Library Resources

LIBRARY POLICY

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Washburn Public Library is to provide the residents of the City of Washburn and surrounding community with quality books, media and programs that serve their informational, educational and recreational needs.

Vision Statement

The Washburn Public Library provides a focal point for the community that connects and unites people.  The patron-focused and qualified staff work together with the Library Board to serve the varied needs of the community.

The library maintains close partnerships with local groups and organizations that support one another and are dependent upon each other for continued success. City and county funding sustains library operations and supports a level of service that meets the needs of a growing community. The library augments its budget by raising funds through grants and donations, taking advantage of established community partnerships. 

Both levels of the building are fully utilized, providing ample room for the collection while serving patrons and staff.  The historical integrity of the building is evident and adds to the inviting and comfortable atmosphere.   A strong partnership with the Public Works Department allows the building to be maintained to the standards required for a well-used public facility. Hours of service are convenient for the public and allow library staff enough time to work when the facility is closed.

Patrons enjoy a high level of access to current electronic resources and are assisted by skilled library staff to develop information-seeking and evaluation skills. 

The Washburn Public Library is a 100-year-old operation looking forward to meeting the challenges of the next 100 years

 Who May Use the Library

A.    The library will serve all residents of the community and the public library system area. Services will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, or political status; or because of mental, emotional, or physical condition; age, or sexual orientation.

B.     The use of the library may be denied for due cause.  Such causes may be failure to return library materials or pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library premises.

Patron Responsibilities and Conduct

It is a patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper standards of behavior in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons and library staff.  If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the library.  Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be subject to the law and ordinances of the City of Washburn (disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, loitering, and loud & unnecessary noise.)

A.    Young Children:

The Washburn Public Library encourages visits by young children, and it is our desire to make this important visit memorable and enjoyable for the child.  The library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library. Therefore, it is library policy that all children under age six should be supervised by a parent or designated responsible person while in the library. 

B.   Disruptive Children:

Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance.  The library staff realizes that the library may be noisy at busy times and that children, by nature, can cause more commotion.  However, whether with parents or not, children who are continually disruptive will be given a warning that they must settle down or they will be asked to leave.  If the child needs to contact a parent, they may do so and then wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.

Services of the Library

The library provides materials and resources for information, entertainment, intellectual development, and enrichment for the people of the community.  The library will endeavor to:

1.      Select, organize and make available necessary books and materials.

2.      Provide guidance and assistance to patrons.

3.      Sponsor and implement programs, exhibits, displays, book lists, etc., which will appeal to children and adults.

4.      Cooperate with other community agencies and organizations.

5.      Secure information beyond its own resources when requested. (Using interlibrary loan and other resource sharing methods provided through the system and state.)

6.      Lend to other libraries upon request.

7.      Develop and provide services to patrons with special needs.

8.      Maintain a balance in its services to various age groups.

9.      Cooperate with, but not perform the functions of school or other institutional libraries.

10.  Provide services during hours which meet the needs of the community, including evening and weekend hours.

11.  Regularly review library services being offered.

12.  Use media and other public relations mechanisms to promote the full range of available library services.

13.  Provide patrons with access to current technology for information acquisition.

 Equal Opportunity Employment Policy: It is the policy of the Washburn Public Library to provide an equal employment opportunity for all qualified and qualifiable people.  An equal employment opportunity shall be according to the provisions of State and Federal laws and regulations.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy: In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited while performing work for the Washburn Public Library, whether that work is carried out in the workplace building or not.  All employees shall abide, as a condition of employment, by the terms of the notice and shall notify the library director or board within five (5) days of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation having occurred while on the job.

Failure to comply with the above requirements shall be grounds for appropriate personnel action against such employee up to and including termination or such employee may be required to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

Sexual Harassment Policy: Harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of Title VII (federal law) and Statute 111.36(b) (state law).  Sexual harassment, either verbal or physical, is an unlawful employment practice and will not be tolerated by the Washburn Public Library.

 The Washburn Public Library accepts and adheres to all definitions and procedures outlined in the law as regards sexual harassment.  Any employee who engages in sexual harassment will subject themselves to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.

Volunteers and Friends

The library board encourages individuals and groups to volunteer their time and efforts in the service of the Washburn Public Library.  In appreciation of volunteer services, the library will acknowledge volunteer activities and schedule a recognition gathering to recognize the ‘volunteer of the year.’

A library friends’ group is a formal association united in planning programs and events to benefit the library.  A friend’s group may be involved in fund-raising for the library and oversee periodic used book sales.  Friends’ groups serve under the supervision of the library board, which is the only body with legal authority to set policy for the library.

Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy

A.    Objectives

The purpose of the Washburn Public Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.  This policy has been developed to support the mission statement of the library.

Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs.

The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.  The First Amendment of the Constitution, The Library Bill of Rights, and The Freedom to Read Statement has been endorsed by the Washburn Public Library Board of Trustees as integral parts of this policy.

Because these are changing times, this policy will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.

B.     Responsibility for Selection

The responsibility for selection of library materials ultimately rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined and approved by the Washburn Public Library Board. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library’s staff but because the director must be available to answer to the library board and to the general public for the actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.

C.    Criteria for Selection

1.      The main points to be considered in the selection of materials are:

a.       Existing library holdings

b.      Suitability of material for the community

c.       Individual merit of each item

d.      Budget

e.       Popular appeal and/or demand

2.      Reviews are the major source of information about new materials.  The source of reviews varies between professional journals and popular media.

3.      The lack of review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title which is in demand.  Consideration is given to requests of library patrons and books discussed through popular media. Materials are judged on the basis of work as a whole and not on a part taken out of context.

Interlibrary Loan

Because of our limited budget and shelf space the library cannot provide all materials that are requested.  Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library’s collection.

Gifts and Donations

The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that the items will be added to the collection only if needed.  If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, dated information or inappropriateness, the director can dispose of them as he or she sees fit.  The same criteria of selection that applied to purchased materials are applied to gifts.  Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted with suitable bookplates placed in the books.  Specific memorial books may be ordered by the library on request of the patron.  Book selection may be made by the director if no specific book is wanted.  We encourage and appreciate gifts and donations. Donations can be made to the Washburn Public Library Endowment Fund.

Weeding

An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual discarding and replacing process.  Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions and availability of new editions.  Weeding is the responsibility of the library director, or staff members under the supervision of the director.

Challenged Materials

The Washburn Public Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons.  Selections of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.

Responsibility for the materials that children choose to read, listen to, or view rests with their parents or legal guardians.  Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children.  Library materials will not be marked or identified to show the approval or disapproval of their contents and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from injury or theft.

Although materials are carefully selected there can arise a difference of opinion regarding suitable materials.  Patrons requesting that certain materials be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a “Statement of Concern About Library Resources” form (Appendix A) which is available at the front desk.  The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Washburn Public Library Board of Trustees.  A sample of this form follows at the end of this policy

If the board deems it necessary, a committee of board members and community members will be asked to read the material in question and fill out a form about the materials they have read.  The library director will collect reviews related to the materials in question for the committee to study when reading challenged materials.  The committee will compile a report based on all forms submitted and present a recommendation to the board.  The board will instruct the director in getting back to the patron with their recommendations and conclusions.

Circulation Policy

A.    Registration

All borrowers must be registered and must have a valid local or system patron card to borrow library material

Patrons must fill out a registration form to register for a new library card.  The following statement will be printed on the registration form for the patron’s information and acceptance:

I agree to obey all of the rules and regulations of the library, to pay all fines charged against me for the injury or loss of materials and to give immediate notice of any change of address.

Signature __________________________

Identification may be required. A driver’s license or student ID is preferred, however, any other official ID or recent non-personal piece of mail may be acceptable.

Applicants under 13-years of age may need a parent or guardian to give their consent on the application form before a new card can be issued.  This parental signature is not required for children who are renewing cards.

Materials cannot be checked out until a library card is issued.

All Washburn Public Library cards expire after five years.  In order to renew that card, patrons may be asked to produce identification and may have to clear outstanding fines and bills.

B.     Lost or forgotten cards

If a patron loses his/her card, he should notify the library as soon as possible and request a replacement.

Patrons, adult and juvenile, should bring their library cards with them if they intend to check out items as staff may request to see a card. An individual who ignores this expectation could be denied the privilege of checking out materials until they present their card at the library.

C.    Loan periods

1)      Four weeks for books and audio books.

2)      Generally, reference books do not circulate.  Upon request, some reference materials may be checked out overnight.

3)      Interlibrary loans are due the date indicated by the lending library.

4)      Books may be renewed if there is not a waiting list for the title.

5)      Current issues of periodicals do not circulate.

6)      Non-current periodicals may be checked out for one week.

7)      One week for audio visual materials: VHS videos, CDs and DVDs.

 The director may establish the loan period for special collections, materials which are temporarily in great demand, such as for student projects, or materials added to the collection which are in a new format, e.g., computer software

There is no limit on the number of items a patron can borrow at one time, the exception being 10 DVDs or VHS tapes. Staff may limit requests to two items on a subject for a known school assignment depending on demand.

D.    Reserves

Reserves may be placed by patrons either in person, over the phone or electronically through our website.  Patrons will be notified by phone when the materials are available.  There is no charge to the patron for interlibrary loan services.

E.     Fines and charges

There are no fines for overdue materials.  A first notice is sent after the material is due.  If the material is not returned within a designated period, a bill will be sent for the material with the cost of replacement of the material and a service charge for processing, cataloging and postage.  Patrons who have been sent an overdue notice may be denied borrowing privileges until those overdue materials are returned or paid for if lost and/or damaged.

F.     Damaged materials

If materials are damaged so as to be judged by the library as being unsuitable for the collection, the patron must pay the replacement cost.  A notice of these charges will be sent to the borrower; a sample of the notice follows:

Dear ______________,

At the time a library patron borrows materials from the public library collection, the patron assumes the responsibility for the care and timely return of the materials.  Recently materials checked out on your library card were returned to the library damaged beyond the point of being usable in the Library’s collection.  The titles and costs of these materials are listed below:

_____________________________  $______________

Your assistance in clearing this matter promptly will be appreciated and will be necessary in order to retain your borrowing privileges.

Thank you in advance for your prompt response to this matter.

Sincerely,

Confidentiality

As specified in Wisconsin Statutes 43.30, “records of any library which is in whole or in part supported by public funds, including the records of a public library system, indicating the identity of any individual who borrows or uses the library’s documents or other materials, resources, or services may not be disclosed except by court order or to persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library or library system, to persons authorized by the individual to inspect such records, to custodial parents or guardians of children under the age of 16 under sub. (4), to libraries under subs. (2) and (3), or to law enforcement officers under sub. (5)

(4) Upon the request of a custodial parent or guardian of a child who is under the age of 16, a library supported in whole or part by public funds shall disclose to the custodial parent or guardian all library records relating to the use of the library documents or other materials, resources, or services by that child.” 43.30

The Washburn Public Library adheres to all sections of this Statute regarding the protection of the confidentiality of its users.

Release of Library Records of a Child Under Age 16 to Custodial   Parents and Legal Guardians

It is the intent of the Washburn Public Library to satisfy the requirements of Wisconsin Statute s43.30(4) concerning the release of the library records of a child under age 16 to a custodial parent or legal guardian.  At the same time, the library recognizes the need to protect the privacy of all library patrons, including children under age 16, to the greatest extent possible under s43.30.  Therefore, the library has adopted the following policy for release of library records of children under age 16.  Children age 16 and older shall be treated as adults.

In order to assure that records of a child under age 16 are released only to a custodial parent or legal guardian, the Washburn Public Library requires verification that the individual requesting the records is entitled to see them under the law.  Any one or combination of the following shall be considered adequate verification:

§  A birth certificate with the requester’s name listed as a parent.

§  Governmentally issued photo identification verifying the requester’s name and with an address matching that on file for the child.

§  Possession of a library card in the requester’s name for which the account shows the same address as that on the account of the child whose records are being sought.

§  A copy of a court order of divorce which names the children and which does not indicate that the parent was denied periods of physical custody.

§  Other documentation that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the library that the requester is a custodial parent or legal guardian of the child whose records have been requested.

In cases in which an individual is able to demonstrate to the library’s satisfaction that he or she is a custodial parent or legal guardian of a child under age 16 and he or she requests the records of that child, the records shall be made available as soon as practicable and without delay.

In cases in which an individual requests the records of a child under age 16 and is denied access to them, that individual shall be entitled to appeal the decision to the library director.  If the library director denies the requester access to the records, the individual shall be entitled to appeal the decision to the library board.  The library board shall hold a hearing after a meeting is legally noticed, after which it shall make a determination regarding the right of the requester to have access to the records.  The determination of the library board is final.

Only records relating to the use of the library’s documents or other materials, resources, or services shall be released under this policy.  Information such as the address, phone number, age or other personal information will not be disclosed.

Reference Service Policy

The Washburn Public Library:

·         Will provide information in the form of short answers to specific questions and guidance in locating materials for patrons who appear in person, call on the telephone, or request information through correspondence or email;

·         Will assist in the use of the library and teach basic research methodology, when appropriate.

·         Will provide bibliographical verification of items in the library as well as within the Library System, and will assist in obtaining materials through interlibrary loan, when appropriate;

·         May refer patrons to other agencies and libraries in pursuit of needed information;

·         May use not only the library’s resources in printed form, but consult appropriate technological resources as well as the regional resource library and other agencies by telephone in pursuit of “ready reference” information.

Programming Policy

A “program” is a planned interaction between the library staff and the program participants for the purpose of promoting library materials, facilities, or services, as well as offering the community an informational, entertaining, or cultural experience.

Programming includes such activities as storytimes, movies and activities on no-school days, summer library program for children, presenters for young adults, and book or author discussion groups for adults.

Equipment Use Policy

Computers are available to patrons on a first-come, first-served basis.  Instructions for operating hardware are displayed near the computer.  There is no charge for use of computers, however, in order to make the service available to as many patrons as possible, a time limit of 30 minutes for usage has been imposed.  Library staff is available for general assistance in using the computer.  Staff members are not expected to train patrons in the use of application programs.  Tutorial manuals will be provided when available.

A printer/photocopier is available for patron use.  There is a cost associated for printing and photocopying and must be paid for at the conclusion of the session. Copy machine users are advised there are restrictions on copyrighted materials.  Any violation of copyright is the responsibility of the copy machine user.

AV equipment is available for use in the meeting rooms.  Groups should inform the staff when requesting use of the room that they will be in need of AV equipment.  A limited use of AV equipment off of the library premises is permissible, but must be arranged with the director.  Meeting room users will have precedence of AV equipment use over off-site requests.

Internet Use Policy

The Washburn Public Library is providing access to the Internet. The board of trustees has established the Internet use policy to ensure appropriate and effective use of this resource. Access to the Internet is available to all patrons; however, this service may be restricted for use not consistent with the guidelines. Parents or legal guardians assume responsibility for deciding what materials are appropriate for their children. Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the parents' or guardians' responsibility. Parents or guardians are responsible for letting their children know if there are materials they don't want their children to use.  All users must sign the log-in chart prior to beginning their session.

A.    Expectations

All users are expected to use the Internet appropriately.  The user will be held responsible for his/her actions using the Internet. Users are expected to abide by the policies below which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Unacceptable uses of the service will result in the suspension or revocation of Internet use privileges. 

B.     Warnings

The library does not monitor or control the content of the material accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its contents. Not all information found on the Internet is accurate, complete, up-to-date, legal or philosophically acceptable to all individuals. The library assumes no responsibility and will not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential

damage arising from the use of information found on the Internet, or any communications sent through the library’s Internet terminals. The library does not monitor an individual’s use of the Internet; nor does the library employ filtering software. The use of the Internet and e-mail is not guaranteed to be private.

C.    Guidelines

·         What we expect of you:

1.      Polite behavior at the internet terminals

a.       No talking

b.      Sign yourself up once and don’t change it

c.       Only sign up yourself

d.      No hovering

·         Users may use the Internet for research and the acquisition of information to address their educational, vocational, cultural, and recreational needs.

·         Users may use the Internet for the receipt and transmission of electronic mail (e-mail) as long as they use a free e-mail service which will establish and maintain an account for them; the library is unable to manage individual e-mail accounts.  

·         One ½ hour session on the internet per visit, unless cleared with a library staffer.

·         Users will respect and uphold copyright laws and regulations.

·         Users will respect the rights and privacy of others by not accessing private files.

·         Users shall not create and/or distribute computer viruses over the Internet.

·         Users shall not deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer equipment, programs, or settings.

D.    Consequences for abusing internet use:

·         First offense, lose internet privileges for one week.

·         Second offense, the library director will notify parents if the patron is a minor.

·         Third offense, lose internet privileges for one month

·         If there is a fourth offense, permanent loss of privileges could result.

   Meeting Room Policy

 The Washburn Public Library welcomes the use of its meeting rooms and offers their use to the public on equal terms for the lawful activities of groups and individuals, regardless of their affiliations or beliefs. The rooms are reserved on a first come, first served basis. However, library sponsored activities are given the highest priority in the consideration of the use of these facilities.

 Rooms Available: The library has three meeting rooms available - The Book Bin, The Greenwood Room, and The Wikdal Room. All three can be used with tables, and chairs. The Book Bin is the smallest, with a maximum room capacity of 20 people, The Greenwood is next, with room for 22 people, and the Wikdal Room is the largest, with room for 51 people. Total, the downstairs has a capacity of 93 people.

 Who May Use The Meeting Rooms: The meeting rooms are available for groups or individuals to conduct organizational or program meetings, seminars, study groups, planning sessions, training programs, continuing education and related activities. The library reserves the right to monitor all meetings held on its premises.

 Concerts and musical entertainment are permitted at the Washburn Public Library; however sound and vocals cannot be amplified with microphones or otherwise. Further, bands and/or individuals are only allowed authorization for such use once during any calendar year. If there are any extenuating circumstances not covered in the policy the issue is left to the discretion of the library director. Factors to be considered in a decision will be frequency of concert requests from individual bands/musicians; size of expected audience; previous experiences with requestee; and other happenings at the library at that time.   If any of the participating musicians and singers are under the age of 21, parental/adult supervision outside the performers is required. A list of chaperones and their signatures is required. Requests must be made within seven days of date of concert. A security/safety deposit of $50 is required and will be returned after inspection of the basement area the morning after the concert. During weekdays, shows cannot begin prior to 8 p.m. and must conclude by 10 p.m. Weekend performances cannot begin prior to 2 p.m. and must conclude within three hours and no later than 10 p.m.

 Birthday parties for children 10-years of age or younger are allowed on Saturdays during normal library hours; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Such parties will not be allowed on Saturdays when the library is closed. Related to these birthday parties, the total number of participants allowed is 15, which includes the guest of honor. Adults and chaperones on hand do not count against the total. One parent or guardian must be on hand at all times. Clean up responsibilities are the same as other meeting room usages.  

Who May Not Use The Meeting Room: Permission to use library meeting rooms will be denied to an organization and/or meeting whose purpose is illegal; or whose activity does not have the sponsorship of a legally responsible adult. For the purposes of the Washburn Library the adult age is 21.

 Selling and Sales Promotions are prohibited unless authorized by the library, or the Friends Of the Library.

 In addition, programs must not disrupt the use of the library by others. Persons attending meetings are subject to all library rules, regulations, and policies. Groups who disturb library activity or library users will be denied use of meeting rooms.

 If there is an application for the use of the rooms which the policy does not cover, the application will be referred to the library director. In the event any dispute arises regarding the use of the library meeting rooms by any person or group, the final decision shall be made by the library director.

  Rules On Use:

 ·         Library staffers reserve the right to cancel, re-schedule or transfer meeting room location or dates that conflict with library sponsored programs and/or special events. For the purpose of policy, the Washburn Public Library, the Friends of the Library, and all City of Washburn department and advisory boards will be given priority and may be exempt from any or all of these restrictions and conditions, upon approval of the library director.

 ·         No person or organization may make excessive use of meeting rooms. The library director will make a determination on this issue should it arise.

 ·         Fees for meeting-room use will not be charged for gatherings sponsored by the library or a library director pre-approved educational group, institution for short term classes, training, institutes, discussion groups, and forums. The meeting rooms are not to be used for private, for-profit organizations and business, admission charges are not allowed.

 ·         Children's groups may use the meeting rooms provided they are supervised by one or more adult sponsors. An adult is defined as someone who has reached the age of 21.

 ·         The meeting rooms are generally available for use during library hours. Anyone wishing to use the rooms is responsible for knowing the library's operating hours. Keys can be checked out for after hour gatherings, but must be returned promptly in the book bin outside, or the following day.

 ·         No organization may use the library's address as its own organizational address.

 ·         Except in cases of emergency, messages cannot be conveyed to meeting room guests.

 ·         There is no room for storage of an organization's equipment without prior permission from the library director.

·         Reservations must be made by a responsible member of the organization who will see that all regulations are followed. The organizational representative must report the number of people expected, and give the name and telephone number of the person responsible for the event.

 ·         The library will provide chairs, tables, lectern, DVD, VCR, telephone and TV when available, and when the request is made at the time of reservation. However, the group shall be responsible for any advance preparations, for setting up and putting away furnishings used for the group's meeting, as well as cleaning up and putting away their own equipment. The use of hazardous materials is strictly prohibited. In addition, the room must be left in the manner in which it was found, including the placement of all tables and chairs.

 ·         The library marquee/billboard is for advertising library-sponsored events and functions.

 ·         Meetings of all groups convening more than once shall be organized on a scheduled basis. It is the responsibility of the organization to make the reservations. Staff cannot anticipate the need for use of a meeting room by any organization. Applications for use of a meeting room may not be made more than six months in advance.

 ·         Light refreshments may be served, and there are limited cooking facilities. Groups are responsible for providing their own refreshment and clean-up supplies. Furthermore, groups are responsible for proper disposal of garbage.

 ·         No alcoholic beverages may be served.

 ·         The Washburn Public Library is a tobacco-free building. Smoking, smokeless tobacco and the use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited anywhere in the building.

 ·         Organizations holding meetings in a library meeting room assume responsibility for any damage to the room or contents. If the room is not left in a neat order, there may be a charge for this use and/or the organization may be denied future use of library facilities.

 ·         Snow removal outside of library hours is each group's responsibility. A shovel should be located either inside or outside the Third Street door, along with a barrel of salt/sand. The Washburn Public Library assumes no liability in regards to private snow removal.

 ·         In cases of inclement weather, should the library close early, attempts to contact meeting groups will be made through the reservation. However, if contact is not made the Library assumes no responsibility for scheduled meetings and events.

 ·         Do not adjust the thermostat.

 Disclaimer

 ·         It is understood that the City of Washburn and the Washburn Public Library assume no responsibility whatsoever for any property placed in the library in connection with a meeting, exhibit or display; and that the City of Washburn and the Washburn Public Library are hereby expressly released and discharged from any and all liability for any loss, or injury, or damage to persons or property which may be sustained by reason of a meeting, exhibit or display.

 ·         The fact that a group is permitted to use a library meeting room does not in any way constitute endorsement of the group's policies or beliefs by the library. No advertisements or announcements implying such endorsements will be permitted.

 Donations for meeting room use are greatly appreciated and will go toward improvements and equipment for all to enjoy. Please let us know if you have suggestions for improvements.

Displays and Exhibits Policy

As an educational and cultural institution, the Washburn Public Library welcomes exhibits and displays of interest, information and enlightenment to the community.  Displays of handiwork, historical material, nature study, or any other material deemed of general interest may be exhibited.  The director shall accept or reject material offered for display based on its suitability and availability of space.

 The library assumes no responsibility for the preservation or protection, and no liability for possible damage or theft of any item displayed or exhibited.  All items placed in the library are there at the owner’s risk.

 Areas available to the public for displays and exhibits are the meeting rooms, and the general bulletin board.  A release may be requested before any artifact can be placed in the library.  An example of the release follows:

 Washburn Public Library Display and Exhibit Release

I, the undersigned, hereby lend the following works of art or other material to the Washburn Public Library for exhibit purposes only.  In consideration of the privilege of exhibiting them in the Library, I hereby release said Library from responsibility for loss, damage, or destruction while they are in the possession of the Library.

 Exhibition to be held in the _________________________________________

During _________________________________________________________

Description of materials loaned _____________________________________

Signature __________________________________ Date _______________

Address _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________ Telephone ______________

 Public Notice Bulletin Board Policy

Bulletin board materials may be submitted for posting by nonprofit organizations for civic, educational, or cultural purposes. Limited space generally allows only short-term notices.  Staffers can put up posting, but the director will be informed and should approve all postings and may prohibit postings which do not meet library standards.  Library staff will place and remove postings promptly.

 A request for return of items, along with name and telephone number of person to be contacted, should be printed on the back of each article.  Unless such arrangements are specified, items must be picked up the day following the date of the publicized event if the owners want them returned. 

   Snow Storms

The library may close or postpone opening when weather conditions make travel unsafe. Typically, the library will follow the recommendations and actions of the city between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Closing during other days and hours will be at the discretion of the Library Director or Board President in the absence of the director.

If necessary, news of library closing information may be placed on the website at www.washburnlibrary.org or on facebook.

  Revision of Library Policies

The preceding statements of Washburn Public Library’s policies shall be subject to review and needed revisions at least every three years by the library board.  Individual policies will be reviewed or added as needed.

 Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. 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.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

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.

 The Freedom to Read Statement

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label "controversial" views, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to counter threats to safety or national security, as well as to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as individuals devoted to reading and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating ideas, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read.

Most attempts at suppression rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary individual, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be "protected" against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression.

These efforts at suppression are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, art and images, films, broadcast media, and the Internet. The problem is not only one of actual censorship. The shadow of fear cast by these pressures leads, we suspect, to an even larger voluntary curtailment of expression by those who seek to avoid controversy or unwelcome scrutiny by government officials.

Such pressure toward conformity is perhaps natural to a time of accelerated change. And yet suppression is never more dangerous than in such a time of social tension. Freedom has given the United States the elasticity to endure strain. Freedom keeps open the path of novel and creative solutions, and enables change to come by choice. Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with controversy and difference.

Now as always in our history, reading is among our greatest freedoms. The freedom to read and write is almost the only means for making generally available ideas or manners of expression that can initially command only a small audience. The written word is the natural medium for the new idea and the untried voice from which come the original contributions to social growth. It is essential to the extended discussion that serious thought requires, and to the accumulation of knowledge and ideas into organized collections.

We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture. We believe that these pressures toward conformity present the danger of limiting the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. We believe that every American community must jealously guard the freedom to publish and to circulate, in order to preserve its own freedom to read. We believe that publishers and librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to that freedom to read by making it possible for the readers to choose freely from a variety of offerings.

The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in free people will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights and will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights.

We therefore affirm these propositions:

1. It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or considered dangerous by the majority.

Creative thought is by definition new, and what is new is different. The bearer of every new thought is a rebel until that idea is refined and tested. Totalitarian systems attempt to maintain themselves in power by the ruthless suppression of any concept that challenges the established orthodoxy. The power of a democratic system to adapt to change is vastly strengthened by the freedom of its citizens to choose widely from among conflicting opinions offered freely to them. To stifle every nonconformist idea at birth would mark the end of the democratic process. Furthermore, only through the constant activity of weighing and selecting can the democratic mind attain the strength demanded by times like these. We need to know not only what we believe but why we believe it.

1. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be published or circulated.

Publishers and librarians serve the educational process by helping to make available knowledge and ideas required for the growth of the mind and the increase of learning. They do not foster education by imposing as mentors the patterns of their own thought. The people should have the freedom to read and consider a broader range of ideas than those that may be held by any single librarian or publisher or government or church. It is wrong that what one can read should be confined to what another thinks proper.

1. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to bar access to writings on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.

No art or literature can flourish if it is to be measured by the political views or private lives of its creators. No society of free people can flourish that draws up lists of writers to whom it will not listen, whatever they may have to say.

1. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.

To some, much of modern expression is shocking. But is not much of life itself shocking? We cut off literature at the source if we prevent writers from dealing with the stuff of life. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to prepare the young to meet the diversity of experiences in life to which they will be exposed, as they have a responsibility to help them learn to think critically for themselves. These are affirmative responsibilities, not to be discharged simply by preventing them from reading works for which they are not yet prepared. In these matters values differ, and values cannot be legislated; nor can machinery be devised that will suit the demands of one group without limiting the freedom of others.

1. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept the prejudgment of a label characterizing any expression or its author as subversive or dangerous.

The ideal of labeling presupposes the existence of individuals or groups with wisdom to determine by authority what is good or bad for others. It presupposes that individuals must be directed in making up their minds about the ideas they examine. But Americans do not need others to do their thinking for them.

1. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people's freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large; and by the government whenever it seeks to reduce or deny public access to public information.

It is inevitable in the give and take of the democratic process that the political, the moral, or the aesthetic concepts of an individual or group will occasionally collide with those of another individual or group. In a free society individuals are free to determine for themselves what they wish to read, and each group is free to determine what it will recommend to its freely associated members. But no group has the right to take the law into its own hands, and to impose its own concept of politics or morality upon other members of a democratic society. Freedom is no freedom if it is accorded only to the accepted and the inoffensive. Further, democratic societies are more safe, free, and creative when the free flow of public information is not restricted by governmental prerogative or self-censorship.

1. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a "bad" book is a good one, the answer to a "bad" idea is a good one.

The freedom to read is of little consequence when the reader cannot obtain matter fit for that reader's purpose. What is needed is not only the absence of restraint, but the positive provision of opportunity for the people to read the best that has been thought and said. Books are the major channel by which the intellectual inheritance is handed down, and the principal means of its testing and growth. The defense of the freedom to read requires of all publishers and librarians the utmost of their faculties, and deserves of all Americans the fullest of their support.

We state these propositions neither lightly nor as easy generalizations. We here stake out a lofty claim for the value of the written word. We do so because we believe that it is possessed of enormous variety and usefulness, worthy of cherishing and keeping free. We realize that the application of these propositions may mean the dissemination of ideas and manners of expression that are repugnant to many persons. We do not state these propositions in the comfortable belief that what people read is unimportant. We believe rather that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours.

This statement was originally issued in May of 1953 by the Westchester Conference of the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, which in 1970 consolidated with the American Educational Publishers Institute to become the Association of American Publishers.

Adopted June 25, 1953, by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee; amended January 28, 1972; January 16, 1991; July 12, 2000; June 30, 2004.

  Appendix A

Statement of Concern about Library Resources

The Washburn Public Library has delegated the responsibility for selection and evaluation of library resources to the library director and has established reconsideration procedures to address concerns about those resources.  Completion of this form is the first step in those procedures.  If you wish to request reconsideration of library resources, please return the completed form to the Library Director, Washburn Public Library, 307 Washington Avenue, Washburn, WI 54891.

Date___________________

Name___________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________

City___________________________State__________________  Zip Code__________

Do you represent yourself?_____________your organization?___________________

Name of organization_____________________________________________________

1.      Resource on which you are commenting:

___Book                                                               ___Video/DVD

___Newspaper                                                     ___Library Program

___Electronic Information/Network                 ___Magazine

___Audio Recording                                           ___Other

     Title____________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer_________________________________________________________

2.      What brought this resource to your attention? _____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3.      Have you examined this entire resource?_________________________________

   4.      What concerns you about the resource? (Use other side or additional pages if necessary.)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________           
________________________________________________________________________

5.      Are there resources you suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.      Additional comments?  _____________________________________________________________________

 This form will be reviewed by the Library Director and the Board of Trustees and you

will receive a response in due course.

 Purpose:

Washburn Public Library is committed to serving the community as a safe and welcoming resource, providing equitable access to materials and services for all library patrons. Appropriate library conduct includes activities such as reading, studying, properly using library materials or computers and other similar conduct normally associated with a public library.

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 43.52 (2) states: “Every public library shall be free for the use of the inhabitants of the municipality by which it is established and maintained, subject to such reasonable regulations as the library board prescribes in order to render its use most beneficial to the greatest number. The library board may exclude from the use of the public library all persons who willfully violate such regulations.”

A.    Banning and Appeal Procedure:

1.      Any staff can make an immediate decision to remove a patron for 24 hours for violation of the library’s code of patron conduct.

2.      A longer ban may be issued by the Director.

3.      Any decision by the Director may be appealed.

 I.                   Overview and definitions:

A.    It is a patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper standards of behavior in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons and library staff. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the library. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be subject to the law and ordinances of the City of Washburn (disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, loitering and loud & unnecessary noise).

B.     No individual may engage in inappropriate conduct on the premises of the Washburn Public Library, or when using library facilities, or when participating in library programs. Patrons shall be engaged in normal activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying or using library materials or computers may be asked to leave the building.

C.     Inappropriate conduct includes any individual or group activity which is unreasonably disturbing to other individual s lawfully using library facilities, materials and/or premises or is otherwise inconsistent with activities such as reading, studying, properly using library materials and other similar conduct normally associated with a public library.

D.    When possible, staff will first educate individuals about the applicable policies before taking stronger measures to enforce those policies.

E.     Inappropriate Behavior, shall include, without limitation by enumeration, the following conduct or behaviors:

1.      Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a crime or a violation of City or County ordinances.

2.      Possessing, selling, distributing, displaying or using any dangerous weapon as that term is defined in Wis. Stats. sec.939.22(10) upon library premises or using or threatening the use of any other object in such a manner that it may be considered a weapon.

3.      Engaging in any physically intimidating or assaultive behavior. Making any threats of violence or unlawful activities. The Library has a policy of zero tolerance for threats and acts of violence. Any person engaging in such behaviors will be immediately ejected from the library.

4.      Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance.

5.      Trespassing by entering or remaining on library premises after having been notified by an authorized individual not to do so, and entering or remaining on the library premises during the period in which an individual has been banned from the premises.

6.      Refusing to follow the reasonable directions of library staff to include, failing to take shelter in an emergency as directed by staff.

7.      Engaging in any behavior that a reasonable person would find to be disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to library users or staff including stalking, prolonged staring at or following another with the intent to annoy or intentionally behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb other patrons.

8.      Persistent disruptive, abusive, threatening or foul language in the library facility or in telephone, written or e-mail communications with library staff.

9.      Statements directed toward staff or fellow patrons that could constitute slander or libel.

10.  Public hate speech on library property.

11.  Leaving children under the age of 6 unattended on Library premises. (See Concerning the Behavior and Supervision of Minors and Children’s Areas of the Library below)

12.  Engaging in any sexual contact, activities or conduct.

13.  Selling, soliciting, surveying, distributing written materials, panhandling or canvassing for any political, charitable or religious purposes inside a library building, doorway or vestibule without prior authorization of the Library Director of designee.

14.  Smoking or other use of tobacco products. Eating while using library computer or in spaces designated as free from food.

15.  Sleeping, napping or dozing in or on library premises.

16.  Engaging in excessive or disruptive conversations, talking loudly, using personal electronic equipment at such a volume or making ongoing noise that is unreasonably disturbing to other library users.

17.  Not wearing shoes, shirt, skirt, shorts or pants within the library.

18.  Entering or remaining upon library premises with a bodily hygiene so offensive that it constitutes a nuisance to others.

19.  Moving furniture without the express consent of the library staff or use of furniture in any manner that may damage the furniture, to include placing feet on the furniture.

20.  Using library materials, furniture, equipment or facilities in any manner inconsistent with the customary use thereof or the theft or intentional damaging of library materials, furniture, equipment or facilities.

21.  Interfering with the safe and free passage of library staff or patrons on the premises, including but not limited to the placement of objects in hallways, aisles, flooring or elsewhere in a manner that impedes the free passage of such persons about the library.

22.  Bringing any animal into the library except service animals.

23.  Entering non-public areas of the library without permission.

24.  Improperly using library restrooms or facilities for purposes such as bathing, shaving or changing clothes.

25.  Taking library materials into restrooms.

26.  Failure to leave library facilities, including restrooms, kitchen, meeting rooms etc. in the condition in which they were found.

27.  Engaging in any other activities that are inconsistent with those activities normally associated with the use of public library facilities that include reading, studying and using library materials.

28.  Violating the library’s rules for acceptable use of the internet and library public computers. A user accepts these rules before accessing the internet through a library computer. Copies of these rules will be made available by staff upon request.

Concerning the Behavior and Supervision of Minors and Children’s Areas of the Library:

A.    The Washburn Public Library encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit memorable and enjoyable for the child. The library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library. Therefore, it is library policy that all children under age six should be supervised by a parent or designated responsible person while in the library.

B.     Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The library staff realizes that the library may be noisy at busy times and that children, by nature, can cause more commotion. However, whether with parents or not, children who are continually disruptive will be given a warning that they must settle down or they will be asked to leave. If the child needs to contact a parent, they may do so and then wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.

Staff Response to Infractions:

Violation of these rules is misconduct that can result in expulsion from the library and forfeiture of library privileges. Minor violations of these rules will first result in library staff attempting to educate or warn individuals about the policies before enforcing such policies. If an individual continues to violate these policies, staff may order them to leave for the day. However, any conduct that threatens the life or safety of any person or that is damaging to library property, equipment or facilities may result in immediate expulsion from the library premises. Library staff is authorized to contact the Washburn Police Department to respond to such situations. Repeat misconduct or severe offenses (even if a single isolated event) may result in individuals being banned from the library from a week to a year. Staff will follow the established procedures below. Staff will call the police for severe or illegal behavior or when an individual refuses to leave when told by staff to do so.

Banning Procedure:

After staff determines that a person has engaged in severe or repeat misconduct and staff has determined that the individual involved should be banned:

1.      Staff will issue, or cause to be issued, a written ban letter to the individual involved notifying the individual that they are banned from the Washburn Public Library. The letter shall indicate the reasons for the ban and the time period of the ban.

2.      All staff members and Library Board President will be contacted via e-mail or telephone with a description of the underlying behavior, the name and description of the banned individual when a banning is executed; so that all staff is informed as soon as possible. If, after consultation with the staff, the Director deems it appropriate to rescind or modify the terms of the ban, the Director shall notify the banned individual in writing, all staff, and the Library Board President, in writing, about the decision to rescind or modify the ban and specify the reasons for the rescission or modification. The Director shall also notify the banned individual of the process for appealing the ban.

3.      The Director will review and may reconsider the decision to ban an individual upon written request of the individual and may shorten or terminate the banning period if information submitted by the individual warrants such modification. Director may consult with the City Attorney’s office before issuing the response to the banned individual.

Alternative Juvenile Banning Procedure:

Discretionary Restricted Library Use for Juveniles: As an alternative to banning a juvenile, a supervisor and a staff member may restrict a juvenile from independent use of the specified library site for a period of 10 days (first restriction) or 30 days (second restriction). The juvenile whose library use is restricted may use the library during the specified period only when the juvenile is accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian. The juvenile’s parent or guardian must be notified of the restriction via certified mail. Failure to abide by the restriction may lead to banning of the juvenile from all library premises.

Appeal Procedure:

A.      Notice of Appeal: The Director’s written determination may be appealed to the Library Board, if the individual aggrieved files a written notice of appeal within 10 days after he/she receives the determination. Such notice shall be filed with: both the Library Director and the Library Board President c/o Washburn Public Library, 307 Washington Ave Washburn, WI 54891. The Board shall hold a hearing within 30 days after the notice has been filed. The appellant shall be notified at least 10 days before the hearing.

B.      Hearing: At the hearing, the appellant may be represented by counsel, may present evidence, and may call and examine witnesses and cross-examine witnesses of the other party. The president of the Board shall conduct the hearing and shall follow the Rules of Evidence provided in the Wisconsin Statues, 277.45, for the administrative proceedings. The staff shall record all of the proceedings on tape.

C.      Decision: Board decision regarding restriction of patron library use will occur in a closed session meeting. Within 30 days of the completion of the hearing, the Board shall issue a written decision stating the reasons therefore. The Board shall have the power to affirm or reverse the written determination or to remand it to the Director or designee with instructions for reconsideration. The decision, except for remand, shall be a final determination for the purposes of judicial review.

D.     Non-compliance with Ban-Trespassing:

If a banned individual enters Washburn Public Library before the return date listed in the ban letter, police will be called.

Washburn Public Library

TO:

On ____________ at approximately ___________ you were observed at the Washburn Public Library. At that time you were:

_____ LOUD AND DISTURBING

_____ IN THE LIBRARY DESPITE BEING PREVIOUSLY BANNED UNTIL ______________________

_____ OTHER CONDUCT (As set forth below) COMMENTS:

Because of the behavior listed above, and/or other history of inappropriate behavioral conduct you are banned from the Washburn Public Library until the date listed below. If you enter any Washburn Public library before the return date listed below, police will be called and you will subject to being arrested for trespassing.

You may file a written request to Director, Washburn Public Library, PO Box 248, Washburn, WI 54891, to reconsider this ban. Your written request shall set forth your reasons for reconsideration of the ban. THE LENGTH OF THIS BAN FROM THE LIBRARY SHALL REMAIN AS STATED IN THS DOCUMENT UNLESS THE DIRECTOR ISSUES A WRITTEN DETERMINATION ALTERING THE TERMS OF THIS DOCUMENT.

BANNED FROM LIBRARY ________________________
RETURN DATE __________________________________

Staff initials: ______________

The Director’s written determination may be appealed to the Library Board, if the individual aggrieved files a written notice of appeal within 10 days after he/she receives the determination. Such notice shall be filed with: both the Library Director and the Library Board President c/o Washburn Public Library, 307 Washington Ave Washburn, WI 54891. The Board shall hold a hearing within 30 days after the notice has been filed. The appellant shall be notified at least 10 days before the hearing. See policy for more details.

Regional and Statewide Resources (Online)