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
  • Sample Policies
• Law Enforcement Inquiry
  • Sample Policies
• Lending Rules
  • Sample Policies
• Non-Resident Borrowing
  • Sample Policies
• Patron Confidentiality
  • Resources:
    • Library records, Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP), Chapter 8, Article 45, §4509
  • Sample Policies

Collection
Collection Development (should address curation of print, media, digital and Library of Things collections; weeding; and challenge of materials)

• Resources
  • 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
  • Sample Policies
• Freedom to Read (ALA)
  • Sample Policies
• Freedom to View (ALA)
  • Sample Policies
• Library Bill of Rights (ALA)
  • Sample Policies
• Local History
  • Sample Policies

Public Space

• Accessibility/ADA Statement
  • Sample Policies
• Exhibit/Posting
  • Sample Policies
• Incident Report Form
  • Sample Policies
• Meeting Space
  • Sample Policies
• Patron Behavior/Code of Conduct
  • Sample Policies
• Patron Complaints
  • Sample Policies
• Programming
  • Sample Policies
• Tutoring
  • Sample Policies
• Unattended Children & Vulnerable Adults
  • Sample Policies
• Service Animals
  • Resources:
    • Service Animals (Americans with Disabilities Act)
    • Sample Policies

Technology

• Internet Use
  • Resources:
    • Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) (FCC)
  • Sample Policies
• Library Equipment Usage
  • Resources:
    • 3-D Printing in Libraries: Policies & Best Practices (ALA)
  • Sample Policies
• 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
• Social Media
  • Resources:
    • Social Media Guidelines for Public and Academic Libraries (ALA)
  • Sample Policies
• Website
  • Sample Policies
• Wi-Fi Network Use
  • Sample Policies