Library Policies and Procedures
The Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library is located on the town square in Headland, Alabama. We are equipped with twelve patron computers and over 14,000 pieces of physical circulating materials in the library. We are a part of the Southeast Alabama Digital Library, which houses thousands of materials all available for check out from your digital device.
The library allows all materials for circulation to be checked out for a two week period. After the due date has passed, fines accrue at .05 per day. Adults age 18+ are allowed 20 items for check out Minors age 4-17 are allowed 15 items for check out Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Policy
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019. Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.
Adopted: 1974 Revised: June 3, 2022 Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Code of Conduct Policy The staff and board of the Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library strive for inclusivity in the library. Our goal is to ensure everyone is able to enjoy their visit safely and responsibly. By entering the library, you are agreeing to behave justly toward all staff and patrons by adhering to the Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Code of Conduct Policy. Violators may be asked to leave the premise. Refusal to comply with a request from staff to leave may be subject to criminal trespassing and/ or legal action. We ask for your cooperation with adhering to these rules, as to make the library a pleasant, clean, and safe environment for all.
Prohibited behavior includes but is not limited to:
Adopted: June 3, 2022 Computer and Internet Policy The Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library is equipped with twelve (12) patron computers. The following policies are established by the Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library and pertain exclusively to the use of the library’s computers, as well as the free public network Wi-Fi. Any persons found to be in violation of these policies may be asked to leave and/or be subject to having their sessions terminated without warning. Single or continued violations may result in the revocation of library privileges and/or criminal prosecution. General Internet Disclaimer The Internet allows the library to provide resources not available within the confines of its own collection by connecting to networks outside of the library. The Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library has no control over these resources nor does the library have complete knowledge of what is on the internet. Information on the internet may be reliable and current or it may be inaccurate, out-of-date, or unavailable at times. Library users may access the internet at their own discretion. Please be aware that some of the information found on the internet is of a mature nature and may be offensive to some users. The library does use filtering devices as required by Federal Law. Users are reminded that the library is not responsible for content on the internet and that the user determines which access points are reached.
The Blanche R. Solomon Memorial library, Board of Trustees, and the City of Headland absolve themselves from all liability regarding the use of the internet. Adopted: May 26, 1998 Revised: January 7, 2000 Revised: July 20, 2006 Revised: April 29, 2022 Revised: June 3, 2022 Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Collections Development Policy Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library’s Collection Development Policy guides the selection and continuous evaluation of the collection to reflect the library’s mission. Ultimate responsibility for the collection rests with the library director and Board of Trustees. Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library provides library materials in a variety of formats that meet one or more of the following criteria:
Procedures
Patron purchase requests and interlibrary loans are additional avenues of obtaining materials for patron use. The following criteria are used to evaluate potential materials:
Parents/ legal guardians are responsible for monitoring materials used by their own children. Library selection decisions are not influenced by the possibility that materials may be accessible to minors. Materials are not labeled to show approval/ disapproval or to indicate certain philosophies. Access to items is not restricted except for protection from damage or theft. A formal Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Material and process has been developed to assure that complaints and requests for reconsideration are handled in an attentive and consistent manner. The library will carefully reevaluate and item when a Request for Reconsideration form is submitted. The library will consider the value of each item in its entirety and within the context of the collection, not on specific passages or sections within the item itself. The person/ organization submitting the form MUST have read/ watched/ listened to the item in its entirety. A certain passage will not be enough backing for an item to be removed from circulation. Adopted: June 3, 2022 Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Film and Photography Policy The primary goal of the Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library is to provide materials and services to the community in fulfillment of its Mission/Vision and Strategic Plan. To this end, the library generally allows filming and photography on its premises, as long as the activity does not interfere with library operations or its users’ ability to have a safe experience. Library staff reserve the right to stop any filming/photography session that appears to be in violation of this policy, jeopardize public safety/security, or violate the integrity or impartiality of the library. Library Programs and Events
The library does not permit commercial photography (i.e advertising, portraiture, film/TV production, etc.) that is unrelated to the library’s programs and services on or in its facilities or premises without prior permission from the Library Director. Photography for Groups and Non-Library Events in Meeting Rooms
Adopted: June 3, 2022 Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Overdue Material Policy
All items may be rechecked via telephone at 334-693-2706, email [email protected], the Librista app, or the automated text messages as long as there is not a reserve or a waiting list for the item(s) which are on the account. For patron convenience, there is a drop box located on the front porch for after hours drop off. Revised: June 3, 2022 Unattended Child Policy It is the policy of the library to keep a safe and appropriate environment for library users of all ages. The library is, however, a public building with staff trained to perform public library services. The library is not equipped, nor is it the library’s role, to provide long – or short-term supervision for children of any age. Aside from the planned programs, services and activities designed for specific age groups, the Library’s staff is not responsible for supervising or tending to the needs of individual users or groups of users. Accordingly, children under the age of thirteen (13) must always be directly accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult while in the library. If a child under the age of 13 is attending a library program or activity, the parent, guardian, or responsible adult must remain inside the library throughout the program. In general, parents of minor children should not leave them unattended at the library. Children must be picked up fifteen minutes before closing time. Police will be notified concerning any children left after closing time. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children in the library, whether or not the parents are present. Staff reserves the right to limit adult patrons from loitering in the children’s space. Failure to supervise underage children will result in the patron(s) being asked to leave the library for the day. Additional incidents can result in the suspension of library privileges, including a temporary or permanent ban, as determined by the Library Director. Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Rules, Terms and Conditions for Obtaining a Library Card
14. Computer usage is allowed for those who have met the required conditions and signed the computer-internet disclaimer form. Computer usage is not allowed for children under the age of 12 unless a parent or guardian accompanies them. Small children are not allowed to play with computers are in the media center. Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Loitering Policy It is the policy of the Blanche R. Solomon Memorial- Headland Public Library to provide a safe and appropriate environment for patrons and staff, both within the library building and on library grounds, to facilitate the public’s use of the library’s services and resources. Loitering is not allowed in the library’s parking areas or grounds, including the front porch. Loitering is defined as remaining or wandering in a public space without any discernible legitimate reason.
This policy can be altered at the discretion of the Library Director, Library Board of Trustees, or police. Blanche R. Solomon Memorial Library Receiving Material Donation Policy The Library will accept donations of adult hardback or paperback books and children’s books in good condition if the following criteria is met:
Any person dropping off a donation that has not previously discussed a material donation, and had items approved ahead of time, must wait while the director sorts through and pulls accepted materials. If the director is unavailable to sort through donations, donors can make an appointment to have donations sorted through. Items not accepted must be taken with the donor that day. The library director and/or Board of Trustees reserves the right to alter the donation policy to accept/ reject specific donations in-house at his/ her discretion. Adopted: June 3, 2022 Local History Collection Policy If you request a reconsideration form for materials housed in the library, please stop in to pick up the form and turn into the director. |
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