10 Written Policies
Your Library Should Have
on HandNJLA Professional Development Committee
Mimi Hui, Library DirectorHasbrouck Heights Public [email protected] / (201) 288-0488
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
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?
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 doesn’t 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.
What policies every library should have?
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…
Policy #1
Library Rules of Conduct
Policy #2 Circulation Policies - Fines & Charges
Sample Publicity
#2 Circulation Policies
Eligibility for
a Library Card
Policy # 3
Confidentiality of Library Records
Policy # 4
Displays
Policy # 5
Gifts & Donations
Policy # 6 Internet Access
Policy # 7
Material Selection&
Reconsideration
Policy # 8
Meeting Room
Policy # 9
Unattended Children
Policy # 10
Volunteers
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 won’t always remain so. A good policy is…
Reviewed Revised if needed Reaffirmed by the Board of Trustees
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 won’t 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?
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 24th…
http://hasbrouckheights.bccls.org/
Additional Resources
NJLA Professional Development CommitteeMimi Hui, Library Director
Hasbrouck Heights Public [email protected](201) 288-0488
Questions?