Policies

Public Services and Circulation Policies

Use Privileges

    Within the library, the use of all reference and collections is free to all.  Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic or political status.    Anyone may secure a library card.  

   The use of the library or its services may be denied temporarily for due cause.  Such cause may be failure to return books or pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons or any other objectionable conduct on library premises.

Opening Hours

   The library shall be open Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 PM and Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5-7 PM.

      If the Librarian feels the Library should be open or closed for a special reason, the decision will be made by the Librarian and the Board President.  The decision to close the Library because of inclement or threatening weather will be made by the Librarian.

      The Library will be closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Checkout and Renewals

  All borrowers must have a Library card (number) in order to check out books.

        Patrons may check out five books per family member.

   Books and magazines shall be issued for a two week period and renewed for two weeks (longer at the discretion of the Librarian).

      Reference books may not be issued for home use.

    Interlibrary loans will be obtained for patrons in good standing.

Fines

     Five cents per item per day shall be charged for an overdue book or magazine until they are returned.  A maximum fine of $5.00 will be charged.

       Any person failing to return books or other library materials due to loss or destruction will be assessed a fine as indicated above until notification of such to the Library.  This person will also be assessed the replacement cost of the material.

    Library privileges may be suspended at the discretion of the Librarian until the fine is paid.

   Any unpaid fines or assessment for lost materials can be turned over to the City Attorney at the discretion of the Librarian and the Board.

Fax and Copier Services

     Computer printing, microfilm printing, and copies are $0.25 per page.

     Outgoing faxes are $2 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.

   Incoming faxes are $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.

 

Internet Use Policy

Computer use is free in the library, with a time restriction of 30 minutes only if someone is waiting to use a computer. Library patrons and non-patrons may use the internet.

Our internet has a filter (K9).  If adults need to access a site that is being blocked the librarian will unblock it temporarily.

Children under the age of 10 will only be allowed to use a computer with parental supervision.

Users are asked to abide by the following Acceptable Use Policy and Laws:

   Users may not use library computers for viewing, sending, or receiving materials which may be determined to be harmful to minors as defined by State of Nebraska Statutes Section 28-807(6).

    Users may not use library computers for viewing, sending or receiving materials which may be determined to be obscene as defined by State of Nebraska Statues 28-807(10).

     Users may not violate licensing agreements and copyright laws (Title 17, United States Code).

     Library computers may not be used for inappropriate network usage including unauthorized access (hacking) or unauthorized disclosure, use and/or dissemination of personal identification information, or for any degree of cyber-bullying.

    User will not attempt in any way to alter damage, abuse or sabotage computer equipment or software, alter configurations or install any software.

    Users are asked to be respectful of others around them and to keep distractions at a minimum.  Altercations, antagonizing, and bullying in the computer lab will not be tolerated.

      No food or drink of any kind will be allowed by the computers.

 

Emergency and Safety Issue Policy

All exits are clearly labeled in case of fire.  Patrons will be asked to leave and 911 will be called.  Adults may use the fire extinguishers if necessary.

In case of a tornado, the library will close if a warning is sounded or the librarian deems it necessary, so that all can go to a safe place.  (We have no basement and all the rooms have windows).

Patron conduct- No firearms or weapons of any sort are allowed.  No running in the building.  Bullying and antagonizing others will not be allowed.

Weeding

Material will be withdrawn or weeded considering:

      Poor content

     Poor appearance

      Unused for 5 years

      Topic no longer within collection policies

Checklist of weeding factors:

     For all material, consider date, author, publisher, physical condition, additional copies, other books on the same subject in collection, expense of replacement, shelf-time, and relevance.

     For juvenile and young adult materials, also consider format, reading levels, current interest, and jacket art.

      For periodicals, consider current use and space available.

Collection Development

Elgin Public Library endorses the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights” and “Freedom to Read”.

Final respo:nsibility for the selection of library material rest with the Library Director who operates within the frame-work of the policies determined by the Library Boars.

In general, the Library’s policy is to purchase materials that best meet the needs of the community within budget limitations and in connection with the Library’s mission statement.  Criteria for material selection are:

• Permanent or timely value
• Accurate information
• Authoritativeness
• Clear presentation or readability
• Social significance
• Presentation of both side of controversial issues

Challenged Materials

Serious objections to titles owned by the Library should be in writing.  The Library provides for “Citizen’s Request for Re-evaluation of Materials” which is to be filled out and signed by the patron.  The request should be returned to the library director who will examine the complaint, the material in question and circumstances involved in the complaint. The library director will submit to the patron, no later than one week after receipt of the request, a response based on the reasons for the selection of the material and policies of the Library. A copy of the library’s selection policy will be included with the response. If the complainant feels that the response of the library director is not supported by the policy statement, the parton has the right to an additional hearing the complaint with the Library Board.

the Library Board recognizes that while individuals are free to  reject books themselves which they do not approve, they do not have the right to restrict freedom to read of others. Whenever the question of censorship is involvled, no library material shall be removed except under unanimous vote of the Library Board.

No catalogued material will be placed on closed shelves except for the purpose of protection from injury or theft.

Responsibility for children’s reading rest with their parents and legal guardians. Selection will not be inhibited by the possibility that controversial materials may be obtained by children.

Gifts to the Library

Any donation accepted will go to the Elgin Library Foundation unless otherwise specified.

Gifts of money, real property and stock will be accepted if conditions attached thereto are acceptable to the Library Board and the Elgin City Council.

The library will not accept materials which are not outright gifts.

The same standards of selection of materials will govern the acceptance of gifts such as books, magazines, etc. as govern purchase by the library. If material is useful, but not needed, it may be sold and the money used to buy new books at the discretion of the library director.

 Personnel Policy

A .    Management Policy:  The duly appointed library board shall have all management rights, authorities, and responsibilities.

1.  The library board shall select, appoint, and when necessary for valid reasons, dismiss the   director of the library.

2.  Selection of staff members is based solely upon merit, with due consideration of personal, educational and physical qualifications of training and aptitudes for the position regardless of race, color, creed or sex.

3.  The library board shall provide an effective orientation for new directors to assure that the director understands a) the policies and processes related to the daily operation of the library, b) reporting and budgetary requirements that assure accountability and compliance with the law, c) the expectations of the board in regard to administrative process and protocol, particularly as they relate to conducting effective and efficient board meetings, and d) rules and requirements for state certification and any assistance which is provided by the Library to acquire and maintain appropriate certification.

4.  The Library Board shall conduct annual appraisals of the library director’s performance, at which time personal and management goals can be discussed and negotiated.

B.     Administrative Policy:  The person appointed as library director shall be charged with the sole administration of the library.

1.        The director shall be responsible to the library board in matters pertaining to and concerning the library; be present at monthly board meetings and prepare and present such reports and meeting documents as requested.

2.         The director shall maintain financial records in an efficient manner; present periodic reports to the library board and to the municipal governing body; prepare the draft of the annual budget to be presented to the library board, and assist trustees with presentation of the of the adopted request for appropriation to the municipal governing body.

3.        The director shall have the responsibility for collection development for all materials in the library; this includes selection, ordering, processing, weeding, and inventory of the collections according to the guideline in the policy.

4.        The director will recommend changes in or additions to library policies as needed.

5.        The director will perform preparatory work to assist the board with regular library planning.

C.     Salaries

1.  All salaries paid to employees of the Library shall be set with the approval of the Elgin Public Library Board and with the budget approval of the City of Elgin.

2.  All salaries will be commensurate with the duties of each employee.

3.  All personnel will be paid monthly with deductions made according to the city payroll policy.

4.  Salary increments are at no time automatic.  Salaries may be adjust at the discretion of the Board in consideration of qualifications, tenure and quality of service rendered by the person being considered.

D.       Benefits:  As the Librarian position is considered a part time employee (20 hours per week) the village of Elgin does not pay for any benefits.

E.      Work Schedule Policy:  Major changes in the director’s schedule or other circumstances may not be made without approval of the library board.  Requests for such shall be made in writing to the library board. 

F.      Meetings, Conventions, and workshops: The director, staff and trustees attending continuing education opportunities to aid the library shall be allowed expenses approved by the library board according to the amount appropriated in budget for such.  Director, staff and trustees are encouraged to attend and participate in continuing education activities.

G.     Disciplinary Police:  An employee of Elgin Public Library may be dismissed for any action or behavior that causes the Library’s image or operation to be diminished.  This includes but is not limited to: incompetence, misconduct, inattention to assigned duties, or unapproved absences from work.   Normally termination would be a final step which would follow:

1)      A substandard performance appraisal

2)      Verbal and/or written warnings

3)      Suspension, and/or

4)      Extended probation.  It is important that complete and clear records be maintained of all disciplinary processes for the protection of the employee and the library.  While notice to terminate can be expected, the Elgin Public Library reserves the right to dismiss an employee without notice in cases involving theft, drug or alcohol abuse, criminal activity, or in instances of significant misconduct.

H.      Resignation and Retirement Policy:  A library employee wishing to resign or retire from employment must notify the library board as soon as practicable.  The library request a minimum notice of two weeks.

 

Advocacy policy

Responsibility for implementation:

Board member and staff are responsible for knowing, understanding and complying with the policies of the Elgin Public Library.

Advocacy is the active support of an idea or cause.

Board Advocacy

The board shall seek to ensure that

• The community is aware of the importance of the library
• The city council respond to the needs of the public library
• The budget will reflect the use of advocacy tools

Advocacy targets

Community: the board shall work with staff to build and maintain good relationship with individuals and community organizations and ensure continued support for the library.

Local, county, and state government: the board shall work with staff to bring issues forward relating to public libraries at the local, county, and state levels of government and ensure support for the library.

City council: The board shall work with the city council on a continuous and consisten basis to ensure support for the Library.