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10 Written Policies Your Library Should Have on Hand NJLA Professional Development Committee Mimi Hui, Library Director Hasbrouck Heights Public Library hui@bccls.org / (201) 288-0488 Slide 2 OVERVIEW Why have a policy? How are policies generated? What policies every library should have? What makes a good policy? Where to go for additional resources Slide 3 Policies ensure equitable treatment among staff, departments, branches and offer support to the staff handling difficulties. Policies help staff members know exactly what is expected of them. Policies help customers know exactly what is expected of them. Policies protect both the customer and the library when differences occur. Why have a policy? Slide 4 How are policies generated? Policies are generally suggested by the staff or director, drafted by the director and reviewed & adopted by the Board of Trustees. Policies frequently come into existence after the fact. If your library doesnt have a Reconsideration of Library Materials policy, for instance, and a customer complains about materials in your collection, you will find yourself drafting a policy in order to better protect the library in the event that another complaint is made. Policies are often generated when a library director, staff member, or trustee becomes aware. Slide 5 What policies every library should have? Slide 6 Library Rules of Conduct Circulation Policies ( ie. Fines & Charges, Library Card) Confidentiality of Library Records Displays Gifts & Donations Internet Access Material Selection & Reconsideration Meeting Room Unattended Children Volunteers Ten Written Policies Your Library Should Have On Hand Slide 7 Policy #1 Library Rules of Conduct Slide 8 Policy #2 Circulation Policies - Fines & Charges Slide 9 Sample Publicity Slide 10 #2 Circulation Policies Eligibility for a Library Card Slide 11 Policy # 3 Confidentiality of Library Records Slide 12 Policy # 4 Displays Slide 13 Policy # 5 Gifts & Donations Slide 14 Policy # 6 Internet Access Slide 15 Policy # 7 Material Selection & Reconsideration Slide 16 Slide 17 Policy # 8 Meeting Room Slide 18 Slide 19 Slide 20 Policy # 9 Unattended Children Slide 21 Policy # 10 Volunteers Slide 22 What makes a good policy? Policies work best when they are as simple as possible and flexible. Avoid the use of library jargon. Policies should clearly define appropriate and inappropriate behavior in the library and the action taken if rules are broken. Include what recourse is available in the event that customers think they have been treated unfairly. Policies that are good today wont always remain so. A good policy is R eviewed R evised if needed R eaffirmed by the Board of Trustees Slide 23 Good policies exist in printed form and readily available to the public, the staff, and the library trustees. Good policies are realistic. If a policy on unattended children says that the children will be turned over to the police department and your police department wont respond to your call to do so, your policy is not a good one. Policies can only accomplish their goals if they are accompanied by a staff training component. Communication is key! What makes a good policy? Slide 24 Websites http://www.ALA.org Search public library policies http://www.njla.org http://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/policies-procedures.html http://www.google.com Search (public library policies) https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/workshops/slm/librarypolicies.html http://www.nmstatelibrary.org/services-for-nm-libraries/programs- services/librarians-toolkit -- (See: Policy Samples) New library website to be unveiled March 24 th http://hasbrouckheights.bccls.org/ Additional Resources Slide 25 NJLA Professional Development Committee Mimi Hui, Library Director Hasbrouck Heights Public Library hui@bccls.org (201) 288-0488 Questions?