General Objectives: The
library will provide access to books and other materials and
services for information, self-education and recreation to patrons
of all ages. The library will work continually to identify community
needs and interests, and to develop appropriate services in
response. The library supports the Library Bill of Rights and
Freedom to Read Statement.
Who may use the library: Upon filing with the library his/her
name, address and phone number, any resident of Whitingham,
Jacksonville and Halifax, including summer residents, may use the
library facilities and resources. Residents of Vermont towns
directly bordering on Whitingham may also use the library. Residents
of other towns may petition the librarian for library use. A parent
or guardian of a minor must sign the card application. Minors will
have access to all departments of the library. A minor is defined as
any patron under 16 years. Patrons over 16 years will be issued an
individual adult card unless the patron waives his/her right until
he/she is 18 years of age. Service will not be denied because of
religious, racial, social, economic or political status. The
librarian may revoke use privileges 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. Please see the Whitingham Free Public Library Behavior
Code.
Announcements of civic and cultural programs may be posted in the
library with permission of the librarian.
Hours: The library will be open a regular schedule of hours that
permits optimum use by the public and conforms to Minimum Vermont
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 by the Trustee’s on an annual basis. Holiday
closings are posted both in and outside of the library and on the
library’s web site. An additional notice will be posted at the
library 1 week in advance of any closing. Severe weather conditions
may force the library to close. The librarian and/or the assistant
librarian, in consultation with one Trustee, may close or delay the
opening of the library due to weather conditions.
The library is available for meetings (limited to 25 people) by
civic, cultural or educational groups on request.
Confidentiality: Patrons should feel comfortable borrowing or
using public library resources and receiving library services
without having to fear the consequences.
Definition of patron records: “Patron records” means records in
any format related to any activity of the library (such as, but not
limited to, registration, circulation, interlibrary loan, reserve
requests and computer use) containing any identifying information
about individual patrons.
Policy: Patron records are confidential. Patron records shall
not be made available to any third party or any law enforcement
agency of a local, state or federal government except when a court
order in proper form, issued by a court of competent jurisdiction
after a showing of good cause, is presented to the library by the
law enforcement agency or third party seeking the records.
Patrons have the right to access their own records.
Parents or guardians of patrons under
16 years of age have the right to request records of their minor
children.
Procedure: No library employee or volunteer may release patron
records to any third party or law enforcement agent. Requests for
such information will be referred to the library director and/or the
trustees who will adhere to the policy outlined above.
Renewals and overdues: Books that 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
Materials selection: The library’s main considerations in
selection are the needs and interests of the residents of the town
of Whitingham and Halifax. Other considerations are costs, format
and availability from other sources including inter-library 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
continued, 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 materials purchased as
budget permits. Books and other materials donated are accepted with
the understanding that their final disposition is up to the
librarian. The library does not purchase used books from
individuals. 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.
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 (copy attached), 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.
Personnel: The library Board of Trustees is responsible for
employing a librarian, setting a salary and annual evaluation of the
librarian. The librarian or assistant librarian will be allowed a
total of eight (8) weeks for parental leave (unpaid). The Trustees
will set the assistant librarian’s salary and the librarian is
responsible for hiring an assistant.
June 1997
Amended April 2001, April 2003, June 2004, July 2007, December 2008,
May 2009, November 2010, July 2011
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