Flathead County Library Policy Manual
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General Policy Statement
The Flathead County Library System Board of Trustees has approved the name ImagineIF Libraries for the Library System. Library policies will be updated to reflect this change as policies come due for renewal.
Board Powers and Duties
The powers and duties of Library Boards of Trustees are set forth in Montana Code Annotated 22-1-309.
Fair Treatment
The Library Board of Trustees affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their successes. 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 solely because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
Confidentiality of Library Records
Flathead County Library’s Confidentiality Policy balances patrons’ privacy rights with operational needs, legal obligations, and community safety.
Protection of Copyright
The Flathead County Library will enforce the US copyright law (Title 17 of the United States Code) and other federal legislation related to the duplication, retention, and use of copyrighted materials.
Donations
The Library Board of Trustees welcomes gifts, grants, donations, devises, or bequests of property, real or personal and is authorized by law to accept gifts, grants, donations, devises, or bequests of property, real or personal, from whatever source and to expend or hold, work, and improve the same for the specific purpose of the gift, grant, donation, devise, or bequest.
Naming Opportunities and Donor Recognition
This policy describes naming rights for and donor recognition of major donations given for the benefit of the Flathead County Library.
Library Service
The Library Board of Trustees shall provide for library service to the residents of Flathead County through ImagineIF Libraries and other service outlets as the Board chooses to establish or support.
Hours of Service
In accordance with the Montana State Library Public Library Standards, Flathead County Library will be open a minimum of 50 hours per week.
Library Accessibility
The Library Board of Trustees strives to provide equal access to all library facilities, activities, and programs in adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Technology Use
ImagineIF Libraries provide Wi-Fi, computers, Internet access, printing and scanning for the public. These resources are provided to all library users to facilitate exploration, connection and collaboration. It is the individual user’s responsibility to adhere to ImagineIF Libraries’ Customer Conduct Policy.
Contracted Services
The Library Board of Trustees may choose to provide contracted services to other legal entities on request.
Photography, Videotaping
The duty of fulfilling the Library’s strategic plan is the first priority of the Flathead County Library System and the filming and photography described below is allowed only to the extent that it does not interfere with the provision of library services and is consistent with the Library’s strategic plan.
Safety of Children
Flathead County Library offers welcoming spaces that encourage children to explore, create and connect. Library staff strive to provide a safe environment for all customers, but safety cannot be guaranteed. While Flathead County Library staff is committed to helping children with activities and materials at the libraries, library staff do not act as child care providers or disciplinarians. Children are expected to adhere to the same rules of conduct as adults. Please refer to the Customer Conduct Policy in the Flathead County Library Policy Manual.
Media Communication Policy
Public Postings ImagineIF Libraries offers social networking for informational, educational, cultural, and recreational purposes. Library social networking provides an online public forum to facilitate the sharing of ideas, opinions and information about library-related subjects and issues among Library staff and…
Borrowing Privileges
ImagineIF Libraries will extend borrowing privileges to all residents of the State of Montana as well as to those persons who are temporarily residing in Flathead County. In order to borrow materials, persons must be in possession of an ImagineIF library card or a library card from a participating Partner Resource Sharing Group library.
Circulation of Materials to Organizations
The Library Board of Trustees is committed to providing service to as many as possible of those patrons who are unable to come to the library. Such patrons may include, but are not limited to, those in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, retirement homes and preschool and daycare facilities.
Special Reference and Research Services
ImagineIF Libraries are committed to providing access to materials that satisfy customer interests and enable lifelong learning. Library staff are available to assist with self-directed research and help customers locate and use relevant research materials and library equipment.
Meeting Room Use
This policy describes the intended purposes of the Flathead County Library meeting rooms, how and when they can be used by the public and what rules must be observed when using meeting spaces.
Art Exhibit and Display
The Flathead County Library System welcomes the opportunity for selected artists and groups to exhibit artwork for public viewing in our exhibit spaces. FCLS provides space for artists of diverse media and styles to display their work to the community.
Bulletin Board Posting
The Flathead County Library System provides bulletin boards in some of its libraries for announcements promoting events and services of interest to the community.
Collection Development
Flathead County Library’s collection is developed based upon community interests and needs, the composition and use of the existing collection, and input from customers, staff, and the Library Board of Trustees.
Library Programs
ImagineIF Libraries supports its strategic goals by developing and presenting programs that provide additional opportunities for education, connection and 21st century skills building. Programs are an integral component of library service and serve to: Expand the Library’s role as a community resource Introduce customers to Library resources Provide opportunities for lifelong learning Build relationships Expand . . .
Hiring of Director and Staff
Flathead County Library is a department of Flathead County. The Flathead County Policy and Procedures Manual applies to all personnel of the Flathead County Library and governs all matters related to staff, except where otherwise specified in MCA.
Continuing Education for Library Staff Members
The Flathead County Library System Board of Trustees believes that continuing education of staff members is vital to the provision of quality library service.
Volunteer
ImagineIF Libraries welcomes volunteers who supplement and enhance services to the public through effective use of their talents and expertise.
Board Bylaws
By-Laws of the Flathead County Library Board of Trustees ARTICLE I: NAME The name of this organization shall be the Flathead County Library Board of Trustees, located in Flathead County, Montana and governing Flathead County Library. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE…
Service Animal Policy
Definition of Service Animal: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are…
Fees and Payments Policy
This policy describes under what circumstances the library charges fees and the payment methods used to collect such fees. Fees are approved by the Board of Trustees and posted on the library’s website as well as at the Circulation Desks.…
Security Camera Policy
Security cameras are used to enhance the safety and security of library users and staff by discouraging violations of the library’s Patron Conduct policy, to assist library staff in preventing such violations, and when necessary, to assist law enforcement in…
Patron Conduct Policy
To better serve all library patrons, the Library Board of Trustees has established standards of acceptable behavior to ensure a positive, welcoming, clean, and safe environment conducive to library use. Behavior becomes unacceptable when it impinges on the rights of…