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POLICY MANUAL
The Wickenburg
Public Library Policy Manual – as of 01/30/08
POLICY LIST
POLICY I
Acceptance and Disposition of Gifts of
Books and Materials
The Library Board
accepts for the Library gifts of books, furnishings, services, equipment and
materials that allow the Library to better serve its clients. While
extremely grateful for donations, the Library Board must impose certain
practical conditions and restrictions. The Library is an institution that is
limited with regard to interior space and support services, but is not
limited in time, in the sense that the Library is expected to continue
indefinitely. For these reasons, the Library Board must impose the following
conditions on acceptance of material objects as gifts: The Library Board will
accept only outright gifts, in which complete and unconditional ownership
accrues to the Library.
The Library Board may elect to refuse the offer of gifts for any reason,
and may delegate all or part of this authority to the Librarian.
While the Library Board will attempt in all cases to be sensitive to
the feelings of donors, the placement or the use of material objects accepted
as gifts, such as books and furniture, shall be determined by the Librarian,
to include the manner of their shelving and ultimate disposition when no
longer serviceable. The Library Board reserves the right to dispose of
duplicate, unserviceable, or excess materials.
The Library Board accepts gifts bearing the identity of the donor,
including bookplates and small identification plates on furniture and
equipment. The Library Board reserves the right to reject
identification that may be construed as advertising for commercial purposes.
The Library Board shall issue receipts upon request for all gifts,
both for tax purposes and as a matter of good business practice.
However, the Library staff or board will not perform appraisals of gifts or
potential gifts.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of
Trustees
May 1, 1991
Amended May 3, 2000
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POLICY II
Acceptance and Disposition of Financial Assets
The Library Board solicits gifts, grants and other sources of funding
to supplement the Library’s annual budget. Asset receipt and disposition
shall follow the following sequences:
1) The donor may arrange
with the Library Board to pay specific bills for materials, goods, or
services ordered by the Library;
2) The donor may give
assets to the Wickenburg Library Society, Inc. with prior agreement between
the Society and the Librarian as to the disposition of assets;
3) The donor may
institute a supplemental appropriation to be paid at stated intervals for
either a specific purpose approved by the Library Board, or for the general
use of the Library. Such payments may be made from the proceeds of a
bequest, trust, profit generating asset, or from payments made at arranged
intervals by the donor or donor’s agent, but in all cases must be in
compliance with State Statutes, and Town of Wickenburg ordinances and
regulations.
Adopted by the Wickenburg Public
Library
Board of Trustees
May 1, 1991
Amended May 3, 2000
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POLICY III
Library Cards and Limits On Circulation
(1) Library borrowers'
cards are issued free of charge to all residents of Maricopa County and to all actively enrolled students attending school.
(2) An adult card
requires that an application be filled out, and if the applicant is a
resident of Maricopa County (outside Wickenburg town limits) a second card is
filled out. Official identification is required, a valid driver's
license or other suitable photo ID is acceptable. A second ID, showing a
local physical address is required, e.g. a rent receipt, utility bill or
other form of identification at the discretion of the librarian. Both a
post office box, if used, and a physical address are necessary. Card is
issued with a limit of fifteen (15) books after an initial period.
(2a) A person filing an
application for a library card other than a resident living in Maricopa County or other than a student attending a school shall be issued a library card
upon payment of an annual fee of twenty dollars ($20.00).
Identification as stated in (2) is required.
(3) A child's card for a
child who is a resident of Maricopa County or a student attending a school
may be issued, with age and school noted and parent's signature
required. Children are limited to ten (10) books, but it is always
noted to the parents that additional books for the children may be put on their
parents' cards. Parents are responsible for lost books or fines
incurred by their children. Parents may restrict the types of books to
be taken out and read by their children, and any restriction will be noted on
the child's card.
(4) A borrower's card is
issued for one (1) year. At date of expiration the card of a resident
of Maricopa County or a student attending a school shall be renewed free of
charge. A person not living in Maricopa County or a child not attending
a school shall be required to pay an annual renewal fee of twenty dollars
($20.00) upon expiration of the one-year period.
(5) New patrons are
limited to two (2) books for the first five (5) checkouts. Upon showing
a good record of five (5) checkouts and returns with no late fees or material
damages, an adult patron's book limit will then be increased to fifteen (15)
books. Materials may be checked out for a period of three (3)
weeks. No library materials will be checked out on a card which shows
overdue materials or outstanding fines. Habitual abusers with a record
of unresolved overdues or losses can have their access to circulating
materials restricted and/or be required to relinquish their library card(s)
as determined by the circumstances at the discretion of the librarian.
(6) A charge of
$0.50 per title shall be made for reserving books.
(7) Books and other
library items must be checked out at least fifteen (15) minutes before
closing time.
Adopted by the Wickenburg
Public Library
Board of Trustees
May 1,
1991
Amended March 7, 2001
Amended May 7, 2008
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POLICY IV
Fines, Overdue, Damaged or Lost Books and Materials
(1) There will be a fine
of $0.10 per day per overdue book for adults and children.
(2) Patrons who have
overdue materials will be notified after one (1) week. Additional
notification may be given. Library books are the property of The Town
of Wickenburg. Patrons having materials overdue more than one (1) month may
be referred to the Police Department for collection.
(3) Patrons will be
responsible for any damages to library materials that occur while checked out
on patron's card. If the library materials are beyond repair, the
patron will pay for their replacement. Patrons may then ask for the
damaged article if he or she so desires.
(4) If a book is lost,
the patron will pay for the book plus the fine due up to the date when the
book was reported lost. The fine will not exceed the replacement value
of the book.
(5) There shall be a
waiting period of six (6) months before a card will be reissued to a person
who has had excessive overdue books following the return of those books or
payment for lost books.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
July 3, 1991
Amended October 4, 2000
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POLICY V
Reference Material
One of the chief functions of the library is to provide reference
service to its patrons.
Reference materials are defined as books "designed by arrangement to be
consulted for definite items of information rather than to be read
consecutively." (American Library Association)
Reference book is defined as "a book containing useful facts or
specially organized information as an encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas,
yearbook, etc." (Random House Dictionary)
Reference material needs to be current and available on subjects for which
frequent information access is required.
The library shall maintain an in-house collection of basic reference
materials for which it has been demonstrated there is a need to provide
answers and information as required by its patrons.
Books and materials for reference work shall be located in a special area for
use by patrons and library staff. These books and materials are marked
"Library Use Only" because of their specialized nature and value.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
October 2, 1991
Amended March 7, 2001
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POLICY VI
Requests for Information
Another chief function of the library is to respond to requests for
information and to provide professional guidance in the use of its
resources. How and when a question is answered will depend upon staff
time and the resources available in the library. If the resources for
answering the question are not available, the patron may be referred to
another library which may have the resources to provide the answer.
Patrons' questions are considered confidential.
Answers to reference questions will be verified and cited from a
reliable source.
The library staff shall not make a personal judgment but shall quote
directly from the citing source.
For inquiries, the patron will be asked to come to the library where
he/she will be assisted and guided as needed.
Legal, tax, and medical information shall not be interpreted for the
patrons.
Students requesting reference information will be referred to the
appropriate reference material and instructed as to how to use the material
to secure the needed information.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
October 2, 1991
Amended March 7, 2001
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POLICY VII
Volunteers
The Wickenburg Public Library has a volunteer program. There
will be no restrictions based on age, education, income, experience, race, or
religion. Persons interested in helping expand a positive library image
may apply. This application will be followed by an interview with a
selection committee. Accepted volunteers will be trained and supervised
to carry out a variety of library duties on a time schedule compatible to
both volunteer and library needs.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
November 6, 1991
Amended December 6, 2000
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POLICY VIII
Damaged or
Destroyed Books
The books, magazines, videos, and other items in the Wickenburg
Public Library for library patrons' use are the property of the Town of Wickenburg.
All books, etc. taken out or used in the library by patrons are to be
returned in clean, undamaged condition.
It is the responsibility of the Library staff to check for damage or
soiling or the need to clean or repair any book, etc. when returned to the
Library.
Patrons returning damaged or soiled books, etc. shall be charged the
following:
a) $1.00 for each book, etc. with slight damage or
soiling.
b) $5.00 for each book, etc. that requires more
than slight cleaning.
c) Full replacement cost
for each book, etc. that cannot be restored to usable condition (a
suitable book donation may be accepted).
Persons who fail to pay the charges for damage or soiling may not be
allowed to take out library materials until the charges are
paid.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
November 4, 1992
Amended December 6, 2000
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POLICY IX
Statement of
Professional Ethics
I. Librarians must
provide the highest level of service through appropriate and usefully
organized collections, fair and equitable circulation and service policies,
and skillful, accurate, and courteous responses to all requests for
assistance.
II. Librarians
must resist all efforts by groups and individuals to censor library
materials.
III. Librarians
must protect each user's right to privacy with respect to information sought
or received and to materials consulted, borrowed or acquired.
IV. Librarians
must adhere to the principles of due process and equality of opportunity in
peer relationships and personal actions.
V. Librarians must
distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal
philosophies and attitudes and those of an institution or professional body.
VI. Librarians
must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or
financial benefits gained at the expense of library users,
colleagues, or the employing institution.
This Policy adapted from "American Library Association Code of
Ethics."
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
February 3, 1993
Amended January 3, 2001
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POLICY X
Upon entrance to
the Library, all baggage, shopping bags or other parcels must be checked in
at the front desk.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
December 7, 1994
Amended January 3, 2001
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POLICY XI
No eating,
drinking or chewing materials will be purchased or consumed by any library
patron in the library public areas during library hours.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
April 2, 1997
Amended January 3, 2001
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Internet Policies
PURPOSE: The Wickenburg Public Library (hereafter WPL)
establishes this Internet policy to ensure appropriate use of Internet
resources within the Library. The computers are provided, by the Town of Wickenburg, to Library patrons for a fifty (50) cent fee to gain access to the Internet or
other computer applications as an informational, educational and recreational
resource.
Conditions of Use
· Patrons will
use the resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes
only - not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.
· Patrons will
respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting themselves as another
user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data
belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer
system, or damaging or altering software components to any network or
database.
· Patrons will
further respect the privacy of others using public access workstations at WPL
by not interfering with their use.
· Patrons may
not connect any device or insert any device into the computers.
· Patrons shall
be limited to 30 minutes use if others are waiting. Additional time is
permitted, up to a maximum of two (2) hours, if no one is waiting. Refusal to
give up computer after two warnings, could cause loss of future computer use.
· No cell
phones, food or drink allowed in the computer room.
· Computer
stations are meant for one person at a time. Unless approved by Staff,
additional persons are not allowed in the computer room. Small children
and babies can be taken in the room with patron, but if they become loud or
are not well-behaved, the patron will be asked to leave. Patrons who
bring small children must make sure their children are supervised while the
patron is on the computer.
Sanctions
Patrons who violate these policies or who refuse to comply with the
conditions of use will be asked to leave the library and lose computer or
library privileges.
Email
The Library does not
provide users with private email accounts.
Personal email
accounts may be created by the user at several free sites on the Internet,
such as Yahoo, Netscape, Infoseek, Hotmail, Excite.
Printing
Each page that a
patron prints will cost 10 cents.
Limitation of Liability
·The Internet is not
controlled by the WPL but is a global entity that constantly grows and
changes. Users are hereby notified that their use of the Internet is at their
own risk, and the users are responsible for the access points they reach.
·While respecting individual
users’ rights to privacy, WPL staff reserves the right to monitor use of
Internet computers to ensure compliance with this policy.
·The WPL assumes no
responsibility for the use of the Internet by children. Subject to the
Conditions of Use, it is the responsibility of the user (or the parent,
guardian or caregiver) to determine what is appropriate.
·Just as libraries
do not vouch for or endorse the viewpoints of written materials in their
collections, they do not do so for electronic information.
·Staff assistance
with computer use will be given whenever time and knowledge permit.
WPL shall not be liable for any
damages or injury, whether direct, indirect or consequential, which may
result from a user’s use of the Internet. All such use is at user’s own
risk and user is notified that in providing Internet access, the library
staff CANNOT control and assumes no responsibility for
·
the accuracy and validity of the information,
·
the availability of links users would like to visit,
·
the materials you may find offensive.
Have fun exploring the
Internet, but please remember that many times you will find the specific
information you need right here… in our books, periodicals, CD-ROM databases,
etc.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public
Library
Board of Trustees
JULY 7, 1999
Amended March 7, 2001
Amended May 3, 2006
By authority of and in
compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes Title 34, Chapter 5 and ARS 13-3501,
13-3506, 13-3506.1 and 13-3707.
Adopted September 8, 1999
Amended May 3, 2006
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POLICY XIII
Use of the Meeting Room
Permission to use the Wickenburg Public Library meeting room by
non-profit or other similar organizations shall be at the discretion of the
Head Librarian, within the constraints of the following criteria:
No fees will be accepted for use of the Meeting Room.
Meeting Room use must be scheduled within normal library hours with
the exception of Gold Rush and meetings of the board.
No activities will be scheduled in the Meeting Room that will require
extensive support by the Library staff, use of Library expendables, or will
otherwise incur expenditures from the Library budget.
The Librarians will not allow activities in the Meeting Room that
interfere with the normal activities of the Library. If activities in
the Meeting Room, in the judgment of the Librarians, interfere with the
normal use and enjoyment of the Library by anyone, the Librarians shall
require the activities to be either terminated or modified.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
April 3, 2002
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POLICY XIV
Removal of Disruptive Persons
The Wickenburg Public Library is a public facility established to
provide persons with written and audio-visual materials, computers for public
use and access to the Internet. To the greatest extent possible, access
to, and use of all Library facilities shall be equally available to all
patrons. To assure unimpaired access to and use of facilities,
Librarians shall have the authority to request individuals to refrain from
any actions that adversely affect such access and use by other patrons.
Librarians will employ the Wickenburg Police as required to remove disruptive
persons.
The Library is not a day care center. Children should not be
left unattended unless they are able to behave in an appropriate
manner. Inappropriate manners may include, but are not limited to, the
following: behaving in a disruptive manner, running, throwing things in the
Library, making loud noises or annoying others.
Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children.
Parents are asked to come with their children, not only for the children’s
own safety, but also to show respect for other library patrons.
A child who is disruptive shall be given a verbal warning and on the
second occasion asked to leave the Library and then, if there is no
compliance, the Wickenburg Police will be contacted to take action.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
April 3, 2002
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Policy XV
Protocol For Identifying and Reporting of Patron Dissatisfaction
The Library is a public source of information. All materials and all
staff services are equally available to all persons entering or otherwise
contacting the Library.
Patrons include all persons who contact the Library; there are no
requirements or preconditions to requesting Library services. Staff
services will be provided on a first come, first served basis. The
amount of service provided to any one patron will be rationed based on the
number of patrons requesting assistance. In circumstances of limited
time, staff will provide patrons with suggestions for helping themselves
before moving on to help others. Staff will be sensitive to various
levels of expertise in the use of libraries and of computers, and will
attempt to provide appropriate levels of service.
Under these circumstances it is inevitable that some patrons may
express dissatisfaction with the quantity or quality of services they have
received, or believe they have received.
In all circumstances in which the senior staff member present
believes there is likelihood of a patron complaint or further action, the
circumstances will be immediately documented as impartially as possible.
Documentation will consist of a brief memo identifying all persons involved,
summarizing the situation and its outcome, listing any requests or
commitments, and identifying the time and date the situation occurred. The
memo will be signed by all staff members involved. The Senior Librarian will
file one copy of the memo, and one copy will be forwarded to the Community
Services Director no later than the business day following the situation or
incident.
Adopted by Wickenburg Public Library
Board of Trustees
February 4, 2004
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