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I. Library Mission and Goals
Our Mission A. The mission of the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library is to provide quality materials and services which fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the service population in an atmosphere that is welcoming and respectful. B. The general library goals of the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library shall be: 1. To serve all residents of the state of Texas as a member of the Loan Star Libraries Program of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. 2. To acquire and make available to all residents of the above area such books, periodicals, pamphlets, and other services as will address their needs to a) become well informed, b) locate answers to important questions, c) cultivate the imagination and creative expression, d) develop skills for career and vocational advancement, and e) enjoy leisure by means of reading and other media services. 3. To maintain a program of service which locates information, guides reading, organizes and interprets material for people of various backgrounds, and stimulates thinking and intellectual development in individuals of any age. 4. To strive consistently to discover new methods and improvements for better service for the library's customers. 5. To review regularly these goals of the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library and, if necessary, revise them in the light of new developments.
II. Who May Use the Library A. The library is open to all residents of the state of Texas. Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, or political status; or because of mental, emotional, or physical condition; age; or sexual orientation. B. The use of the library may be denied for due cause. Such cause may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library premises.
III. Patron Responsibilities and Conduct It is a patron's responsibility to maintain necessary and proper standards of behavior in order to protect his or her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the library and from the use of the library facilities. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be subject to the law. The Mary Lou Reddick Public Library encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child. Library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library. Therefore, it is library policy that all children under age six must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the library. Also, if the young child is attending a library program, we require the parent/responsible person to remain in the library throughout the program. Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The library staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. However, children (whether with parents or not) who are being continually disruptive will be given a warning that he or she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library. If after a second warning the child continues to be disruptive, he or she will be asked to leave the library. If the child needs to contact a parent, they may do so and then wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.
IV. Services of the Library The library provides materials and resources for information, entertainment, intellectual development, and enrichment of the people of the community. The library should endeavor to:
V. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Library Board The Mary Lou Reddick Public Library encourages each library trustee to take advantage of training opportunities for trustees offered by the public library system or statewide agencies and organizations. Likewise, the Library encourages trustees to be active in the state library organization and its efforts to inform the governor and legislature of the benefits and needs of public libraries.
VI. Volunteers and Friends Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer their time and efforts in the service of the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library. Opportunities will be made available for both children and adults. A library friends group is a formal association of people who unite to plan and execute, in conjunction with library goals and the needs of the library director, programs and events to benefit the library. In particular, a friends group is often involved in fund-raising for the library.
VII. Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy The purpose of the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library is to provide individuals with carefully selected books and other materials to aid in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time. Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs. The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection. The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy. The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises. The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.
Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library's collection. Patrons requesting interlibrary loan service are required to pay the cost of return postage for the items requested. The patron accepts responsibility for lost or damaged interlibrary loan items. The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as he or she sees fit. The same criteria of selection which are applied to purchased materials are applied to gifts. Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted with suitable bookplates placed in the book. It is desirable for gifts to be offered after consultation with the library director. The Mary Lou Reddick Public Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations. By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor. An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials. The Mary Lou Reddick Public Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy. Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
VIII. Circulation Policy All borrowers must be registered and must have a valid patron card to borrow library materials. Patrons must fill out an application form to register for a new library card. When patrons register for a new library card they agree to the following statement by signing the application: I am responsible for all items borrowed with the library card issued in my name, including items borrowed with it by others with or without my consent unless I have previously reported the loss of my card. I promise to comply with all library rules and policies both present and future, and to give prompt notice of change of address or loss of library card. Identification is required. A driver's license or student ID is preferred, however, any other official ID or recent nonpersonal piece of mail may be acceptable. Applicants between the ages of 5 and 17 must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form before a new card can be issued. This parental signature is not required for children who are replacing a lost card. Materials cannot be checked out until a library card is issued. Only two items may be checked out the first time a patron uses his or her library card. If a patron loses his or her library card, the library should be notified as soon as possible and a replacement requested. There is a $2.00 charge for the replacement card. All patrons, adult and juvenile, are expected to bring their library cards with them if they intend to check out items. An individual who repeatedly ignores this expectation may be denied the privilege of checking out materials until they present their card at the library.
Reserves may be placed by patrons either in person or by phone. Patrons will be notified by telephone when the materials become available. There is no charge to the patron for placing a reserve. Once the reserved item is available, patrons have 5 business days to pick up the reserved item. Overdue charges for books, audio books, and magazines are $0.10 cents per business day. Overdue charges for videocassettes are $1.00 per business day. Patrons with overdue materials shall be denied borrowing privileges until those overdue materials are returned or paid for if lost and/or damaged. If materials are damaged so as to be judged by the library as being unsuitable for the collection, the patron must pay the replacement cost plus $2.00 for processing. Once paid for the patron may keep the damaged item. A notice of these charges will be sent to the borrower; a sample of the notice follows: Dear____________________________ At the time a library patron borrows materials from the public library collection, the patron assumes the responsibility for the care and timely return of the materials. Recently materials checked out on your library card were returned to the library damaged beyond the point of being usable in the Library's collection. The titles and costs of these materials are listed below: ---------------------------------- $--------- Your assistance in clearing this matter promptly will be appreciated and will be necessary in order to retain your borrowing privileges. Thank you in advance for your prompt response to this matter.
IX. Reference Service Policy The Mary Lou Reddick Public Library:
X. Programming Policy A "program" is a planned interaction between the library staff and the program participants for the purpose of promoting library materials, facilities, or services, as well as offering the community an informational, entertaining, or cultural experience. Programming includes such activities as storytimes, films, summer reading program for children, hired performers for children and young adults, and book or author discussion groups for adults. A budget and goals for programming to facilitate the effective implementation of this service will be set by the library director with input from the library staff.
XI. Equipment Use Policy Computers are available to patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for use of the computers; however, in order to make the service available to as many patrons as possible, a time limit for usage has been imposed. That time limit is 1 hour. Library staff is available for general assistance in using the computer. A printer is available. Printer paper will cost $0.15 per sheet and must be paid for at the conclusion of the session. Patrons are expected to pay for every sheet printed from their session. This includes sheets printed in error. A photocopy machine is available to patrons who wish to copy materials at the rate of $0.15 per page. Copy machine users are advised that there are restrictions on copyrighted materials. Any violation of copyright is the responsibility of the copy machine user. A fax machine is available to patrons at the rate of $0.15 per page. Faxing is available to patrons only within the 817 area code.
XII. Internet Use Policy The Mary Lou Reddick Public Library is providing access to the Internet as a means to enhance the information and learning opportunities for the citizens of the library's service area. The Library Board has established the Internet use policy to ensure appropriate and effective use of this resource. Access to the Internet is available to all patrons; however, this service may be restricted at any time for use not consistent with the guidelines. Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children's use of the library's Internet service; prior to being granted access to the Internet, anyone under 18 years of age, along with a parent or guardian, must sign the Internet Use Agreement. Children under the age of 13 are not permitted Internet access unless a parent or guardian is present with them. All users must sign the log-in chart prior to beginning their session and at the conclusion of their session. Users should be aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of local, state, and federal laws and can lead to prosecution. The user will be held responsible for his or her actions using the Internet. Users are expected to abide by the policies below, which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Unacceptable uses of the service will result in the suspension or revocation of Internet use privileges. The Internet is a decentralized, unmoderated global network; the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library has no control over the content found there. The library will not censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information, and it is not responsible for the availability and accuracy of information found on the Internet. The use of the Internet and e-mail is not guaranteed to be private. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the proper authorities.
XIII. Public Notice Bulletin Board Policy Bulletin board materials may be submitted for posting by nonprofit organizations for civic, educational, or cultural purposes. Such organizations may submit literature publicizing a specific event. Limited space generally allows only short-term notices. The director must approve all postings and may prohibit postings which do not meet library standards. Library staff will place and remove postings promptly.
XIV. Revision of Library Policies The preceding statements of Mary Lou Reddick Public Library's policies shall be subject to review and needed revision at least every five years by the Library Board. Individual policies will be reviewed or added as needed. Adopted: _______________________________ Form: Statement of Concern About Library Resources Mary Lou Reddick Public Library STATEMENT OF CONCERN ABOUT LIBRARY RESOURCES Name________________________Date_____________ Address______________________Phone___________ City_________________________State______ZIP_______ Resource on which you are commenting:
Title:_________________________________________ Author/Publisher or Producer/Date:___________________ On a separate sheet of paper, please answer all of the following questions:
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