1.2 Library Board By-Laws
IV. Certain types of information maintained by us are exempt from inspection and copying.

 

Vernon Area Public Library District - Freedom of Information Request link

 
2.11 Materials Management Policy

The purpose of the Materials Management Policy of the Vernon Area Public Library District is to provide guidelines by which Library materials will be acquired, withdrawn, disseminated, and otherwise made accessible to the public. It incorporates the principles of the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement of the American Library Association. It is intended to provide some specifications by which the Mission Statement of the Library will be realized. 2.12 Scope of the Collection

1. Content of Collection
   The Library seeks to build and maintain a collection of materials to meet the informational and recreational needs of the residents of the Vernon Area Public Library District.
2. Diversity and Inclusiveness
   The Library seeks to develop a collection that includes information and literature representing a broad spectrum of human thought and experience. The collection provides, subject to the criteria of this policy, materials explaining diverse points of view. The collection does not advocate any specific historical, political, or social perspective of events or ideas. Inclusion of materials in the collection does not indicate the approval of or advocacy for the represented viewpoints on the part of the Library.
3. Formats
   The collection includes materials in various formats, including print and non-print items as well as digital and online resources. As technologies are developed, refined and become commercially viable, and are appropriate for library use, they will be evaluated for inclusion in the collection.
4. Materials for Youth
   The principles stated for the general collection are applicable to the selection of materials for children and young adults. The Youth Services collection serves the wide range of developmental, educational and recreational needs and interests of children from birth through junior high school. It also includes a limited selection of adult materials about children and their developing educational skills. Additionally, materials are available to supplement the school curriculum.  It is the express responsibility of parents and other adult caregivers to monitor and select the materials, including online resources and theInternet, that they find appropriate for their children. The Library does not deny access to any materials in any part of the collection, Youth or Adult, to any patron.

5. Support for Formal Education
   The collection contains materials that support a general curriculum of study through the community college level. It is not the intent of the Library, nor are there resources available, to develop a research or academic collection. Textbooks are only purchased if they represent the sole or best source of information on a specific subject. Textbooks used by local schools, colleges, and universities will not be purchased.

6. Popular Materials
   The major focus of the collection is popular materials to meet the demands and interestsof the community. Consideration is given to popular culture, trends, and current issues.
    
7. World Languages
   Materials in languages other than English may be purchased where demand exists and budget allows. The scope of materials in this collection will reflect the collection and community as a whole. International films will only be purchased when English subtitles’ are included.

2.13 Criteria for Selection

2.14 Selection Tools

A. Materials primarily are selected from standard review sources in accordance with professionally accepted guidelines, including but not limited to:

B. Purchase suggestions from Library patrons are carefully considered, and selections are made subject to the requirements of this policy.   2.15 Collection Maintenance A. Withdrawal of Materials

B. Multiple Copies In order to meet the needs of the Library's patrons, multiple copies of popular items may be purchased. As the demand for these materials wanes, some or all may be withdrawn.

2.16 Donations

A. Materials Covered by Gift Policy in section 1.5

B. Funds Donations of funds for the purchase of materials are welcomed by the Library. The wishes and interests of the donor in regards to subject matter and format will be honored pursuant to the Gift Policy in section 1.5. Requests for the purchase of specific titles are subject to the criteria listed in Section 2.14 of this policy.

2.17 Policy Implementation

A. Adoption In accordance with the Illinois Public Library District Act of 1991, this policy is adopted and established by the Board of Library Trustees of the Vernon Area Public Library District.

B. Authority and Responsibility The Director has full authority and responsibility for the implementation of this policy. The responsibility is shared with and delegated to the Head of Adult Services and the Head of Youth Services, and through them to qualified professional staff in each of those departments.

C. Procedures and Processes Staff in both the Adult and Youth Services departments shall devise, implement, monitor and modify as necessary procedures and processes to fully and efficiently implement this policy. Input and cooperation from other departments may be required, and all procedures are subject to the review of the Director.

2.18 Policy Review

A. Staff Review
This policy shall be reviewed for viability and compliance by Department Heads biennially. Recommendations for revisions shall be forwarded by the Director to the Board of Library Trustees.

B. Board Review
As required by the Illinois Public Library District Act of 1991, the Board of Library Trustees shall review and amend as necessary this policy biennially.

2.2 RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS

1. Individuals who wish to request that the Library reconsider the inclusion or exclusion of a specific item in the collection may complete a "Request for Reconsideration" form. The request will be reviewed by the Head of Adult Services or the Head of Youth Services and the Director. A written reply will be sent to the individual. If that individual is unsatisfied with the response, the request for reconsideration will be forwarded through the Director to the Board of Library Trustees for its review and final decision.
2. No item will be removed from the collection for the sole reason that the philosophy, perspective, ideas, or views contained in the item is opposed by the individual requesting reconsideration.

Item	Loan Period	Number of Renewals
Book and Magazines	3 weeks	4
CDs and CD-ROMs	3 weeks	4
Audiobooks	3 weeks	4
Puzzles	3 weeks	4
Grab and Grow Packs	3 weeks	4
DVDs	1 week	1
Video Games	1 week	None
Popular Picks	3 weeks	None
Interlibrary Loans*	Varies	None

Item	Fine per day
Popular Picks	$1
Interlibrary Loans	$1
Video Games	$1
DVDs	$1
CD-ROMs	$0.25
Hooked on Phonics Kit	$0.25
Reference Loans	$0.25 per hour
All Other Items	$0.10

Item	Maximum Fine
Board Books	$4
Magazines	$ 4
Paperbacks	$4 (non-fiction $10)
Interlibrary Loans	$50 (see department head)
All Other Items	$10

Item	Adult	Youth
Fiction	$30	$25
Paperback Fiction	$10	$10
Nonfiction	$35	$30
Paperback Nonfiction	$20	$20
Board Books	NA	$12
Trade Books	$20	NA
Magazines	$10	$10
Book Club in a Bag	$25	$25
DVDs	$30	$30
Videos	$30	$30
CDs	$20	$20
Video Games	$50	$50
CD-ROMs	$25	$25
CD Kits	NA	$20
Audiobooks	$20	$20
Hooked on Phonics	NA	$75
Puzzles	NA	$20
Puzzle Bags	NA	$6
Theme Kits	NA	$120
Encyclopedias	$25	NA
Inserts	$5	$5
Cases	$5	$5

Refunds:

• Use of the Internet in anyway that violates a Federal or State law
• Attempting unauthorized alteration or damaging computer equipment, software settings, or files belonging to the Vernon Area Public Library District, other users, or external networks and Web sites
• Attempting, unauthorized access to any Vernon Area Public Library District computer system, any other network, or external system
• Violation of copyright laws
• Violation of software license agreements
• Unlawful communications, such as threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography, and harassing communications as defined by law
• Intentional propagation of computer viruses, malware, or spyware.
• Attempting to monitor or log network data on any Vernon Area Public Library District network.

• Computer use in ways that interfere with or impede the use by others, such as deliberately crashing a computer, or any other type of interference with system operations
• Violation of another user’s privacy
• Disregard or violation of library policies and procedures dealing with computers and electronic resources
• Unauthorized use of computer accounts or access codes assigned to others.

3.3 Privacy and Confidentiality

• The parent or legal guardian of a child 16 years of age or younger may receive information contained in that child’s account.
• Upon presentation of a lawful court order, the Library will release the specific information that is required by the order.
• The USA PATRIOT Act gives authority to Federal agents to acquire information contained in personal accounts in limited and specific circumstances. In such circumstances, the Act prohibits the Library from informing the cardholder, or any other individual, that information has been requested or given from their account.
• The Library may use information contained in users’ accounts to conduct its normal business. This includes releasing information, when necessary, to a collection agency to recover unreturned items or unpaid fines. The collection agency is also bound by law from releasing information to another party.

 

• Name
• Address
• Work and home telephone numbers
• Email address (optional)
• Birth year
• Gender

• Any items checked out to each account, including overdue materials
• Any reserved material that has not been checked out
• Any unpaid fines or fees

• The library is not responsible for exams sent without prior arrangements.
• It is the student’s responsibility to contact the library and make an appointment to have a test proctored at a mutually convenient date and time. Unscheduled requests for proctoring or walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
• The library is not responsible for any exam deadlines.
• The student is responsible to provide any proctor approval forms or requests for proctor information.
• The student is responsible to arrange for the delivery of the exam or proctor password to the library. Exams and/or passwords may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Exams or passwords must be received before a proctored exam can be scheduled.

• The student should provide a stamped, addressed envelope for returning the exam if one is not provided by the institution.
• If there is a time constraint the student may bring in a pre-paid USPS Priority Mail envelope or a pre paid USPS Flat Rate Express Mail envelope. The library is unable to honor requests requiring special trips to the post office, FedEx, or UPS.

 
4 Facilities

1. Interfere with another person’s ability to use the facilities in appropriate and approved manners.
2. Damage, mutilate or remove from the premises without authorization any part of the library collection, building, furnishings or equipment.
3. Damage or alter any computer system hardware or software configurations.
4. Talk loudly, make disruptive noises, use abusive or threatening language, or engage in other disruptive or inappropriate conduct.
5. Use matches, lighters, or other means of ignition, illegal substances or alcoholic beverages. Smoking is not permitted in the building, or within 20 feet of building entrances.
6. Play audio equipment so that others can hear it. The use of headsets is permitted only if their use does not disturb others.
7. Eat in the building. Drinking is permitted from spill-proof containers only.
8. Lie or lounge on the floor in a manner that impedes the movement of others, or sleep anywhere in the building.
9. Lie down on furniture, or move furniture in any way or to any location that may impede safe or easy passage.
10. Use the building’s rest rooms as laundry facilities, bathing facilities or gathering places.
11. Use the facilities to store personal belongings.
12. Bring animals into the building, except those needed to assist a person with a disability.
13. Solicit anywhere on the premises.
14. Bring a bicycle into the building.
15. Use roller blades, roller skates or skateboards anywhere on the premises.
16. Go barefoot or without a shirt in the building.
17. Bring onto the premises any dangerous weapon. Dangerous weapons include, but are not limited to, the weapons set forth and defined in Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 720, section 5/24.1 et seq.
18. Engage in any illegal acts or conduct in violation of Federal, State, or local law, ordinance or regulation.

1. Priority will be given to library sponsored programs and meetings. The library reserves the right to cancel a scheduled meeting if the room is needed for library use, or to move a meeting to another room when feasible. The library will provide as much notice as possible if a meeting must be cancelled.
2. Groups and organizations that wish to use the library’s facilities must be nonprofit andhave a minimum of fifty percent of its members residing within the library district. 
3. The library’s name, address, telephone number, or URL may not be used as the address or headquarters for any group using the library. No written or oral announcements or advertisements implying the library’s endorsement of a group or its activities are permitted.
4. Meetings, programs or events may not disrupt library users or staff. The library reserves the right to terminate meetings, programs and events that disrupt or interfere with normal library operations. 
5. All meetings must be free of charge and open to the general public. Attendees at any meeting are not required to be members of the sponsoring organization or group.
6. Meeting space will not be provided for gatherings of a commercial nature.  No sales may be made or collections taken. Fees may not be charged and donations may not be required to participate in activities in the meeting rooms.
7. Meeting space may not be used for fund raising activities, except for those that result in a direct benefit to the library and have received prior approval of the Library Director.
8. Meeting space will not be provided for social gatherings or private parties.
9. Space is reserved on a “first come, first served” basis.  If an organization or group needs to cancel a reservation, it should notify the library a minimum of 24 hours in advance.  Groups that fail to notify the library of a cancellation may lose the privilege of scheduling space in the future. 
10. Meeting space may be provided for groups of children that are supervised by adults at the ratio of one adult for every seven children. Groups under the age of 18 must have an adult sponsor in attendance at all times during their meetings.
11. The library does not provide facilities or personnel for child care at any time.  Groups using meeting space are not permitted to use the library’s facilities for child care, even if they provide their own child care personnel. 
12. No alcoholic beverages may be served at any function held in any part of the library.  All library facilities are smoke-free. 
13. Light refreshments may be served.  Kitchen facilities are provided for serving refreshments only.  Food preparation or cooking is not allowed.  Open flames, such as candles or Sterno-type heating devices, are not permitted.
14. The library will provide coffee makersfor coffee and hot water.  The group using the meeting space must provide all other dishes, utensils and supplies. 
15. Library staff will set up the meeting space following instructions given at the time a reservation is made.  Library staff will not be available to set up special equipment brought by the group using the space or to carry supplies to and from the meeting space. 
16. The library may provide the following audio-visual equipment for use:  slide projector; screen; overhead projector; TV and VCR or DVD player; easels; dry eraser board.  The library will not provide staff to operate or troubleshoot this equipment, nor is the library responsible for giving instructions in its use. 
17. A piano is available in the Community Meeting Room for library-sponsored programs and for music teachers to hold recitals.  The following conditions apply for all non library-sponsored music recital programs:
    • A music teacher must be a valid Vernon Area Public Library District cardholder, or a minimum of 50% of the teacher’s students must be residents of the Vernon Area Public Library District .
    • A $25.00 fee for use of the piano is required.
    • A deposit of $100 must be received at least one month before the scheduled event.  The deposit will be refunded if, after the event, inspection by library staff determines that the piano is undamaged and the room is in good condition.
    • To protect the piano, food and drink may not be served at recitals.
    • The library tunes the piano on a quarterly basis. If a special tuning is desired prior to a scheduled event, the library will schedule the tuning at the requestor’s expense.
    • Use of the piano by community organizations may be permitted at the discretion of the Director. 
18. The library will not be responsible for any loss, theft or damage to any equipment or to the personal belongings of any meeting attendee. 
19. Upon acceptance of a reservation, an individual representing the organization or group is required to sign a Statement of Policydocument waiving the library’s liability for any personal injury to persons attending the function while on the library’s premises, and agreeing to follow the library’s rules and regulations governing the use of the library’s facilities. 
20. Meeting space is available during library operational hours until one half hour before the library closes. 
21. Meeting space will not be provided for any organization or group more than nine times a year. 
22. Requests for room reservations may be made in writing or by telephone.  The library does not guarantee that the requested room or time will be available.

Library Bill of Rights

 

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

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

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

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.

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

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; and by the government whenever it seeks to reduce or deny public access to public information.

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.

1. To provide the broadest access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
3. To provide film, video, and other audiovisual 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. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video, or 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. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public's freedom to view.