Skip to Content

Library Policies

Policy and Regulations of the Florence County Library

Revised 10/27/11

I.  Mission and Goals

A. The mission of the Florence County Library is to provide quality materials and services which fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the entire community in an atmosphere that is welcoming, respectful, and businesslike.
B. The general library goals of the Florence County Library shall be:

  1. To serve all residents of the community and the surrounding region.
  2. To acquire and make available to all residents of the above area such books, periodicals, pamphlets, and other services as will address their needs to a) become well informed, b) locate answers to important questions, c) cultivate the imagination and creative expression, d) develop skills for career and vocational advancement, and e) enjoy leisure by means of reading and other media services.
  3. To acquire the means to provide the most frequently requested material locally and upon demand.
  4. To maintain a program of service which locates information, guides reading, organizes and interprets material for people of various backgrounds, and stimulates thinking and intellectual development in individuals of any age.
  5. To strive consistently to discover new methods and improvements for better service for the library's customers.
  6. To review regularly these goals of the Florence County Library and, if necessary, revise them in the light of new developments.

II. Who May Use the Library

A. The library will serve all residents of the county and the public library system area. Service 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 cause may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library premises.

III. 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. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the Library and from the use of the library facilities. 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.

Young children:

The Florence County Library encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child. 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 must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the library. Also, if the young child is attending a library program, we require the parent/responsible person to remain in the library throughout the program.

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 will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. However, children (whether with parents or not) who are being continually disruptive will be given a warning that he/she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library. If after a second warning the child continues to be disruptive, he/she will be asked to leave the library. If the child needs to contact a parent, they may do so and then wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.

IV. Services of the Library

The library provides materials and resources for information, entertainment, intellectual development, and enrichment of the people of the community. The library should 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 would 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 service during hours which best 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.

V. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Library Board

Refer to Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes (particularly section 43.58), the Wisconsin Public Library Trustee Manual, and individual library bylaws to provide basis and framework for the responsibilities and authority of the library board and individual trustees.
The Florence County Library encourages each library trustee to take advantage of training opportunities for trustees offered by the public library system or statewide agencies and organizations. Likewise, the Library encourages trustees to be active in the state library organization and its efforts to inform the governor and legislature of the benefits and needs of public libraries.

VI. Volunteers and Friends

The Library Board encourages individuals and groups to volunteer their time and efforts in the service of the Florence County Library. In appreciation of volunteer services, the Library acknowledges the need to organize volunteer activities and provide for appropriate recognition befitting the benefit to the library and the communities it serves.
Annual recognition will be given based on the number of hours of service. This will include a listing of volunteer names in a newspaper release, a certificate of appreciation, and the addition of a book to the collection in each volunteer's name.
A library friends group is a formal association of people who unite to plan and execute, in conjunction with library goals and the needs of the library director, programs and events to benefit the library. In particular, a friends group is often heavily involved in fund-raising for the library and often oversees periodic book sales. Friends groups always serve at the pleasure of the library board which is the only body with legal authority to set policy for the development of the library.

VII.  Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy 

VIII.  Circulation Policy 

IX. Reference Service Policy 

X. Programming Policy 

XI. Public Relations Policy 

XII. Equipment Use Policy

XIII. Internet Use Policy 

XIV. Wireless Internet Access Policy

XV. Open Records Compliance 

XVI. Meeting Room Policy 

XVII. Displays and Exhibits Policy 

XVIII. Public Notice Bulletin Board Policy 

XIV. Disasters Policy 

 

Download:

 

 



by Dr. Radut.