Policies
Explore our comprehensive list of library policies, covering a wide range of topics such as borrowing privileges, code of conduct, collection development, privacy, and more. These policies are designed to ensure a positive and inclusive environment for everyone. Stay informed and make the most of your library experience by familiarizing yourself with our policies.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY 2.1
I. THE COMMUNITY
Knowledge of the community is a vital ingredient in the responsible selection of library materials. Each community is unique. Iola is in a rural and recreational area with a population, which encompasses a variety of interests, educational backgrounds and financial abilities. The Library recognizes that the community is diverse in its makeup and its needs and endeavors to meet the community’s needs within the framework of available staff and funds.
II. OBJECTIVES
The Iola Village Library provides service to all individuals in the community; children, young adults, and adults. The objectives include the provision of books and other materials selected to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, emotional growth, pleasure, research and in the use of leisure time.
Though the Library attempts to give the best service possible to its regular users, it also has an obligation to collect materials and search for methods of service that will satisfy the needs of those in the community who have not traditionally been library users. The library must consider not only the present needs of the community, but must anticipate the future needs in order to give timely service.
The Library provides service to all within the contexts of library objectives, regardless of race, creeds, color, sex, handicap, age, occupational or financial position.
III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MATERIAL SELECTION
Final responsibility for selection of materials rests with the Library director who operates within the framework of policies and objectives determined by the Library Board.
IV. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Basic to the Library’s Selection Policy are the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the Council of the American Library Association, which are appended. The following factors are considered in the selection process; however, an item need not meet all of the criteria in order to be acceptable.
General Criteria
A. Relevance to community interests and needs
B. Expressed public demand
C. Current usefulness or permanent value
D. Opinions of critics, reviews, staff members and public
E. Reputation and/or significance of author
F. Statement of challenge or original point of view
G. Relation to existing collection
H. Relative importance in comparison with other works on the subject
I. Quality in content, format and binding
J. Availability of materials in the subject areas
K. Budgetary and space considerations
L. Probability of interest to and use by the community
Specific Criteria for the Evaluation of Works of Imagination
A. Representation of important movement (literary or social), genre, trend, or national culture
B. Vitality and originality
C. Artistic presentation and experimentation
D. Sustained interest
E. Effective characterization
F. Authenticity of historical, regional or social setting
V. USE OF THE LIBRARY’S MATERIALS
Library materials are not marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents. In the adult collections, library materials are not sequestered, except for the purpose of protecting them from injury or theft. Use of rare and scholarly items of great value is controlled to the extent required to preserve them from harm.
Responsibility for reading of minors rests with their parents and legal guardians. Selection of adult materials will not be limited by the possibility that material may inadvertently come into the possession of minors.
VI. SCOPE OF THE COLLECTION
The library does not generally purchase certain classes of books as a matter of policy. These include:
A. Expensive editions
B. Collectors items
C. Textbooks, or material for school assignments, unless of general public interest, or the best book on a particular subject
D. Specialized doctrinal works
The library does not buy private libraries or any items offered for sale by citizens clearing their attics, with the possible exception of local historical data unavailable through other channels.
VII. GIFT MATERIALS
Gift books, magazines and other materials may be accepted by the library. Their inclusion in the collection will be subject to the selection criteria used in purchasing new materials. In no case will the materials be added simply because they are gifts.
Gifts are accepted with the provision that they may be disposed of as best meets the needs of the library, through addition to the collection, gifts to other libraries in the area, or contributions to local charitable organizations. Physically obsolescent, completely outdated or inappropriate materials are made available for recycling or resale.
VIII. MAINTAINING THE COLLECTION
Materials may be repaired or rebound if their physical condition warrants; items that are obsolescent or not repairable are disposed of as indicated above (VII Gift Materials).
IX. WEEDING OF MATERIALS
In order to properly maintain the Library’s collection, it becomes necessary to remove materials that are no longer relevant in that they become outdated or inaccurate with the passing of time and the acquisition of new knowledge. It may also become necessary as the Library adds more and more materials, to remove old materials that are no longer used by or of interest to the public.
When removing an item from the collection, the following are considered:
A. How long has the material remained in the library without being used?
B. Is the information found therein incorrect or misleading because of new information or discoveries?
C. Does the Library own more recent and more accurate material on the same subject?
D. Is there an historical significance that may make the materials valuable at present or in the future?
E. Is the work a standard in its particular field?
F. What is the general condition of the material?
In general, the library will follow the Crew Manual in weeding the collection.
X. DISPOSITION OF WEEDED MATERIAL
Materials will be disposed of at the discretion of the Library Director who will insure that it is done in such a manner that no for-profit organization or private individual will realize any financial gain.
XI. PROCEDRUE FOR REQUEST OF RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS
A. Patron completes reconsideration form that must be returned within 30 days
B. Patron receives a response to complaint within 30 days
C. Patron meets with Library Director
D. When necessary, Patron and Library Director will meet with Library Board
E. Library Board will make final decision of the material in question
XII. REVISION OF POLICY
The Iola Village Library Board of Trustees may revise this statement of policy
Winter Storms:
The Library may close (or postpone opening) when weather conditions exist making it highly improbable for travel. The primary factor of any decision made will be the safety of the staff and the library patrons. However, maximum effort will be made to maintain regular operating hours.
The Iola Village Police Department will be called upon for advice concerning impending road conditions. If hazardous road conditions occur, the Director or (senior staff member) will call a library trustee to advise him/her of the situation.
If a decision is made to close or postpone opening the library, the radio station in the area will be called to make necessary announcements.
Tornadoes:
When a tornado has been sighted within the community, the city siren will sound the warning. The library staff will then advise the library’s patrons of the situation and will ask them to proceed to the lower level hallway of the first floor. A radio should accompany the group. Normal routine may resume when the all clear sign is given.
Fire:
At the first indication of smoke or flame call 911, and then investigate the situation to determine location and extent of the fire. If the fire can obviously be contained and extinguished quickly and safely by staff, proceed to do so. Clear the building until an all clear has been given by the Iola Village Fire Department.
Familiarize yourself with the type, location, and application of the fire extinguisher(s) in the building. Orient all staff and volunteers to this information.
Health Emergencies:
Staff members should exercise caution when administering first aid of even a minor nature because of the safety of the injured individual, the safety of the staff, and the potential liability of the staff member. Without specialized training it is not advisable for staff to undertake more than keeping the sick or injured patron comfortable and protected from needless disturbance until medical help can be obtained. Since each case is unique, staff members should use their own judgement to do what is prudent and reasonable.
The Rescue Squad/Police (911) should be called immediately in case of any serious problem.
No medication, including aspirin, should ever be dispensed to the public.
Bomb Threats:
Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message and try to write down every word spoken by the person.
If the called does not indicate the location of the bomb or the time of possible detonation, ASK FOR THIS INFORMATION.
Pay particular attention to peculiar background noises such as motors running, background music and any other sounds which may indicate the location from which the call is originating.
Listen closely to the voice (male, female, voice quality … calm, excited … accents and speech impediments).
Immediately after the caller hangs up, call the police. Clear the building. The police will handle the actual bomb search.
Drop Box:
Call police if sharp objects, dead animals, garbage, or any type of liquid that was purposely poured into the box is found. Please let the Director know if you find anything in the drop box.
Reviewed 6/26/2001
Approved 7/31/2001
The Iola Village Library provides access to the Internet through designated public workstations. Internet access is provided through membership in OWLSnet, the computer network of the Outagamie Waupaca Library System.
The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. It allows access to ideas, information and commentary from around the world. Millions of people use and contribute to the Internet and while much of the information available is useful, much of it is not. Selection policies which serve to govern a library’s purchase of other materials cannot be applied to material accessed electronically. There is information on the Internet which may be personally offensive and controversial to the general public. The Internet also has content that is illegal and unethical. The Iola Village Library cannot monitor or be held accountable for the material that is on the Internet.
The determination of what is an acceptable age to begin using the Internet cannot be made by library staff. Library staff cannot control the information/material youth may find on the Internet. For these reasons, the supervision of children using the Internet is inherently the responsibility of parents/guardians. Library staff assumes that children and young adults under the age of 18 who are unattended in the library have parental permission to use the library resources, including the Internet.
No filtering software is used on the Internet workstations in this library. The Iola Village Library (along with all other OWLSnet libraries) is not required to filter as stated in the Children’s Internet Protection Act. (CIPA) However, the Library requires that all users agree to:
- Use the Internet for educational, informational and recreational purposes that fall within the scope of acceptable use.
- Not use any library computers to access material that is obscene, child pornography or “harmful to minors” (consistent with any applicable state and local law).
- Not send, receive or display text or graphics which may reasonably be considered by library staff and others as offensive.
- Obey all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
- Not engage in any activities that might be disruptive to other library users.
- Not alter computer settings, install software or do damage to the computers.
- Respect international copyright laws and honor software licensing agreements.
LIBRARY STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO:
- Monitor Internet use and remove users from Internet workstations if any behavior is in conflict with this policy.
- Permanently revoke Internet use privileges to those who violate the above provisions.
Patrons are not allowed to plug into OWLSnet with their personal laptop computers.
In addition, computers users at the Library will see this Policy statement every time they log on to the computers and will have to accept the terms before they can proceed. The wording is slightly different from the regular policy to accommodate space issues in the computer display.
THE IOLA VILLAGE LIBRARY:
- Does not filter content or control information accessed through the Internet.
- Holds parents/guardians responsible for use of the Internet by their minor children.
- Prohibits the use of its computers and network for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.
- Prohibits use of its computers and network to access material that is obscene, creates a hostile working environment, contains child pornography, or is harmful to minors.
- Prohibits the misuse of copyrighted material as per state and federal law.
- Prohibits misrepresenting oneself for any purpose. Does not guarantee the security of its computers or network.
CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE FOR COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS:
- Computers for the public are available generally on a first come first served basis. People can get in line if they wait in the Library.
- No one may use another person’s card to get additional time on the computer.
- Printing costs are .15 cents per black and white copy and .30 per color copy.
- If time allows, staff can assist patrons with general online needs. In depth one to one instruction is not available.
- No more than two people at a workstation at one time.
People using computers who have children with them are responsible for the supervision of those children. - No installation of software is allowed.
- All work or downloads must be saved to a flash drive. The Library is not responsible for any computer viruses, damage to flash drives or loss of data from using the Library’s computers.
- Please report any problems to staff immediately.
Reviewed 4/7/2021
Approved 4/7/2021