Small Library Open Arms Philosophy

 Note:  This blog post was prepared as an assignment for a CE class in library policy.
Other possible examples of library policy can be found at your local library or at the ALA website:  http://www.ala.org/

Draft Small Library
Open Arms Philosophy / Policy
Procedures and Potential Program Considerations

“Every library maintains a heritage collection and provides a cultural commons.  The library often strives to balance the competing objectives of diplomacy, heritage and patrimony while at the same time utilizing that very same collection and cultural resources to enlighten and enrich the lives of the community or communities it serves.  Library collections should serve the forward looking needs of its community, while at the same time interpreting its ever changing common cultural heritage.  Every library patron is to be endowed with the right of free inquiry.  At the same time, no librarian is above the law.”

*This policy is envisioned to be suitable for libraries that exist and operate in a cross cultural setting.

Library Procedures

Stand-alone libraries may be subject to different expectations than libraries co-located with public schools and other public facilities.  Libraries that are co-located with public schools are required to open their doors to all children and parents who are in need of a public education.  Libraries are public facilities and as such are duty bound to open their doors to the public regardless of origin, race, religion, color or creed.

In the United States of America, education is provided as a public good and a public service.  In cases like these it is good to keep in mind an Open Arms philosophy and make all visitors to the United States welcome in hopes that they will chose to make our country their permanent home.

Procedures:

• Post Library open hours online and at the entrance to the library.

• All individuals are welcome in our library.

• Disruptive individuals may be asked to leave the premises.

• Provide good customer service to all library patrons regardless of position or status.

Six Axioms for supporting scholars of all ages and backgrounds

• Every reader his/her book

• When it comes to books: contents matter

• Be mindful of the contents and context of each work

• Cite the author(s) appropriately

• Care more for people than things

• Err on the side of Freedom

Library Initiatives

1. The library should offer a broad range of materials, including materials for young readers, ESL materials and foreign language publications.
2. Information on citizenship in the United States, including pro-bono sources of counseling or legal consultation for immigrants and other visitors should be readily available for those cases when a librarian is asked to provide specific resources on the path to citizenship.  Avoid offering legal advice directly.
3. Staff of libraries who are designated repositories of government publications should be provided training on safe methods to assist individuals in the library without betraying their public trust.
4. If library materials currently in circulation are encountered that present a concern due to their contents.  Utilize the Statement of Concern About Library Resources Form to request a review of the materials prior to receiving or reshelving the materials. In some cases, the librarian may need to consult outside subject matter experts regarding the publication contents or condition in order to determine its suitability for inclusion or reinstatement in the general collection. 
5. The library director is to make training available to staff on providing good customer service to patrons at times when Statement of Concern forms are received.
6. This library does not condone censorship or shunning.

Sequestration of Library Materials:

Materials that are considered sensitive material may be placed in a higher security area of the library than the general collection which is open to all individuals in the reading public.  Laws and regulations change over time and materials are added and removed from the general collection for many reasons.

These are categories of materials that might require a review:

-          Obscene or lewd materials

-          Religious, controversial or sensational material

-          Materials presenting a security risk

-          Subject matter that should not be disclosed to individuals of certain countries

-          Outdated or obsolete materials

-          Heritage materials

-          Donated materials

-          Hazardous materials

Materials need to be sequestered for many reasons.  Materials can present a risk to the general library collection when they have been impacted by adverse conditions such as exposure to insect infestations, liquids, mold/mildew or other forms of damage.  If your library does not have a procedure for these practical concerns, consider contacting your regional librarian or State library for training in these areas in order to develop such a procedure.

Marcella Ganow

Policy I Class - Assignment 4

August 8, 2019

 

Notes for future revisions:

After attending a class on VR and computer use in libraries, I learned that some teaching libraries maintain medical models, both digital and physical models.  Some of these are sensitive in nature and are not generally or widely circulated.  There are other reserve material collections that have restricted circulation.  To the greatest degree possible, collections should be made available for public use and not restricted to maximize their utility to the patrons each library serves.  The above draft policy focuses too heavily on restriction and deacessioning material and would benefit from a revision.

July 1, 2021