GENERAL INFORMATION

The following rules govern the use of audiovisual equipment belonging to Norfolk Public

Library.

1. LOANS

Audiovisual equipment may not be loaned to an individual or a group for use outside the

library, with these exceptions:

presenting a program; or

by that agency.

damage will not be loaned under any circumstances.

2. USE IN MEETING ROOM

Any group using the library’s meeting room in accordance with the policy for the use of

that room may use the library’s audiovisual equipment during their use of the room. An

individual may also use the audiovisual equipment in the meeting room when the room is

3. OPAQUE PROJECTOR

The Standard Model RM-2 opaque projector may be used by the public in the library.

4. OPERATION BY LIBRARY STAFF

The library reserves the right to have a staff member operate any of its audiovisual

equipment being used.

5. LIBRARY HAS PRIORITY

Priority on the use of all audiovisual equipment is given to the Norfolk Public Library for

use in library programs.

6. MISUSE, DAMAGE, OR ABUSE

Misuse, damage, or abuse of the library’s audiovisual equipment by a group or person

shall be grounds for denying them future use of the equipment. The group or person may

also be charged for damage, including the repeated burning out of projection lamps.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory board

November 14, 1984

Bulletin Board Use

Use of the bulletin boards and display panels in the public areas of the library shall be according

to the following rules.

The library staff will determine what may be posted and where according to the priorities and

restrictions given here and other considerations including available space, size of the item and

how long the item is to be posted. Final decision on the display of any item shall belong to the

Library Director.

PRIORITIES ON USE

1. Library and City of Norfolk official notices

2. Library public relations, including program publicity and library awareness

3. Information about coming literary and cultural events

4. Program publicity for non-commercial organizations

5. Health and safety awareness

6. Other

RESTRICTIONS (the following kinds of material may not be posted)

1. Political advertising. However, announcements of nonpartisan or bipartisan

informational events such as candidates’ forums, debates, etc., are encouraged.

appeal.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

December 13, 1989

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

Norfolk Public Library allows cardholders an unlimited number of circulating items with the

exception of videos, DVDs, video games, and CDs. A cardholder may have no more than one video game, three DVDs, or ten

CDs charged at any time.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board

July 11, 2001

Computer Use

OPACS:

There are a total of l0 OPACs throughout the Norfolk Public Library, accessing the Norfolk

Public Library's collection, as well as some obituaries in Madison County and the best sellers

list.

WORD PROCESSING:

In the Reference area there are ten word processors. Users are limited to two

60 minute sessions per day with one person normally allowed per terminal. There is no charge

to use the word processors. There is, however, a printing charge of ten cents per page.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Word Processors will not be accessible to children under the age of 10 unless, supervised by

a parent or guardian.

USER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Any information lost while using the Word Processor is not the responsibility of the library.

These are PUBLIC computers that are highly used, which makes them more susceptible to

problems. While we will make every effort to keep this software virus free, we cannot guarantee

anything. Patrons are expected to be familiar with the Word Processor in order to use them. The

library can only assist with computer problems but does not have the staffing to train the public

how to use these computers.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

Revised July 10, 2002 and November 13, 2002

Internet Use

In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Norfolk

Public Library endeavors to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the

informational, recreational, and educational needs of the service area. It is within this context

that the Norfolk Public Library offers access to the Internet.

The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information from beyond

the confines of its own collection. The Internet allows access to ideas, information and

commentary from around the globe.

Congress and the courts have recognized that there is no single organization to govern, control,

or select information for the Internet. Library staff will apply the selection criteria outlined in

the library's "Materials Selection" policy to provide access to research resources through the

library's homepage. Minors are strongly encouraged to access these sites in their search for

information. However, because of the breadth of information on the Internet, the unstructured

and unregulated nature of the Internet, and the unreliable state of filtering, the Norfolk Public

Library cannot control the content of resources available on the Internet.

User Responsibilities

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Users are limited to two sessions per day, Monday-Saturday,

not to exceed 60 minutes per session except on Sundays, when users are limited to one session

per day, not to exceed 60 minutes per session.  Users, or their parents, or their guardians may be held

responsible for any damage done to library computers and equipment.

The Internet changes daily; accuracy of information is not verifiable, and patrons should be

aware that errors and intentional misinformation do sometimes occur. Use of Internet resources

a good information consumer. The availability of any information found on the Internet does not

constitute endorsement of the content by the Norfolk Public Library.

It is the responsibility of the user to determine what is appropriate. The Library cannot monitor

or control access to information, nor can we protect users from information that they may find

offensive.

Access, use, or dissemination of information via the Internet in the Library is the responsibility

of the user. In the case of minors, it is a joint responsibility of the user and the parent or

guardian.

Parental Responsibilities

Librarians cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of

children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility for what minors read or view on the

Internet rests with parents or guardians.

The best way to ensure your child’s safety on the Internet is to be there. Of course, that is not

always possible. Just as you teach your child rules about dealing with strangers outside the home,

you must provide rules for communicating online.

The following are recommended guidelines for parents and guardians to ensure that children

have positive online experiences, whether at home or in the library.

consider inappropriate for them.

television viewing.

telephone number, or school name anywhere on the Internet.

telephone number, credit card number) online.

you discuss it with your parents and an adult goes with you.

source, date, and accuracy of online information.

As it does with other library resources, the Library will provide training on electronic resources.

It will also make information available to help parents and guardians in their efforts to exercise

their rights and responsibilities regarding their own children's use of electronic resources.

Non-Acceptable Use

It is not acceptable to use the Library’s Internet services and equipment for any purposes that

violate city ordinances, state or federal laws. Information and resources accessible via the

Internet are private to the individuals and organizations that own or hold rights to those resources

and information. It is therefore not acceptable for any individual to use the Norfolk Public

Library Internet services or equipment to access or copy information unless permission to do so

has been granted by the owners or holders of rights to those resources or information.

Interference with or disruption of network users, services or equipment is not acceptable.

Patrons are free to access whatever Internet sites they wish; however, the Library must also

respect the rights of other patrons not to be inadvertently exposed to material and images they

Internet session at any time if it is creating a disturbance.

Approved By the Library Advisory Board

November 13, 1996

Revised July 10, 2002 and March 11, 2009

Internet Behavior

The expectation for patron behavior while using the Library’s internet workstations is primarily

encompassed in the overall Library Behavior Policy. There are, however, some distinct

additions that must me made concerning internet use. These differences are not delineated in the

Library Behavior Policy nor are they delineated in the Internet Use Policy.

The Library places very few actual restrictions on use of the internet. Because of the high

demand for access to the internet it is essential that everyone abide by the same simple rules. It

should be noted that internet access at the Library is primarily intended for use as a reference and

information tool and only minimally as a means of communication. The internet workstations at

the Library are not intended as places of entertainment. Therefore, chatting and games are not

permitted. It is also important to take into account that games take up huge amounts of RAM to

download and play. Because of this, they frequently cause workstations to lock up. Rebooting

locked up workstations is both time consuming and frustrating for patrons and staff.

Examples of inappropriate patron behavior while using the internet include, but are not limited

to: chatting, playing games and not paying for print jobs.

A person behaving inappropriately (per examples listed above) will be given one verbal warning.

If the person ignores the warning and continues to disregard the rules, then he or she will be

asked to terminate their internet session immediately. This person will not be allowed to return

that day. If a person exhibits chronic behavioral problems, he or she will be banned from using

the internet for a period of thirty (30) days. A second infraction after a period of banning will

result in the loss of internet privileges for six months.

A person told to terminate an internet session must do so promptly. If he or she fails to terminate

the session immediately, then they will be in violation of the overall Library Behavior Policy and

they will be required to leave the building for the rest of the day. If needed, they may be allowed

to make a short call from the pay telephone. If they have no money, they may use the staff

lobby. If a person told to leave does not leave the building promptly, the police should be called

to see that the person is removed.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

March 12, 2003

Children’s Internet Protection Act

The Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NCIPA) basically requires any school or

public library receiving E-rate, Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - Title III

[including Technology Literacy Challenge Fund (TLCF)] and/or the Library Services

NCIPA requires that libraries adopt an Internet safety policy that addresses five issues:

electronic communication;

INTERNET USE POLICY

Confidentiality

library users. Confidentiality extends to all of the library's materials and services, including

information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired or transmitted,

and includes database search records, reference interviews, interlibrary loan records, use of

library computers, and all other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, or

services, with one exception*.

Such records will not be made available to any agency of state, federal, or local government except

in pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of a

federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or

legislative investigative power. All library staff members are to refer any request for such records

to the Library Director. Upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena, the Library Director

will inform the Library Board and will consult with the City Attorney's Office to determine if such

process, order, or subpoena is in proper form and if there is a showing of good cause for issuance.

* Member libraries of the ONE Library Consortium have access to patron records of all

other consortium members. Therefore, library patrons, with outstanding balances for unreturned

material, at any of the libraries that make up the ONE Library Consortium, may be refused

service at another consortium library until such time as the materials are returned and/or paid for.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

May 14, 2008

Copier Use

PRINCIPLES

The Library is not in the copying business. It does not seek to compete with local businesses that

provide copying.

The Library provides a public copier to protect the collection from theft and mutilation.

The Copyright Law only protects libraries from liability for unsupervised copying, i.e., copies

made on a coin-operated or other clearly user-controlled machine. A staff member who makes

copies for the public is in violation of copyright law.

POLICY

The coin-operated copier is for public use and is strictly a self-service machine. We do not

normally provide duplexing or 11X17 copies. Enlarging print size is the patron’s responsibility.

Staff can merely suggest solutions when enlarging copies.

Under no circumstances is a Library employee to actually make a copy for the public on the

coin-operated copier. When a patron requests help because of a copier malfunction, the

employee should correct the malfunction and allow the patron to make one free copy if the

patron paid for but did not get a copy. The patron must be the person who presses the start

button to make the copy.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

Facilities Use

RATIONALE: the Library’s facilities are a showpiece for the community; which must be

properly used and cared for. Their use must be governed by a consistently applied policy taking

into account the intended purposes of the facilities and the government and library principles of

noninvolvement with religion and political factions, non-competition with the private sector, and

non-preferential treatment of people and business.

FACILITIES: two areas in the building are suitable for group use---the Meeting Room and the

Board Room. Because of their different locations, size, and nature, they are addressed separately

in this policy.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY: day-to-day administration of the facilities is the

responsibility of the Library Director, and as delegated, the staff. The Director, guided by this

policy and general Library and City policies, will decide questions arising over the use of the

facilities. The Library Board will consider unresolved questions.

Meeting Room

The meeting room located on the south side of the building, is suitable for programs and

meetings for groups up to a seated capacity of 75 persons or up to 150 young people not using

chairs. The room has a large wall screen, a cable TV outlet, multiple electrical outlets, and

carpeted walls, making it suitable for a wide variety of meetings, programs, and audiovisual

presentations. The room contains no food preparation or cleanup facilities. Public restrooms, a

drinking fountain, and a pay telephone are located in the hallway between the room and the

lobby.

Scheduling rules:

1. The following uses of the Meeting Room will have priority in the order listed, including

the right to bump a lower priority use previously scheduled.

2. Groups wishing to schedule use of the room must obtain permission before the

reservation will be entered on the Meeting Room calendar. Permission is given by the

Library Director or the Director’s appointed representative.

3. Groups may not schedule regular meetings (e.g., a group may not reserve the room on the

second Monday afternoon of each month). A group may schedule only one meeting at a

time, except that, with the approval of the Library Director, a series of meetings may be

scheduled for a class offered by a nonprofit educational or library agency or a

thematically linked program series with a definite ending date not more than six months

after the starting date.

Restrictions on use: if the use of the Meeting Room would involve any of the following, use of

the room will not be permitted, except in connection with a legitimate Library or

registration fee for a nonprofit educational program covering materials and/or minimal

tuition costs may be allowed.)

an equitable airing of the different sides or are sponsored by an organization associated

with a specific position on or commercial interest in the topic. (Where any doubt exists,

the decision shall be against permitting use of the Meeting Room.)

religious persuasion, regardless of the purpose of the meeting.

Rules for use:

use of the Meeting Room must be obtained before the room may be used. When

permission is given, the reservation of the room for the indicated time, including the

names of the group and the responsible contact person and the contacts person’s phone

number, along with information on the chairs, tables, and any Library audiovisual

equipment needed, is to be entered in the scheduling calendar.

does it guarantee that any time will be available before the scheduled time for any setting

up or other preparation.

than official Library or City activities must not in any way imply sponsorship of the

activity by either the Library or City of Norfolk.

belongings of any kind brought into the Library building by any person or group making

use of the Library’s facilities or attending any function at the Library.

must be removed promptly and before the next scheduled use of the facility. Decorations

must be kept to a minimum, and the Library Director’s permission obtained before any

equipment or furniture not belonging to the Library may be used. Storage of any

equipment or furniture not belonging to the Library is not permitted, except for Official

County voting equipment left overnight.

contents rests with the person(s)/organization using the facility.

of Library facilities or equipment to prepare, except for water for beverages. The Library

will not furnish coffee makers or serving utensils. Facilities in the Library’s staff lounge

are not be used by any groups using the Meeting Room.

of the following persons: (a) a library staff member other than a page, (b) a City staff

member of division head or higher rank. For any after-hours use where a Library staff

member is not present, the staff will lock the inner lobby doors and the door to the staff

workroom before leaving. The facility may not be used on days the Library is not open.

cost of the clean-up and not less than $10.00 will be charged, and notice given that a

second offense will result in being denied future use of the facility.

classes, painting projects, exercise classes) will be permitted.

facility, including stopping an activity in progress, to anyone violating these rules or

behaving in a disorderly, disruptive, or offensive way.

receive calls or messages. The pay phone in the hallway is to be used. The Library staff

will not take messages or call people to the phone.

Charges: while use of the Meeting Room is normally free to qualifying groups or persons, an

appropriate charge, determined by the Library Director and Board, will be made for use of the

facility for a 10-hour period or longer for a function not connected with the Library or the City.

Board Room

The Board Room, located in the northeast corner of the building, has a functional seating limit of

12. It is accessible only through the public area of the Library and has no facilities for preparing

refreshments.

Restrictions on use: the Board Room may only be used in the same manner as the large meeting

room, or by people doing research or special work requiring both use of the Library and an extra

degree of freedom from interruption

Rules for use:

Library

Room apply.

cookies.

or City functions may only occur during the hours the Library is open to the public.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

October 11, 1989

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 1979

November 13, 1991

January 10, 2001

Gift Materials

Gifts, Memorials and Special Collections:

The Library seeks and accepts unrestricted gifts of books, pamphlets, periodicals, recordings and

other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the library collection only as

needed. The same principles of selection that are applied to purchases are applied to gifts. Some

gifts cannot be used to full advantage because of duplication or insufficient value. The donor of

any gift should understand that the library reserves the right to assign gifts wherever the need is

greatest, or to dispose of them in some other way if they are not acceptable library items

(disposal usually means that they are offered to other libraries or placed on the library’s annual

used book sale).

The Library does normally not accept gifts of money and other property, and donors are

encouraged to have these gifts handled by the Norfolk Library Foundation, Inc., a non-profit

corporation established for the primary purpose of accepting such gifts and using them for the

benefit of the Library.

When possible, the Library encourages gifts to be made as cash contributions to the Norfolk

Library Foundation. The Library Director will work with the donor to assure that the donation is

used to acquire works suitable for improvement of the collection or services. Work forms for

proper handling of gift and memorial materials are kept in the Library Secretary’s office.

Payment for a book purchased is normally by check made out to the Foundation, which pays the

City, which pays the vendor.

Unrestricted gifts of money, lands, or property will be gratefully accepted by the Foundation.

The Library Foundation Board before acceptance will review gifts or bequests with specific

restrictions attached.

Memorials:

Persons wishing to present the library with memorials are advised that the Library Director and

staff can assist in selecting appropriate items, and that the Foundation has an announcement card

to send the family of the deceased telling them of the memorial. First use of memorial items is

offered to friends or relatives before being put into regular circulation.

Bookplates:

Whatever the nature of the gift, whether a personal donation or the development of a special

collection, the Library Foundation can provide bookplates indicating the donor and occasion of

the gift.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

February 8, 1989

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

June 11, 1997

January 10, 2001

Holds/Reserves

Good library service requires keeping track of demand for specific materials and, where high

demand warrants, acquiring additional copies to meet the need, so that patrons do not have an

unreasonably long time to wait. To meet this requirement, the Library encourages patrons to

place a hold/reserve on an item they want which is in circulation.

at no charge to the patron.

that indicates the last day the item will be held for them. Patrons will be given seven days

from the date the “pick up” notice is sent to pick up an item they have on hold. Any item

not picked up within the allotted seven days will be given to the next patron on the holds

list or put back into circulation if there are not other holds on the item.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

October 13, 1993

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

March 10, 2010

Patrons who return ILL materials in a damaged condition, or who fail to return material will pay

the cost as determined by the library of ownership. All ILL material returned late or not picked

up will be assessed a $5.00 handling charge.

Approved by the Norfolk Library Advisory Board

November 11, 2004

Nebraska ILL Code

INTERLIBRARY LOAN CODE FOR NEBRASKA (http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/ref/tnebill.html)

Getting a library card is a simple a process. Because borrowers are using, and taking home, the

assets of the citizens of Norfolk, proof of current residence and proper identification are required.

Any time something other than a current Nebraska Driver’s License is offered as proof of

identity, a photo id, will be required in combination with one proof of address listed above.

Proof of Residential Address and Identification for Children

proper identification and proof of residential address. Otherwise, a parent or guardian must

accompany them and be able to show proper identification and proof of residential address.

identification in order to obtain a library card.

XIV

College Students

College students will be issued library cards by providing their permanent home address as an

alternate address on the registration form.

The registration form shall include the following information supplied by the applicant:

alternate phone number (work, school, etc.));

guardian and their signature acknowledging responsibility, and their date of birth;

The form shall also include a statement accepting responsibility for all materials borrowed and

all charges incurred

.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board, September 11, 1996

Revised, January 9, 2002

Revised, November 12, 2003

Present Card When Borrowing

A current borrower’s card from this library must be presented at the circulation desk in order to

borrow library materials.

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

July 8, 1992

January 10, 2001

Card Replacement

Library card replacement is a necessary service, but it has a significant cost in both materials and

staff time. Therefore, there will be a $1.00 charge for replacing lost cards.

A card that has been declared lost will be activated only if a new card has not been issued.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

March 12, 1997

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

Group Cards

The library will issue a group card to institutions which have largely transient populations such

as shelters or halfway houses when a qualified representative of that organization makes a formal

application and agrees to take financial responsibility for all a material checked out on the card.

The library director should approve all group cards.

Group cardholders are subject to the same responsibilities and limitations as all other patrons.

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

February 11, 1998

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

Internet Card

Where patrons are staying at transient addresses, an Internet card may be issued. Patrons will be

allowed to access the internet as long as they abide by the policies that govern its use. Internet

cards may not be used to borrow materials from the Library.

Transient Card

A transient is a person not permanently residing at a specific address in the Library’s service

area. A transient address is a place such as a hotel, motel, rooming house, or short-term

institution where residents normally stay for only a few days, or weeks.

The Library will issue cards to patrons staying at transient addresses provided they are able to

meet the requirements for patron registration. Specifically, transients must provide proper photo

identification and proof of residence at the address given. A driver’s license, a letter from the

director of the institution, or a piece of mail addressed to the applicant with the short-term

address will meet these requirements.

With the agreement of the staff at the Norfolk Rescue Mission, the Library will not issue library

cards to residents of the Mission.

The Library Director will decide all questions whether a borrower’s card may or may not be

issued under this policy.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board

February 11, 1998

Loan Periods

Norfolk Public Library does not circulate/checkout reference books, periodicals, newspapers,

pamphlet file materials or microforms. All circulating items, except E-readers, video games, DVDs and CDs may be

checked out for a period of two weeks. All circulating items, except E-readers, video games, DVDs and CDs, may be

renewed by a patron two times. Each renewal period is for two weeks. An item may not

be renewed if there is a hold on the item. Video games, DVDs and CDs may be checked out for a period of

one week and cannot be renewed.  E-readers may be checked out for four weeks (28 days) and cannot be renewed.

Subsequent checkout of an E-reader is not allowed by patrons of the same family for seven (7) calendar days.  A deposit of $35 is required prior to checking out an E-reader.

The patron or any member of the patron’s family will not be allowed to check in an item and

then immediately check it out again.

Items are considered overdue one day after the final due date. All fines take effect one day after

the final due date. A maximum of three overdue notices will be sent over a 4-6 week period of

time to patrons with overdue items that have not been returned. If overdue items have not been

returned within two weeks after the third notice has been sent, a letter will be sent to the patron

from the library director advising them that if they have not made arrangements with the library

director within ten days in regard to the overdue items, the matter will be turned over to the City

Attorney to be prosecuted.

Fines for late DVDs are $1.00 per day per DVD.  Fines for late video games are $1.00 per day per game. Fines for CDs are $.25 per day per CD. Fines for late E-readers are $5.00 per day.  Fines for all other late material are ten cents per day per item. There is a $5.00 cap per item on all overdue materials with the exception of E-readers.  Late fees for E-readers will not exceed the total value of the item and accessories not returned to the library.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

September 8, 1993

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

December 8, 1993

September 14, 1994

January 10, 2001

May 11, 2011

Lost Material Charges

When an item is lost, we will make every effort to determine the replacement cost of the item. If

the item is no longer available for purchase, or if the cost cannot be determined the charge for

replacement will then be as follows:

Approved by the Library Advisory Board

June 11, 1997

January 10, 2001

May 11, 2011

No Refunds on Payments for Lost Materials

Because the Library makes every effort to quickly reorder replacement materials, refunds on

payments for lost items cannot be provided. If a lost item is paid for and later found, the item

becomes the property of the patron.

Approved by the Library Advisory Board

January, 2002

Mail and Phone Requests

Library staff do not do research for patrons. Our job is to guide patrons to the materials

they need when conducting their own research. Library staff will search the Norfolk

Daily News for obituaries and other news stories providing a specific day and date for

the article is given. There is a ten dollar charge per request for this service. .A selfaddressed

stamped envelope must be included with the payment.

Materials Selection

As a community institution, the public library is dedicated to the concept of public service. A

fundamental part of this service is the selection of appropriate materials, which depends,

essentially, on four factors:

I. The objectives of the library.

II. The community served.

III. The structure of the library and its relations with other libraries.

IV. The nature and quality of the material.

The purpose of this Materials Selection Policy is to articulate the role of the library in this

community and provide guidelines for the selection of appropriate library materials.

I. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE LIBRARY AS FACTORS IN SELECTION

The objectives of the Norfolk Public Library are described in the Mission Statement of the

Library, which reads in part:

The mission of the Norfolk Public Library is to serve the community of Norfolk as a resource

center for information, education, culture, and leisure, and, in so doing, to enhance and enrich the

lives of Norfolk's citizens.

By collecting, organizing, making accessible, and disseminating both traditional printed materials

and a wide variety of contemporary print and non-print resources, the Library performs the vital

service of helping citizens to be well-informed, make decisions, cultivate the imagination,

accomplish self-improvement, entertain themselves, improve the quality of leisure time, and

acquire the life-long enjoyment of reading.

Free and convenient access to the world of ideas, information, and creative experience is of vital

importance to every citizen. The Norfolk Public Library, therefore, incorporates as part of this

policy the Library Bill of Rights, adopted by the Council of the American Library Association,

June 27, 1967, and the Freedom to Read Statement, prepared by the Westchester Conference of the

American Library Association and the American Book Publisher's Council, May 2 and 3, 1953.

Since the Library's concern is the communication of ideas and information, these statements are

extended for the purpose of this policy to include all material, in any format.

The Library acquires:

(1) Source materials and thoughtful interpretations which document and illuminate the past.

(2) Contemporary materials representing various points of view, which are of current interest and

possible future significance, including materials which reflect current conditions, trends and

controversies.

(3) Materials designed to increase the individual's ability to function effectively as a productive

member of society.

(4) Materials which provide a meaningful aesthetic experience, stimulate the imagination and

increase the individual's potential for creativity.

(5) Materials, including the experimental or controversial, which extend the individual's capacity

to understand the world in which he lives.

(6) Materials which entertain and which enhance the individual's enjoyment of life.

In a world in which change is rapid and pervasive, the library's obligation extends beyond meeting

present conditions. The library must strive to anticipate future needs of the community. Books

have always been, and will continue to be, a proper concern of the library, but ever greater amounts

of information are now being presented in other forms. As research continues in the field of

communication, and as the community changes and develops, the library must be a media center,

acquiring appropriate materials regardless of form and integrating each into its total services.

II. THE COMMUNITY AS A FACTOR IN SELECTION

It is recognized by the Library Board, the administration and the staff that a knowledge of the

community, its characteristics and needs, based on facts, is essential to sound development of the

collection. The Library, therefore, shall regularly update its analysis of the community, taking into

particular account newly annexed areas, changing population age patterns, racial and cultural

elements, industrial development, city planning and the resources and service obligations of other

libraries in the Norfolk area. Surveys made by other agencies or institutions or by joint action of

the Library and another institution are considered to be an important supplement to the community

analysis program.

Key factors in the community which have a direct bearing upon the selection of materials are: the

people, individually and collectively, and the adequacy and availability of materials in other

community agencies.

1. People

The City of Norfolk now has a population of about 23,896 with perhaps 6,000 more living within

five miles of the city limits. However, the Library also serves as the major public library facility

for much of the population within a 25-mile radius, including an estimated 20,000 additional

people.

Norfolk's population has grown and undergone a wide variety of other changes. Increasing

preschool and day care enrollments of young children, educational mainstreaming of handicapped

children, home schooling, programs for the gifted, more demands for quality education, more

college graduates, recognition of the adult illiteracy problem, growing numbers of people facing

mid-life career changes, greater emphasis on life-long or continuing education, more single parents

and two-job families, more housing facilities for the elderly -- these and other trends reflect greater

and more diverse demands for library services.

Technology has changed the population, too. Cable television and satellite receivers, computers in

schools, at home, and at work, the availability of remote database searching, electronic mail,

videocassette recorders, and compact discs have changed the way people get and use information.

The variety and scope of materials required by the community for information, relaxation, personal

growth, and education is as broad as the community itself.

2. Other Community Resources

While many benefits can result from extensive cooperation between the Library and other libraries,

community agencies and organizations whose purposes and activities are related to the library's

objectives, two benefits are of great value in materials selection. By knowing what materials or

resources each other has, they can avoid unnecessary duplication of materials (and sometimes

achieve greater strength by acquiring complementary items), while knowing the extent to which

each other will permit outside access to or borrowing of its collection can indicate when

duplication is necessary. Therefore, one factor in selection will be to consider the kinds of

materials available to the public through other area institutions. These include:

a. Special libraries -- Other libraries in our area where materials

are available for public or professional use. Purchase of expensive or specialized materials

contained in collections such as those of law firms, hospitals, financial institutions or other similar

collections will usually be

avoided if reasonable access to the other material is possible.

b. Educational Institutions -- Cooperation with the entire educational community is a basic

aspect of public library service. Responsibility for the provision of curriculum-related materials

belongs properly to the schools, but Norfolk Public Library should provide materials to supplement

and enrich the reference, research, and developmental needs of student borrowers of all ages, as

well as the similar needs of faculty. Extensive duplication to meet mass assignment demands is

not feasible, but because of its size compared to most school libraries, Norfolk Public Library can

provide greater depth in most subject areas, backed up by national interlibrary loan access.

III. THE STRUCTURE OF THE LIBRARY AS A FACTOR IN SELECTION

Within budgetary and space restrictions, several internal factors have a direct bearing on the

selection of materials. These include the contents of the present collection, special interest

collections, and special services of the library.

The Norfolk Public Library is made up of four easily identifiable collection areas: information

services (reference), the general or adult collection, the young adult collection, and the children's

collection. Each collection area is developed with particular purposes or reader interests in mind

and is regularly checked against standard lists of materials regarded as essential to strong library

programs.

Special interest collections include the following:

- Large Print materials, mostly books, are actively used by walk-in borrowers, the outreach

program, and the regional large print resource library service;

- Genealogy, including census microfilms, genealogy reference books, and some circulating

materials;

- Local, Area, and Nebraska History, made up mostly of non-circulating books and some maps --

many of these items are old and in fragile condition, and most would be difficult to replace;

- Local and Area Authors are collected by the Library, with autographed first editions obtained

where possible;

- Poetry Anthologies make up a state resource collection, largely accessible through Granger's

Index to Poetry, with appropriate new anthologies being

added;

- Business Reference is stocked with current reference materials on business and finance,

supplemented by other materials in the Reference and Nonfiction collections. Other areas of

special emphasis include consumer materials and government information.

IV. THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL AS FACTORS IN SELECTION

The many issues of political and social conflict in our time, the knowledge and information

explosion, changing social values, rapid technological advances, and increased awareness of ethnic

and other cultural differences require flexibility, open-mindedness, sensitivity, and responsiveness

in the evaluation and re-evaluation of all library materials, old and new.

Each type of material must be considered in terms of its own kind of excellence and the audience

for whom it is intended. There is no single standard which can be applied in all cases when

making an acquisition decision. Some materials may be judged primarily in terms of artistic merit,

scholarship or their value as human documents; others are selected to satisfy the recreational and

entertainment needs of the community.

A small proportion of the materials evaluated are subject to widespread and/or heavy local

demand. Items having such demand may or may not meet the general and specific criteria

contained in this policy. In either case the volume and nature of the requests by members of the

public will be given serious consideration. In addition, as the social and intellectual climate of the

community changes, materials which originally were not recommended for purchase may become

of interest. Such materials are re-evaluated on a continuing basis.

In building a collection of merit and significance, materials must be selected according to

recognized, standard, and objective guidelines. All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated,

will be evaluated in terms of the following standards:

GENERAL CRITERIA:

1. Suitability of physical form for library use.

2. Suitability of subject and style for intended audience.

3. Present and potential relevance to community needs.

4. Appropriateness and effectiveness of medium to content.

5. Insight into human and social condition.

6. Importance as a document of the times.

7. Relation to existing collection and other material on

the subject.

8. Reputation and/or significance of author.

9. Skill, competence and purpose of author.

10. Attention of critics, reviewers and public.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR THE EVALUATION OF WORKS OF INFORMATION AND

OPINION:

1. Authority.

2. Comprehensiveness and depth of treatment.

3. Objectivity.

4. Clarity, accuracy and logic of presentation.

5. Representation of challenging, though extreme or minority

points of view.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR THE EVALUATION OF FICTION

1. Representation of important movement, genre, trend or

national culture.

2. Vitality and originality.

3. Artistic presentation and experimentation.

4. Sustained interest.

5. Effective characterization.

6. Authenticity of historical or social setting.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION:

Library staff members, using the criteria listed above, may use reviews and other selection tools to

recommend materials for purchase. Adequately trained professional staff may exercise selection

authority delegated to them, but the final responsibility for selection resides with the Library

Director.

USE OF THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTIONS:

The library recognizes that many books are controversial and that any given item may offend some

patrons. Selections will not be made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but

solely on the merits of the work in relation to the development of the collection and to serving the

interests of readers.

Library materials will not be labeled, marked or otherwise identified to show approval or

disapproval of the contents, and no cataloged book or other item will be sequestered, except for the

express purpose of protecting it from injury or theft.

The use of rare and scholarly items of special value may be controlled to the extent required to

insure the long-term preservation of the item, but no further.

Responsibility for the reading material used by young people rests with their parents and legal

guardians. Selection will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials some parents object to

may inadvertently come into the possession of children.

The Norfolk Public Library Board believes strongly that books and all other library materials are

vehicles for thought, and because of this, that their censorship represents a violation of the freedom

of thought which is an implied part of the freedom of speech. While the library does select its

materials in an attempt to maintain a balanced and diverse collection of high quality, it does not

censor any book for reasons of religious or political belief expressed, but does reserve judgment as

to what is political and religious in nature and what is distorted or sensational. Furthermore,

judgment is based on a thoughtful review of the whole book (or other item) as well as a

consideration of reviews found in responsible publications. In general, an item is not excluded

from the collection on the basis of its faults alone; each item is judged in terms of weighing of

faults and merits.

CATEGORICAL SELECTION GUIDELINES

Local implementation of the principles embodied in the above statements are as follows:

Reference:

The Library stocks standard, general reference works and special books reflecting local interests

and history. Only a small number of works are purchased in every edition, with the purchase of

most items reflecting professional judgment of use, the relative importance of fully current

information on the topic, and budget limitations. The purchase of new editions of encyclopedias is

rotated on a five-year cycle, with at least one new encyclopedia edition purchased every year.

General encyclopedia yearbooks are not purchased.

Genealogy:

Genealogy of specific families will not be purchased, unless of local historical interest. The scope

of this collection includes introductory research materials, census indexes, census records, and

local and area materials of major interest to researchers, e.g., cemetery records.

Fine and Rare Books:

The expenditure of public or gift money in a medium-sized public library for the purchase of rare

books is not justified, except in cases of material pertaining to Norfolk or Nebraska history or

material by local or area authors. This position is further strengthened by the availability of the

Nebraska Historical Society (consultation only) collection and other area collections.

It is the policy of the Library to purchase, as funds and opportunity afford, examples of fine

bookmaking and art books with good illustrations. It is felt that direct contact with such books is a

valuable educational experience, especially for those who may not have the opportunity to buy or

enjoy them elsewhere.

Foreign language materials:

Dictionaries of major foreign languages are part of the reference collection. A limited number of

grammars and instruction in foreign languages, and major world literature classics in their original

languages are part of the nonfiction collection. Audio and video instructional recordings in major

foreign languages, along with lessons in English as a second language are also part of the

collection.

Paperbacks:

Paperbacks are treated in several ways in the collection. First, circulating popular collections are

maintained for children, young adults, and adults. Books for the first two collections are purchased

regularly, while the adult collection is maintained through donations. The books in these

collections are given minimal level cataloging, kept separate from the main catalogs. Second,

paperbacks are purchased and processed for the regular book collections where they are the only or

the most reasonable option, as in cases where multiple copies of a work being used in a library

program are added to meet short-term demand.

Textbooks: The Library selects textbooks as a source of comprehensive but concise information,

but avoids texts used in local schools and colleges in order to minimize problems of duplication.

Controversial Subjects: It is the intent of the Library to stock materials presenting diverse

viewpoints on controversial subjects, but budget and collection size limits make it necessary to be

selective and seek authoritative and accurate statements even of extreme viewpoints rather than to

add material without question.

Books for Leisure Reading (fiction): In selecting materials for fulfilling the recreational and, to

some degree, educational aims of the Library, it becomes necessary to attempt to satisfy a wide

variety of readers with great differences in tastes, interests, reading levels and purposes.

The novel has become an extremely vigorous form of literature and is constantly subject to change

and innovation by authors. The contents range over the entire field of human experience and

imagination. Time-honored criteria used in fiction selection, such as plot, style, characterization,

authenticity, etc., have become less valid in recent years due to the innovative handling of this

literary form by new writers. Some works may be termed "objectionable" by would-be censors

but it is the Library's policy to let each individual reader determine what is objectionable to him or

her rather than to sacrifice this basic freedom to someone else.

These are criteria for selecting books for leisure reading:

a. invigorating quality f. interesting presentation/style

b. artistic expression g. good characterization

c. originality & imagination h. timeliness

d. honesty of presentation i. quality in a major genre

e. physical construction

Titles are not necessarily excluded from the collection because of the possibility that frankness of

presentation might be offensive to some readers nor because they are not suitable for all ages.

However, books which are intentionally sensational or morbid, cheaply sentimental or written in

inferior literary style are excluded.

Most novels are purchased new on the basis of reviews by the recognized book review media such

as Booklist, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, etc. Patron demand, though respected, is not

sufficient reason in itself for purchase of a particular title.

Sex Information:

Authoritative books in the area of sex education and marriage are purchased. An effort is made to

obtain only material that is reliable and up to date. Extremely technical and scientific works are

usually not added. Works containing an overabundance of explicit illustrations that do not

materially add to the informative focus of the work are usually avoided.

Medicine and Psychiatry:

The Library stocks both general books for the layman and a limited number of recognized basic

professional texts in the areas of medicine and psychiatry. Physiology, hygiene, home nursing

care, preventive medicine, emergency care and aids for the understanding of various illnesses by

the family and patient are to be covered thoroughly. With the great number of books published in

the areas of diet and exercise, only the most popular or standard books in these categories can be

purchased. Because of the importance of providing adequate information in this area, extra stress

is placed on the qualifications of both authors and reviewers.

Religion:

Books in the field of religion are selected to provide authoritative and objective presentations and

histories of the major religions, along with significant current issues in religion. Inspirational and

devotional materials of general interest are included but extreme emotional treatments of religious

subjects are avoided.

Law:

The current City Code and Nebraska statutes and major popular reference works in law are part of

the reference collection, while a wide range of popular works and current layman's guides is

purchased for the nonfiction collection. No effort is made to provide a significant legal research

collection.

DVD Recordings:

The Library will develop and maintain a DVD collection of materials.

Video Games:

A basic collection of video games will be maintained by the library.  The collection will be composed of materials selected to meet the recreational and educational needs and desires of patrons.  Games from a variety of genres and with a variety of ratings will be included to ensure thee diversity of the collection.

Maps:

A basic collection of national and international atlases is maintained in the reference collection,

along with a set of flat files containing maps from the local level through the international. The

scope of the collection includes Norfolk and other northeast Nebraska communities, Nebraska

counties, USGS quadrangle maps of northeast Nebraska, both general and specialized maps of

Nebraska, regions of the U.S., the nation, and the world, along with topical maps such as history

and outer space. Authority and the quality of cartography and printing are key selection criteria,

along with recency. Folding travel maps are not purchased, but are added to the pamphlet file as

travel information.

Pamphlets:

Pamphlets are acquired as primary source materials or to supplement books in subject areas where

reference or circulating material of recent date in concise form is essential. Selection criteria for

pamphlets is similar to that for book selection.

Periodicals:

In general, the selection of periodicals is based on the criteria used in book selection. Newspapers

will include current local papers, several regional papers, and at least two national papers. A

complete microfilm file of the Norfolk Daily News will be maintained, and microfiche backfiles of

the major news magazines and selected basic magazines will be built up and maintained.

Large Print:

The large print collection consists mostly of material for visually-impaired adults, but with a small

amount of popular reading material for visually-impaired children reading above the beginning

reader level. The adult large print collection reflects the interests of the adults, mostly elderly, who

use it, and is heavily weighted toward the more traditional kinds of general fiction, romance,

westerns, and mysteries, with smaller amounts of nonfiction and biography.

Minority and Ethnic Materials:

While Norfolk does not have a large minority population, several groups can be identified, most

notably Native Americans (American Indians),African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. An

effort is made to buy basic reference and nonfiction materials that will meet the needs of

elementary and secondary students seeking cultural awareness and heritage information, with a

somewhat broader coverage of Native American culture and history. An effort is also made in

doing general materials selection to include recommended materials that show the diverse cultural

traditions and outlooks of the contemporary world, along with children's materials that reflect an

affirmative attitude toward meeting the various challenges of living in a multicultural, multiracial,

and multiethnic society.

Audio Recordings:

The scope of the recordings collection includes what is considered as the basic repertoire in the

standard classical music fields, musicals and soundtracks, popular male and female vocalists,

popular vocal and instrumental groups, country and western music, foreign language instruction,

vocational instruction, popular religious music, popular music, and children's music and stories.

Gift Books:

The Library will accept any and all gifts of library materials, subject to the clear understanding that

the disposition of such materials is reserved to the Library based on the same standards used in the

normal purchase of materials, and that donated materials not added to the collection will be

discarded on the same basis as library materials. When requested, gifts added to the collection will

be identified by bookplates. For more information, or information about monetary gifts for

purchasing books, see the separate Gifts Policy.

SPECIFIC AGE GROUP CRITERIA

Children:

The basic policy of development of the children's book collection is to choose well-recommended

new books along with replacing and duplicating older titles of proven worth. Major purposes of

the collection include:

- encouraging development of the reading habit, both for personal enjoyment and for

gaining knowledge to satisfy their natural curiosity and widen their interests;

- providing appealing books for parents and teachers (both preschool and elementary) to use

with children; and

- helping young people to find positive answers to the many problems and challenges they

find in their lives.

Many children's interests are increasingly frank and sophisticated, realistically reflecting their

world of today, and materials selection must in part reflect this realism.

Selection is based upon librarians' interpretation of children's requests and interests. Consideration

is also given to suggestions from parents, teachers, and those working with children, as well as to

reviews in well known sources and standard collection lists.

While the public library serves the school child as a community library, supplementing but not

replacing school libraries, the amount of school-oriented material added will fluctuate with

expressed needs of children and budgetary limitations. Subject areas are periodically reviewed to

insure adequate coverage and updating of material.

Young Adult:

The young adult collection serves an age group in transition between children's and adult books.

The core of this group are seventh to ninth graders, and the focus of selection is on the interests and

concerns of this group, but individual reading levels and maturity extend the range of those using

this collection from fifth grade through senior high. The collection consists of hardcover fiction,

nonfiction and paperback fiction and nonfiction.

Adult:

Points considered in adult book selection are stated above in the general selection policy statement.

COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

Any policy concerning the selection of library materials should consider Collection maintenance.

Collection maintenance as it is used here includes:

- keeping materials in an attractive and serviceable condition, including mending, recovering, and

rebinding or replacing as needed, and retaining original covers and cover information wherever

possible;

- systematic checking of subject areas for outdated materials and for gaps in coverage, adding,

replacing, or updating with newer editions as needed;

- weeding the collection by withdrawing outdated, worn, and surplus materials, as well as

withdrawing less essential materials to relieve overcrowding; and

- complete or spot inventorying to determine materials that are lost or missing.

FACTORS IN COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

Collection maintenance -- general:

Library materials lost in circulation and paid for are promptly evaluated by the appropriate staff for

consideration for replacement.

When checking in returned materials, the staff attempts to inspect them for significant visible

damage. Lack of time and proper inspection equipment prevent checking audiovisual materials in

detail. Damaged materials are promptly set aside for evaluation, and any damaged items returned

to circulation have a condition note added to the item.

Collection maintenance -- print materials:

Various considerations have to be weighed in evaluating print materials, including physical

condition, age, appearance (including whether there is a decent jacket cover), recent use,

anticipated future use, appearance on standard collection lists, classic status, genre, etc. It is

necessary to be aware that standard collection lists are often weakened by limiting criteria, such as

not including major works that are out-of-print.

COLLECTION MAINTENANCE POLICY

The Library does not automatically replace all materials withdrawn because of loss, damage, or

wear. Need for replacement in each case is weighed with regard to several factors: number of

duplicate copies, existence of adequate coverage in a field, other similar material in the collection,

later and better material, and demand for the particular title or subject.

Any book with a damaged binding should be evaluated to determine whether to mend, rebind,

discard, or replace it, or whether some other action would be most suitable.

- mending is the preferred choice for items not expected to have heavy

future use but still useful in the collection;

- rebinding or replacement are the usual choices for items expected to have heavy future use, but

rebinding is not an ideal option, because it leaves books slightly smaller and hard to open flat, and

it may speed the deterioration of older, brittle paper (where heavy use over a long period is

anticipated, ordering new books in heavy duty library bindings is preferable and is done routinely

for most children's hardcover books);

- replacement or withdrawal are the only options for most materials with severe damage,

including significant water damage;

- for brittle older sheets of paper (maps, documents, newspaper clippings, conservation treatment,

including archival Mylar encapsulation may be the only good option.

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

February 12, 1997

Author: _______________________Hardcover ______Paperback ______Other_______

Title: ___________________________________________________________________

Publisher: _____________________________Date_____________Call Number: ______

Person making complaint: _________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

City State Zip Code

Telephone: __________________ Complainant represents: _______ self

_______(name of organization)_____________________________________________

_______(identify other group)______________________________________________

(If the complaint is about material other than a book, change the wording of the following

questions so that they apply.)

1. About what in the book are you complaining? (Please be specific; cite pages.)

2. What do you feel might be the result of reading this book?

3. For what groups or readers would you recommend this book?

4. Is there anything good about the book?

5. Did you read the entire book? __________ What parts? ___________________

6. Are you aware of the judgment of this book by literary critics?

____________________________

________________________________________________________________

8. What would you like your library to do about this book?

_______________________________________________________________

9. What material of equal literary or informational value would you recommend that would

convey as valuable a picture and perspective of the subject treated?

_______________________________

Signature of Complainant

Materials Complaint Policy

The Materials Selection Policy; the Library Bill of Rights; the Nebraska Library Bill of Rights,

and the Freedom to Read Statement guide the Library Director in the development of the

collection. The only recognized ground for challenging an item in the collection is a complaint

that these policy statements do not support the Library Director’s decision to include an item in

the collection.

The following is the procedure for handling complaints about materials present or not present in

the collection.

1. Staff members receiving a complaint WILL NOT try to defend the material or lack of

material. They should react in a manner indicating understanding of the concern (even

though they may disagree with the complaint). They should tell the person complaining

that materials selection is the responsibility of the Library Director and invite the person

to visit with the Director. (If the Director is not in, they should find out when the

Director will be in and invite the person to visit with the Director at that time.) Staff

members SHOULD NOT give the person a copy of the Material Complaint Form unless

specifically asked for it by the person. Whether or not anything further happens, the

complaint should promptly be reported by the staff to the Director.

2. On receipt of a complaint, whether through a staff report, contact with the complaining

person, or receipt of the Material Complaint Form, the Library Director will examine the

complaint, including consideration of the item in question and the circumstances

involved in the complaint. If the Director is able to resolve the matter, no further action

needs to be taken.

3. If the Director is unable to resolve the complaint, the person complaining must be given

the Material Complaint Form and complete it. The complaint will then be referred to the

Library Board at its next regular meeting, with the complaining person being invited to

attend the meeting.

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

June 11, 1986

January 10, 2001

Microfilm Reader/Printer

The Library maintains one two reader/printers for patron use. The charge for printing is 25 cents

per page.

No Smoking

The Library follows the no smoking policy found in the City Code, Ordinance 2-51, section b,

subsection, 3 which states the following:

No person shall smoke in any city owned or leased building. Violation of this subsection shall

constitute an offense, and upon conviction, shall be subject to the general penalty section found

at section 1-16 of this Code.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 13, 1988

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

Non-Discrimination

The Norfolk Public Library does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, or physical

disability.

The library building is and shall be fully accessible to the physically disabled. Physically

disabled persons using the library shall be provided with all necessary assistance in using library

equipment and materials. An interpreter of sign language shall be on call to assist the library

staff if needed.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

October 10, 1984

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

June 11, 1997

January 10, 2001

Patron Behavior

Norfolk Public Library is a community information resource center. People come to the Library

to get information, to read, to use the Library’s resource materials, and to study. The Library

belongs to the community and not to any specific person, or group of persons. The Library is not

a playground, day care center, or recreation center. Noisy, or physically active behavior

appropriate in such facilities is not appropriate in the Library.

Section 51-212 of the Nebraska Statutes specifically gives public libraries the power to regulate

the use of the library and to exclude from the library persons who violate or refuse to comply

with the library’s rules and regulations. In addition, there are statutes – State and local –

prohibiting or limiting: theft or mutilation of materials; drug paraphernalia; public intoxication;

consumption of alcohol on public property; disturbing the peace; obstructing free passage;

stalking; and disorderly conduct.

Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. The Library specifically prohibits: eating and

drinking in the Library; playing audio equipment, when played in a manner that disturbs other

patrons or staff; smoking; weapons of any kind; animals; the misuse of restrooms, such as for

laundering clothes and bathing; leaving unattended children; loud conversation; abusive

language and/or behavior; noise making; or engaging in disruptive conduct which interferes with

other patrons using the Library.

A person behaving inappropriately will, unless the offense is severe, be given one verbal

warning. If the person continues to misbehave, he or she will be asked to leave the Library. This

person will not be allowed to return that day. If a person exhibits chronic behavioral problems,

he or she will be banned from the Library for a period of thirty (30) days. A second infraction

after a period of banning will result in the loss of library privileges for six months.

A person told to leave the Library may be allowed to make a short call from the pay telephone.

leave the building. They may not wait in the lobby. If a person told to leave does not leave the

building promptly, the police should be called to see that the person is removed.

leave the Library immediately. In any case where a violation involves possible criminal

behavior (destruction of property, molestation, assault, etc.), rather than confronting the person,

the staff should immediately call the police.

Documentation should be kept of names and reasons why people have been asked to leave the

Library so that repeat offenders can be brought before the City Attorney for possible prosecution.

Permanent exclusion will happen only after a person has been allowed due process.

Approved by the Citizen’s Library Advisory Board

March 8, 1995

Revised by the Citizen’s Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001;

March 12, 2003

Patron Dress Code

For safety and health concerns, all patrons are required to wear a shirt and shoes while in the

Library.

Telephone Use

The Library does not allow patrons to use staff phones for personal use. The pay phone in the

hallway between the lobby and the meeting room is for public use.

In cases of emergency, Library patrons can make or receive phone calls at the reference desk. A

staff member should listen and determine whether the call is an emergency. If it is not, the call

can be cut off; with these cases of abuse kept on file and the person being denied any future calls.

Approved by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

November 13, 1991

Revised by the Citizens Library Advisory Board

January 10, 2001

Unattended Children

The Norfolk Public Library encourages children and families to use its facility together. When

children are left unattended at the library problems may arise. Young children may become ill,

frightened or confused and wander away. Older children cannot be expected to deal with a small

child who is frightened, tired or ill. Older children left on their own for extended periods may

become bored and disruptive. Since the library is a public building, strangers might approach

children. If an unattended child has a medical emergency the library staff cannot take legal

responsibility.

Therefore to protect children while using the library and to provide all customers with a facility

that is safe, pleasant and conducive to library use, the following guidelines must be observed:

1. A caregiver over the age of sixteen (16) must accompany every person under the age of ten

(10). The caregiver is responsible for the behavior and supervision of children in their care while

at the library.

2. The library reserves the right to contact parents, guardians or proper authorities if minors are

left unattended and require supervision.

3. The library requires that caregivers of children under the age of eight (8) to stay within the line

of sight of the children.

4. Parents, guardians, and caregivers should be aware of Library opening and closing times and

make suitable arrangements to meet and/or transport their children. In the event that a minor 16

or younger is left after Library hours and no one can be contacted to provide transportation, the

staff will call the Norfolk Police Department for assistance. Staff will not transport children

Approved by the Library Advisory Board

July 14, 2004