversity to meet the young person’s needs. The American Library Association opposes libraries restricting access to library materials and services for minors and holds that it is the parents--and only parents--who may restrict their children--and only their children--from access to library materials and services. Parents who would rather their children did not have access to certain materials should so advise their children. The library and its staff are responsible for providing equal access to library users. The word "age" was incorporated into article 5 of the Library Bill of Rights because young people are entitled to the same access to libraries and to the materials in libraries as an adult. Materials selection should not be diluted on that account. Adopted June 30, 1972; amended July 1, 1981, by the ALA Council. FREEDOM TO READ STATEMENT The FREEDOM TO READ is essential to our democracy. It is under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove books from sale, to censor textbooks, to label "controversial" books, to distribute lists of objectionable books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as citizens devoted to the use of books and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating them, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read. We are deeply concerned about these attempts at suppression. Most such attempts rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary citizen, by exercising his critical judgment, will accept the good and reject the bad. The censors, public and private, assume that they should determine what is good and what is bad for their fellow-citizens. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda, and to reject obscenity. We do not believe they need the help of censors to assist them in this task. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be "protected" against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression. We are aware, of course, that books are not alone in being subjected to efforts at suppression. We are aware that these efforts are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, films, radio, and television. the problem is not only one of actual censorship. The shadow of fear cast by these pressures leads, we suspect, to an even larger voluntary curtailment of expression by those who seek to avoid controversy. Such pressure toward conformity is perhaps natural to a time of uneasy change and pervading fear. especially when so many of our apprehensions are directed against an ideology, the expression of a dissident idea becomes a thing feared in itself and we tend to move against it as against a hostile deed, with suppression. And yet suppression is never more dangerous than in such a time of social tension. Freedom has given the United States the elasticity to endure strain. Freedom keeps open the path of novel and creative solutions, and enables change to come by choice. Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with stress. Now as always in our history, books are among our greatest instruments of freedom. They are almost the only means for making generally available ideas or manners of expression that can initially command only a small audience. They are the natural medium for the new idea and the untried voice from which come the original contributions to social growth. They are essential to the extended discussion which serious thought requires, and to the accumulation of knowledge and ideas into organized collections. We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture. We believe that these pressures towards conformity present the danger of limiting the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. We believe that every American community must jealously guard the freedom to publish and to circulate, in order to preserve its own freedom to read. We believe that publishers and librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to that freedom to read by making it possible for the readers to choose freely from a variety of offerings. The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in free men will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights and will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights. WE THEREFORE AFFIRM THESE PROPOSITIONS: 1. IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR PUBLISHERS AND LIBRARIANS TO MAKE AVAILABLE THE WIDEST DIVERSITY OF VIEWS AND EXPRESSIONS, INCLUDING THOSE WHICH ARE UNORTHODOX OR UNPOPULAR WITH THE MAJORITY. Creative thought is by definition new, and what is new is different. The bearer of every new thought is a rebel until his idea is refined and tested. Totalitarian systems attempt to maintain themselves in power by the ruthless suppression of any concept which challenges the established orthodoxy. The power of a democratic system to adapt to change is vastly strengthened by the freedom of its citizens to choose widely from among conflicting opinions offered freely to them. To stifle every nonconformist idea at birth would mark the end of the democratic process. Furthermore, only through the constant activity of weighing and selecting can the democratic mind attain the strength demanded by times like these. We need to know not only what we believe but why we believe it. 2. PUBLISHERS AND LIBRARIANS DO NOT NEED TO ENDORSE EVERY IDEA OR PRESENTATION CONTAINED IN THE BOOKS THEY MAKE AVAILABLE. IT WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THEM TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN POLITICAL, MORAL, OR AESTHETIC VIEWS AS THE SOLE STANDARD FOR DETERMINING WHAT BOOKS SHOULD BE PUBLISHED OR CIRCULATED. Publishers and librarians serve the educational process by helping to make available knowledge and ideas required for the growth of the mind and the increase of learning. They do not foster education by imposing as mentors the patterns of their own thought. The people would have the freedom to read and consider a broader range of ideas than those that may be held by any single librarian or publisher or government or church. It is wrong that what one man can read should be conformed to what another thinks proper. 3. IT IS CONTRARY TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR PUBLISHERS OR LIBRARIANS TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTABILITY OF A BOOK SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS OF THE AUTHOR. A book should be judged as a book. No art or literature can flourish if it is to be measured by the political views or private lives of its creators. No society of free men can flourish which draws up lists of writers to whom it will not listen, whatever they may have to say. 4. THE PRESENT LAWS DEALING WITH OBSCENITY SHOULD BE VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED. BEYOND THAT, THERE IS NO PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY FOR EXTRA-LEGAL EFFORTS TO COERCE THE TASTE OF OTHERS, TO CONFINE ADULTS TO THE READING MATTER DEEMED SUITABLE FOR ADOLESCENTS, OR TO INHIBIT THE EFFORTS OF WRITERS TO ACHIEVE ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. To some, much of modern literature is shocking. But is not much of life shocking? We cut off literature at the source if we prevent serious artists from dealing with the stuff of life. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to prepare the young to meet the diversity of experiences in life to which they will be exposed, as they have a responsibility to help them learn to think critically for themselves. These are affirmative responsibilities, not to be discharged simply by preventing them from reading works fro which they are not yet prepared. In these matters taste differs, and taste cannot be legislated; nor can machinery be devised which will suit the demands of one group without limiting the freedom of others. We deplore the catering to the immature, the retarded, or the maladjusted taste. But those concerned with freedom have the responsibility of seeing OT it that each individual book or publication, whatever its contents, price, or method of distribution, is dealt with in accordance with due process of law. 5. IT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO FORCE A READER TO ACCEPT WITH ANY BOOK THE PREJUDGMENT OF A LABEL CHARACTERIZING THE BOOK OR AUTHOR AS SUBVERSIVE OR DANGEROUS. The idea of labeling presuppose the existence of individuals or groups with wisdom to determine by authority what is good or bad for the citizen. It presuppose that each individual must be directed in making up his mind about the ideas he examines. But Americans do not need others to do their thinking for them. 6. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLISHERS AND LIBRARIANS, AS GUARDIANS OF THE PEOPLE’S FREEDOM TO READ, TO CONTEST ENCROACHMENTS UPON THAT FREEDOM BY INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS SEEKING TO IMPOSE THEIR OWN STANDARDS OR TASTES UPON THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. It is inevitable in the give and take of the democratic process that the political, the moral, or the aesthetic concepts of an individual or group will occasionally collide with those of another individual or group. In a free society each individual is free to determine for himself what he wishes to read, and each group is free to determine what it will recommend to its freely associated members. But no group has the right to take the laws into its own hands, and to impose its own concept of politics or morality upon other members of a democratic society. Freedom is no freedom if it is accorded only to the accepted and the inoffensive. 7. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLISHERS AND LIBRARIANS TO GIVE FULL MEANING TO THE FREEDOM TO READ BY PROVIDING BOOKS THAT ENRICH THE QUALITY OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION. BY THE EXERCISE OF THIS AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSIBILITY, BOOKMEN CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT THE ANSWER TO A BAD BOOK IS A GOOD ONE; THE ANSWER TO A BAD IDEA IS A GOOD ONE. The freedom to read is of little consequence when expended on the trivial; it is frustrated when the reader cannot obtain matter fit for his purpose. What is needed is not only the absence of restraint, but the positive provision of opportunity for the people to read the best that has been thought and said. Books are the major channel by which the intellectual inheritance is handed down, and the principal means of its testing and growth. The defense of their freedom and integrity, and the enlargement of their service to society, requires of all bookmen the utmost of their faculties, and deserves of all citizens the fullest of their support. We state these propositions neither lightly nor as easy generalizations. We here stake out a lofty claim for the value of books. We do so because we believe that they are good, possessed of enormous variety of usefulness, worthy of cherishing and keeping free. We realize that the application of these propositions may mean the dissemination of ideas and manners of expression that are repugnant to many persons. We do not state these propositions in the comfortable belief that what people read is unimportant. We believe rather that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours. Approved by ALA Council on 6/25/53, revised June 1971 FREEDOM TO VIEW The FREEDOM TO VIEW, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore, we affirm these principles: 1) It is in the public interest to provide the broadest possible access to films and other audiovisual materials because they have proven to be among the most effective means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression. 2) It is in the public interest to provide for our audiences, films and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content. 3) It is our professional responsibility to resist the constraint of labeling or prejudging a film on the basis of the moral, religious or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content. 4) It is our professional responsibility to contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view. Endorsed by ALA-IFC and by the ALA Council on June 28, 1979, adopted February 16, 1979 by the Educational Film Library Association. GIFT POLICY The Stevens Memorial Community Library will accept all gifts offered provided that the following provisions are agreeable to the donor. The library may dispose of any gifts as it sees fit for the benefit of the library and its patrons. Donated materials will be evaluated by the library staff. Useful additions will be added to the library collections. Others will be considered for donation to the Attica Historical Society Museum or will be added to the annual book sale. Items which are not in salable condition will be disposed of. Gift items such as furniture, office equipment, etc. will be evaluated on the basis of their usefulness to the staff or patrons. We reserve the right to accept or reject such gifts. We also reserve the right to dispose of such gifts as we see fit when they are worn out, when new items become available, or when they are no longer useful. Gifts to the Stevens Memorial Community Library are tax deductible as charitable contributions; however, it is the donor's responsibility to secure appraisals to support deductions (see current IRS policy). The Library assumes no responsibility to appraise donations for tax purposes. Grievance Policy The Stevens Memorial Community Library Board of Trustees will ensure that all grievances receive a fair hearing. It is desirable that a grievance be filed in writing. The employee or patron should consult first with the Library Director, who in turn will consult with the President of the Board of Trustees. If the problem cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of all involved, the employee, patron, or Library Director may request a hearing before the entire Board of Trustees. All hearing requests must be submitted to the Board of Directors in writing. All grievances will be resolved within 60 days of the date of filing of the initial written request. INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM STATEMENT The heritage of free men is ours. In the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution, the founders of our nation proclaimed certain fundamental freedoms to be essential to our form of government. Primary among these is the freedom of expression, specifically the right to publish diverse opinions and the right to unrestricted access to those opinions. As citizens committed to the full and free use of all communications media and as professional persons responsible for making the content of those media accessible to all without prejudice, we, the undersigned, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of freedom of expression. Through continuing judicial interpretations of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, full freedom of expression has been guaranteed. Every American who aspires to the success of our experiment in democracy--who has faith in the political and social integrity of free men--must stand firm on those constitutional guarantees of essential rights. Such Americans can be expected to fulfill the responsibilities implicit in those rights. We, therefore, affirm these propositions: 1. We will make available to everyone who needs or desires them the widest possible diversity of views and modes of expression, including those which are strange, unorthodox, or unpopular. Creative thought is, by its nature, new. New ideas are always different, and, to some people, distressing and even threatening. The creator of every new idea is likely to be regarded as unconventional--occasionally heretical--until his idea is first examined, then refined, then tested in its political, social, or moral applications. The characteristic ability of our governmental system to adapt to necessary change is vastly strengthened by the option of the people to choose freely from among conflicting opinions. To stifle nonconformist ideas at their inception would be to end the democratic process. Only through continuous weighing and selection from among opposing views can free individuals obtain the strength needed for intelligent, constructive decisions and actions. In short, we need to understand not only what we believe, by why we believe as we do. 2. We need not endorse every idea contained in the materials we produce and make available. We serve the educational process by disseminating the knowledge and wisdom required for the growth of the mind and the expansion of learning. For us to employ our own political, moral, or esthetic views as standards for determining what materials are published or circulated conflicts with the public interest. We cannot foster true education by imposing on others the structure and content of our own opinions. We must preserve and enhance the people’s right to a broader range of ideas than those held by any librarian or publisher or church or government. We hold that it is wrong to limit any person to those ideas and that information another believes to be true, good, and proper. 3. We regard as irrelevant to the acceptance and distribution of any creative work the personal history or political affiliations of the author or others responsible for it or its publication. A work of art must be judged solely on its own merits. Creativity cannot flourish if its appraisal and acceptance by the community is influenced by the political views or private lives of the artists or creators. A society that allows blacklists to be compiled and used to silence writers and artists cannot exist as a free society. 4. With every available legal means, we will challenge laws or governmental action restricting or prohibiting the publication of certain materials or limiting free access to such materials. Our society has no place for legislative efforts to coerce the taste of its members, to restrict adults to reading matter deemed suitable only for children, or to inhibit the efforts of creative persons in their attempts to achieve artistic perfection. When we prevent serious artists from dealing with truth as they see it, we stifle creative endeavor at its source. Those who direct and control the intellectual development of our children--parents, teachers, religious leaders, scientists, philosophers, statesmen--must assume the responsibility for preparing young people to cope with life as it is and to face the diversity of experience to which they will be exposed as they mature. This is an affirmative responsibility that cannot be discharged easily, certainly not with the added burden of curtailing one’s access to art, literature, and opinion. Tastes differ. Taste, like morality, cannot be controlled by government, for governmental action devised to suit the demands of one group, thereby limits the freedom of all others. 5. We oppose labeling any work of literature or art, or any persons responsible for its creation, as subversive, dangerous, or otherwise undesirable. Labeling attempts to predispose users of the various media of communication, and to ultimately close off a path to knowledge. Labeling rests on the assumption that persons exist who have a special wisdom, and who, therefore, can be permitted to determine what will have good and bad effects on other people. But freedom of expression rests on the premise of ideas vying in the open marketplace for acceptance, change, or rejection by individuals. Free men choose this path. 6. We, as guardians of intellectual freedom, oppose and will resist every encroachment upon that freedom by individuals or groups, private or official. It is inevitable in the give and take of the democratic process that the political, moral, and esthetic preferences of a person or group will conflict occasionally with those of others. A fundamental premise of our free society is that each citizen is privileged to decide those opinions to which he will adhere or which he will recommend to the members of a privately organized group or association. But no private group may usurp the law and impose its own political or moral concepts upon the general public. Freedom cannot be accorded only to selected groups for it is then transmuted into privilege and unwarranted license. 7. Both as citizens and professionals, we will strive by all legitimate means open to us to be relieved of the threat of personal, economic, and legal reprisals resulting from our support and defense of the principles of intellectual freedom. Those who refuse to compromise their ideals in support of intellectual freedom have often suffered dismissal from employment, forced resignations, boycotts of products and establishments, and other invidious forms of punishment. We perceive the admirable, often lonely, refusal to succumb to threats of punitive action as the highest form of true professionalism: dedication to the cause of intellectual freedom and the preservation of vital human and civil liberties. In our various capacities we will actively resist incursions against the full exercise of our professional responsibility of creating and maintaining an intellectual environment which fosters unrestrained creative endeavor and true freedom of choice and access for all members of the community. We state these propositions with conviction, not as easy generalizations. We advance a noble claim for the value of ideas, freely expressed, as embodied in books and other kinds of communications. We do this in our belief that a free intellectual climate fosters creative endeavors capable of enormous variety, beauty, and usefulness, and thus worthy of support and preservation. We recognize that application of these proposition may encourage the dissemination of ideas and forms of expression that will be frightening or abhorrent to some. We believe that what people read, view, and hear is a critically important issue. We recognize, too, that ideas can be dangerous. It may be, however, that they are effectually dangerous only when opposing ideas are suppressed. Freedom, in its many facets, is a precarious course. We espouse it heartily. Approved by ALA Council June 25, 1971 Internet Access Policy The Internet enables Stevens Memorial Community Library to provide electronic information beyond the confines of our collection and allows access to ideas, information, and commentary from around the globe. Introduction of the Internet as an information resource allows Stevens Memorial Community Library to considerably enhance our existing print and electronic resources. The Internet is currently an unregulated medium. Thus, while it offers access to a wealth of excellent material, it also offers access to materials that may be inaccurate, outdated, incorrect, offensive, or disturbing. Library users access the Internet at their own discretion. The Stevens Memorial Community Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet, and cannot be held responsible for its content, its accuracy, or its patrons’ use of it. The primary purpose of our electronic service is to provide access to information sources for research and study. Individuals who are using the computer for games or recreation will be asked to leave the computer if it is needed for reference purposes. The library reserves the right to limit computer users to using the computer for research and study purposes if it proves necessary to do so. Internet users must not engage in any illegal or legally questionable activities including "hacking" (cracking), transmitting copyrighted material without approval (e.g., software, images, audio), harassing other users(local or remote), etc. All individuals who wish to access the Internet will need to fill out a registration card containing a computer use agreement. As with a regular library card, children under 18 years of age will need to have a parent or guardian sign an Internet application card before they can access the Internet. On this form, parents have the option of restricting their children’s access to access through Cybersitter, a monthly-updated program which restricts access to material some individuals might find objectionable. While this access-control software reduces the potential for children to access objectionable material, it is no substitute for parental supervision and teaching one’s children good judgment. Additional information about Cybersitter is available upon request. In addition, since we expect the use of the computer to increase dramatically with public access to the Internet, patrons will need to sign up to reserve 30 minute time slots to use the computer. Sign-up may be in person or over the phone. If no one has signed up for the slot after the initial 30 minutes, up to 30 additional minutes per day may be used. The computer used to access the Internet is in a public area. Images displayed on the screen during Internet sessions can easily be viewed by others walking by or using the reference section. This is of special concern when one considers the sexually explicit materials which are available on the Internet. While Stevens Memorial Community Library recognizes and supports the rights of individuals to access constitutionally protected materials, we must also concern ourselves with protecting individuals who might consider such public viewing of sexually explicit materials an affront or even sexual harassment. For this reason, Stevens Memorial Community Library asks that Internet users refrain from displaying images which might potentially be offensive to other library users. Internet users who refuse to comply with this rule will be required to relinquish their Internet privileges. The library will not be responsible if individuals access materials which the Internet user or other library users find offensive. The Internet is a resource in continual flux and the Stevens Memorial Community Library Board of Trustees will continually review its policies concerning Internet Access. Stevens Memorial Community Library reserves the right to discontinue Internet access at any time. Library Bill of Rights The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services. 1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. 2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on currentand historical issues. Materials should not be removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. 3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. 4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas. 5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views. 6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. Adopted June 18, 1948. Amended October 19, 1979 by the ALA Council. LIBRARY DISPLAY CASE The display case owned by Stevens Memorial Community Library is provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people in the community which the library serves. The "Friends" of Stevens Memorial Community Library are responsible for the determination of exhibit topics. Involvement of library users, the "Friends" of Stevens Memorial Community Library, and individuals and organizations in the community in providing exhibit materials will be encouraged. Exhibit materials should meet the criteria of public interest, be informational or enlightening subjects, and/or promote the goals, resources, or services of the library. The display case and contents are insured for $13,900.00. Individuals displaying items in the case will be notified that the Board of Trustees and the employees of the Stevens Memorial Community Library assume no responsibility for the preservation, protection, or possible damage of theft of any items displayed beyond that which is covered by the insurance. Items for a display will not be accepted without a waiver signed by the owner absolving Stevens Memorial Community Library and the Village of Attica of liability for loss or damage beyond that covered by the insurance. A record of materials will be made for each exhibit and will be kept on file in the library. LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION POLICY The main focus of the Stevens Memorial Community Library’s Local History Collection shall be the history, growth, and development of the village and town of Attica and Wyoming County. Materials relating to the remainder of New York State will be of secondary importance and will be considered mainly in connection to content related to Wyoming County and Attica. Donated historical materials will be evaluated by the library staff and if necessary, representatives of the Attica Historical Society. The library may dispose of any donations as it sees fit for the benefit of the library and its patrons. Useful additions will be added to the library collections or considered for donation to the Attica Historical Society Museum. If the donor wishes to have materials not accepted by the library returned to him, he must make those arrangements when the materials are initially donated. Once materials are accepted for the library’s collections, they become property of the Stevens Memorial Community Library. If materials are being considered as weeding candidates, the library will first offer the materials to the Attica Historical Society Museum and the Wyoming County Historian before disposing of them as we see fit. MEETING ROOM The Stevens Memorial Community Library Meeting Room may be used for meetings free of charge by non-profit educational, cultural, or civic groups or organizations. Rules: 1. Attendance at meetings will be restricted to fifteen or fewer individuals. 2. The room will be available Monday, Wednesday, or Friday evenings during library hours or by special arrangement. 3. Reservations should be made through the library director, at least 6 weeks in advance of the event, using the Building Use Request form. All requests to use meeting room facilities must be approved by the Board of Trustees prior to the meeting. 4. The library must be notified promptly of cancellations. 5. Library sponsored or library-oriented programs will receive first priority after which other groups will be considered no a first-come first-served basis. 6. The library kitchen facilities may be used. Advance notice is needed when kitchen privileges are desired. The group is responsible for any refreshments served, for cleanup, and for any damages. 7. No smoking is permitted by groups using the facilities. The group is responsible for ensuring compliance with this rule. 8. The group is responsible for maintaining order. 9. In publicizing a meeting to be held at the library, the sponsoring group, a contact person, date, time, and place should be clearly identified. 10. No admission may be charged. Collecting money, seeking financial pledges in any form for any purpose, or selling any product or service is not permitted. 11. The fact that a group is permitted to meet at the library does not constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs. Failure to comply with any of the above rules may be grounds for declining future bookings. It is hereby recognized that the Board of Trustees and staff shall not violate any local, county, state, or federal regulations and it is acknowledged hat rules established by law-making agencies may take precedence over policies developed by the Board. Mixed Media Policy When books come packaged with other media the following procedures will be followed: If the other media is a floppy disk: 1. The director will make a copy of the disk which will be kept on file with the shelf list for the book. The original disk will remain with the book. 2. If a floppy disk packaged with a book is reported missing, a copy will be made from the copy on file with the shelf list and this new copy will be kept with the book. If the other media is a CD-ROM: 1. The CD-ROM will be removed from the book and will be kept on file, under title, with the other CD’s at the front desk. The book’s circulation card (or date stamp area should the library become automated) will indicated that there is a CD-ROM accompanying the book that needs to be checked out with the book. 2. If the CD-ROM is reported missing, the patron will be charged for 50% of the replacement cost of the book if the book can stand alone without the CD-ROM, the book will remain in the collection. If the book can not stand alone without the CD-ROM, the patron will be charged the entire replacement cost of the book and CD-ROM. If the other item is a cassette tape: 1. The item will be cataloged and treated as a book-on-tape. If the other item is a videocassette: 2. The item will be cataloged and treated as a videocassette. NON-REMOVAL/PROSCRIPTION OF MATERIALS In accordance with the Library Bill of Rights, the Board of Directors of the Stevens Memorial Community Library has adopted a non-removal policy which states that any material purchased or accepted for the library will not be removed at the request of any person or group. Nor will individuals or groups requests to proscribe materials from the collections be honored. Requests that the library restrict access to certain materials or classes of materials will likewise not be honored. OPEN MEETING LAW The Board of Trustees of the Stevens Memorial Community Library complies with the provisions of Article 7 of New York State Public Officers Law, also known as the Open Meetings Law, which reads in part: 100. Legislative declaration, It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonwealth will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it. 102. Definitions. As used in this article: 1. "Meeting" means the official convening of a public body for the purpose of conducting public business. 2. "Public body" means any entity, for which a quorum is required in order to conduct public business and which consists of two or more members, performing a governmental function for the state or for an agency or department thereof, or for a public corporation as defined in section sixty-six of the general construction law, or committee or subcommittee or to other similar body of such public body. 3. "Executive session" means that portion of a meeting not open to the general public. 103. Open meetings and executive sessions. (A) Every meeting of a public body shall be open to the general public, except than at executive session of such body may be called and business transacted thereat in accordance with section ninety-five of this article. (B) Public bodies shall make or cause to be made all reasonable efforts to ensure that meetings are held in facilities that permit barrier-free physical access to the physically handicapped, as defined in subdivision five of section fifty of the public buildings law. 104. Public notice. 1. Public notice of the time and place of a meeting scheduled at least one week prior thereto shall be given to the news media and shall be conspicuously posted in one or more designated public locations at least seventy-two hours before such meeting. 2. Public notice of the time and place of every other meeting shall be given, to the extent practicable, to the news media and shall be conspicuously posted in one or more designated public locations at a reasonable time prior thereto. 3. The public notice provided for by this section shall not be construed to require publication as a legal notice. 105. Conduct of executive sessions. 1. Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects, to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys: a. Matters which shall imperil the public safety if disclosed; b. Any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer; c. Information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed; d. Discussions regarding proposed, pending, or current litigation; e. Collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law; f. The medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal or a particular person or corporation; g. The preparation, grading, or administration of examinations; and h. The proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by such public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof. 2. Attendance at an executive session shall be permitted to any member of the public body and any other persons authorized by the public body. 106. Minutes. 1. Minutes shall be taken at all open meetings of a public body which shall consist of a record or summary of all motions, proposals, resolutions, and any other matter formally voted upon and the vote thereon. 2. Minutes shall be taken at executive sessions on any action that is taken by formal vote which shall consist of a record or summary of the final determination of such action and the date and vote thereon; provided, however, that such summary need not include any matter which is not requited to be made public by the freedom of information law as added by article six of this chapter. 3. Minutes of meetings of all public bodies shall be available to the public in accordance with the provisions of the freedom of information law within two weeks from the date of such meeting except that minutes taken pursuant to subdivision two hereof shall be available to the public within one week from the date of the executive session. 107. Enforcement. 1. Any aggrieved person shall have standing to enforce the provisions of this article against a public body by the commencement of a proceeding pursuant to article 78 of the civil practice law and rules, and/or action for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief. In any such action or proceeding, the court shall have the power, in its discretion, upon good cause shown, to declare any action or part thereof taken in violation of this action void in whole or in part. An unintentional failure to fully comply with the notice provision required by this article shall not alone be grounds for invalidating any action taken at a meeting of a public body. The provisions of this article shall not affect the validity of the authorization, acquisition, execution, or disposition of a bond issue or notes. 2. In any proceeding brought pursuant to this section, costs, and reasonable attorney fees may be awarded by the court, in its discretion, to the successful party. 3. The statute of limitations in article seventy eight, proceeding with respect to an action taken at executive session shall commence to run from the date the minutes of such executive session have been made available to the public. PARKING FACILITIES The parking lot at the Stevens Memorial Community Library was paid for almost entirely with funds other than tax dollars. Because of this the library asks that the facility be used by library patrons during their use of the library facilities only. The right of way to the Attica Historical Museum is well marked for "no parking" to make the museum accessible by car. The museum is welcome to use the parking facilities at times other than regularly scheduled library hours, and on occasions when the museum might be having a special event. We would ask that the museum police the parking area when using it for events that might attract a large attendance. POLICY LIMITATIONS It is hereby recognized that the Board of Trustees and staff shall not knowingly violate any local, county, state, or federal regulations and it is acknowledged that rules established by law-making agencies may take precedence over policies developed by the Board. PUBLIC RELATIONS Good public relations are essential. Stevens Memorial Community Library, its services and collections belong to the public. Staff members are public employees. Trustees are the public volunteer representatives. Service, therefore, should always be gracious, and "with a smile". The policy of the Stevens Memorial Community Library relative to the needs, purposes, and benefits of library public relations shall be: 1. to supply full and accurate information on library objectives, programs, services, problems, and needs 2. to stimulate the public to assume a partnership of responsibility for the quality and kinds of services the library offers 3. to involve the public in the activities of the library 4. to involve the library in the activities of the community 5. to cultivate the interest, understanding, and confidence of the public 6. to enlist the support of the Village Board and the boards of surrounding governments to secure adequate financial support 7. to establish and maintain cooperative relations and mutual understanding with public schools and other educational institutions in the community 8. to foster a public expectation of change and progress in library operation and service The duties of the Board of Trustees with regard to public relations shall be as follows: The Board of Trustees shall develop and announce the policies for public relations. The Board of Trustees shall provide a clear-cut definition and delegation of duties necessary to actively involve all Trustees and staff members. The Board of Trustees shall provide for constructive involvement of community leaders and organizations to help in planning and executing the program. This is essential in order to guarantee effective two-way communication. Build constructive relations with the press and other agencies of mass media The duties of the library staff with regard to public relations are as follows: Cooperate with and enlist the assistance of community organizations The library staff should carefully plan and systematize the public relations program in relation to the policies designated by the Board. Continuously survey the community’s need for services and its attitudes toward the institution Establish a grievance procedure Build constructive relations with the press and other agencies of mass media Cooperate with and enlist the assistance of community organizations Utilize a wide variety of media and techniques for implementing the P.R. program:
Restricted Access to Library Materials (An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights) Restricting access of certain titles and certain classes of library materials is a practice common to many libraries in the United States. Collections of the materials are referred to by a variety of names such as "closed shelf," locked case," "adults only," or "restricted shelf" collections. Three reasons generally advanced to justify restricted areas are: (1) It provides a refuge for materials that belong in the collection but which may be considered "objectionable" by some library patrons; (2) It provides a means for controlling distribution of materials which allegedly should not be read by those who are not "prepared" for such materials by experience, education, or age; (3) It provides a means to protect certain materials from theft and mutilation. Though widely used - and often practical - restricted access to library materials is frequently in opposition to the principles of intellectual freedom. While the limitation differs from direct censorship activities, such as removal of library materials or refusal to purchase certain publications, it nonetheless constitutes censorship, albeit a subtle form. As a form of censorship, restricted access violates the spirit of the Library Bill of Rights in the following ways: (1) It violates that portion of Article II which states that "...no library materials should be proscribed...because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." The word "proscribed," as used in Article II, means "suppressed." Restricted access achieves de facto suppression of certain materials. Even when a title is listed in the card catalog with a reference to its restricted shelf status, a barrier is placed between the patron and the publication. Because a majority of materials placed in restricted collections deal with controversial, unusual, or "sensitive" subjects, asking a librarian or circulation clerk for them is an embarrassment for patrons desiring the materials. Because restricted collections are often composed of materials which some library patrons consider "objectionable," the potential user is predisposed to thinking of the materials as "objectionable," and is accordingly inhibited from specifically asking for them. Although the barrier between the materials and the patron is psychological, it is nonetheless a tangible limitation on his access to information. (2) It violates Article V which states that, "The rights of an individual to use of a library should not be denied or abridged because of his age..." Limiting access of certain materials to adults only abridges the use of the library for minors. "Use of the library," includes use of, and access to, library materials. Such restrictions are generally instituted under the assumption that certain materials are "harmful" to minors, or in an effort to avoid controversy with parents who might think so. The librarian who would restrict the availability of materials to minors because of actual or suspected parental objection should bear in mind that he is not in loco parentis in his position as librarian. The American Library Association holds that it is the parent - and only the parent- who may restrict his children - and only his children - in reading matter. The parent who would rather his child did not read certain materials or certain kinds of materials should so advise the child.* When restricted access is implemented to protect materials from theft or mutilation, the use of the practice may be legitimate. However, segregation of materials to protect them must be administered with extreme attention to the rationale for restricting access. Too often only "controversial" materials are the subject of such segregation, leading to the conclusion that factors other than theft and mutilation were the true considerations. The distinction is extremely difficult to make, both for the librarian and the patron. Selection policies, carefully developed on the basis of principles of intellectual freedom and the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS, should not be vitiated by administrative practices such as restricted access. _______________________________________________ *See also FREE ACCESS TO LIBRARIES FOR MINORS, adopted by the ALA Council, June 30, 1972 RULES OF CONDUCT Recognizing the need to maintain an environment suitable for studying, reading, browsing, and general use of library resources, the following rules and procedures are established to assure the safety of library users, library personnel, and library materials, equipment, and furnishings; and to assure that the use of the library is not obstructed by inappropriate behavior or actions. The following activities will not be allowed on library property: 1. Smoking 2. Eating or drinking 3. Sleeping 4. Drunk or disorderly conduct 5. Harassment of library users or library personnel 6. Brining pets inside except for animals assisting a person with disabilities 7. Absence of shirt or shoes 8. Placing feet on chairs or tables 9. Running 10. Excessive noise 11. Damaging or defacing library materials, equipment, furniture, or the building 12. Removal of library materials or equipment from the library without properly checking items out 13. Use of personal electronic equipment such as radios, portable televisions, game boys, etc. 14. Use of roller blades, skateboards, or other sports equipment Entering the library implies agreement to abide by these rules. Violation of any one of these rules may subject the individual involved to exclusion from the library for a period of time. The library director will maintain a record of individuals who violate the rules of the library and who might be barred from use of the library. This record will include the name of the individual, name of parent or guardian if the individual is under 18 years of age, description of the incident, and date. It will be signed by the staff member reporting the incident and the individual accused of the violation. The signature of a witness should be obtained if possible. The staff member reporting an incident will report the information to the library director, who will determine if the individual will be barred from future use of the library for a specified period of time. Parents of juveniles will be notified of any suspension. Individuals barred from the library by the library director may appeal to the Library Board of Trustees. SALE OF ITEMS FOR OTHER AGENCIES A shortage of personnel and other resources makes it necessary for the Stevens Memorial Community Library to adopt a policy barring the sale of items at the request of any other agency other than the "Friends" of the Stevens Memorial Community Library. Other agencies wishing to man a table to handle the sales themselves for a period agreed upon by the director are welcome to do so. SPONSORSHIP POLICY The Board of Trustees of Stevens Memorial Community Library feels that it would be an illegal use of public funds for the Library to act as a sponsor of any agency or individual. Therefore it is our policy not to act as a sponsor for agencies or individuals under any circumstances. STATEMENT ON LABELING (An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights) Labeling is the practice of describing or designating certain library materials by affixing a prejudicial label to them or segregating them by a prejudicial system. The American Library Association opposes this as a means of predisposing people’s attitudes towards library materials for the following reasons: 1. Labeling is an attempt to prejudice attitudes and as such, it is a censor’s tool. 2. Some find it easy and even proper, according to their ethics, to establish criteria for judging publications as objectionable. However, injustice and ignorance rather than justice and enlightenment result from such practices, and the American Library Association opposes the establishment of such criteria. 3. Libraries to not advocate the ideas found in their collections. The presence of books and other resources in a library does not indicate an endorsement of their contents by the library. The American Library Association opposes efforts which aim at closing any path to knowledge. This statement does not, however, exclude the adoption of organizational schemes designed as directional aids or to facilitate access to materials. STORY HOUR POLICY Parents should enroll their children in the story hour appropriate to their child’s age group and maturity level. Parents of children enrolled in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten story hours who are new to story hour are encouraged to sit in on the first three consecutive story hours to be assured that the child is able to participate in a constructive manner. It is advisable that parents not leave the library during story hour since young children often have separation anxiety and also in case of sudden onset of illness that often occurs in youngsters. Older children cannot be expected to deal with a small child who might be frightened, tired, or ill. A parent may leave the building if necessary if their child has demonstrated the ability to be left alone for three consecutive story hours but they must be aware of the duration of the program so that they may return promptly by the end. The library staff will notify a parent or guardian of any behavior in their child which would indicate that a parent would be present in the room during story hour, should remain in the building for the duration of the story hour, or should remove the child from story hours until a later date. TEACHER TOTES/PACKS POLICY Teachers who wish to take out Children’s Room books or Totes/Packs for classroom use must register in the Children’s Room. Teacher Totes/Packs circulate for one two-week loan period and may be renewed for one additional two-week period. Teacher Totes/Packs must be returned directly to the Children’s Room charge desk. They must not be returned in the book drop. Teachers may call or stop in at the Library to make arrangements for Teacher Totes. The teacher needs to provide details of their request in writing, including the subject in which they are interested, the intended audience, and the pick-up date and time. UNATTENDED CHILDREN POLICY While libraries are generally considered a friendly, safe environment for children, parents should be aware that libraries are public buildings where any individual may enter. In this way the library may be compared to a shopping mall or airport, for example, in that the person standing next to you may be your next door neighbor or they may be perfect strangers about whom nothing is known. In addition, library staff are hired to perform library duties and cannot be expected to supervise children. Older children cannot be expected to deal with a small child who might be frightened, tired, or ill. Parents, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior of children using the library. For these reasons, we prefer that adults supervise their children while they use the facilities. We ask that all children under age five be attended by an adult. Children between the ages of five and nine may spend up to a half-hour in the library unattended. Children nine years of age and older may use the library unattended. Unattended Child Procedure
Volunteers The Board of Trustees encourages individuals and groups to volunteer their time and efforts in the service of Stevens Memorial Community Library. Volunteers will be used in areas of library operations where they will not replace or reduce the hours of library employees. The services of volunteers will be at the discretion of the library director. | Home | Policies | Children's
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