| By-laws
Civility Policy
Collection
Policy
Meeting Room Use Policy
Policy on the Acceptable
Use of Computers and the Internet
Policy on Unattended
Children
By-laws of the Board of Trustees
of the Kingston Public Library
Approved August 14, 2000
Article I. Name and authorization
This organization shall be called the "Board of Trustees of the
Kingston Public Library," existing by virtue of the provisions of
Chapter 78, Sections 10 – 13, and 21 of the Massachusetts General
Laws (MGL) and the By-Laws of the Town of Kingston.
Article II. Membership
1. The Board shall be composed of six members, two of whom shall be
elected each year at the Annual Town Meeting elections, as provided for
in MGL, Chapter 78, Section 10. Trustees shall serve without compensation
for a term of three years.
2. Any member may resign by written notice filed with the Town Clerk,
as provided for in MGL, Chapter 41, Section 109. Upon receipt of the notice,
the Town Clerk will notify the remaining members of the Board.
3. A vacancy on the Board shall be filled by joint majority vote of the
Board of Library Trustees and the Board of Selectmen in accordance with
MGL, Chapter 41, Section 11.
4. Any member who fails to attend four consecutive regularly scheduled
Board meetings will receive a letter from the Chairperson reminding the
member that regular attendance is a responsibility of all trustees and
that those unable to attend regularly should consider resigning from the
Board. Copies of these letters shall be included in the Board’s
minutes. In the event of illness or other extenuating circumstances, exceptions
to this provision may be made by formal vote of the Board.
Article III. Responsibilities
1. The Board shall have those responsibilities as provided by MGL, Chapter
778, Section 11 and the By-laws of the Town of Kingston as regards the
custody and management of the Library and of all property owned by the
Town pertaining to the Library. The Board shall be responsible for all
monies appropriated by the town for the Library and all money or property
received by the Town by gift or bequest for the Library.
2. The Board shall appoint a qualified Library Director who shall be the
executive and administrative officer of the Library on behalf of the Board
and under its review and direction. Responsibilities delegated by the
Board to the Library Director shall include implementation of policies
approved by the Board, selection and supervision of personnel, selection
of books and other materials, maintenance of library collections, expenditure
of funds within the approved budget, direction of library operations and
provision of services to the public. The Library Director shall attend
all Board meetings.
3. The Board shall establish written policies governing library activities
and services, including a policy for the selection of library materials
and the use of library materials and facilities which is in accord with
the current standards of the American Library Association as provided
for by the MGL, Chapter 78, Section 33.
4. The Board shall execute a written employment contract with the Library
Director outlining the basic conditions of employment as provided for
by the MGL, Chapter 78, Section 34.
5. In accordance with the By-laws of the Town of Kingston, the Chairperson
shall submit to the Office of the Board of Selectmen on or before December
15th each year a report of the activities of the Board for inclusion in
the Town’s Annual Report.
Article IV. Officers
1. The officers shall be a Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer
2. The Chairperson shall conduct all meetings, appoint all committees,
serve as the official representative of the Board, and fulfill all legal
functions on behalf of the Board.
3. The Treasurer, in the event of the absence or disability of the Chairman,
or of a vacancy in that office, shall assume and perform the duties and
functions of the Chairperson.
4. The Treasurer shall be the disbursing officer of the Board, sign all
checks, and perform such duties as generally devolve upon the office.
He or she shall be bonded in an amount as may be required by the resolution
of the Board. In the absence or inability of the Treasurer, those duties
shall be performed by such other members of the Board as the Board may
delegate.
5. The Secretary shall post all meetings as required by law, keep a true
and accurate record of all meetings with the Board, shall issue or delegate
responsibility for issuing notice of all regular and special meetings,
and be responsible for correspondence as directed by the Board.
6. Officers shall be elected from the Board at that regular meeting of
the Board which immediately follows the annual town elections. The term
of office shall be one year. In the event of a vacancy in any of the officer’s
positions during the year, that vacancy shall be filled by a vote of the
Board.
Article V. Meetings
1. Regular meetings shall be held at the Library on the first Monday
of each month beginning at 7:15 p.m. Regular attendance is expected. A
Trustee is expected to give advance notice to the Chairperson or Library
Director whenever he or she cannot attend a meeting.
2. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or at the request
of at least two members.
3. A quorum shall be four members.
4. All meetings of the Board shall be subject to the State’s Open
Meeting Law as contained in the MGL, Chapter 39, Section 23A-23C. In particular,
all meetings are open to the public unless held in executive session under
terms of the law. A notice of all meetings will be filed with the Town
Clerk at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting date and time, and a
copy of the notice will be posted in the Town Hall. All records of minutes
of meetings will be available for public inspection.
5. An affirmative vote of the majority of all members of the Board present
at the time shall be necessary to approve any action before the Board.
The Chairperson may vote upon and may move or second a proposal before
the Board.
6. The order of business for regular meetings shall include but not be
limited to the following items which shall be covered in the sequence
shown so far as circumstance will permit:
Approval of Minutes of previous meetings
Public presentations to or discussions with the Board
Report of the Library Director
Reports of other library staff
Reports of committees
Action items
Old business
New business
Adjournment.
Article VI. Committees
1. Special Committees for the study and investigation of special problems
or for the performance of specially assigned tasks may be appointed by
the Chairperson. Such committees shall function as ad hoc committees and
shall consider only that purpose for which they were appointed. They shall
disband when their work has been completed.
Article VII. Collective Authority of the
Board
1. All decisions of the Board are made by the Board as a collective
body. No individual member may make decisions or, with the exception of
the Chairperson, act or speak for the Board unless specifically authorized
to do so by a vote of the membership of the Board.
Article VIII. Parliamentary Rules
Except as provided for by these By-laws, the current edition of Robert’s
Rules of Order shall govern.
Article IX. Amendments
These By-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Board with
a quorum present, by a majority vote of the members present, providing
that a motion presenting the amendment was duly made and seconded at the
previous meeting, or that written notice of the proposed amendment shall
have been mailed to all members at least ten days prior to the meeting
at which such action is proposed to be taken.
Article X. Inconsistent Provisions
To the extent that any provision of these By-laws is inconsistent with
any provision of the Massachusetts General Laws or the Town By-laws, the
Massachusetts General Laws or the Town By-laws, as the case may be, shall
govern.
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Civility
Policy for the Kingston Public Library
Approved February 12, 2001
The Kingston Public Library exists to serve the community. To promote
effective and enjoyable use of the Library, the Board of Library Trustees
has adopted the following rules of use.
The Library is primarily an area for quiet study. Any person who, in
the opinion of Library staff, is engaging in conduct inconsistent with
the operation of the Library will be asked to stop that behavior and may
be asked to leave. (MGL. Ch. 272, Sec. 41)
The Library is a place of civility. Library users are asked to treat
each other with respect. Threatening behavior, including, but not limited
to, violence, threats of violence, and possession of weapons will not
be tolerated.
The Library respects the privacy of its users. Library users are asked
to respect the privacy of others.
Parents and caregivers are responsible for the behavior and supervision
of their children. While quiet play and conversation are welcome in the
Children's Room, children as well as adults should respect the rights
of others. Children whose behavior becomes disruptive to the ability of
other library users to study, read or play in peace or to the ability
of staff to do their work may be spoken to by Library staff. Parents and
caregivers are asked to monitor their child's behavior so that staff intervention
is not necessary. Parents and caregivers who are unable or unwilling to
do this may be asked to take their child out of the building until the
child is able to behave appropriately.
Children under the age of 9 should not be left unattended in the Library.
Because of risks to health and safety, smoking is not allowed at any
time within the building or in the courtyard. Library users may finish
and extinguish their smoking materials in the ashtray outside the Library
entrance but should refrain from smoking close to the entrance so that
other users do not have to pass through second-hand smoke to enter the
building. (Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 270, Sec. 21- 22)
Food and/or beverages are not allowed in the Library, except at designated
times or in designated rooms.
Cell phone ringers should be turned off inside the Library. Cell phones
may be used in the Meeting Room when it is available but not in the main
library.
All bicycles must be left in the racks provided.
Roller blades and skateboards may not be used in the Library.
Shoes and shirts must be worn in the Library.
The Library building, grounds and materials are an investment of the
taxpayers. Damage to Library property costs tax dollars to repair. Those
who purposely damage Library property may have their library privileges
suspended or revoked and will be prosecuted. (MGL. Ch. 266, Sec. 100)
Parents can be held liable for damage done by a child under 18. (MGL.
Ch. 231, Sec. 85)
Library users who trigger library theft detection systems may be required
to open any bags or pocketbooks for inspection.
Library materials and equipment are an investment of the taxpayers.
Library materials should be returned or renewed in accordance with the
Library's circulation policies so that all users have the opportunity
to use them. It is an act of larceny to remove library materials from
the Library without having checked them out. Library users who consistently
abuse the circulation or computer use policies may have their library
privileges suspended or revoked. Theft of library materials, use of false
identification to obtain a library card, or use of another person's library
card without his or her permission are against state law and will be prosecuted.
(MGL. Ch.266, Sec.99A)
All members of the public should feel free to use the Library and its
resources. Library users should not interfere with another person's rights
to use the Library or with the Library staff's performance of their duties
in protecting those rights.
Please cooperate with Library staff, who must interpret and apply these
rules. Your help will create a pleasant and productive atmosphere for
all.
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Collection
Development and Maintenance Policy for the Kingston Public Library
Approved January 4, 2010
This collection development policy of the Kingston Public Library is designed
to provide guidelines for the staff in the selection of library materials.
It does not replace professional judgment, but rather defines the general
tools and criteria used for materials selection.
Library Objectives
The role of the Kingston Public Library with regard to collection development
is to provide the community with access to a wide range of materials for
their educational, informational, cultural, recreational, and social benefit.
To accomplish this, the Library collects material in various formats (written,
filmed, recorded, electronic), provides a place to hold the material,
and allows the material to be borrowed or used in the Library. In the
case of electronic resources, remote access is also provided whenever
possible. The Library offers professional guidance on locating the material
and, when budget permits, sponsors programming to promote awareness of
the collections. Since the community is diverse, the approach of the Library
must be similarly diverse. Within the limitations of its budget, the Library
seeks to obtain as wide a range of materials as possible. To augment its
resources, it participates in an automated network with a shared catalog
and circulation system, the Old Colony Library Network. It also joins
together on a regional basis with other libraries and information providers.
In its collection development policy, the Kingston Public Library fully
supports the principles adopted by the American Library Association in
its Library Bill of Rights and its Freedom to Read Statement. The key
principle underlying both documents and this policy is that of free speech.
In all its activities, the Library will support that principle, providing
an unbiased platform for the exchange of ideas.
Collection Criteria A.
"Material" is defined in the broadest possible context. The
key criterion is useful content, not format.
A. "Material" is defined in the broadest possible context.
The key criterion is useful content, not format.
B. Professional review media are used as tools for selection, along
with feedback from the community.
C. All material must meet the following specific criteria: it must have
either current usefulness or permanent value, and it must either have
a relation to the present collection or fill a gap in the present collection.
As a general rule, the Library selects materials that have given good
reviews in professional review media. In recognition that the Library
is a tax-supported institution, materials may also be selected in response
to individual request or popular demand.
D. The Library will reconsider the inclusion of specific materials upon
written request. A form is available at the circulation desk.
E. Titles are selected without regard to the gender, race, creed, nationality,
political or religious views of the author.
F. In the case of controversial issues, variety and balance of opinion
is sought.
G. Responsibility for the reading and viewing habits of children rests
with the parents or legal guardians. Selection will not be inhibited
by the possibility that material may come into the possession of children.
H. Providing textbooks and curriculum material is the responsibility
of the school system. The Library will work closely with the school
system to provide the general resources necessary to supplement a student's
education. When possible, the Library will obtain from the schools copies
of current textbooks to assist students in completing homework assignments.
I. In selecting material, the Library will pay special attention to
the commercial, civic and cultural heritage of the community.
J. Goals for selection are not only to meet the needs of current users,
but also anticipate the needs of potential users.
K. Library materials are not kept from the general public except for
the purposes of protecting the material from damage or theft.
L. Systematic withdrawal of damaged, out-dated, or worn-out material
is to be expected. Frequency of use, uniqueness, accuracy and currency
of content, and physical condition are prime considerations in this
decision-making. These materials will be systematically weeded from
the collection according to accepted professional practices, and will
be sold, distributed to other institutions, or destroyed.
M. As older formats, such as vinyl records, audiotapes, and VHS tapes,
become obsolete, they may be weeded from the collection.
N. Newer formats will be introduced as they come into use within the
community.
O. Interlibrary loans are used to obtain materials not in the Library's
collections.
P. Gifts received by the Library are judged under the same criteria
as purchased materials. They are accepted with the understanding that
the Library may dispose of them in any way it sees fit.
Q. The Library is not an advocate of any particular ideas reflected
in the materials in its collection. However, it does defend the principles
of the freedom to read and declares that no material that has been challenged
will be removed from the Library except following the established procedures
for reconsideration or under direct orders of a court of competent jurisdiction.
R. Ultimate responsibility lies with the Board of Trustees. Day to day
responsibility for material selection is delegated to the Library Director
and designated staff. Input from other staff and users of the Library
is also actively sought.
The Library Director and the Board of Trustees welcome the opportunity
to discuss these principles with interested individuals or representatives
of groups.
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Meeting
Room Use Policy for the Kingston Public Library
Revised and approved, December 7, 2009
I. Introduction.
The Kingston Public Library provides public meeting space for civic,
cultural, educational, community and both profit and non-profit groups
and individuals. Fees shall be charged for use of library meeting room.
Meeting spaces are made available to the public on an equitable basis,
regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals and groups requesting
their use.
After the Library, preference in scheduling is given to Kingston-based
organizations. In formulating this policy, the Library Trustees seek to
accommodate a broad range of associations while upholding a standard of
fairness. The Library reserves the right to review, accept or reject any
or all applications for meeting room use.
No group other than the Board of Library Trustees, the Kingston Public
Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library, the Library Art Committee
and the Library Building Committee will be granted permanent and ongoing
meeting space.
II. Purpose.
Use of the meeting rooms is primarily for library staff and library-sponsored
programs that enrich and extend library service to the community. Library-related
and Kingston Town activities take precedence in scheduling and use of
meeting space. The Library reserves the right to cancel any other previously
scheduled use of meeting space when necessary. Twenty-four hour notice
of cancellation is given by the library whenever possible. Regular library
service takes precedence over all other activities and the use of meeting
space may not interfere with the normal operation of the library.
III. Scheduling and Reservations.
The main Meeting Room is available during regular library hours as well
as during hours that the Library is closed. The Activity Room is available
only during the Library’s open hours. Groups using the Meeting Room
when the Library is closed are responsible for obtaining and signing for
the key and instructions during the Library’s normal operating hours.
The key must be returned, with the Meeting Room Use form, by the close
of business the day following use. Requests to reserve meeting space are
on a first-come, first-served basis. Each request is reviewed to determine
meeting room availability, equipment needs, and compliance with library
policy. Requests that are received later than on the Wednesday prior to
the week of the event may not be processed in time for the event. All
requests must be made through the Library Director or a staff person designated
by the Director.
Reservations will be accepted for only two events at a time, for a maximum
of two events per month. Exceptions to these restrictions may be allowed
by the Trustees, provided that they determine that such advance reservations
or additional usage will not interfere with the precedence of regular
library service over other activities or otherwise conflict with the purposes
of this policy set out in Part II above. No more than three ongoing exceptions
may be granted during any period. In the event that an exception is granted
for an ongoing period, the requestor will be notified of this decision.
The exception will be granted for a period of 12 months, after which time
a new request must be submitted in writing.
Reservations for use of a meeting room may be made by telephone, mail,
email, fax, or in person, using the Meeting Room reservation form.
Groups using the meeting rooms are responsible for setting up the room
according to their needs and restoring furnishings to normal at the conclusion
of their meeting. They are also responsible for removing their own trash.
The Library must collect statistics for meeting room use and provides
a form for that purpose. Each group is responsible for completing and
returning the form. Groups that consistently fail to return the form will
not be allowed to reserve Library meeting space.
IV. Fees.
Non-profit organizations and town-based community or civic groups are
not charged fees unless they are sponsoring a profit-making program. No
admission fees may be charged nor any monies collected with the exception
of dues or charges for refreshments by the individual or organization
without the express permission of the library.
Private individuals, for-profit organizations and businesses reserving
meeting rooms are charged a room use fee of $50 for meetings that last
less than four hours, or $100 for meetings that last more than four hours.
No admission fees may be charged nor any monies collected with the exception
of dues or charges for refreshments by the individual or organization
without the express permission of the library. Payment should be issued
to the Town of Kingston.
The Library may waive the above-noted fees upon review of each individual
request for waiver.
The Library may require that an organization obtain the services of
the Kingston Police Department for traffic control, security or any other
purpose. The Library may require that an organization provide its own
insurance.
V. Equipment Use.
Groups needing to use Library equipment must reserve such equipment
in advance.
VI. Responsibility and Liability.
Groups using Library facilities and equipment are responsible for any
damages. Facilities should be left in the same condition found upon entry.
Organizations or individuals leaving the meeting room in an unacceptable
condition will be billed a standard custodial fee of $35.00 an hour for
the time it requires to return the room to an acceptable condition. Meetings
are to be conducted in an orderly manner and participants should avoid
disturbing others using the Library at the same time.
Groups may not store items in the Meeting Room unless permission has
been granted in advance by the Library Director, and the Library assumes
no responsibility for any item left in the Meeting Room.
Non-municipal groups may be required to show a certificate of insurance
showing evidence of coverage and naming the Town of Kingston as an insured
party.
VII. Restricted Uses.
Smoking is not permitted in the building. Eating is permitted only in
the Meeting Room. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the Library.
If food is served at a program, the group reserving the Meeting room must
remove all trash at the end of the program.
VIII. Parking.
During Library hours, groups using the Meeting Room must park at least
half-way up the parking lot to allow sufficient access to the Library
for regular Library patrons.
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Policy on
the Acceptable Use of Computers and the Internet for the Kingston Public
Library
Approved March 5, 2007
The Kingston Public Library is committed to providing outstanding service
to all segments of our community as well as employing state-of-the-art
technology to improve access to global resources. As part of the mission
to meet the recreational, informational, and educational needs of the
public, the Library makes available free access to the Internet for all
residents, regardless of economic status or age.
DISCLAIMER:
Currently, however, the Internet is an unregulated medium. It allows access
to a vast array of material from around the globe for individuals of all
ages, but it also enables access to some material that might be offensive,
harmful, and/or illegal. Information found on the Internet is not organized
centrally by any one agency or author, nor does the Library select or
restrict the information on the Internet. The Library does not vouch for
or take responsibility for the accuracy, quality, or authenticity of information
obtained through the Internet. The Library will not tolerate the use of
its computers in a way that violates local, state or federal law.
The Internet has many benefits for children, but it can also be a source
of potentially harmful and inappropriate material. In order to offer some
safeguards for children, the Library will provide filtered access to the
Internet for children in the sixth grade and under. Children accompanied
by their parents may use Internet computers with the filter turned off.
Those who are in seventh grade and older may request to have the filter
turned off for a single session. .
Because adults are sometimes made uncomfortable by inadvertently seeing
certain sites that they did not intend to bring up, all of the computers
in the adult department are also equipped with filters. The filters are
on by default, but any adult or child in seventh grade or older may request
to have the filter turned off for a single session.
It is important to note that filters are not a perfect solution to this
problem. Constant change in web sites may limit the effectiveness of filters.
Children are often adept at getting around filters. In addition, the filters
may block useful and non-objectionable material. The criteria used by
the filtering software are not made public; it is therefore impossible
to know on what basis a site has been blocked or allowed.
Library staff will work with children to help them learn how to use the
Internet safely and efficiently. However, library staff cannot be held
responsible for information, images or ideas children may encounter in
their use of the Internet. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of parents
to guide the Internet activities of their children. The Library highly
recommends that parents explore the potential scope of the Internet, and
library staff will be happy to assist parents in learning how to use the
Internet. Parents may also wish to accompany their children to the Library
to help guide them in their searches. The Library strongly encourages
parents to discuss with their children the material encountered on the
Internet, much as they would discuss the information and messages found
in books, videotapes, television shows and advertisements.
It is not acceptable to use Internet access for any purposes that violate
U.S. or state laws. Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not
limited to: harrassment of library users or staff; libeling or slandering
others; violation of computer security systems, unauthorized use of computer
accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to
others; destruction or damage to equipment, software or data belonging
to the library or other users; disruption or unauthorized monitoring of
electronic communications; unauthorized copying of copyright-protected
materials.
Violations of this policy may result in loss of computer privileges and/or
loss of library privileges. Illegal acts involving library computing resources
may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
The Kingston Public Library assumes no liability for any damage to user
data or loss of user privacy sustained while using Kingston Public Library
equipment.
The Library offers programs, books and tutorials to help library users
learn how to navigate the Internet safely and efficiently, and how to
evaluate the information found online.
Adopted by the Kingston Public Library Board of Trustees on March 5,
2007.
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Policy
on Unattended Children for the Kingston Public Library
Approved April 14, 2008
The Kingston Public Library welcomes children of all ages. However, the
Kingston Public Library is NOT responsible for the safety or wellbeing
of children who are unattended in the Library. This is solely the responsibility
of the parent or guardian. The Kingston Public Library staff are here
strictly to help you and your children with library needs. The staff are
not licensed to perform childcare.
Parents and caretakers are strongly urged to accompany their young children
to and within the Library. Parents and caretakers should be aware that the
Library is a public building and is not necessarily safer than any other
public place or building. Parents and caretakers should be aware of their
child's whereabouts in the Library throughout the visit. Parents and caretakers
of young children should stay with their child throughout the visit. Children
who are not old enough to leave the building without an adult should not
visit the Library without an adult. Parents and caretakers are also reminded
that unexpected events may occur in which the Library could close without
notice, stranding an unattended child.
The Kingston Public Library reserves the right to ask any patron to leave
the building if he or she is acting in an inappropriate manner, creating
a public nuisance, or inhibiting the rights and privileges of others.
This includes children. In the case of young children, a parent or guardian
must accompany the child. In the absence of a parent or guardian, the
Library staff will call the Kingston Police Department.
Parents should be aware of the Library's schedule in order to avoid having
a child stranded after the Library closes. In the event that an unattended
child is not picked up at least 15 minutes prior to closing, the Library
staff will attempt to notify a parent or guardian. If these attempts are
unsuccessful, the Library staff will notify the Kingston Police Department
prior to closing. A staff member will stay with the child until the police
arrive.
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