Table of Contents
Mission Statement
Advocacy
Collection development
Collection Lending Policy
Collection weeding
Confidentiality of patron records
Customer Complaints
Emergency and Safety
Exhibits, Displays, Bulletin Boards
Facilities
Gifts, memorials, donations
Intellectual Freedom
Internet Use
Marketing
Patron Behavior
Personnel
Public Services
Staff Professional Development
Story Time Policy
Technology Plan
Video Game Policy
Weather Closings
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Genoa Public Library Mission Statement
The mission of the Genoa Public Library is to encourage learning. We promote the love of reading, increased knowledge, and further education. We enhance community involvement to our patrons. We do this by providing the necessary educational tools, materials, equipment, and assistance. We strive to continually grow and change to satisfy those needs.
Advocacy Policy
The library staff, in conjunction with the library board members and any community participants, will strive to communicate the importance of the library and its programs to the community and governing agencies. The library staff will report to the city council at least twice per year to elucidate the programs and effectiveness of the library’s presence in the community. All pertinent information will be given to the city offices as necessary concerning budget expenses, statistics, etc. The library staff and board members will actively identify and address any issues or concerns that may adversely affect the Genoa Public Library.
Collection Development Policy
The library’s goal is to provide materials and resources that reflect the needs and wants of the community it serves. In providing this service, the staff of the Genoa Public Library will endeavor to adhere to the policies outlined in the Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/freedomreadstatement
In efforts to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the community, the library staff will be prepared to adapt accordingly to these changes. The library staff, library board, and potentially other community members will strive to learn – through questionnaires, polls, surveys, correspondence, and other communication methods – what is specifically desired and needed in our unique community.
The library staff will acquire materials in the most cost-effective manner possible; taking into consideration that quality should not be compromised. The compiled materials will be selected carefully in keeping with the community’s fundamental needs, creating a well-balanced and useful collection.
The collection will be routinely monitored and evaluated to keep the materials current and in proper condition. Out-dated and obsolete items will be removed from the collection, following the proper guidelines. By being vigilant in weeding procedures, the library’s collection will remain valuable and functional for the library’s patrons.
Any challenged book will be given careful consideration. A completed form determining what in the book is under challenge will be required to ensure proper understanding. The library staff and library board will review any challenges at the monthly open board meeting.
Collection Lending Policy
Items from the library’s collection may be checked out for a two-week time period. New patrons may borrow four items. After a grace period, if responsibility has been shown in returning the items in a timely manner, and items are returned in good condition, up to ten items may be checked out at a time. The library staff reserves the right to waive this policy under select circumstances. If other people are waiting for a specific item that is in a patron’s possession, the library staff may call to notify the patron of this. There are no fines for items returned late. However, if a patron habitually returns items late, the library staff reserves the right to administer restrictions accordingly.
Collection Weeding Process Policy
The weeding guidelines are as follows: Materials that have outdated information may be removed from the collection. Damaged items or items in ill-repair may be removed from the collection (to be replaced if deemed appropriate). Items not necessary for the current needs of the community may be removed. The weeding process is to be done at the discretion of the library staff, who will constantly keep the community’s needs under consideration. The removed materials will be taken from the library’s cataloging system. The book may then be sold or discarded as deemed appropriate by the library staff.
Confidentiality Policy
The library staff will respect the privacy of the patrons who use the Genoa Public Library. The staff will comply with the guidelines as outlined in the Code of Ethics. This entails keeping all research and library transactions private. This also includes the preservation of privacy of all records depicting patron information unless the proper methods of court procedures have been executed to retrieve such data.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics
Customer Complaints
As the library staff feels that the library should do its best to serve the community, all complaints are taken under serious consideration. Every library patron has a right to comment and provide feedback regarding their service. When possible, it is best for the patron to address the problem at the source immediately. This will allow for the quickest resolution. If this is not feasible, however, the patron is advised to follow the proper channels. Their concerns will be handled with strict confidentiality. Some alternate channels to deliver complaints are via mail, phone, email, or in person. These complaints can be given to the library staff or the library board members. The goal of the library is to provide service to the community in the best manner possible, so complaints will be resolved as efficiently, fairly, and thoroughly as possible.
Emergency and Safety
There are two clearly-marked exits in the library. There is a fire extinguisher located at each of these exits. There is also a smoke detector centrally located in the library which is checked routinely. There is a diagram on the library’s wall depicting the locations of these exits.
In the event of a tornado, the bathroom is a windowless room with no exterior wall. As noted on the library’s safety diagram, it is to be used as a tornado shelter when warranted.
In the event of a health emergency of a staff member or patron of the library, 911/rescue will be called when it is deemed necessary. No first aid will be rendered beyond the capabilities of the staff for the safety of the injured party and for potential liability of the staff members. Under no condition will any medication, including aspirin, be dispensed at the library.
Exhibits, Displays, Bulletin Boards
The library encourages members of the community to share displays or exhibits in the library. The front doors, windows, and entry way of the library are used to display bulletins for the community.
The library reserves the right to refuse or remove any display items, exhibits, or bulletins. The library is not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to display items or exhibits. The library reserves the right to preempt exhibits or display items if the space is needed for library use. People sharing their displays are asked to note that the items are accessible to the public who use the library. The library discourages direct sales to be made of the display items or exhibits.
Facilities
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the library’s premises except when approved by the city council. No food or drink allowed in the library unless explicitly permitted by the library staff. No smoking is allowed in the library. No solicitation is allowed in the library.
The use of the library for meetings is encouraged. However, such use of the library in no way implies endorsement by the library staff.
The library staff reserves the authority to maintain order and discipline to protect the staff, patrons, and the library premises.
Gifts, Memorials, Donations
The Genoa Public Library appreciates all gifts, memorials, and donations that enhance the effectiveness and usefulness of the library’s purpose. Once a gift has been accepted by the library, its use will be determined by the discretion of the library staff, in keeping with the community’s best interest. However, if such gifts are expressly noted to be used towards specific elements within the library, and this condition is agreed upon by the library staff, those specifications will be honored. Gifts of new or used books may be added to the collection if suitable. However, if not suitable for the collection purposes, they may be sold or discarded as deemed appropriate by the library staff.
Intellectual Freedom
Intellectual Freedom is the right for people to research and review any and all information with no restriction. The Genoa Public Library upholds the rights of the community’s intellectual freedom, but this in no way is indicative of the staff’s endorsements, nor is the library’s collection. For more information, see the policies of the American Library Association (ALA):
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols
Internet Use
The Genoa Public Library provides access to the internet for library patrons, community members, and guests at no charge. However, the library assumes no responsibility for the internet content.
Five public use computers are available at the library. Users should be aware that they are in a public environment and should, therefore, enter sensitive personal information at their own risk.
Additionally, computer/internet users are asked to be respectful of the equipment and of others and are forbidden to use the library’s services in an illegal or immoral manner. The library staff has the right to refuse or revoke the use of the public computers/internet to anyone.
As there are only five computers available for public use, there may, at times, not be enough for the people who wish to use them. Under normal circumstances, the computer use will not be limited. However, if people are waiting to use them, the library staff may intervene – either by the importance of the purpose for using the services (this will normally be resolved amicably) or by limiting the time allowed for use.
Marketing
The library staff will regularly and routinely promote the activities and resources of the library to the community through whatever channels are available. Free resources available for the library are the weekly newspaper (Genoa Leader Times), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GenoaPublicLibrary), Webpage (http://libraries.ne.gov/genoa/), flyers, speaking opportunities, and any other means available. Word-of-mouth promotion of the library is actively encouraged as well. It is the belief of the library staff that the library should be promoted regularly and adequately to keep the community informed of all available programs and resources.
Patron Behavior
To ensure a comfortable and safe environment, library users are expected to use appropriate conduct when on the premises. This includes, but is not limited to: using quiet voices, using appropriate language, not disrupting others, not fighting or exhibiting abusive behavior, not acting in a disrespectful manner towards the library staff, other library users, library building, or library contents. What is deemed unacceptable behavior is at the discretion of the library staff.
Personnel
The library staff will strive to maintain professional, helpful, and courteous service to the patrons of the library. The staff will also oversee the daily operations and services of the library to best serve the community.
Some additional duties of the library staff are, but not limited to: supervise physical maintenance and appearance of the building; prepare the annual budget; monitor monthly expenditures; keep accurate financial records; keep accurate statistical reports; submit statistical reports to the Nebraska Library Commission annually; attend, share pertinent information at, and follow open policy at all monthly board meetings; maintain the library’s collection; maintain hours of operation suited to fit the community’s needs; incorporate, follow, review, evaluate, and update the library’s policies and procedures; promote the library with available marketing services; pursue grant opportunities to satisfy the library’s needs; develop and implement programming to serve the community adequately; and endeavor to establish positive public relations.
Public Services
The library’s purpose is to serve all patrons and community members. In keeping with this, the library user can expect to be greeted courteously, assisted professionally, treated respectfully, have their confidentiality maintained, and experience positive interaction. This can be expected with no discrimination. The library staff’s goal is to provide a safe, comfortable, secure, and pleasant environment.
Staff Professional Development
As part of the librarian certification procedure, and to best serve the community’s library needs, the library staff is required to complete certain basic skills and continued education processes. The library staff will comply with the Nebraska Library Commission’s guidelines. Additionally, any conference, workshop, or other training sources that would be of value to the staff and community will be carefully considered. Payment for these will follow the city budget outlines regarding payroll, mileage, and participation fees.
Story Time Policy
The library staff encourages children to participate in the story time programs. It is recommended that children three years old and under be accompanied by a caretaker. If a child of any age exhibits behavior that is deemed inappropriate by the library staff, a parent may be asked to accompany the child to story times. Parents will be notified of any misconduct by the child. Crafts made at the library story times may, at times, be displayed in the library. Pictures may be taken during story times for newspaper articles or other media outlets.
Technology Plan
The public-use computers will be replaced at the rate of two computers per year. This will result in computers not older than three years old once the rotations have been successfully implemented. If the yearly budget does not allow for this expense due to financial restrictions, the Genoa Public Library Foundation’s bank account will pay for any monetary shortages.
Video Game Policy
Video games are available at the library for patron’s use. The use of these will be monitored as to not disturb other patrons. Additionally, these will be available only in moderation. A patron will be given a half-hour pass to use the video games. Children under the age of 14 will need written consent from a parent to participate in video game usage. Under certain conditions, such as scheduled competitions, several people waiting for a turn, or other circumstances, this policy may be waived at the discretion of the library staff.
Weather Closings
The Genoa Public Library will be closed for adverse weather conditions in conjunction with the closing of the Twin River Public School.