Who may use the library: Upon filing with the library their name, address and phone number, any resident of Whitingham, Jacksonville, Halifax, including summer residents, may use the library facilities and resources.  Residents of Vermont towns directly bordering on Whitingham may also use the library.  A parent of guardian must be present in the library to sign the library card application and/or permission slip for said minor to access the Internet.  Service will not be denied because of religious, racial, social, economic or political status.  Use privilege may be revoked by the librarian for abuses such as destruction of property, conduct which interferes with others’ use of the library, and failure to replace or pay for lost or destroyed materials.

Minors will have access to all departments of the library.

The library is available for meetings (limited to 25 people) by civic, cultural, or educational groups on request.

Announcements of civic and cultural programs may be posted in the library with permission of the librarian. 

Hours: The library will be open on a regular schedule of hours which permits optimum use by the public and conforms with Minimum Vermont Public Library Standards (at least 14 hours a week, including at least 4 hours on weekends or after 5 p.m.).

The Library will be closed on holidays designated in the Librarian’s job description.  A notice will be posted at the library 2 weeks in advance of any closing.  Severe weather conditions may force the library to close without notice.

Renewals and overdues- Books which are not reserved for another patron may be renewed.  It is preferred that books be brought to the library for renewal; however, books will be renewed over the phone once.

Patrons returning overdue books will be asked to pay whatever they think appropriate.

Lost or damaged books will be either replaced or paid for by the patron responsible for the loss or damage.  The amount to be paid will be the cost of the book if known or in default $20.00 for adult books and $15.00 for juvenile books.

Materials selection- the library’s main considerations in selection are the needs and interests of the residents of the towns of Whitingham and Halifax.  Other considerations are costs, format and availability from other sources including interlibrary loan.

The selection and weeding of both adult and juvenile collections are the responsibility of the librarian.  Book reviews, the Public Library Catalog and the Children’s Catalog are among the aids to be consulted for the evaluation of the collection.  Weeding is to be continual, with books out-of-date, no longer popular, or in poor condition discarded.  Books in constant demand will be replaced when possible.  Weak areas will be identified and material purchased as budget permits.

Books and other materials donated are accepted with the understanding that their final disposition is up to the librarian.  Criteria applied to the selection of materials will also apply to gifts.  The wishes of the donor will be respected whenever feasible.  Some materials, particularly local history and reference works, will be classified as non-circulating and may not leave the library but are available for use at the library.  A percentage of each year’s book budget will be allocated to adult and juvenile books.  The presence of materials in the library does not mean endorsement by the library.  The Library does not purchase used books from individuals.

Personnel:  The library Board of Trustees is responsible for employing the librarian, setting a salary, and annual evaluation of the librarian.

Procedure for addressing objections to materials- Readers’ complaints are to be treated with courtesy, respect, and promptness.  An objecting patron is asked to complete a Material Reconsideration Form which is submitted to the Board of Trustees.  The board and the librarian will then re-examine the item and answer the complaint in writing, citing policy.

Confidentiality: With the exception of the annual operating report submitted to the town, all records maintained within the library are strictly confidential.  No library records shall be made available to any agency of the government, whether state, federal, or local unless compelled to do so under due process of law.

Policies will be reviewed and revised as necessary at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees after Town Meeting.  At this time evaluation of the librarian and election of officers will take place.

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