bulletAcceptable Behavior Policy
bullet Basic Circulation Policies
bullet Interlibrary Loan Policy
bulletInternet Acceptable Use Policy
bullet Confidentiality of Library Records
bullet Petitioning and Distribution of Literature
bulletReciprocal Borrowing
bullet Using Your Card at Other Libraries
bullet Gifts Policy
bullet Meeting Room Policy
bullet Collection Development Policy
bullet Exhibits and Displays Policy
bulletUnattended Children

 Confidentiality of Library Circulation Records

The Board of Library Trustees of the Marshall Public Library believes that efforts to gain access to library circulation records constitute an invasion of the right of privacy of library patrons, and that if permitted, would do damage to the education and social value of the libraries of this country.

These records are considered to be confidential in nature, and shall not be made available to any individual, or to any agency of state, federal, or local government except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures of legislative investigatory power.

Procedures expand and modify that policy, but the intent should be kept in mind.

Modifications to strict confidentiality

Electronic Notification System

The electronic notification system calls telephone numbers to notify patrons of materials on hold and overdue materials. Because it calls the number, not the person, and because the message does not identify the library material, we frequently get calls for additional information.

Family members

We have allowed family members to check out materials on hold (but not interlibrary loan materials) for a patron. This does not give the family member access to the circulation records of another.

Parents

This is the biggest challenge to confidentiality policy. We expect parents to monitor their child's library use, if they wish, and also require parents to be legally responsible for materials checked out on a child's card, yet our policy is not to reveal information about materials checked out on a child's card, even to a parent, unless--

The parent has the child's card or the barcode from a child's card. If the telephone number can be verified, we will provide information about materials checked out, fines, and other circulation records. However, we do not provide circulation record information when the person who requests the information does not have the required barcode and telephone number. This rule holds even if the parent wants to pay fines for the child.

A Policy for "Permanent" Gifts

A group or an individual may want to present a gift to the library which is intended to be a substantial and relatively permanent addition to the appearance and/or function of the library facility. A gift may be initiated by the donor or may be solicited by the library. Such gifts differ from the gifts of library materials or money covered in the the gifts section of the Marshall Public Library's "Collection Development Policy," especially because they

bulletMay be intended to become a permanent part of the library's interior or exterior May be accompanied by an identifying plaque or other label
bulletMay require special security, cleaning, maintenance, or insurance

These permanent gifts should be considered by the library board of trustees. In some cases, the gift may be modified or even declined, based upon such considerations as

bulletthe limited space available for long-term gifts
bulletthe contribution of the gift to the appearance of the facility
bulletthe impact of the gift upon library resources
bulletthe contribution of the gift to the mission of the library
bulletany conditions required by the donor

The building committee of the library's board of trustees will review potential permanent gifts, and after consultation with the library staff and discussion with the donor of the proposed gift, present a recommendation concerning the gift to the full board of trustees for action.

 

Approved by the Marshall Public Library Board of Trustees April 25, 1995

Meeting Room Policy

Public forum space is available for the use of beneficial or non-profit associations or corporations, community groups, civic and other associations local to the area served by the library.

Public forum spaces are those designated by the library for the use of the public at large for assembly or communication. The library's meeting room is the only public forum assembly space in the Marshall Public Library. Scheduling a meeting does not constitute endorsement of the meeting's content or purpose by the library. Meetings cannot be excluded from public forum spaces on the basis of content unless the exclusion is necessary to serve a compelling governmental interest which cannot be served by less restrictive action. Length and frequency of use of public forum space may be limited in order to make the space broadly available.

bullet The public meeting room is available free of charge for public gatherings of a civic, cultural, or educational character, but not for social or commercial purposes.
bullet Reservations for using the Meeting Room must include the name of the organization, time period desired, number of persons expected, name and telephone number of person responsible and the purpose or function of the meeting.
bullet No group may schedule meetings for more than one year in advance nor for more than one use per month (special exceptions may be made by the Library Director).
bullet All meetings must be open to the public.
bullet The Meeting Room is accessible to persons with disabilities. Interpreters for persons with hearing impairments and/or taped information for persons with visual impairments can be provided upon three days notice. For accessibility arrangements please contact the Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 234-6248.
bullet No more than 50 people shall use the room at any one time.
bullet Use of the room, including setup and cleanup, shall be limited to the hours the Library is open to the public.
bullet No person or group may charge an attendance fee for meetings or workshops held in the meeting room or make requests for voluntary donations. Charges to cover costs of materials may be levied if the person or group has the express written permission of the Library Director in advance.
bullet Groups which use the room should return it to the approximate state of upkeep in which they found it.
bullet No smoking is allowed in any part of the library at any time.
bullet This statement of policy is subject to amendment at any time by the Board of Trustees of the Marshall Public Library.

Adopted June 18,1996
Amended September 16, 1997

Exhibits and Display Policy

Display, Exhibits, Handouts, Bulletin Boards, and Petitioning in Libraries

As part of its public service and information mission, the library makes available handouts, displays, exhibit areas, and bulletin boards. The use of these areas is intended to increase public awareness of the range of information available in the library collection and to make available information created by and of interest to the local community.

Displays, exhibits, handouts, and materials posted on bulletin boards are covered by the intellectual freedom policies of the library.  However, not all display and distribution areas are public forum spaces.  Public forum spaces are those spaces designated by the library for the use of the public at large for assembly or communication.  Materials displayed or distributed in such areas may advocate a position, but the display and distribution do not constitute endorsement of the material's content by the library. Materials cannot be excluded from public forum spaces on the basis of content unless the exclusion is necessary to serve a compelling governmental interest which cannot be served by less restrictive action.  Length and frequency of use of public forum space may be limited in order to make the space broadly available.  A list of public forum and nonpublic forum library spaces is available.  The Library Director may change the designation as a nonpublic or public forum space at any time.   Freestanding displays may be accommodated as floor space permits.  Library doors, windows, entryways and stairwells may not be used.  Public forum space is available under the provisions listed below.  Final authority for all materials displayed and made available in handout, display, and exhibit space and on bulletin boards rest with the Library Director.
 

Displays and Exhibits - Nonpublic Forum

Displays are defined as presentations on open shelves or fixtures of materials from the library collections, which are available for lending, and/or materials describing and promoting library services. Displays often take the form of merchandising (i.e., pyramids, end-of-shelf, point-of-circulation, paperback dumps, etc.) within the library proper and are frequently topical in nature. These displays are covered by the intellectual freedom of policies of the library, but are not public forum.

Exhibits (nonpublic forum) are more formal presentations of library materials and realia (everyday objects used to illustrate) in closed cases.

Exhibits - Public Forum

Exhibit cases (glass-enclosed and secured) and exhibit areas (wall areas used for the display of art) are available in the library.

The exhibit cases and areas are available for the use of beneficial or non-profit associations or corporations, community groups, civic, and other associations local to the area served by the individual library and individual artists for display of their work. Exhibits of a commercial nature will not be accepted, and prices may not be attached to articles displayed. Exceptions may be made for specific library projects with the express approval of the Library Director.

Persons responsible for the display shall arrange their own materials under the general supervision of the library staff, furnish their own easels or equipment necessary for display, and be responsible for any damage to library property. In addition, persons, organizations, or groups placing materials on exhibit must agree to assume all risk for articles exhibited.

Handouts and Bulletin Boards

Handouts and items on public forum bulletin boards publicize activities of a civic, cultural, educational, or recreational nature. The intent is to give access to as much community information as possible. When space is limited, preference is given to Bannock County organizations. Nonpublic forum bulletin boards are limited to library use.

Petitioning or Distribution of Literature

In the Library:  It is the policy of the library that petitioning, solicitation, distribution of literature or leaflets, canvassing, or similar types of appeals by members of the public are not allowed. Exceptions may be made for specific library projects with the express approval of the Library Director.

On Library grounds: Groups or individuals who wish to petition, solicit, canvass or distribute literature to the public on library parking lots, sidewalks, or other grounds surrounding the library building may do so if they do not impede access by the public to the building or interfere with use of the building, such as through excessive noise.

This statement of policy is subject to amendment at any time by the Board of Trustees of the Marshall Public Library.

Adopted June 18,1996

 

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06/30/05