Bryant Library Policies
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MISSION
STATEMENT
In keeping with the tradition of the American library, the Bryant Library Board of Trustees affirms that an
informed community values its intellectual freedoms and respects and
tolerates diverse ideas and opinions.
The mission of the Bryant Library shall be to provide our community with access to ideas and to promote lifelong reading for pleasure and for knowledge by providing classic and popular literature in a variety of formats. The library is committed to providing materials and services sufficient to meet the personal, educational, and professional needs of community residents of all ages.
The Board of Trustees further recognizes the community's desire to maintain the special character of the Bryant Library. At the same time we seek to provide a setting suitable for the efficient use of the materials and services offered.
PHONE USAGE POLICY
1. Library’s phones are for conducting Library business but may be by used by patrons in a stated emergency situation. It is generally preferable for a librarian to place the call for the individual.
2. Disruptive cell phone use is not permitted in the Library. Patrons and Staff should set their phones to silent. Patrons needing to receive or place a cell phone call should move to the Library foyer or step outside.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Unanimously approved by the board of trustees at the July 19, 2010
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CODE OF ETHICS
In order to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest ethical standards, the Board of Trustees of the Bryant Library shall observe the following rules:
EACH TRUSTEE SHALL:
- Avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of such conflicts. Disclose any relationship s/he have or had with a person or entity, such as a potential vendor, with whom the Board considers doing business. If any member of the Board decides that an actual or potential conflict exists, the Trustee who disclosed the conflict shall not participate in discussion or vote on that particular issue.
- Refuse gifts of any kind that could create an appearance of an impropriety; undue influence.
- Refuse remuneration or services from the Library.
- Work cooperatively with the other Trustees; accept formal decisions, positions and policies of the Board majority even if personally disagreed with in whole or in part; and support that stance in public statements or actions.
- Not disclose confidential information unless such disclosure is required pursuant to the Library’s or Board’s compliance with freedom of information, privacy or other applicable laws and regulations.
- Ensure, with the Library Director, that the Library operates in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Represent the best interests of the Library and community residents, and do nothing to violate the public trust.
- Attend and actively participate in meetings, and devote the time and attention required to fulfill the responsibilities of trusteeship, including membership on Board committees and subcommittees.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- Transact Library business only at Board meetings for which appropriate notice has been made public in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Law.
- Respect the differing roles of the Library Director and the Trustees and act accordingly.
- Observe the law and Board policies on responding to inquiries from the public, officials and the media.
- Seek legal and other professional counsel as needed, and utilize such counsel to guide decision-making, policy development or enforcement and actions.
- Support the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and the efforts of the Library Director and staff to resist censorship of library materials by groups or individuals.
Adopted 3/17/2008
Gifts
Over the years the Library has welcomed many gifts. Our services, collections, as well as buildings and grounds, have been greatly enriched by these donations. Acceptance of all gifts is subject to the Board’s approval. The Library will make use of the gift, if possible, but may hold it for later use, place it elsewhere, or otherwise dispose of it.
Materials
The donor will be given a completed gift receipt when a gift of books, audiovisual or other library materials is accepted.
Books and Audiovisual Materials:
Gifts of books and audiovisual materials are accepted with the understanding that they will not necessarily be added to the collection.
Periodicals:
Donations of back issues of magazines are accepted only when the magazines will extend or fill gaps in the Library’s existing periodicals collection. Back issues of newspapers are not accepted.
Subscriptions:
Proposed gift subscriptions to magazines and newspapers should be referred to the Coordinator of Reference Services.
Monetary Donations
If a donor wishes to make a monetary contribution to the Library, the check should be made payable to The Bryant Library. The Director will keep a record of the gift and send the donor a letter of acknowledgment.
Other Gifts
Any other proposed gift, including art, furnishings, and/or equipment, will be reviewed by the Director. When such a gift is accepted, the Director will keep a record of the gift and send the donor a letter of acknowledgment.
Bequests and Endowments
The Director handles any offers of bequests and endowments.
Appraisal
Any appraisal of a gift to the Library is the responsibility of the donor. The acceptance of a gift which has been appraised by a third, disinterested party does not in any way imply an endorsement of the appraisal by the library.
Adopted 5/15/06
MEETING ROOM POLICY
The Bryant Library’s meeting room is primarily used for Library-sponsored educational programs for adults and children. When the room is not reserved for such Library activities, the Bryant Library Board of Trustees encourages its use by other groups for discussion of topics of current public interest, and for programs of educational and cultural values.
The room is available only to groups whose headquarters are in the Bryant Library district or who provide services to district residents. There is no fee for use of the room for groups of such civic nature during regularly scheduled library hours. Approval will be granted only for a single meeting or for a brief series of meetings. The room may not be used as a group’s regular meeting place.
A Meeting Room Use application form must be completed and submitted to the Library administration. Approved applicants must agree to abide by the following regulations.
REGULATIONS
Conditions for Use:
All state and local regulations affecting the use of public buildings must be complied with at all times.
Local fire regulations limit occupancy of the Helen Glannon Room to 150. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure strict enforcement of this limit.
The applicant must assume full financial responsibility for any damage to the premises and equipment. Misuse of the facility is grounds for denial of applications for future use.
Library administration approval is required for meetings extending past regular Library hours. In such case, there is an hourly charge for the period after the Library is closed to the public, in order to cover custodial time.
After Library closing hours, use is restricted to the meeting room and lobby on the upper level of the Library and to the lavatories on the main floor. Group members may leave by the elevator and stairwell to the fire door exit on the main floor which will be opened for them by a custodian.
Organizations, within the Library district, not of the civic nature described above may be permitted to use the meeting room if their applications are approved by the Library administration. These organizations are subject to an hourly fee for the time used and may not stay past normal hours.
Refreshments may be served by organizations using the meeting room provided the organizations bring them in. They may not be prepared on library premises. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the Library.
Prohibited Use
The meeting room may not be used for:
Meetings at which admission is charged except when a fee is necessary for special supplies.
Meetings of a partisan political nature.
Meetings conducted by an individual or corporation for profit.
Meetings which are solely commercial in purpose.
Meetings at which there is a likelihood of physical hazard to participants or audiences.
Disclaimer:
The Library Board of Trustees is not responsible for accidents, injuries or loss of individual property which may occur while the meeting room is being used by an applicant. The Library Board of Trustees and administration reserves the right to change the rules and regulations of this policy.
Adopted 2/27/06
The Bryant Library, a free association library, adopts the following procurement procedures and controls with the intention of insuring prudent and economical use of public monies in purchasing goods and services of maximum quality and reliability at the lowest possible cost:
Capital Improvements
Capital improvements are considered to be those of a more permanent nature, for example, building renovations, major repairs, or a new telephone system.
Three written estimates are required for all items over $2,500.00 except in the case of an emergency.
Improvements carrying a cost greater than $2,500require approval by the Board of Trustees.
Vendors must supply the Library with proof of insurance.
OPERATING EXPENSES
This category includes service contracts (i.e. alarm system, elevator, landscape, snow removal, etc.), utilities, and insurance. These costs are expected to be reviewed annually and where practicable, three written estimates obtained.
MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND EOUIPMENT
Materials, supplies and equipment necessary for the day-to-day functioning of the library are purchased at the discretion of the Director within approved budget categories.
Major equipment items costing $5,000.00 or more will be identified at the time of budget preparation. Once the budget is approved, it is not necessary to bring the item before the Board again prior to purchase. Any major equipment not included in the budget requires Board approval.
PROFESSIONAL FEES
Fees for professional services are allocated by the budget. Additional fees or expenses require Board approval.
OTHER
No purchase of goods or services shall be made from any vendor in which any member of the Board of Trustees or the library administration holds a full or partial interest.
This Procurement Policy supersedes any previous policies and shall be reviewed periodically.
Adopted 9/12/2005
Parents and guardians, not Library staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children while using The Bryant Library. The Bryant Library is a public place. Anyone may enter and use the facilities. Young children left alone in the building can be vulnerable and at risk. Therefore, the Bryant Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies:
Children 10 years old or younger, shall at all times be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible person (parent, guardian, other caregiver, or mature adolescent, age 14 or older). Children must be accompanied by that person when in the rest room, the elevator, or the stairwell.
Children over the age of 10 years may use the Library unattended for a reasonable period of time provided they are able to maintain proper Library behavior. Children must have the telephone numbers of their parent, guardian, or other designated adult so that a responsible person may be contacted to come and pick up the child in case of a health emergency, or other special circumstance such as:
Unexpected library closing, or a child unaccompanied at closing time. Every reasonable effort will be made by the staff to assist the child in contacting an appropriate adult. If no responsible adult is reached, or the child is not picked up within 30 minutes of Library closing, Library personnel may notify the police to assume custody of the child. Two staff members will wait with the child until the parent/guardian/other designated adult, or the police pick her/him up.
Disruptive behavior. If an unattended child behaves in a disruptive manner, the child will be asked to correct her/his behavior. If the behavior persists, Library staff may, at their discretion, contact the parent/guardian/designated adult, or direct that the child leave the Library. In addition, the Library reserves the right to summon the police in order to preserve the Library's operations and/or protect the interests of the child.
We ask each parent/guardian/designated adult to be familiar with the Library's hours; to make advance arrangements to pick up or otherwise transport their children; and to inform their children what action they are to take in the event of an unexpected closure of The Bryant Library.
VIOLATION OF THE UNATTENDED CHILD POLICY CONSTITUTES GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES FOR THE FAMILY.
Adopted December 17, 2001
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