Policies

Mission Statement:

Waterbury Public Library provides residents of all ages with access to entertainment, ideas, information, and inspiration through its books, programs, electronic media and online resources.

The Library supports lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and personal development and serves its community as a multi-generational gathering place and a gateway to local information, both current and historical.

General Operation Policy (link to PDF)

Materials Selection

Intellectual freedom: Enlightened and informed citizenship is fostered and basic principles of liberty are reinforced by policies that protect intellectual freedom. The Waterbury Public Library strives to provide a wide array of ideas and information to enable patrons to make decisions and choices for themselves. We also are highly concerned with ensuring equal access to materials and services for all, regardless of age, background, or belief and regardless of materials’ possible use, format, or content. To these ends we hereby adopt and incorporate by reference the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS and THE FREEDOM TO READ and THE FREEDOM TO VIEW statements adopted by the American Library Association. (They are appended to this document.)

Responsibility for selection: Books and/or library material selection responsibility is vested in the Library Director. Any book and /or library material so selected shall be deemed to be selected by the Commission. The Library Director is also solely responsible for determining the most appropriate placement/location of materials within the library (e.g. stories or picture books written for designed for children placed in sections easily accessible to small children, etc.).

Gifts: Gifts and donations are encouraged and will be accepted with the understanding that gifts of materials may be disposed of at the discretion of the Library Director if they cannot be used. Memorial gifts are encouraged. Persons wishing to memorial such gifts should consult with the Library Director before making a choice.

Weeding, withdrawal, disposal: The collections will be weeded by the library staff on a regular basis using professional library standards for weeding and collection management. This will be for the purpose of eliminating outdated, inappropriate materials. In this process the core collection of standard works, classics, materials of historic interest and other materials which should be important to a public library will be retained without regard to the frequency of their circulation or current use.

Procedure for review of selections: The Waterbury Public Library contains materials representing widely divergent views. That is because the Library is attempting to serve the needs of all of the people in the community. Therefore, materials in the Library that meet the selection and placement/location policy will not be removed or relocated because of pressure from individuals or groups who object. This includes the selection/placement of materials that young people may obtain to which their parents object. Children have free access to all materials and can only be restricted by their parents. However, citizens have the right to petition their government (in this case the Library Commission) and therefore, the following procedures will be followed by a person or persons who object to the inclusion or placement of materials in the Library:
1) The person who wishes to protest the inclusion or placement or materials in the library must submit a written complaint on the appended form. 2) The complainant will give the completed form to the Library Director, who will immediately forward it to the Library Commissioners together with the Director’s recommendation. 3) The complaint will be addressed at the next regularly scheduled Commissioners’ meeting. 4) The complainant will be invited to attend the meeting and offer any clarifying or explanatory comments. 5) The Commission may discuss and make a decision on the complaint at this meeting or may defer a decision until a subsequent regular meeting. 6) After the Commission has made a decision, it shall be provided in writing to the complainant within seven days. 7) The decision shall include the rationale for the outcome.

Disposal of Unneeded Property
With the exception of library materials (books, audios, videos, and periodicals), items which are no longer needed for use by the Library will be offered to other Town departments before disposal.

Children and Young Adults
Welcome Statement:

The Waterbury Public Library welcomes children of all ages.  The Library staff is committed to making the Library an inviting place for children to develop a life-long love for books, learning, and libraries.

The Library offers weekly Baby/Toddler and Preschool Story Times, picture books and books for growing readers, puppets and puzzles, fiction and nonfiction, magazines, audio books and movies, a learning station with educational games, computers and the Internet, places to study and socialize with friends, special programs that provide opportunities to learn and discover, and assistance from the staff in accessing these resources.

The Library’s Children’s Policy was put in place to safeguard the welfare of all patrons and staff.

Parental Responsibility

• Access to Resources:

The role of library staff is to aid young people in finding and utilizing the library’s numerous resources. The library does not impose limits on access to these materials. Parents, guardians, and/or caregivers are responsible for setting boundaries and/or restrictions for their children (and only their children) regarding access to resources offered by the Library.

• Access to Electronic Resources:

The Library is aware of parental and governmental concerns about child safety on the Internet. However, Library computers are not filtered, and the Library staff does not monitor and/or control the content of materials offered through the Internet. Parents, guardians, and/or caregivers are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet at all times. Parents who believe that their children cannot responsibly make use of the Library’s Internet access are requested to monitor their children’s Internet use.
Young people are expected to follow the same guidelines regarding acceptable and/or unacceptable computer use as other patrons. (See the Computer and Internet Use section of this policy.)

Unattended Child Policy: For the safety and comfort of all children, any child under the age of 8 must be supervised by a parent, guardian, or responsible party designated by the parent or guardian while on library property.

• A child is considered unattended if he or she is out of sight of the parent or caregiver.
• An adult or caregiver who is using a computer is not able to provide adequate supervision for a child.
• Children are expected to behave in a manner appropriate to a library setting. If, in the opinion of the staff, a child behaves in a manner inappropriate to a library setting (see the section on Appropriate Library Behavior above) the child will be told to leave the library.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for paying for any damage to library or municipal facilities, materials, or equipment caused by their children.
• Parents and caregivers should be aware of library hours. As in all town buildings, patrons will be asked to leave at closing time. If a parent/caregiver feels it is unsafe for a child to leave the building without adult supervision, he/she should make arrangements to have the child picked up well ahead of closing time.
• In the event that an unattended child has not been picked up before closing time, the staff will attempt to reach one or both of the parents or a guardian, if possible. If the staff is unable to reach a parent or guardian, it is the recommendation of Family Services Division of the state Department for Children and Families that the staff should contact the Vermont State Police and request that the unattended child be picked up at the Library by an officer and held safely at the Police Department until a parent or guardian can be reached.

Programs and Special Events: Age designations are stated in program publicity to ensure that those who attend programs and special events are capable of the behavior required. The Library staff reserves the right to deny program admittance to children outside the recommended age guidelines for particular programs.

It should be understood that parents, guardians, and/or caregivers of children younger than age eight are required to be in the same room with the children attending any library program or special event.

 

Computer And Internet Use

Internet Access: The Internet, a world-wide computer network, is an essential medium for obtaining and transmitting information of all types. Therefore, public access to the Internet is germane to the Library’s mission.

Computer access, Internet access, and wi-fi connectivity are offered at the Library.
Library users are asked to be aware that the Internet is an unregulated medium. While the Internet is a valuable tool for accessing information, it also provides access to information that is inaccurate, illegal or that some may find offensive or disturbing. The Library will identify on its “favorites list” specific Internet sites that have potential interest for Library users, but the Library cannot control a user’s access to other Internet sites. Library computers are not filtered, and the Library will not monitor content, nor deny or limit access, except when a clear violation of this policy has occurred.

Responsibilities of Library Staff and Users: The Library Director will establish procedures for use of the Library’s computers and Internet access, in order to ensure equitable access to resources. Library staff will not monitor an individual’s Internet use, except for length of use in order to ensure equal opportunity of access for everyone. The user, or the parent of a minor, is responsible for his or her Internet session at all times. Wi-fi users are expected to comply with all Library policies regarding the use of the Internet.

The Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session that disrupts library services or that involves user behavior that violates the Library’s policies.
As with all Library resources, the Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents or guardians, not Library staff, to determine and monitor use of the Library’s resources and facilities, including the Internet, by young people under the age of 16 years. Parents who believe that their children cannot responsibly make use of the Library’s Internet access are requested to monitor their children’s Internet use.

Privacy: All records relating to library patrons and their use of library materials and services, including computer and Internet use are confidential. Computer sign-up sheets are used for statistical purposes only. After the number of users is counted at the end of the day, the sheets are destroyed.

Library users are reminded that computers are located in public areas where screens are easily viewed by staff and other Library users of all ages. Individuals are expected to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing potentially offensive content. The deliberate display of sexually explicit materials or images, including attempting to print those materials using library printers, is prohibited.

Unacceptable Uses of Library Computers: Access to the Internet is a privilege.Library users are expected to use the Internet in a responsible and ethical manner. This includes complying with Library policy, as well as local, state, and federal laws while using the Internet.

Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this policy include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Using library computers or wireless connection for any purpose that violates local, state, or federal laws (including, but not limited to, committing fraud, hacking, or engaging in communications which are libelous or slanderous);
· Using library computers to engage in threatening or harassing communications.
· Offering for sale or use any substance the possession or use of which is prohibited by law;
· Viewing, transmitting or downloading any illegal materials;
· Viewing child pornography;
· Deliberate display of sexually explicit materials or images, including attempting to print those materials using library printers;
· Violating copyright law or software licenses;
· Compromising the privacy of users;
· Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Library’s network or to cause degradation of system performance;
· Uploading any form of harmful programming or vandalism;
· Attempting to install or delete software on any of the Library’s computers;
· Altering the Library’s computer settings; moving library equipment, or in any way modifying or damaging the Library’s computer equipment or software;
· Disrupting the intended use of library computers.

Response to Violations: The user’s access to the Library’s computer network and Internet connectivity is a privilege, not a right. Failure to comply with this policy and computer use procedures will result in the loss of computer/Internet privileges at Waterbury Public Library.

Compliance with the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NCIPA): The Library believes this policy to be in compliance with the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Pub. L. No. 106-554, Subtitle C (Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act), § 1731-32.

Disclaimer: While the Library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest quality, the Library has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and specifically disclaims any warrant as to the information’s accuracy, timeliness, authoritativeness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose.
The provision of Internet access does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of any particular content or point of view.

The Library will have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information access through the Library’s Internet service.
The Library will have no liability for any charges a user may incur when accessing commercial sites and online fee-based services while using the Library’s computer. Any service involving the submission of a credit card number involves the user in a transaction with an outside service provider, not with the Library.

Personnel

General: All personnel are employees of the Town of Waterbury and function under the personnel procedures and policies of the Town. The Library Director works under the direction of the Library Commissioners and the Town Manager, and all other library personnel work under the direction of the Library Director. The ALA Code of Ethics (appended) is incorporated in the job description of each Library employee. The Commissioners have responsibility for preparing the Library Director’s job description, hiring and firing the Director, and evaluating the Director’s performance, in writing, on an annual basis. The Library Director is responsible for developing and reviewing job descriptions for all other library staff in collaboration with the Library Commissioners, and for hiring, firing, scheduling and supervising all other library staff. The Library Director will prepare written performance evaluations of all other staff on an annual basis.

Use of volunteers: Volunteers are a vital staff resource for the library. They are recruited, supervised, and trained by the library staff and must adhere to all policies to the same extent as paid personnel.

Review/revision of policy This policy will be officially reviewed annually at a regular meeting of the Commissioners and will be modified at that time to the extent deemed necessary.
APPROVED: 12/08/2008
By Library Commissioners
Harriet Grenier, Chair, Freya Chaffee, Alice Durkin, Dan DeSanto, Roy Lloyd