policies

The purpose of the La Ronge Public Library is to provide the public with free and equitable access to all Recreational, Cultural and Educational services and materials.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

The La Ronge Public Library's mission statement highlights the provision of materials as one of the main roles. Circulation transactions are the result of patron requests, either in the library or from remote locations. Patrons include local residents, residents of Saskatchewan and reciprocal borrowers.

The library will be readily accessible for free and equal use to all patrons. No fee will be charged to residents for admission to the library, for use of the library's materials in the library, for borrowing circulating materials, for use of the public Internet stations, or for basic reference and information services.

Patrons wishing to borrow materials from the La Ronge Public Library must hold a valid library card. This card is available at no charge to all residents of Saskatchewan over the age of 12. The library card allows access to the entire collection in the library. Children under 12 years of age must have parental permission to borrow materials. Parents are required to apply for a library card for their children. Parents are responsible for all materials. fines and damaged or lost items. The library staff may advise children on reading interests but materials selected by children in the library are the direct responsibility of the parent or guardian

All patron and circulation records are held in the strictest confidence at the La Ronge Public Library.

Restrictions are placed on the loan period and the number of items that can be checked out by patrons. Reference materials are non-circulating to ensure ready access to information resources. The following limits have been established:

Item	Number of Items	Borrowing Periods	Late Fees
Books	10	one month	$ .10 per day
Audio Books / Music	2	one week	$ .10 per day
Videos	2	one day	$1.00 per day
Newspapers & Magazines	10	one week	$ .10 per day
Vertical File	10	one month	$ .10 per day

These limits are flexible and may be altered by the staff according to the needs of the patron.

Fines are levied on overdue materials. This is to ensure that materials are returned to the library and available to all patrons. Parents are responsible for fines for any children under 12 years of age.

Overdue notices and invoices are sent directly to the patron. Patrons will receive two overdue notices (by mail or telephone) and a final billing notice if the materials have not been returned. Unpaid fines and overdue materials may result in suspended privileges.

Patrons may place holds on materials that are in circulation. When the item becomes available, the patron will be notified by telephone. Reserve items will be held for seven days.

Patrons are responsible for materials while on loan to them. A borrower who loses or damages library materials shall be required to pay for the item. The amount assessed will be determined by the library administrator.

Most materials, as outlined in the La Ronge Public Library Resource Sharing Policy, are available for Interlibrary Loan. The term of the loan period for these materials may be lengthened as required.

Under most circumstances, items for Interlibrary Loan are circulated for a minimum of 60 days. When the La Ronge Public Library is the lending institution, postage will be paid at the library rate in both directions. La Ronge Public Library postage-paid address labels will be supplied with all items.

Materials received through Interlibrary Loan from other libraries will accumulate the same fines as

La Ronge Public Library materials. Loan periods are determined by the lending library.

La Ronge Public Library will make available to the residents of La Ronge, Air Ronge and Reserves, materials for the recreational, cultural, and educational needs for all ages.

Materials and information will include both fiction and non-fiction materials, in a variety of formats, as required to fulfill the recreational, cultural and educational information needs of all ages.

Materials and services for patrons not able to access library services will be provided through outreach initiatives in cooperation with community groups and as budget and staff allow.

The Library collection shall be as comprehensive and universal as budget and space allows.

Emphasis shall be given to materials that will have the greatest value and interest to the greatest number.

Material selection will be made by the librarian, in cooperation with library staff, and shall be made with careful attention to artistic merit, authenticity, and honesty of presentation. Recommendations from Board members, patrons, and information/service requests, will be taken into account.

Efforts shall be made to use Canadian wholesalers, publishers, or agents as suppliers, to avoid import and exchange complications.

Materials, which are in languages needed by the community, will be added to the collection as budget and space allows.

Materials for eligible individuals who are unable through physical handicap to use conventional print materials will be selected as budget and space allows.

All sections of the library shall be given equal consideration for collection development depending on the collection evaluation.

Donations of materials are welcome. The materials become the property of the library to be added to the collection or disposed of as the library sees fit. A tax receipt will be issued for materials that have an identifiable or established value and are in demand for use in the library collection.

Weeding of the collection shall be an ongoing process, with a major weed every 4 years.

Duplication of titles shall not generally be purchased, except in the easy section where the demand is high for favourite topics or in the adult section where a particular title is in high demand and unobtainable through interlibrary loans.

The criteria for weeding of books shall be physical condition, qualitative worth, quantitative worth, and patron benefit.

By definition the collection will contain materials unpleasant or offensive to some. The aim shall be to build a collection that contains a representative balance of all viewpoints. Criticism of the collection based on one or a few items will be rejected as the collection must be viewed as whole.

The La Ronge Public Library Board affirms the Canadian Library Association's Statement of Intellectual Freedom which states:

Intellectual freedom comprehends the right of every person (in the legal meaning of the term), subject to reasonable requirements of public order, to have access to all expression of knowledge and intellectual creativity, and to express his thoughts publicly.

Unless a book is officially prohibited from entering the Province, it ordinarily cannot be legally removed from library shelves. If an individual objects strongly to a particular item, a complaint form can be completed and handed to the librarian. The Personnel Committee of the La Ronge Public Library Board will deal with each complaint.

Relating to a child's right to use the library, it is the parents' responsibility to prohibit certain types of reading to young people if they so wish. It is not the Library's responsibility.

An evaluation of the collection and an assessment of the community's requirements shall be undertaken before the major weed every 4 years.

La Ronge Public Library provides patrons with the right and means to free and equitable access to ideas and information. The Library protects intellectual freedom, promotes literacy, encourages lifelong learning and provides library materials and information services in a variety of formats. Public access to the Internet provides the opportunity to integrate electronic resources from information networks around the world with the Library’s other resources.

Access to information on the Internet is governed by Canadian laws relating to copyright, privacy and obscenity. Use of La Ronge Public Library’s access to the Internet to transmit material that would violate any applicable law or regulation is prohibited.

Although La Ronge Public Library supports freedom of access to all legally available information, there may be material on the Internet that is not appropriate for display in a public place. Internet users may be required to cease displaying material if it is offensive to library patrons or staff.

Users are cautioned that the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness, and currency of information found on the Internet vary widely. Users should use critical judgment in evaluating information found on the Internet.

Patrons accessing sites on the Internet must read and accept the La Ronge Public Library Internet conditions which outline the regulations for Internet use in the Library. They clearly state that users are responsible for materials accessed and that parents, guardians, or adult caregivers of minors are responsible for monitoring material accessed by minors.

All Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all users. Children have access to the same resources as adults. It is recommended that a parent or adult caregiver accompany children using any Internet station in the Library. Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for determining what resources are appropriate for their children.

It is intended that La Ronge Public Library patrons be provided with the opportunity to education themselves and their families with regulations and proper “netiquette” to be observed when using the public access terminals. While the Library will make every effort to ensure that the use of the Internet is consistent with the Mission Statement, parents are encouraged to work closely with their children in selecting material that is consistent with personal and family values and boundaries.

1. Carefully read Regulations for Internet use at La Ronge Public Library and comply with the designated Internet access guidelines.

4. Observe proper behavior around the computers. Keep the area clean and free from food and drink.

5. The Internet is a valuable information resource. Use it in a responsible way.

· Do not give out personal information such as address, telephone number, parent’s work address/telephone number or the name and location of your school without parental consent.

Tell your parents if you access any information which makes you feel uncomfortable. Do not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make you feel uncomfortable.

Never agree to get together with someone you “meet” on-line without first checking with your parents.

Do not send a person a picture or anything else without first checking with your parents.

To ensure that the use of this medium is consistent with the Mission of La Ronge Public Library the following regulations shall apply:

1 Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with these regulations for Internet use, which have been adopted and posted at each Internet terminal.

2. Internet use for illegal, actionable, or criminal purposes or to seek access to unauthorized areas is prohibited.

3 Internet terminals are located where they can be monitored by staff for assistance and security. Internet users may be required to cease displaying materials offensive to library patrons or staff.

5. La Ronge Public Library does not take responsibility for the accuracy, quality or relevancy of the broad range of material that is available over the Internet.

6. Users are responsible for materials accessed on the Internet. Parents, guardians or adult caregivers of minors are responsible for monitoring material accessed by minors.

8. Time limits will be implemented when another patron is waiting to access the Internet.

9. Printing from the Internet is provided by library staff at a cost of 20¢ per page.

10. Downloading to disk is allowed only with the permission of the Librarian. Disks must be purchased from the Librarian.

11. Electronic mail accounts are not available through the Library. Email is available from established Internet service providers.

13. Failure to observe Library regulations may result in library privileges being withdrawn and further disciplinary action.

La Ronge Public Library provides patrons with the right and means to free and equitable access to ideas and information. Public access to the Internet provides the opportunity to integrate electronic resources from information networks around the world. The Library provides library materials and computer access to the public for the purposes of research, recreation, and education.

In organizations which deal with the public, issues are bound to arise. These may range in seriousness from an unintentionally disruptive behaviour, such as whistling to actual physical assault. Each particular situation is different and is dealt with accordingly. An approach that works with one patron may not work with another, nor will an approach used successfully by one staff member necessarily work for another staff member. It is the policy of the La Ronge Public Library to maintain an atmosphere of respect for both patrons and staff.

Access to the La Ronge Public Library is available to all residents of Saskatchewan. However, disruptive, loud, and disrespectful behaviour to other patrons and staff will result in disciplinary action.

Children are welcome in our library. The library is concerned about their safety and welfare.

However, the responsibility for the safety and behaviour of children in the library rests with the parent or caregiver and not with library staff. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult, and caregivers are requested to remain in the library if their children participate in library programs. Groups of children must be accompanied by an adult. Parents or caregivers are responsible for their children’s behaviour while using the library’s Internet workstations. Unacceptable behaviours may include children who are noisy, running loose, lost or behaving in a disturbing manner. Managing disruptive behaviour of children depends entirely on the individual situation. What would be acceptable behaviour in a very young child may not be acceptable in an older child. When dealing with children, it is important that the unacceptable behaviour be explained as well as why it is unacceptable. From there, warnings may be issued as with adults, i.e. a child can be asked to leave the library.

a) try to determine if the parent is in the building and, if so, notify the parent of the situation.

If the child’s behaviour continues to be disruptive, both the parent and the child may be

b) if the parent is not in the building, an attempt should be made to contact the parents, inform

them that the library is not willing to supervise the child and that the child is to be picked

Patrons may not be aware that their behaviour is disruptive. Therefore, they should be told politely, but firmly, that their behaviour is unacceptable and that it must cease. If the behaviour continues, the warning is repeated.

The following code of behaviour is approved by the staff and administration of the La Ronge Public Library:

· Patrons are asked to respect the rights of the staff and other patrons by behaving in an acceptable manner.

· Roller skates, roller blades, or skateboards may not be used on library property.

· Bicycles or other wheeled devices, other than baby carriages, walkers, and manual or motorized wheelchairs, may not be brought into library buildings, nor secured to anything other than a designated bicycle storage rack.

· Animals are not allowed on library property, except for leader dogs for the blind, future leader dogs for the blind, dogs for the hearing impaired, other animals used to assist the disabled, or animals involved in library programs.

· Panhandling, soliciting, circulating petitions, conducting interviews or surveys, selling, or other activities that result in the disruption of normal library activities, as determined by the library staff, are prohibited in the library building.

· Only library-oriented materials may be brought into the library. Items such as writing materials, book bags, briefcases, etc. are acceptable; sleeping bags, hiking equipment and other personal items are not. The library is not responsible for unattended personal items whether inside or outside the library.

· Computer workstations are to be used only for intended or designated purposes and subject to the Internet Acceptable Use Policy approved by the La Ronge Public Library Board of Trustees.

· Individuals may not abuse or damage library furniture or equipment, either deliberately or through misuse.

· Individuals who are under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or drug to the extent that their normal faculties are impaired, and/or that they endanger the safety of another person, jeopardize property or create a disturbance, are not permitted on library property.

· Individuals may not disturb the public peace and quiet by loud or aggressive, boisterous, abusive, profane, or harassing language or other disruptive behavior.

· Individuals are not allowed in library offices and other non-public areas, unless accompanied by a library staff member.

· Individuals must observe all other library policies not included under the Acceptable Behavior Policy, and will be subject to the penalties prescribed for violations of such policies.

If a patron causes a disturbance in the library and ignores the request for due consideration of the rights of other patrons or the staff, the patron will be asked to leave. When necessary the RCMP will be notified. If an individual ignores oral or written warnings to leave the premises, he/she may be charged with trespassing. Information on each incident will be documented in an Incident Report form.

Persons who commit any of the following acts are subject to suspension of library privileges for a period of time at the discretion of the library director, and will be required to make monetary restitution for damage to library property, as determined by the library director. The parent or guardian of a minor who willfully commits any such acts shall be liable for damages.

· Engage in violent or disorderly behavior or engaging in any fighting or bullying on library

· Commit or attempt to commit an act of theft on or with respect to library property, including the removal or attempted removal of books or other library material from library premises without proper checkout. Patrons may be asked to present briefcases, book bags, etc. for inspection when they exit the library.

· Destroy, damage, or deface any library property or property of another party while on library property.

· Possess (without a medical doctor's prescription), selling, or giving away any controlled substance on library property.

· Except for law enforcement officers, possess any dangerous weapon on library property.

· Any unlawful use of computers as specified in the Internet Public Access Policy.

· Additional violations may result in other appropriate penalties or sanctions.

CONSEQUENCES:
The following actions can and will be taken depending on the circumstances:

· The patron will be asked to leave the library immediately, to pack up personal belongings and leave the building and the vicinity of the Town Office.

· A written notice will be sent to the parents if the disruptive patron is under the age of 18.

· Library privileges - including the use of public access computers - will be suspended.