Policies – External
External Policies Development Tips & Samples
The library boards’ ultimate responsibility is to ensure and protect the reputation of the institution – best realized through the adoption of clearly written library policies. Written policies provide consistency for patrons and staff, help to resolve misunderstandings, reduce incidents of conflict and help to protect from litigation.
The MHLS Public Library Policies Development Tips & Samples is divided into four key parts:
Policy Basics | Internal Policies | External Policies | Essential Documents
Circulation
- Customer Service
- Law Enforcement Inquiry
- Lending Rules
- Non-Resident Borrowing
- Patron Confidentiality
- Resources:
- Sample Policies:
Collection
- Collection Development (should address curation of print, media, digital and Library of Things collections; weeding; and challenge of materials)
- Public Library Collection Policy Template and Guide (PDF/Word)
- Ready Set Policy! Using the 2022 Collection Management Policy and Guide (July 19, 2022)
- Copier/Copyright
- Freedom to Read (ALA)
- Freedom to View (ALA)
- Library Bill of Rights (ALA)
- Local History
Public Space
- Accessibility/ADA Statement
- Millbrook Library
- Patterson Library
- Roeliff Jansen Community Library
- Woodstock Public Library District (Accessibility Concerns Form & Requests for Accommodation & Complains about Accessibility)
- Exhibit/Posting
- Incident Report Form
- Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
- Catskill Public Library: Policy | Form
- Claverack Free Library
- Template (OWWL Library System)
- Meeting Space
- Patron Behavior/Code of Conduct
- Patron Complaints
- Programming
- Tutoring
- Unattended Children & Vulnerable Adults
- Service Animals
- Resources:
- Service Animals (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Sample Policies:
- Resources:
Technology
- Internet Use
- Resources:
- Sample Policies:
- Library Equipment Usage
- Resources:
- Sample Policies:
- General
- 3-D Printing
- Makerspace
- Library of Things
- Privacy
- Resources:
- Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) Chapter 8, Article 45, §4509
- The Future of Data Privacy: How two European laws will help US libraries, American Libraries
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and American Public Libraries, Public Libraries Online
- Privacy Matters, Privacy International
- Sample Policies:
- New York Public Library
- Solvay Public Library
- Queens Public Library
- Watervliet Public Library
- Resources:
- Social Media
- Website
- Wi-Fi Network Use
