Safe Child Policy

The Board of Trustees of the Adel Public Library recognizes that parents, caregivers, or other legally responsible adults are responsible for the safety and conduct of their children at all times. To clarify procedures to support parents, guardians, caregivers, or other legally responsible adults in their role, the following policy is established.

Children are always welcome. Their safety and well being are important. Children age 5 or younger shall be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult while in the library. Any exceptions to this part of the policy will be at the discretion of the Library Director or designated staff
.
Children age 6 and older may use the library unaccompanied by a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult as long as their behavior is acceptable. Parents, guardians, or other legally responsible adults shall remain responsible for the safety and conduct of these children at the library whether the children are accompanied by them or not.

Library staff members shall provide service, activities, and programs which are planned for the general safety and supervision of children in the library.

If a child seems frightened or ill, in the opinion of the Director or designated staff, the Director or designated library staff members shall:

1. Comfort the child.
2. Attempt to locate the parent, guardian, or other responsible adult; explain the problem; and request that one come immediately for the child.
3. Contact the police if parent, guardian, or other responsible adult cannot be located within one hour and the problem continues.
4. Contact the police if the library is closing and there is no parent, guardian, or responsible adult available to claim the child. Under no circumstances shall a library staff member take the child from the building.

If a child seems dangerously disruptive, in the opinion of the Director or designated staff, the Director or designated library staff members shall:

1. Speak to the child indicating approved behavior.
2. Inform the child of the library policy.
3. Avoid physical contact or restraint.
4. Contact parent, guardian, or other responsible adult to have the child removed from the library if disruptive behavior continues. If parent, guardian, or other responsible adult cannot come for the child immediately, explain that the child may remain this time but that the police may be called if there is any further problem.
5. Contact the police if the problem seems severe and parent, guardian, or other responsible adult cannot be located or the situation cannot be resolved.
6. Send a letter with an account of the disruptive behavior and the library policy to the parent, guardian, or other responsible adult if no other contact has been possible. The 911 emergency alert and assistance telephone contact will be used for medical, fire or police assistance as appropriate, in the opinion of the director or designated staff, in emergencies.
Adopted 3/2/04

Internet Policy

The Adel Public Library provides lifelong learning opportunities for all. In keeping with this goal the library offers public access to the Internet. This access recognizes the basic library principle of intellectual freedom and thus global access to information through the Internet.

PLEASE NOTE:

The Adel Public Library does not monitor, endorse, nor have control over information obtained through the Internet. We are not responsible for its content. Much of the information on the Internet is timely, useful, and accurate. Some of it is out-of-date, erroneous or offensive.
As with all other library materials, children’s access to the Internet is the sole responsibility of the child’s parent or guardian.

RULES FOR USE:

1. Please sign in the checkout desk. Patrons may use the computer for _ hour, or longer if no one else is signed up to use the computer. Two computers will be designated for longer use so our patrons may create resumes, do homework or research.
2. Only one person should be at the computer, except for a child who may be accompanied by a parent or guardian. An agreement for minors (17 and under) must be signed at the library prior to Internet access by minor and parent or guardian.
3. Black and white copies are 10 cents per page; color copies are 50 cents per page.
4. Computer reservations are available by phone or in person. Persons reserving the computer must arrive within 10 minutes of their scheduled time or the reservation will automatically be canceled. Use will be on a first come first serve basis when the time is not reserved.
5. Patrons must provide their own IBM-formatted disk or flash drives for downloading. Persons downloading material should be aware that the same copyright restrictions apply to on-line materials as print materials. The Adel Public Library will not be responsible for copyright infringement by a customer.
6. The library staff cannot provide in-depth computer training, but will attempt to answer basic questions or help users locate resources on the Internet. Book manuals, and other reference sources will also be made available.
7. The Adel Public Library cautions against giving personal information. Patrons assume all risk/liability when divulging a credit card number or other personal information on the Internet. The library will not be responsible for charges, damages, or injuries resulting from such use.
8. Misuse or abuse of library computers or Internet access as determined by the library staff may result in suspension of Internet access privileges. Patrons are not permitted to install, delete, copy or modify library hardware of software.
9. Due to security issues patrons will not be able to download or install flash media player or shock wave.
Adopted 09/07/99
Reviewed and revised 12/04/01, 03/07/06, 10/03/06

Bulletin Board Policy

The Adel Public Library will provide space for the distribution of community information materials. This may include free handouts or the posting of flyers, notices, and small posters. Materials posted should present current and relevant news about nonprofit educational, cultural, public interest and recreational services.
1. The library will not post any sign larger than 17” X 22”.
2. The library will give preference to materials of cultural and/or educational nature.
3. The library will not allow signs that advocate political, religious, or other belief systems.
4. The library will not allow materials advertising for-profit sales or a specific business of a commercial nature.
5. The library will not return any sign or poster.
6. The Director or Assistant Director will approve all materials prior to posting
7. All materials will be dated and removed no later than 30 days from initial posting, or after the date of event, whichever date is earlier.
8. The library will remove any item not approved and dated by the Director or Assistant. The library will not notify violators of the removal of the material.
9. The library will post items in designated areas. All other areas are for use by the Library for Library promotional purposes. This includes windows, doors, tables, counters, and other spaces within the Library.
10. The posting of materials does not imply endorsement of any concept or any program by the Library, the Library Board, or its individual staff members.
11. The library will provide space for handouts in quantity that meet the guidelines listed above. The library will give preference to schedules, calendars, tourism information, and forms of an educational and/or cultural nature.

Adopted 9/06/2005

Meeting Room Policy

Use of Meeting Rooms
1. The library board gives priority to programs sponsored by the library. The meeting rooms are available without charge for educational, cultural, civic, professional or social purposes. For a fee, the meeting rooms are available for profit enterprises. The fees are $25.00 for 0-3 hours and $50.00 for over 3 hours per day. The library board appreciates any donation given by your organization to the Adel Public Library Foundation.
2. Reservations are made on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations may be made by phone or at the check out desk Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The meeting room may be reserved up to 6 months in advance. For example on July 1st the reservations may be placed for the month of December. Meeting rooms are available daily from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Rooms must be vacated by 11:00 p.m.
3. A Meeting Room Request form must be filled out and signed 24 hrs. prior to the first use of the room. At that time the library will provide a copy of the Meeting Room Policy. The person signing the Meeting Room Request form is responsible for cleanup and any damage done in the building. This person is also responsible for picking up the key, locking the library, and returning the key in the library drop box located in the alley. This person must be at least 18 years of age. This person must be at least 18 years of age. No group may transfer use of the meeting room to another group.
4. Notify the library at least 48 hours in advance if a meeting must be cancelled.
5. The Adel Public Library, the Adel Public Library Board of Trustees, and the City of Adel are not responsible for accidents, injury, or loss of individual property while using the meeting room.
6. The library board endorses Article V of the Library Bill of Rights regarding meeting rooms. (See Appendix A)
7. The Library does not endorse the beliefs or objectives of any group using the meeting room.
8. All advertising and public notices to be held in a meeting room must carry a clear statement of organizational sponsorship. No organization or group may use the library as its official address.
9. All groups that use the facility will follow these guidelines:

Open flames including lit candles are not allowed

Do not obstruct exits

Remove all food and trash before leaving

Turn off all lights and small appliances before leaving

No smoking or other tobacco use is allowed

Food and non-alcoholic beverages (except kool-aid and colored punch) are permitted

No alcoholic beverages or controlled substances will be allowed

Groups are responsible for setting up the room prior to their meeting and returning the furniture to its original arrangement afterward. The library will provide a diagram.

Individuals are responsible for the supervision of their children

No decorations may be attached to any walls, doors,windows or ceiling

10. Any individual or group who fails to abide by these provisions will be denied future use of meeting space.
Adopted 6-7-2005
Revised 2-6-2006
Revised 7-5-2006

Volunteer Policy

The Adel Public Library’s volunteers are an important extension of the Library’s staff. Volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks that are important to our institution. The following policy is designed to promote a maximum degree of excellence.

Definition of a Volunteer

One who performs a service of his or her own free will; one who contributes time, energy and talents directly or on behalf of the Adel Public Library and is not paid by Library funds. All volunteers must be accepted and enrolled by the Library prior to performance of assigned tasks

Overall Policy on Utilization of Volunteers

In order to achieve the vision and mission statement of the Adel Public Library, we view the active participation of citizens, of a variety of ages, as valuable resources to the Library. After fulfilling Library procedures, the Library accepts and encourages the involvement of volunteers at most levels of the Library and within appropriate programs and activities. Volunteers shall be extended the right to be given meaningful assignments, the right to be treated as an equal, the right to effective supervision, the right to full involvement and participation and the right to recognition of good work.

Guidelines for Volunteers

1. All volunteers are registered by completing an application form.
2. Volunteers will work under the supervision of paid library staff.
3. Volunteers should expect to fulfill a commitment agreed upon with the library.
4. Volunteers will be accepted and assigned by the Library Director.
5. Each volunteer is required to wear a volunteer badge.
6. Volunteers will make note of time donated in the Volunteer Notebook.
7. Should a volunteer have a grievance with a staff person, another volunteer or library
patron, every attempt will be made to handle the situation through the Library Director.
8. The Adel Public Library reserves the right to terminate the services of the volunteer.
9. Volunteers may be used to increase the library’s services but not to establish and
maintain new library services.
10. Volunteers will not be used to replace or reduce the number of paid staff.
11. Volunteers are recognized as contributors to the goals and services of the Library.
12. Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all library information. Failure to maintain confidentiality will result in immediate termination of the volunteer.
13. Volunteers will not be expected to do anything staff would not do.

Tasks That May be Performed by a Volunteer

1. Shelf reading – Seeing that books, magazines, audios, videos, and DVD’s are in alphabetical or numerical order depending on type of materials.
2. Shelving material – Putting away books, magazines, audios, videos, and DVD’s in alphabetical or numerical order depending on type of material.
3. Helping with children’s and adult programming as well as special projects – Assisting the director and assistant with any programs and projects such as craft preparation, serving refreshments, preparing publicity flyers, making posters, i.e. other tasks as requested.
4. Light cleaning assignments – Dusting books and shelves, cleaning children’s books as needed, and putting new call numbers on books, videos, audios, and DVD’s until this particular project is done.
5. Answering the telephone – Answering patrons’ questions if possible or deferring questions to a staff member.
6. Working the circulation desk – Checking library materials in and out, putting items on hold for patrons, renewing them as requested, and processing new library cards.

Annual Review Process

Adel Public Library volunteers will be reviewed on an annual basis. Critique of job performance will be discussed. If job performance does not meet the standards set forth by the Director the following steps will be taken.

1. Verbal – 2 verbal warnings
2. Written – 1 written warning
3. Dismissal

Benefits of Being a Volunteer

1. A feeling of accomplishment
2. Being of service to your community
3. Recognition by staff, community, friends, etc.
4. References provided
5. Meeting new people and making new friends
6. Getting to know the library procedures, policies, the effort it takes to run and maintain a library
7. Job training for future jobs

Adopted 10-04-05