Governance
Organizational Design and Governance
G2.10 Bylaws
Library Support Documents
G3.10 Library Bill of Rights
G3.11 Access for Children and Young People to Videotapes and Other Non-Print Formats
G3.12 Challenged Materials
G3.13 Diversity in Collection Development
G3.14 Economic Barriers to Information Access
G3.15 Evaluating Library Collections
G3.16 Exhibit Spaces and Bulletin Boards
G3.17 Expurgation of Library Materials
G3.18 Free Access to Libraries for Minors
G3.19 Meeting Rooms
G3.20 Restricted Access to Library Materials
G3.21 Statement on Labeling
G3.22 Universal Right to Free Expression
G3.30 Freedom to Read
G3.40 Freedom to View
G3.50 Statement on Professional Ethics
Resolutions
G4.10 Resolution 1 Authorization for Continuing Expenses
G4.20 Resolution 2 Waiver of Fixed Asset Accounting
Financial Services
A4.10 Purchasing
A4.20 Bidding Process
A4.25 Open Records
Patron Services
General Patron Services
P2.10 Hours of Service
P2.20 Holiday Closings
P2.30 Facilities’ Closing
P2.40 Interlibrary Loan
P2.50 Access to Collections
P2.60 Denial or Restriction of Library Services
P2.63 Disruptive Patrons
P2.67 Unattended Children
P2.70 Service to the Homebound
Circulation Services
P3.10 Confidentiality of Patron Borrowing Records
P3.20 Loan Period Schedule
P3.30 Library Registration
P3.33 Juvenile Library Registration
P3.35 Replacement Cards
P3.40 Kansas Library Cards
P3.65 Renewal of Material
P3.70 Overdue, Lost, and Damaged Materials
Reference Services
P4.20 Fax Services
P4.21 Internet Usage
P4.30 Photocopying
P4.35 Computer Printouts
P4.36 Laminating Service
Facilities’ Usage
P7.10 Meeting Rooms
P7.20 Display of Library Exhibits, Programming, and Community Information
Equipment Usage
P8.10 Equipment Usage
P8.20 Personal Computer Usage
Collection Services
Collection Development
C2.10 Collection Development Policy
C2.20 Fishing Pole Use
Special Collection Services
C3.20 Gift and Memorial Policy

G2.10 BYLAWS                    Back to Top
Effective Date: 05/20/96
Revised 11/17
Revised 2/21/2000
Revised 12/19/05

G2.10            ARTICLE I

Name & Authorization

Section 1
This organization shall be called the Coffey County Library Board of Trustees, existing by provision of K.S.A. 12-1222 et seq. with powers and duties as provided in K.S.A. 12-1215 and 12-1225 of the laws of the State of Kansas.

  Section 2
If any member of the Board is absent, without reasonable excuse, from four (4) consecutive regular meetings or any six (6) meetings during a fiscal year, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Board to inform the Board and the County Commission that said member is not acting in the best interest of the Library.  The Secretary will request that the County Commission replace said member with an individual who will actively serve the interests of the Library.

  Section 3
Should a Board member desire to resign during her/his term, said resignation shall be submitted in writing to the County Commission with a copy forwarded to the administrator.

  ARTICLE II

Section 1
The Coffey County Library Board shall meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Burlington Branch Meeting Room. Two meetings shall be held at other branches as set by the Board.  The annual meeting shall be held in February of the following year. Unless waived, written notice of each regular meeting shall be mailed to each member of the Board not less than three days prior to such meeting date.

Section 2
Special meetings 
Special meetings may be called by the chairman or by the request of a majority of the members.  Written notice stating the time and place of any special meeting and the purpose for which called, shall be given to each member at least two days in advance of such meeting, and no business other than that stated in the notice shall be transacted at such meetings.  (K.S.A. 12-1224; 12-1243)

Section 3
Executive Meetings
If a formal motion is made, seconded and carried, the board may recess, at a specified time, to a closed or executive meeting, provided no binding action shall take place, and provided the purpose of the session is stated.  The motion to recess must include a statement of the justification for closing the meeting, the subjects to be discussed during the meeting, and the time and place.

The law specifies that only certain subjects may be discussed during the closed meeting.  Those which apply to libraries are the following:

A.        Personnel matters

B.         Consultation with an attorney for the library which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

C.        Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations

D.        Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trusts

E.         Preliminary discussion relating to the acquisition of real property

  ARTICLE III

Quorum
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the appointed members.

ARTICLE IV

Officers
Section 1
Election
Officers of the board shall be elected at the regular May meeting of the board, for a term of one year, or until her successor is elected.  The officers shall be as follows:  chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer.

Duties
Chairman 
The chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees, authorize calls for special meetings, and shall, together with other members, approve claim vouchers, sign warrant checks, certify all bills approved by the Board, and generally perform the duties of a presiding officer.  In the absence of the chairman from a board meeting, the vice-chairman shall preside.  In the absence of both the chairman and the vice-chairman, the members shall choose a member to preside.

Secretary
The secretary of the Board or her/his representative shall keep an accurate account of all proceedings of the Board meetings; shall have custody of the minutes and other records of the Board; shall be responsible for maintaining a complete set of minutes and other records on permanent file at the library; shall, together with other members of the Board, approve claim vouchers, sign warrant checks, certify all bills approved by the Board.  The secretary shall keep an attendance record of all board members and notify the County Commission of vacancies on the Board as they occur.

 Treasurer
The treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Library, and shall together with other members of the Board, approve claim vouchers, sign warrant checks, and certify all bills approved by the Board.

The treasurer of the Library Board shall give bond for the safekeeping and due disbursement of all funds that may come into her hands as treasurer.  Said bond shall be filed with the county clerk of the municipality.  The treasurer or her appointed representative shall keep an accurate record of all moneys received and disbursed and make a report thereof to the library Board monthly, or as often as the Board shall require.

ARTICLE V
Section 1

Standing Committees
The following standing committees shall be appointed by the Administrator: Policy Committee, Strategic Planning and Public Relations.  The committee charge and committee roster will be given to the Board of Trustees at the January meeting.

Section 2
Special Committees
Special committees for the study and investigation of specific problems may be appointed by the Administrator.  The committee charge and committee roster will be given to the Board of Trustees.  Such committees to serve until the completion of the work for which they were appointed.  Creation of a new committee will be approved by the Board of Trustees.

Section 3
Duties and Powers
All committees shall make a progress report to the Library Board as necessary.  No committee will have other than advisory powers unless, by suitable action of the board, it is granted specific power to act.  Any approved changes shall be recorded by the committee chair or their designee in the official record.

ARTICLE VI

Order of Business
The order of business at the regular meetings shall be as follows:

I.            Call to order

II.            Approval of minutes of the last meeting

III.            Correspondence

IV.            Treasurer's report and approval of bills

V.            Administrative reports

VI.            Reports of the committees

VII.            Unfinished business

VIII.            New business

IX.            Public comments

X.            Adjournment

This order of business may be changed at any meeting, by a vote of the majority of the members present.  Except as otherwise provided in the bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedure shall govern the proceedings.

ARTICLE VII

Board Responsibility

The Board has the responsibility of making and directing the policy of the library, in accordance at all times with the Statutes and Regulations of the State of Kansas.  Its responsibilities include promotion of library interest, securing adequate funds to carry on the work satisfactorily, and the administration and control of library funds, property and equipment.

As stipulated above, the Board is responsible for upholding the  Kansas Open-Meeting Act (KOMA), K.S.A. 75-4317, et seq.,  and the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) K.S.A. 45-215, et seq.

  ARTICLE VIII

Library Board / Staff Relationships

The Board shall select an Administrator who shall be the administrative officer under the direction and review of the Board.  She shall be responsible for the employment and direction of the staff, for the operation of the Library under the financial conditions set forth in the annual budget, and for such responsibilities as are delegated to her by the Board.  The Administrator shall attend all regular and special board meetings.

  ARTICLE IX

Friends of Coffey County Library

Each branch of the Coffey County Library will develop a Friends group.  The Friends Groups will meet with the Branch Director to determine any special needs of the branch.  Any fundraising conducted by the Coffey County Library Friends Groups must be approved by the Branch Director and  Administrator. In some cases, if determined necessary by the Administrator, the Coffey County Library Board will review and approve fundraising ideas.

ARTICLE X

Amendments

G3.10 LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 08/08/94

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because or origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meetings 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.

Adopted June 18, 1948

Amended February 2, 1961 June 27, 1962, and January 23, 1980

by the ALA Council

G3.11 ACCESS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO VIDEOTAPES AND OTHER NON-PRINT FORMATS                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Library collections of videotapes, motion pictures, and other non-print formats raise a number of intellectual freedom issues, especially regarding minors.

The interests of young people, like those of adults, are not limited by subject, theme, or level of sophistication. Librarians have a responsibility to ensure young people have access to materials and services that reflect diversity sufficient to meet their needs.

To guide librarians and others in resolving these issues, the American Library Association provides the following guidelines.

Article V of the Library Bill of Rights says, "A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, overviews".

ALA’s Free Access to Libraries for Minors: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights states:

The "right to use a library" includes free access to, and unrestricted use of; all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of; library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.

... Parents - and only parents - have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children - and only their children - to library resources. Parents or legal guardians, who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials or facilities, should so advise their children. Librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal access to all library resources for all library users.

Policies which set minimum age limits for access to videotapes and/or other audiovisual materials and equipment, with or without parental permission, abridge library use for minors. Further, age limits based on the cost of the materials are unacceptable. Unless directly and specifically prohibited by law from circulating certain motion pictures and video productions to minors, librarians should apply the same standards to circulation of these materials as are applied to books and other materials.

Recognizing that libraries cannot act in loco parentis, ALA acknowledges and supports the exercise by parents of their responsibility to guide their own children’s reading and viewing. Published reviews of films and videotapes and/or reference works which provide information about the content, subject matter, and recommended audiences can be made available in conjunction with non-print collections to assist parents in guiding their children without implicating the library in censorship. This material may include information provided by video producers and distributors, promotional material on videotape packaging, and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings if they are included on the tape or in the packaging by the original publisher and/or if they appear in review sources or reference works included in the library’s collection. Marking out or removing ratings information from videotape packages constitutes expurgation or censorship.

MPAA and other rating services are private advisory codes and have no legal standing*. For the library to add such ratings to the materials if they are not already there, to post a list of such ratings with a collection, or to attempt to enforce such ratings through circulation policies or other procedures constitutes labeling, "an attempt to prejudice attitudes" about the material, and is unacceptable. The application of locally generated ratings schemes intended to provide content warnings to library users is also inconsistent with the Library Bill of Rights.

*For information on case law, please contact the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.

See also: Statement on Labeling and Expurgation of Library Materials Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.

Adopted June 28, 1989, by the ALA Council; the quotation from Free Access to Libraries for Minors was changed after Council adopted the July 3, 1991, revision of that Interpretation.

[ISBN 8389-7351-5]

G3.12 CHALLENGED MATERIALS                    Back to Top

Effective 11/18/2002

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHT

The American Library Association declares as a matter of firm principle that it is the responsibility of every library to have a dearly defined collection development policy in written form which reflects the Library Bill of Rights, and which is approved by the appropriate governing authority.

Challenged materials which meet the criteria for selection in the collection development policy (CCL C2.10)of the library should not be removed under any legal or extra-legal pressure. The Library Bill of Rights states in Article I that "Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation," and in Article II, that "Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." Freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution of the United States, but constitutionally protected expression is often separated from unprotected expression only by a dim and uncertain line. The Constitution requires a procedure designed to focus searchingly on challenged expression before it can be suppressed. A review and a hearing are a part of this procedure.

Therefore, any attempt, be it legal or extra-legal, to regulate or suppress materials in libraries must be closely scrutinized to the end that protected expression is not abridged.

Adopted June 25, 1971; amended July 1, 1981; amended January 10, 1990, by the ALA Council.

[ISBN 8389-6088-9]

G3.13 DIVERSITY IN COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT                Back to Top

Effective Date 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Throughout history, the focus of censorship has fluctuated from generation to generation. Books and other materials have not been selected or have been removed from library collections for many reasons, among which are prejudicial language and ideas, political content, economic theory, social philosophies, religious beliefs, sexual forms of expression, and other topics of a potentially controversial nature.

Some examples of censorship may include removing or not selecting materials because they are considered by some as racist or sexist; not purchasing conservative religious materials; not selecting materials about or by minorities because it is thought these groups or interests are not represented in a community; or not providing information on or materials from non-mainstream political entities.

Librarians may seek to increase user awareness of materials on various social concerns by many means, including, but not limited to, issuing bibliographies and presenting exhibits and programs.

Librarians have a professional responsibility to be inclusive, not exclusive, in collection development and in the provision of interlibrary loan. Access to all materials legally obtainable should be assured to the user, and policies should not unjustly exclude materials even if they are offensive to the librarian or the user. Collection development should reflect the philosophy inherent in Article II of the Library Bill of Rights: "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." A balanced collection reflects a diversity of materials, not an equality of numbers. Collection development responsibilities include selecting materials in the languages in common use in the community which the library serves. Collection development and the selection of materials should be done according to professional standards and established selection and review procedures.

There are many complex facets to any issue, and variations of context in which issues may be expressed, discussed, or interpreted. Librarians have a professional responsibility to be fair, just, and equitable and to give all library users equal protection in guarding against violation of the library patron’s right to read, view, or listen to materials and resources protected by the First Amendment, no matter what the viewpoint of the author, creator, or selector. Librarians have an obligation to protect library collections from removal of materials based on personal bias or prejudice, and to select and support the access to materials on all subjects that meet, as closely as possible, the needs and interests of all persons in the community which the library serves. This includes materials that reflect political, economic, religious, social, minority, and sexual issues.

Intellectual freedom, the essence of equitable library services, provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause, or movement may be explored. Toleration is meaningless without tolerance for what some may consider detestable. Librarians cannot justly permit their own preferences to limit their degree of tolerance in collection development, because freedom is indivisible.

Adopted July 14, 1982; amended January 10, 1990, by the ALA Council.

[ISBN 8389-6552-0]

G3.14 ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO INFORMATION ACCESS                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

A democracy presupposes an informed citizenry. The First Amendment mandates the right of all persons to flee expression, and the corollary right to receive the constitutionally protected expression of others. The publicly supported library provides flee and equal access to information for all people of the community the library serves. While the roles, goals and objectives of publicly supported libraries may differ, they share this common mission.

The library’s essential mission must remain the first consideration for librarians and governing bodies faced with economic pressures and competition for funding.

In support of this mission, the American Library Association has enumerated certain principles of library services in the Library Bill of Rights.

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING FINES, FEES AND USER CHARGES

Article I of the Library Bill of Rights states: "Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves."

Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states: "A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views."

The American Library Association opposes the charging of user fees for the provision of information by all libraries and information services that receive their major support from public funds. All information resources that are provided directly or indirectly by the library, regardless of technology, format, or methods of delivery, should be readily, equally and equitably accessible to all library users.

Libraries that adhere to these principles systematically monitor their programs of service for potential barriers to access and strive to eliminate such barriers when they occur. All library policies and procedures, particularly those involving fines, fees, or other user charges, should be scrutinized for potential barriers to access. All services should be designed and implemented with care, so as not to infringe on or interfere with the provision or delivery of information and resources for all users. Services should be re-evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that the library’s basic mission remains uncompromised.

Librarians and governing bodies should look for alternative models and methods of library administration that minimize distinctions among users based on their economic status or financial condition. They should resist the temptation to impose user fees to alleviate financial pressures, at long term cost to institutional integrity and public confidence in libraries.

Library services that involve the provision of information, regardless of format, technology, or method of delivery, should be made available to all library users on an equal and equitable basis. Charging fees for the use of library collections, services, programs, or facilities that were purchased with public funds raises barriers to access. Such fees effectively abridge or deny access for some members of the community because they reinforce distinctions among users based on their ability and willingness to pay.

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING CONDITIONS OF FUNDING

Article II of the Library Bill of Rights states: "Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval."

Article III of the Library Bill of Rights states: "Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment."

Article IV of the Library Bill of Rights states: "Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas."

The American Library Association opposes any legislative or regulatory attempt to impose content restrictions on library resources, or to limit user access to information, as a condition of funding for publicly supported libraries and information services.

The First Amendment guarantee of freedom of expression is violated when the right to receive that expression is subject to arbitrary restrictions based on content.

Librarians and governing bodies should examine carefully any terms or conditions attached to library funding and should oppose attempts to limit through such conditions full and equal access to information because of content. This principle applies equally to private gifts or bequests and to public funds. In particular, librarians and governing bodies have an obligation to reject such restrictions when the effect of the restriction is to limit equal and equitable access to information.

Librarians and governing bodies should cooperate with all efforts to create a community consensus that publicly supported libraries require funding unfettered by restrictions. Such a consensus supports the library mission to provide the free and unrestricted exchange of information and ideas necessary to a functioning democracy.

The Association’s historic position in this regard is stated clearly in a number of Association policies: 50.4 Free Access to Information, 50.9 Financing of Libraries, 51.2 Equal Access to Library Service, 51.3 Intellectual Freedom, 53 Intellectual Freedom Policies, 59.1 Policy Objectives, and 60 Library Services for the Poor.

Adopted by the ALA Council, June 30, 1993.

[ISBN 8389-7702-2]

G3.15 EVALUATING LIBRARY COLLECTIONS                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

The continuous review of library materials is necessary as a means of maintaining an active library collection of current interest to users. In the process, materials may be added and physically deteriorated or obsolete materials may be replaced or removed in accordance with the collection maintenance policy (Policy C 2.10) of a given library and the needs of the community it serves. Continued evaluation is closely related to the goals and responsibilities of libraries and is a valuable tool of collection development. This procedure is not to be used as a convenient means to remove materials presumed to be controversial or disapproved of by segments of the community. Such abuse of the evaluation function violates the principles of intellectual freedom and is in opposition to the Preamble and Articles I and II of the Library Bill of Rights, which state:

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.

The American Library Association opposes such "silent censorship" and strongly urges that libraries adopt guidelines setting forth the positive purposes and principles of evaluation of materials in library collections.

Adopted February 2, 1973; amended July 1, 1981 by the ALA Council.

[ISBN 8389-54O6-5]

G3.16 EXHIBIT SPACES AND BULLETIN BOARDS                    Back to Top

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Libraries often provide exhibit spaces and bulletin boards. The uses made of these spaces should conform to the Library Bill of Rights: Article I states, "Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation." Article II states, "Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." Article VI maintains that exhibit space should be made available "on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

In developing library exhibits, staff members should endeavor to present a broad spectrum of opinion and a variety of viewpoints. Libraries should not shrink from developing exhibits because of controversial content or because of the beliefs or affiliations of those whose work is represented. Just as libraries do not endorse the viewpoints of those whose works are represented in their collections, libraries also do not endorse the beliefs or viewpoints of topics which may be the subject of library exhibits.

Exhibit areas often are made available for use by community groups. Libraries should formulate a written policy for the use of these exhibit areas to assure that space is provided on an equitable basis to all groups which request it.

Written policies for exhibit space use should be stated in inclusive rather than exclusive terms. For example, a policy that the library’s exhibit space is open "to organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities" is an inclusive statement of the limited uses of the exhibit space. This defined limitation would permit religious groups to use the exhibit space because they engage in intellectual activities, but would exclude most commercial uses of the exhibit space.

A publicly supported library may limit use of its exhibit space to strictly "library-related" activities, provided that the limitation is clearly circumscribed and is viewpoint neutral.

Libraries may include in this policy rules regarding the time, place, and manner of use of the exhibit space, so long as the rules are content-neutral and are applied in the same manner to all groups wishing to use the space. A library may wish to limit access to exhibit space to groups within the community served by the library. This practice is acceptable provided that the same rules and regulations apply to everyone, and that exclusion is not made on the basis of the doctrinal, religious, or political beliefs of the potential users.

The library should not censor or remove an exhibit because some members of the community may disagree with its content. Those who object to the content of any exhibit held at the library should be able to submit their complaint and/or their own exhibit proposal to be judged according to the policies established by the library.

Libraries may wish to post a permanent notice near the exhibit area stating that the library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of exhibits or exhibitors.

Libraries which make bulletin boards available to public groups for posting notices of public interest should develop criteria for the use of these spaces based on the same considerations as those outlined above. Libraries may wish to develop criteria regarding the size of material to be displayed, the length of time materials may remain on the bulletin board, the frequency with which material may be posted for the same group, and the geographic area from which notices will be accepted.

G3.17 EXPURGATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Expurgating library materials is a violation of the Library Bill of Rights. Expurgation as defined by this interpretation includes any deletion, excision, alteration, editing, or obliteration of any part(s) of books or other library resources by the library, its agent, or its parent institution (if any). By such expurgation, the library is in effect denying access to the complete work and the entire spectrum of ideas that the work intended to express. Such action stands in violation of Articles 1,11, and III of the Library Bill of Rights, which state that "Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation" that "Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval," and that "Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment."

The act of expurgation has serious implications. It involves a determination that it is necessary to restrict access to the complete work. This is censorship. When a work is expurgated, under the assumption that certain portions of that work would be harmful to minors, the situation is no less serious.

Expurgation of any books or other library resources imposes a restriction, without regard to the rights and desires of all library users, by limiting access to ideas and information.

Further, expurgation without written permission from the holder of the copyright on the material may violate the copyright provisions of the United States Code.

Adopted February 2, 1973; amended July 1, 1981; amended January 10, 1990, by the ALA Council.

[ISBN 8389-5419-7]

G3.18 FREE ACCESS TO LIBRARIES FOR MINORS                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHT

Library policies and procedures which effectively deny minors equal access to all library resources available to other users violate the Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.

Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states, "A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views." The "right to use a library" includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of; library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.

Libraries are charged with the mission of developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interests of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities which fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of library resources. The needs and interests of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interests, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interests of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, level of education, or legal emancipation.

The selection and development of library resources should not be diluted because of minors having the same access to library resources as adult users. Institutional self-censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community, and restricts access for all library users.

Librarians and governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions on access to library resources in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections from parents or anyone else. The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries do not authorize librarians or governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents - and only parents - have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children - and only their children - to library resources. Parents or legal guardians who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials or facilities, should so advise their children. Librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal access to all library resources for all library users.

Librarians have a professional commitment to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free and equal access to the entire range of library resources regardless of content, approach, format, or amount of detail. This principle of library service applies equally to all users, minors as well as adults. Librarians and governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.

Adopted June 30,1972; amended July 1, 1981; July 3, 1991, by the ALA Council.

[ISBN 8389-7549-6]

G3.19 MEETING ROOMS                    Back to Top

Effective Date 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Many libraries provide meeting rooms for individuals and groups as part of a program of service Article VI of the Library Bill of Rights states that such facilities should be made available to the public served by the given library "on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use."

Libraries maintaining meeting room facilities should develop and publish policy statements governing use. These statements can properly define time, place, or manner of use; such. qualifications should not pertain to the content of a meeting or to the beliefs or affiliations of the sponsors. These statements should be made available in any commonly used language within the community served.

If meeting rooms in libraries supported by public funds are made available to the general public for non-library sponsored events, the library may not exclude any group based on the subject matter to be, discussed or based on the ideas that the group advocates. For example, if a library allows charities and sports dubs to discuss their activities in library meeting rooms, then the library should not exclude partisan political or religious groups from discussing their activities in the same facilities. If a library opens its meeting rooms to a wide variety of civic organizations, then the library may not deny access to a religious organization. Libraries may wish to post a permanent notice near the meeting room stating that the library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of meetings or meeting room users.

Written policies for meeting room use should be stated in inclusive rather than exclusive terms. For example, a policy that the library’s facilities are open "to organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities" is an inclusive statement of the limited uses to which the facilities may be put. This defined limitation would permit religious groups to use the facilities because they engage in intellectual activities, but would exclude most commercial uses of the facility.

A publicly supported library may limit use of its meeting rooms to strictly "library-related" activities provided that the limitation is clearly circumscribed and is viewpoint neutral.

Written policies may include limitations on frequency of use, and whether or not meetings held in library meeting rooms must be open to the public. If state and local laws permit private as well as public sessions of meetings in libraries, libraries may choose to offer both options. The same standard should be applicable to all.

If meetings are open to the public, libraries should include in their meeting room policy statement a section which addresses admission fees. If admission fees are permitted, libraries shall seek to make it possible that these fees do not limit access to individuals who may be unable to pay, but who wish to attend the meeting. Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states that "a persons right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views." It is inconsistent with Article V to restrict indirectly access to library meeting rooms based on an individual’s or group’s ability to pay for that access.

Adopted July 2, 1991, by the ALA Council

[ISBN 8389-7550-X]

G3.20 RESTRICTED ACCESS TO LIBRARY MATERIALS                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/98

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Libraries are a traditional forum for the open exchange of information. Attempts to restrict access to library materials violate the basic tenets of the Library Bill of Rights.

Historically, attempts have been made to limit access by relegating materials into segregated collections. These attempts are in violation of established policy. Such collections are often referred to by a variety of names, including "closed shelf," "locked case," "adults only," "restricted shelf" or "high demand." Access to some materials also may require a monetary fee or financial deposit. In any situation which restricts access to certain materials, a barrier is placed between the patron and those materials. That barrier may be age related, linguistic, economic, or psychological in nature.

Because materials placed in restricted collections often deal with controversial, unusual, or "sensitive" subjects, having to ask a librarian or circulation clerk for them may be embarrassing or inhibiting for patrons desiring the materials. Needing to ask for materials may pose a language barrier or a staff service barrier. Because restricted collections often are composed of materials which some library patrons consider "objectionable," the potential user may be predisposed to think of the materials as "objectionable" and, therefore, are reluctant to ask for them.

Barriers between the materials and the patron which are psychological, or are affected by language skills, are nonetheless limitations on access to information. Even when a title is listed in the catalog with a reference to its restricted status, a barrier is placed between the patron and the publication (see also Statement on Labeling).

There may be, however, countervailing factors to establish policies to protect library materials--specifically, for reasons of physical preservation including protection from theft or mutilation. Any such policies must be carefully formulated and administered with extreme attention to the principles of intellectual freedom. This caution is also in keeping with ALA policies, such as Evaluating Library Collections, Free Access to Libraries for Minors, and the Preservation Policy.

Finally, in keeping with the Joint Statement on Access of the American Library Association and Society of American Archivists, restrictions that result from donor agreements or contracts for special collections materials must be similarly circumscribed. Permanent exclusions are not acceptable. The overriding impetus must be to work for free and unfettered access to all documentary heritage.

Adopted February 2, 1973, amended July 1, 1981; July 3, 1991, by the ALA Council.

[ISBN 8389-7552-6]2

G3.21 STATEMENT ON LABELING                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

Labeling is the practice of describing or designating materials by affixing a prejudicial label and/or segregating them by a prejudicial system. The American Library Association opposes these means of predisposing people’s attitudes toward library materials for the following reasons:

1. Labeling is an attempt to prejudice attitudes and as such, it is a censor’s tool.

2. Some find it easy and even proper, according to their ethics, to establish criteria for judging publications as objectionable. However, injustice and ignorance rather than justice and enlightenment result from such practices, and the American Library Association opposes the establishment of such criteria.

3. Libraries do not advocate the ideas found in their collections. The presence of books and other resources in a library does not indicate endorsement of their contents by the library.

A variety of private organizations promulgate rating systems and/or review materials as a means of advising either their members or the general public concerning their opinions of the contents and suitability or appropriate age for use of certain books, films, recordings, or other materials. For the library to adopt or enforce any of these private systems, to attach such ratings to library materials, to include them in bibliographic records, library catalogs, or other finding aids, or otherwise to endorse them would violate the Library Bill of Rights.

While some attempts have been made to adopt these systems into law, the constitutionality of such measures is extremely questionable. If such legislation is passed which applies within a library’s jurisdiction, the library should seek competent legal advice concerning its applicability to library operations.

Publishers, industry groups, and distributors sometimes add ratings to material or include them as part of their packaging. Librarians should not endorse such practices. However, removing or obliterating such ratings—if placed there by or with permission of the copyright holder—could constitute expurgation, which is also unacceptable.

The American Library Association opposes efforts which aim at closing any path to knowledge. This statement, however, does not exclude the adoption of organizational schemes designed as directional aids or to facilitate access to materials.

Adopted July 13, 1951. Amended June 25, 1971; July 1, 1981; June 26, 1990, by the ALA Council.

[ISBN 8389-5226-7]

G3.22 THE UNIVERSAL RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION                    Back to Top

Effective 11/17/97

An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Freedom of expression is an inalienable human right and the foundation for self-government. Freedom of expression encompasses the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and association, and the corollary right to receive information.

The American Library Association endorses this principle, which is also set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The Preamble of this document states that ".... recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world…" and "… the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people…."

Article 18 of this document states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief; and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19 states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.

Article 20 states:

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. 2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

We affirm our belief that these are inalienable rights of every person, regardless of origin, age, background, or views. We embody our professional commitment to these principles in the Library Bill of Rights and Code of Ethics, as adopted by the American Library Association.

We maintain that these are universal principles and should be applied by libraries and librarians throughout the world. The American Library Association’s policy on International Relations reflects these objectives: ". . . to encourage the exchange, dissemination, and access to information and the unrestricted flow of library materials in all formats throughout the world."

We know that censorship, ignorance, and limitations on the free flow of information are the tools of tyranny and oppression. We believe that ideas and information topple the walls of hate and fear and build bridges of cooperation and understanding far more effectively than weapons and armies.

The American Library Association is unswerving in its commitment to human rights and intellectual freedom; the two are inseparably linked and inextricably entwined. Freedom of opinion and expression is not derived from or dependent on any form of government or political power. This right is inherent in every individual. It cannot be surrendered, nor can it be denied. True justice comes from the exercise of this right.

We recognize the power of information and ideas to inspire justice, to restore freedom and dignity to the oppressed, and to change the hearts and minds of the oppressors.

Courageous men and women, in difficult and dangerous circumstances throughout human history, have demonstrated that freedom lives in the human heart and cries out for justice even in the face of threats, enslavement, imprisonment, torture, exile, and death. We draw inspiration from their example. They challenge us to remain steadfast in our most basic professional responsibility to promote and defend the right of free expression.

There is no good censorship. Any effort to restrict free expression and the free flow of information aids the oppressor. lighting oppression with censorship is self-defeating.

Threats to the freedom of expression of any person anywhere are threats to the freedom of all people everywhere. Violations of human rights and the right of free expression have been recorded in virtually every country and society across the globe.

In response to these violations, we affirm these principles:

The American Library Association opposes any use of governmental prerogative that leads to the intimidation of individuals which prevents them from exercising their rights to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. We urge libraries and librarians everywhere to resist such abuse of governmental power, and to support those against whom such governmental power has been employed.

*The American Library Association condemns any governmental effort to involve libraries and librarians in restrictions on the right of any individual to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Such restrictions pervert the function of the library and violate the professional responsibilities of librarians.

*The American Library Association rejects censorship in any form. Any action which denies the inalienable human rights of individuals only damages the will to resist oppression, strengthens the hand of the oppressor, and undermines the cause of justice.

*The American Library Association will not abrogate these principles. We believe that censorship corrupts the cause of justice, and contributes to the demise of freedom

Adopted by the ALA Council, January 16, 1991

[ISBN 0-8889-7494-5]

G3.30 FREEDOM TO READ                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 08/08/94

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 books from sale, to censor textbooks, to label "controversial" books, 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 avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as citizens devoted to the use of books and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating them, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read.

We are deeply concerned about these attempts at suppression. Most such attempts rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary citizen, by exercising critical judgment, will accept the good and reject the bad. The censors, public and private, assume that they should determine what is good and what is bad for their fellow-citizens.

We trust Americans to recognize propaganda, and to reject it. We do not believe they need help of the censors to assist them in this task. 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.

We are aware, of course, that books are not alone in being subjected to efforts at suppression. We are aware that these efforts are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, films, radio and television. 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.

Such pressure toward conformity is perhaps natural to a time of uneasy change and pervading fear. Especially when so many of our apprehensions are directed against an ideology, the expression of a dissident idea becomes a thing feared in itself, and we tend to move against it as against a hostile deed, with suppression.

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 stress.

Now as always in our history, books are among our greatest instruments of freedom. They are almost the only means for making generally available ideas or manners or expression that can initially command only a small audience. They are the natural medium for the new idea and the untried voice from, which come the original contributions to social growth. They are essential to the extended discussion which 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 creative culture. We believe that these pressures towards 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 which are unorthodox or unpopular with the majority.

Creative thought is by definition new, and what is new is different. The bearer or 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 which 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.

2. Publishers, librarians and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation contained in the books 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 books 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 mind and increase the 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 that 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.

3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to determine the acceptability of a book on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author. A book should be judged as a book. 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 which draws up lists of writers to whom it will not listen, whatever they may have to say.

4. 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 literature 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 taste differs, and taste cannot be legislated; nor can machinery be devised which will suit the demands of one group without limiting the freedom of others.

5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any book the pre-judgment of a label characterizing the book or 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 the citizen. 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.

6. 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.

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 inoffensive.

7. 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 expended on the trivial; it is frustrated 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 their freedom and integrity, and the enlargement of their service to society, requires of all publishers and librarians the utmost of their faculties, and deserves of all citizens 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 books. We do so because we believe that they are good, 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 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.

A joint statement by:
American Library Association
Association of American Publishers

Subsequently endorsed by:
American Booksellers Association
American Civil Liberties Union
American Federation of Teachers AFL-CIO
Anti-defamation League of B'nai B'rith
Association of American University Presses
Bureau of Independent Publishers & Distributors
Children's Book Council
Freedom of Information Center
Freedom to Read Foundation
Magazine Publishers Association
Motion Picture Association of America
National Association of College Stores
National Book Committee
National Council of Negro Women
National Council of Teachers of English
National Library Week Program
National Board of the Young Women Christian Association of the U.S.A.
P.E.N. -- American Center
Periodical and Book Association of America
Sex Information & Education Council of the U.S.
Women's National Book Association

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 Education Publishers Institute to become the Association of American Publishers.

Adopted June 25, 1953; revised January 28, 1972 January 16, 1991 by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee.

G3.40 FREEDOM TO VIEW                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 08/08/94

The Freedom to View, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the first Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore, we affirm these principles:

1. It is in the public interest to provide the broadest possible access to films, video, and other audio-visual materials because they have proven to be among the most effective means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
2. It is in public interest to protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
3. It is our professional responsibility to provide film, video, and other audio-visual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.
4. It is our professional responsibility to provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video and other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
5. It is our professional responsibility to contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view.

Endorsed by ALA-IFC and by the ALA Council on June 28, 1979; adopted February 16, 1979 by the Education Film Library Association.

This statement was originally drafted by the Freedom to View Committee of the American Film and Video Association (formerly the Educational Film library Association) and was adopted by the AFVA Board of Directors in February 1979. This statement was updated and approved by the AFVA Board of Directors in 1989. Endorsed by the American Library Association Council, January 10, 1990.

G3.50 CODE OF ETHICS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 1995

I. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.

II. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

III. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

IV. We recognize and respect intellectual property rights.

V. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.

VI. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.

VII. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representations of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.

VIII. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

Adopted by the ALA Council 1995.

G4.10 RESOLUTION 1                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 01/04/96

The Coffey County Library hereby authorizes the Board Treasurer to execute and deliver checks for continuing expenses such as payroll and other regular expenses every two weeks.

G4.20 RESOLUTION 2                    Back to Top

That Coffey County Library does hereby make a finding that financial statements and financial reports prepared in conformity with requirements with Subsection (A) of K.S.A. 1120a (a) are not relevant to the requirements to the cash basis and budget laws of this state and are of no significant value to the governing bodies or members of the general public of the municipality, therefore the library does hereby elect to exempt itself and does hereby exempt itself from the provisions of K.S.A. 75-1117, 75-1120, 75-1121, 75-1122, all as amended, and makes said statutes, and each of them, inapplicable to Coffey County Library, insofar as said statutes require Coffey County Library to maintain fixed asset records and to observe fixed asset accounting, for the year 1997.

G4.30 RESOLUTION 3                    Back to Top

Effective Date 12-21-98

Pursuant to KSA 12-1258 the Coffey County Library Board of Trustees establishes a Library Capital Improvement Fund. The library board is hereby authorized to direct a transfer annually from the general operating fund of not more than 10% of the amount credited to such fund to a capital improvement fund. All money credited to such fund shall be used by the library board for the purpose of improving, furnishing, equipping, remodeling and making additions to the library. Such funds shall not be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 79-2925 to 79-2937 and amendments thereto. If the library board determines that money which has been transferred to such fund or any part thereof is not needed for the purpose for which transferred, the library board is hearby authorized to direct retransfer of such amount not needed to the general operating fund and such retransfer and expenditure thereof shall be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 79-2925 to 79-2937 and amendments thereto.

In making the budget of the library, the amounts credited to and the amount on hand in the capital improvement fund shall and the amount expended therefrom shall be shown on the budget. Money in such fund may be invested in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 10-131 and amendments thereto, with interest thereon credited to such fund.

The authorization for the fund becomes effective upon passage of a motion by the library board of trustees. Once enacted the motion does not need to be renewed annually.

G4.40 RESOLUTION 4                    Back to Top

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A LOCAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE COFFEY COUNTY LIBRARY, AND PROVIDING FOR THE OFFICERS DUTIES.

WHEREAS, the Kansas Legislature adopted Sub. HB 2864 requiring that all public agencies covered by the Open Records Act appoint a Local Freedom of Information Officer, and

WHEREAS, the Coffey County Library believes the appointment of a Local Freedom of Information Officer to assist the public with its open records needs is good for public service and facilitates the public policy of open government.

NOW THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Board of Trustees of the County Library with the Central Office in Burlington, Kansas, this 17^th day of July 2000:

Section 1. Appointment. Jane Hatch, Administrator, is hereby appointed as the Local Freedom of Information Officer and charged with all the statutory duties prescribed by Sub. HB 2864 and set forth in Section 2.

P2.10 HOURS OF SERVICE                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 10/20/97

P2.30 FACILITIES’ CLOSINGS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 07/21/03

In event of extreme weather conditions or other emergencies, the branch director or facility’s supervisor (or her designee) will determine whether a facility will be closed early. The Central Office should be notified immediately so that all necessary arrangements may be made.

P2.40 INTERLIBRARY LOAN                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 11/19/96
Revision Date: 04/19/99

General

The Library will operate an interlibrary loan function for the purpose of borrowing, or obtaining copies of, library materials not available in the Coffey County Library collections. This function will provide reciprocal interlibrary loan service to other institutions.

Access to Interlibrary Loan

This service is provided to all library patrons, regardless of age, who have a valid Coffey County Library registration number. Access to all materials legally obtainable is assured to the patron, within the capability of the Library.

Overdue Fine

There is a $ 1.00 per day fine for each overdue interlibrary loan item (see P3.70).

Acceptance Form

In order that the patron know and understand the Library’s policy to charge for overdue interlibrary loan items, the library will require all patrons borrowing interlibrary loans to sign an acceptance form for each item. A patron who refuses to sign for an item will not be allowed to remove the item from the library.

If requested, the acceptance form will be given to the patron as a receipt for the book’s safe return.

Fees

The library will pass all costs incurred for interlibrary loan to the patron except postage. This will include, but not be limited to photocopy charges, rent, insurance, and performance rights.

P2.50 ACCESS TO COLLECTIONS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 11/18/2002

All circulating materials in the Coffey County Library are available to any patron possessing a Coffey County Library registration number.

P2.60 DENIAL OR RESTRICTION OF LIBRARY SERVICES                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 11/18/2002

It is the policy of the Coffey County Library to extend the free use of its services as far as possible.

The library rights and privileges of individuals described by KSA 12-1227 or by Coffey County Library policy may only be denied or restricted by decision of the Coffey County Library Administrator, the Branch Director or her designated representative.

P2.63 DISRUPTIVE PATRONS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 01/20/03

The library staff may eject anyone who persists in these behaviors.

If asked to leave the premises, access to collections as defined in CCL Policy P2.50 is denied.

If the person refuses when asked to leave, the proper authorities may be called in accordance with K.S.A. 21-3828(3).

If criminal activity is suspected the proper authorities may be called.

P2.70 THIRD PARTY CHECKOUT OF MATERIAL                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 6/19/00

Coffey County Library branches may offer special services to residents who have difficulty getting to the physical facility. Delivery may be made by library staff. A person may designate one or more individuals who may pick up materials on her behalf.

Materials will be checked out on the registration number of the person

P3.10 CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATRON BORROWING RECORDS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 03/13/95
Revised 6/21/99

All outside requests for access to patron registration or circulation records will be referred to the Branch Director and the Administrator.

Patron registration and circulation records are exempt from the open records law (K.S.A. 45-221(23)) and will only be released by the administrator or her designee upon the receipt of a valid court order or when authorized under Federal, State, or local law.

Library Staff will not disclose library patron's use of the library with regard to information sought or received, except pursuant to a valid court order or when authorized under Federal, State or local law.

The Coffey County Library will not retain a patron's circulation records beyond their use for circulation or control purposes.

Parents or legal guardians of children under 13 years of age, upon presentation of proper identification, may obtain the current status of their child's circulation record or withdraw their authorization for the child's library card.

P3.20 LOAN PERIOD SCHEDULE                    Back to Top        

P3.30 LIBRARY REGISTRATION                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 11/18/2002,   Revised:  9/20/04

All circulating materials in the Coffey County Library are available to any patron possessing a Coffey County Library registration number.  Each patron shall have an address and be able to document that address. Patrons under the age of 13 will file a juvenile application (see P3.33).

A library registration number will be issued to a patron who completes a library registration card. A phone call for verification by a library staff member may also qualify as proof of identification. If no proof of current address is available the patron will be required to self-address a postcard which, when returned with a postmark to the library with a completed application will suffice for proper identification.

Until address is verified, the patron may borrow one item for the regular loaning period. Borrowing privileges will be restricted to  one item at a time until the patron returns the postmarked postcard or provides proof of address.

Library registration numbers do not expire, but may be dated to facilitate updating of records.

Each patron should have his/her own registration number.

P3.33 JUVENILE LIBRARY REGISTRATION                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 09/15/97

If a patron is under the age of 13, she will be considered a juvenile and must file the appropriate application. Juveniles have access to all library services, programming and materials. Any patron 13 and above will file the adult application.

The juvenile registration application must contain the parent or guardian's name, signature and present address. Valid proof of identification and current address must be shown. A phone call for verification by a library staff member may also qualify as proof of identification. If no proof of current address is available a self-addressed postcard must be filled out which, when returned with a postmark to the library with the completed application will suffice for proper identification.

One item may be borrowed for its normal loan period provided the patron files an application. Borrowing privileges will be restricted to that one item until the patron returns the postmarked postcard of provides proof of address.

A parent or guardian may restrict the borrowing privileges of her child with a juvenile registration number by refusing to sign the child’s registration card or by rescinding her signature. This will be accomplished by the parent or legal guardian notifying the library staff to delete the child's number.

P3.35 REPLACEMENT CARDS

Effective Date: 09/21/98
Effective Date: 09/19/05

 Each patron will be allowed one replacement card at no charge.  If other replacement cards are needed, there will be a $ .50 charge for each.

P3.40 KANSAS LIBRARY CARDS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 4/15/2002

The Coffey County Library will issue a Kansas State Library Card to any Kansas Resident who meets the requirements established by the Kansas Library Network Board.

Related Topics

Kansas Library Card Procedure 

P3.65 RENEWAL OF MATERIAL                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 10/21/96
Revision Date: 04/09/99

General

All material which is owned by the Coffey County Library and which circulates may be renewed in person or by telephone. The holding location is designated by the label in or on the item.

Limits

In the interest of providing patrons with better access to library materials, the library will set a limit on the number of times an item may be renewed.

Library-owned Materials

All materials owned by the Coffey County Library may be renewed up to three consecutive times unless a hold has been placed.

Interlibrary Loan

Material borrowed from another library may be eligible for renewal. The owning library will determine whether a renewal will be granted. Renewals may be requested from the Coffey County Library Branch initiating the interlibrary loan. Renewals may be requested in person or by telephone.

P3.70 OVERDUE, LOST, AND DAMAGED MATERIALS                    Back to Top

Effective Date: 09/15/97
Revision Date 04/19/99

It is the philosophy of the Library that charging small fines for materials returned after their respective due date is not an effective means by which to encourage patrons to return Coffey County Library materials on time.

The Library does not charge fines to its patrons for overdue materials that belong to Coffey County Library.

Past due retention of interlibrary loan materials which the Library borrows from other information agencies damages Coffey County Library's reputation with these lending institutions. Because this damaged reputation may be used to deny the Library access to certain collections, the Library does endorse charging a fine to the responsible patron when an interlibrary loan item is retained past the designated due date.

The Library shall charge a fine of $1.00 per day for all overdue interlibrary loan materials which are not returned on or before the designated due date. Materials may be returned and fines paid at any Coffey County Library Branch.

Patrons with overdue interlibrary loans shall be contacted by the library staff as soon as possible after the designated due date.

The maximum fine for an overdue interlibrary loan shall be $30.00.

If an interlibrary loan item is lost while still charged to a patron, the replacement cost of material will be determined by the fee charged by the lending library plus the fine accrued. No fines will accrue on days the library is closed. Fines paid will be applied toward replacement cost of material.

Individuals who keep any materials past the designated due date(s) will have their borrowing privileges revoked at all branches of the Coffey County Library until the overdue items have been returned and