100 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
101 DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
1)
The
Board serves as the basic policy-making body. It shall adopt policies for the
regulation of the Library and Board and shall review these
biennially
2)
The
Board shall select, appoint, and evaluate the Library
Director.
3)
Only
the Board President and the Library Director or their assignees may speak for
the Library.
4)
The
Board shall be responsible for enacting, publishing, and filing with the Will
Clerk the Library Budget and Appropriation Ordinance and the Levy Ordinance, and
to hold any necessary public hearings.
Once the appropriation and Budget is approved; the Library operating
funds may be expended without specific Board approval of individual expenditures
up to the budget total for that category.
All expenditures of $2,500 or more not anticipated in the budget must be
first formally approved by the Board.
Once the total expenditures have reached the total budgeted amount, any
additional expenditures must have the approval of the Board, and the reason for
the expenditure must be stated in the minutes.
5)
The
Board shall see that adequate Library building facilities are provided and
maintained.
6)
The
Board shall determine that the property of the Library is adequately insured
against loss and damage, and carry adequate general liability insurance and any
other types of insurance that it considers necessary.
7)
The
Board and supervisory staff shall be familiar with Illinois and other laws which
affect library operations and shall participate in the legislative process to
effect change that will benefit libraries.
8)
Any
Board member associated with an organization with which the Library conducts
business shall abstain from voting on all matters relating to that
organization.
9)
Board
members shall be encouraged to attend trustee meetings and workshops, and
expenses relating to their attendance shall be paid by the
Library.
10) Regular
attendance at Board meetings by Trustees is expected. The president, at the discretion of the
Board, may seek the resignation of any Trustee who shall be absent from three
consecutive Board meetings without due cause.
11) By
majority vote of the Board, a new trustee shall be appointed to fill the
unexpired term of a Trustee who has resigned according to the provisions of
Illinois law.
12) The
Library shall be an institutional member of the Illinois Library
Association. Individual memberships
for Board members in the Illinois Library Association shall be provided by the
Library. Individual memberships in
the American Library Association and the Illinois Library Association shall be
provided by the Library for the Library Director and professional
staff.
13) The
Board in conjunction with staff shall prepare a 5-year plan and a long-range
plan for the development of library services. Input from community leaders will be
sought. This plan will be reviewed
each year on the anniversary of its adoption.
14) The
Board shall annually in the month of June review the financial status of the
Library and will determine that the tax rate is
sufficient.
15) The
Library Director serves as chief executive of the Library and is responsible for
the administration of the Library under the general policies approved by the
board. The Librarian is directly
responsible to the Board, and through the Board, to the community.
16) The
Library Director shall attend all meetings of the Board, except Closed Sessions,
and is urged to speak on all subjects under discussion, but has no
vote.
17) The
Library Director shall report the hiring of all personnel to the
Board.
102 NEW TRUSTEE
ORIENTATION
A comprehensive orientation shall be
conducted for each new Board member.
This shall include, but not be limited to:
a)
Packet
of information containing:
i)
List
of Board members
ii)
List
of staff members and their positions
iii)
Latest
Illinois library laws
iv)
New
Lenox Public Library District Policies
v)
Serving Our Public: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries;
current edition.
vi)
Copy
of past month’s appropriation, budget and bills
b)
A walk
– through the Library.
c)
Board
discussion by hold over Board members of the history, business and procedures of
the Board and Library
200 PUBLIC SERVICE
POLICIES
201
PATRONS
1)
The
Library shall serve all residents of the New Lenox Public Library
District.
2)
Services
shall not be denied or abridged because of age, religious, racial, social,
physical, economic, or political status.
3)
Upon
proper application, including evidence of residence in the New Lenox Public
Library District and including telephone number, any person shall be issued a
library card (“smart card”) which entitles that individual to use the full
services of this Library. The
“smart card” includes a computer chip that allows access to public use
computers. That individual is then
responsible for all items checked out on his/her card.
4)
Library
cards shall be valid for three years from date of issue, or upon termination of
residence in the New Lenox Public Library District. A minor under the age of 18 must have
his application co-signed by a parent, guardian, or other adult relative who is
responsible for the child on a long-term basis, who shall accept responsibility
for any financial liabilities and/or damages incurred by said minor. The parent or guardian shall determine
any internet filtering levels for the minor until the minor reaches 18 years of
age. Unless modified by a parent or
guardian, the “smart card” shall be set for minimum
access.
5)
Patrons
must present their library cards when checking out items.
6)
It
is the responsibility of patrons to immediately report lost cards. If not reported, the patron is
responsible for all items checked out on the card.
7)
The
use of the Library and its services shall be limited when excessive demands of
groups or individuals tend to curtail service to the general
public.
8)
The
use of the Library or its services may be denied for due cause. Such cause may be the failure to return
materials or to pay penalties, destruction of Library property, disturbance of
other patrons, or any other objectionable conduct on Library premises. Owing any late fee or having one or more
overdue items shall cause the patron to be denied library circulation
privileges.
9)
Community
agencies and businesses located in the New Lenox Public Library District may
obtain a card in the name of the agency/business if the application is completed
by an officer of the agency/business who is then responsible for all items
checked out on the card.
10) The
Library shall initiate programs, exhibits, booklists, etc. to stimulate the use
of library materials for the enlightenment of people of all ages. Only New Lenox Public Library District
residents or fee card holders may participate in juvenile or adult
programs.
11) Except
with the specific approval of the Board, nothing shall be sold or advertised for
sale in the Library.
12) There
shall be no eating in the public area of the Library except in the meeting
room.
13) Covered
drinks are permitted in the Library.
14) No
organizations or individuals may solicit in the Library.
15) All
services and areas of the Library shall be accessible to handicapped
patrons.
16) Information
regarding local civic activities shall be welcomed for display on the bulletin
board. No commercial activities
shall be advertised.
17) Tobacco
products may not be used in the library
building.
202 RULES FOR PATRON
DEPORTMENT AND DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR POLICY
The
New Lenox Public Library does not permit behavior which is incompatible with the
use of the Library by its patrons or staff. The library prohibits the following
conduct on its premises. Behaviors
not permitted include, but are not limited to the
following:
1)
Soliciting
library patrons or staff for donations, purchases, etc.
2)
Buying
or selling goods or services of any kind
3)
Passing
petitions to library patrons, conducting unauthorized surveys, distributing
pamphlets or other materials directly to library patrons or
staff
4)
Using
audible radios, walkmans, or other sound generating
devices
5)
Abusing
or intimidating library staff or patrons
6)
Sexual
harassment
7)
Overt
signs of substance abuse, including drunkenness
8)
Overt
sexual behavior
9)
Bringing
weapons, simulated or real, into any library facility
10) Using
skateboards or skates
11) Fighting
or other rowdy behavior
If
a patron is creating a disturbance or causing problems in the library, the
library staff has the authority or right to tell that person to leave the
library. If the patron refuses to
comply and continues to cause problems, the police then can be contacted to
eject that person from the library.
The
Library Director is authorized to exclude from the use of the library any person
who engages in disruptive behavior.
The patron may appeal the decision to the Board of Trustees (exclusion of
certain persons from the library is permitted under 75 ILCS 16/30-55.55). The Library Director or, if appealed,
the Board of Trustees will determine the time period for which a patron is
excluded from the library.
203
FEES
1)
Any
non-resident of the New Lenox Public Library District, upon proper application
including evidence of residence and telephone number and payment of an annual
fee to be determined by the Board of Trustees, shall be issued a library card
(or cards) which entitles members of the household to use the full services of
the New Lenox Public Library District for one year from the date of
issuance. Persons 65 years of age
or older shall be charged one half the annual non-resident
fee.
2)
Upon
proper application (form attached to and becomes part of this policy) a
non-resident who owns taxable property in the Library District may be issued a
library card without paying a non-resident fee. Only one card per parcel of taxable
property may be issued
3)
The
fee for replacement of a lost library card shall be $2.00 for the first
replacement, 3.00 for the second, and $5.00 for each subsequent
replacement.
4)
Lost
or damaged library materials must be paid for at replacement cost if the
materials are still available for purchase; if the materials are unavailable, at
original cost. The price for a
pamphlet is $1.00. In addition, a
non-refundable processing fee of $5.00 shall be charged for each item which is
lost or damaged, except pamphlets and magazines.
5)
If
a lost item is paid for, any overdue fine is canceled.
6)
If
a lost item that was paid for is found and returned to the Library in good
condition within 6 months of its due date, the price of the item shall be
refunded but not the $5.00 processing fee.
No overdue fine shall be charged.
7)
Messages
may be faxed for patrons within the U.S.
The rate will be $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for any additional
page of “faxable” material. The
rate applies to incoming as well as outgoing faxes.
8)
For
the first three calendar days after an item is due, there is a grace period when
no late fees are charged. After the
grace period, the late fees are calculated from the due
date.
9)
Late
fees for most overdue items shall be $0.25 per calendar day. The late fees shall not exceed the list
price of the item. Late fees for
videos and DVDs shall be $2.00 per day the library is
open.
10) The
charge for removing or destroying bar code labels from Library material shall be
$2.00 per bar code label.
11) Late
fees for items borrowed through inter-library loan from other libraries shall be
established by those entities.
204
HOURS
1) The Library shall be open to the
public and adequately staffed during the following hours:
From
the Saturday after Labor Day through the Saturday before Memorial
Day:
Monday through
Thursday – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday – 10:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
From
the Saturday after Memorial Day through the Saturday before Labor
Day:
Monday through
Thursday – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday – 10:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2)
The
Library shall be closed on the following holidays:
New
Year’s Day
Presidents’
Day
Easter
Day
Mother’s
Day
Memorial
Day
Independence
Day
Labor
Day
Columbus
Day
Veterans’
Day
Close
at 5:00 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Day
Christmas
Eve Day
Christmas
Day
New
Year’s Eve Day
205 CIRCULATION
POLICY
1)
All
Library materials, except those in the Reference Section or the current issues
of a periodical, which
always remain in the Library, shall be loaned for home use to any patron regardless of age under Library
regulations and procedures.
2)
The
loan period for items in the general collection shall be three weeks. The loan period for video cassettes and
DVDs shall be 7 days.
3)
Any
item in the circulating collection may be placed on reserve by any
patron.
4)
Renewal,
if the item is not on reserve, may be made no more than once. Reserved materials and video cassettes
and DVDs may not be renewed.
5)
Vacation
loans may be made for as long as four weeks.
6)
Books
returned in the book drop after closing on any day will be processed by the
computer as having been returned the last day the Library was
open.
7)
There
is no limit to the number of items that may be borrowed by each patron at one
time as long as the supply of materials in a given category is not
depleted.
8)
Schools
located within the Library District’s boundaries are entitled to library
services, which must be renewed each school year. The loan period will be four weeks, with
the exception of videocassettes and DVDs.
Rules and procedures for these accounts shall be established by the
Administration and Circulation Departments.
206 REFERENCE
POLICY
1)
Reference
service will be provided in response to all forms of inquiry, including
telephone, mail, e-mail and the chat-based online reference service. Answering reference questions has
priority over other staff assignments.
In-person requests will generally take precedence over other types of
requests. There is no set limit to
the amount of time which may be spent on a reference question; the librarian
will decide when all reasonable sources have been exhausted. When other patrons are waiting, staff
will generally defer complex questions to a less busy
time.
2)
Normally,
staff will provide the answer to a question if the information is available in
the library’s resources. However,
if determining the answer to a question requires reading and evaluating an
extensive amount of text, the staff will gather the sources for the patron to
use or, in the case of electronic databases; will train the patron in the use of
the resource. In-depth research
projects are beyond the purview of our reference service. Patrons requiring research assistance
will be directed to fee-based research providers. Reference staff is encouraged to refer
complex or specialized requests to appropriate outside
agencies.
3)
Answers
to information requests will be returned in the most efficient way available
within legal copyright limits.
Unusual or unique circumstances will be taken into account when
responding to information requests.
GENERAL
1)
The New Lenox Public
Library District endeavors to develop collections, resources and services that
meet the informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs of our
patrons. Electronic resources and
equipment provided by the Library expand the scope of information available to
our patrons and our staff in fulfilling these needs. The Library has no control over the
content, accuracy, or currency of these resources, nor does the Library have
complete knowledge of what is available on the Internet. Library users access the Internet at
their own discretion
2)
Use
of the Library’s electronic resources for the transmission, dissemination and/or
duplication of information is regulated by federal and state laws. Users are required to comply with such
laws, regulations and software licenses.
3)
Parents
and/or guardians are responsible for their children’s use of the Library’s
electronic resources and are encouraged to explore these resources with their
children at the Library.
4)
Destruction
of, damage to, or unauthorized alteration of the Library’s computer hardware,
software, or network security procedures is prohibited. Users are responsible for any damage to
computer equipment or software.
5)
The
Library assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to the patron’s data or
disks if information is downloaded from any electronic resource or due to
equipment malfunctions.
6)
Violation
of the New Lenox Public Library District Electronic Resources Policy or computer
use rules may result in the loss of library privileges and may be subject to
legal action by local, state and/or federal authorities.
WIRELESS
ACCESS
1)
The
Library
provides wireless Internet access via an open, unsecured, and unfiltered
wireless network. It is not meant
as a replacement for the wired network and is not to be used as a primary
network connection.
2)
All
applicable library rules, regulations, and policies apply. All users are expected to use the
Library’s wireless access in a legal and responsible
manner.
3)
The
Library is not responsible for any loss of data, or for theft or damage to
personal equipment or software.
4)
Printing
is not available over the wireless network. Patrons may print from a library-owned
computer, and applicable fees will be charged
5)
Library
staff cannot provide technical assistance and assumes no responsibility for
laptop configurations, security, or changes to data files resulting from
connection to the Library’s network.
208
CONFIDENTIALITY
1)
It
is the policy of the New Lenox Public Library District to preserve the
confidentiality of the registration and circulation records of its patrons to
the fullest extent permitted by law.
Information regarded as confidential in patron records includes name,
address, telephone number, and any other information provided on the patron
registration card and circulation record.
Additionally, library staff may not disclose whether or not a person has
a library card.
2)
The
Library may use registration information to distribute library-related
information to registered borrowers.
However, registration and circulation records will not be made available
to individuals (other than the patron him or herself), groups, or
businesses. These records will not
be made available to any local, state, or federal agency, or to any private
individual, e.g., an attorney, except pursuant to a court order as may be
authorized under the authority of and pursuant to federal, state, and local
law. (Note: Usually a subpoena in
Illinois is inadequate for disclosures of confidential information. However, a
subpoena may be issued by the U.S. Attorney General under the provisions of the
USA Patriot Act.) In all instances,
the library’s legal counsel may be consulted or advised of issues related to
patron confidentiality.
3)
The
general and specific provisions of this policy are in accord with the Illinois
Library Records Confidentiality Act (75 ILCS 70/1). A copy of the Library Records
Confidentiality Act accompanies this policy.
4)
Any
employee of the Library who receives a request, or who is served with a
subpoena, court order, or search warrant, to release or disclose any library
record shall promptly notify the Library
Director.
209 PHOTOGRAPHING /
RECORDING POLICY
Any
person desiring to photograph or record on any medium inside the library
building must get written permission from library staff before proceeding. Permission must also be obtained from
any individual whose image will be photographed or whose voice will be
recorded. Any person not following
this policy may be asked to leave the premises.
210 MEETING ROOM
POLICY
1)
The
New Lenox Public Library provides meeting rooms as a limited public forum to
support its informational, educational, and recreational mission and roles. Library meeting room use will not be
denied to any person or organization because of race, creed, or color. The Library Board subscribes to the
tenets of the Library Bill of Rights, which states in part: “Libraries which make exhibit spaces and
meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities
available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of
individuals or groups requesting their use.” Use of the meeting room does not
constitute library endorsement of the viewpoints expressed by the participants
in the programs. The following groups also may use
meeting rooms for cultural, civic, and informal educational
purposes:
·
Library-related
groups
·
Non-profit
organizations
·
Businesses
holding non-commercial meetings
2)
Meeting
rooms may not be used for gatherings of a purely social nature. All users holding public meetings are
responsible for complying with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities
Act, which require that a meeting or materials at a meeting be provided in an
accessible format in response to a request.
3)
Groups
may not charge admission nor solicit or require donations for their
meetings. No products or services
may be solicited or sold except at Library-sponsored
events.
4)
Meetings
shall not interfere with the public’s use of the Library through noise, activity
outside the meeting room, or other disturbance that violates the Patron Conduct
Policy.
5)
The
Library reserves the right to modify this policy and to cancel any reservation
due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Library may also cancel a group’s reservation(s) if the meeting room
policy is violated.
6)
The
Library Director is authorized to establish reasonable regulations governing use
of the meeting rooms and related fees.
211 UNATTENDED CHILDREN
POLICY
Parents are responsible for the
behavior of their children while they are in the Library. The New Lenox Public
Library staff is committed to help children with activities related to the
Library. However, Library staff cannot, nor is it their responsibility to, serve
as baby-sitters, teachers, or disciplinarians. Violations of this policy are
grounds for suspension of library privileges. Whenever advisable, the Library
will notify the parent of incidents involving an unattended child.
Children eight years and younger must be accompanied and directly
supervised at all times by a parent or other responsible caregiver. When the
safety of an unattended child is in doubt, or the parent or responsible
caregiver cannot be located, or if the Library is closing, Library staff is
authorized to call the police and stay with the child until the police
arrive.
During Library programs, parents and caregivers should remain in the
Youth Services Department.
Children over the age of eight years may use the Library unattended by an
adult, subject to other Library rules and policies concerning behavior, conduct,
and demeanor.
________________________________________________________________
Unattended Children
Parental Notification Letter
Dear
,
The New Lenox Public Library has recently experienced an incident
involving your child,
, where they were on Library grounds unattended by you or a
responsible caregiver. A copy of the Library’s policy on Unattended Children is
enclosed here for your attention. We ask that you review this policy and make
every effort to follow it. We do not wish to suspend Library privileges for you
or your family, but the safety of children as well as the proper operation of
the Library is our first responsibility. If you have any questions regarding
this policy or its enforcement, please contact the
undersigned.
Very truly
yours,