HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Approved changes to Library CodeMEMORANDUM
~ ~ TO: Rick I~och, City Mana~cr
RROM: Mary Jo Joiner, Library Director ~~k~ ~ 4~a~ru~/
DATE: Augast 28, 2006
SU'BJ~CT: Pxoposed Library code and regulatio» changes.
Thece are three items pertaining to the library in the City Council packet for their meeting on
Septembei 6. One is regarding some changes in the City Code and the others include changes to
the library regulaCions end policies thaL appear in an appendix to the City Code. All of these
changes were voted on and approved by the Library Coinmission.
The changes proposed in the cade are:
An across the board change iu the lan~uage fl~at refers to "Librarian" to "Library
Director." This reflects Yhe actual title of the posifion.
Seetion 1.56.025 (and again in 1.56.045) shows a change in the limit of ~Fines that a
cudholder may have before their library pxivileges are cut bf£ The previ~us limit was $5.
T(ze nroposed new limit is $10. The reasoning behincl this is thaC it is pret[y easy to rack
up $5 in fines and late fees and folks do not always have cash on tl~em wlien they come to
tl~e Iibrary. Cur[ailing theic use of computers and ability to check ouC materials for such a
small amom~t merely makes them ftustrated and angry. It was felt lhat the limit of $10
was a more reasonable cut-off number.
Section 1.56.045. This secrion aiso deletes language thaY, in effect, "blackballed" an
~~ ~ entire family for one family member's bad habits. It is not deleted merely for faimess
reasons. Affer consulring wiUi t'he city attorney, we felt that detining "family group" is
problcmatic.
SecCion 1.57.010 changes language in (e) more properly refeiring to tl~e Priends of the
I{enai Libtary ratber than the Kenai Library Board.
The changes in the iibrary regulations are as follows:
Section 1. b. Currently new borrowers may check out one (1) item on their 1'irst visit to
the library. We hope to change this to two items (2) until receipt of their card in the mail.
We ptopose to eliminaCe the limit of four (4) items per checlc out `after receiving the
card.'
Section 2. We would prefer to tifle this secCion `Late fees' rather than `Fines'. Fines l~ave
a punitive connotation. Late fees are something that the borrower ceeates by their own
behaviox.
Sec~ion 2. b. We want to niake the unifonn late ~Cee for books, etc. Che ten ($010) per day
referred to in 2.a. Tl~is is easier for staff and borrowers to cope with. We are reducing the
late fees Tor videos and DVDs ro one dollar ($1.00) per day from the previbus threc
dollars ($3.00). ~
~PROVE9 BY C~LBPiCH.
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LIBRARY REGULATIONS
1. BORROWERS' CARDS
a. All transactions will require the presence of a valid library idenrificatioii eard which will
be issued to a resident filing an application, and accepting responsibility for the usage thereof.
No card will be issued to a minor under eighteen (18) years of age wlless the application, and
acceptance of responsibility, is signed by the minar and also by a parent or legal guardian. The
responsibie adult must be a current cardhoider and be willing to assume the responsibility for the
minor for misuse or abuse of the privileges of ]ibrary usage.
b. Upon application for a card, the bon-ower will be permitted to check out [ONE (1)] two
~ items [AFTBR RECEIVING THE CARD TIIROUGH THE MAIL, '1'HE BORROWEIZ
MAY CHECK OUT AS MANY AS FOUR (4) IT~MS EACH LIBRARY VISIT IF ALL
MATERIALS PI2EVIOUSLY LOAN~D HAVE BEEN R~TURNED AND NO FINE~,
CHARG~S, OR PENALTTES ARE NOT~D ON LIBRARY RECORDS] untii receipt o~F Uieir
card in the mail.
c. Where privileges have been suspended on a card of a minor, priviieges on a card oP a
parent or legai guardian with legal custody of the minor may be suspended by giving prior
written notice of suspension to such parent or a legal guardian at the address on the Iibrary
record, and will reinain in effect until the overdue materials have been returned, a~zd/or the fines,
charges, or penalties on the suspended card have been paid in full.
2. ~FINES] LATE FFES
a. Ten cents ($0.10) pcr day on four (4) week books.
b. [TWENTY-PIV~ CENTS ($0.25) PER DAY ON FOURTEFN (14) DAY BOOKS
AND/OR OTHER LIBRARY MATERIALS SUCH AS MAPS, PERIODICALS OR AV
MATERIALS.] One doiiar ($1.00 per dav on videos, DVD's ancl non-book materials.
c. Threc dollars ($3.00) per day on [NONL300K MATERIALS SUCH AS VIDEOS,
DVDS,] casseTte playErs, screens or projectois.
d. "17~e Maximum ,Cne accruai per item is se2 at ten dollars ($10.00).
3. SERVICE CHARGES
a. 'T'en dollars ($10.00) handiing eharge for books or other materials that are lost or
damaged bEyond repair. This is in addition to full replacement costs. If the current price of the
item is unavailable, default replaceinent costs are as foilows:
~ TwenYy-five dollars ($25.00) for AdulY Fiction
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REGULATIONS AND POLICIES Page 1 of 6
Thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for Adult Non-ficrion
1'hirCy-five dollars ($35.00) for Alaska Fiction
Forty-five dollars ($45.00) for Alaska Non-fiction
Fifteen dollars ($15.00) for Juvenile Fiction
'I'wenty-five dollars ($25.00) for Juvenile Non-fiction
Fifleen dollars ($15.00) far Easy Fiction
Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for Easy Non-fiction
Twenty dollars ($20.00) for Music CD
Five dollars ($5.00) for Periodical
Porty dollars ($40.00) for CD-ROM
Forty-five dollars ($45.00) for Government Document
~ ~ Twenty dollars ($20.00) for AudiocasseCte
1'wenty-five dollars ($25.00) for Videos and DVD's.
b. Five dollars ($5.00) handling charge for damaged books that may be rebound, in addition
to rebind charges.
[ C. TWO DOLLARS ($2.00) FOR EACH MAILED NOTICE OR TELEPHONE CALL
TAAT IS NECESSARY TO EFFECT RLTURN OF OVERDUE BOOKS AND/OR OTFIER
LIBRARY MATERIAI,S, OR SETTLEMENT OF OTHER CHARGES.]
4. REPLACEMENT CHARG~S
a. Oue dollar ($1.00) for each library identifier/barcode.
b. Two dollars ($2.00) for lost library card.
a Three dollars ($3.00) for rewrd sleeves, hang-up bags ar AV or cassetCe cont~aiilers.
5. DAMAGES
a. Two dollais ($2.00) per page for torn or defaced pages or covers. (Pages or covers
~ containulg scribbling, writing or pages that have been mended with scotch tape or like materia]
AM~NDBD KFNAI COMMUN7TY L[BRARY
REGliLATIONS AND POLIC7ES Page 2 oP6
are c~nsidered defaced.) The char~e should nof exceed the actual cost or replacement cost of the
item.
b. If library inaterials are dainaged to the extent that any parts of them are illegible, charges
under paragraph 3(a) above will be applicable.
[6. LIMITED CIRCULATION]
[MATERIALS DESIGNAT~D "LIMITED CIRCULATION" ARE TO BE LOANED ONLY
T'O BORROWBRS WITI~I RESPONSIBLE LIBRARY USAGE FOR TH~ IMMEDIATE PAST
SIX (6) MONTHS. A FIVE DOLLAR ($5.00) CHARGE WILL BE TMPOS~D IF ANY SUCH
BOOK IS DEPOSITED THROUGH TH~ BOOK DROP.]
[7]6. RENEWALS
Books and/or other library materials may be renewed in person, on-line or by telephone once
if not reserved.
[8]7. USE OF LIBRARY CONFERPNCE ROOM
Usc of the library conference room is limited to general government and library related events
or meetings.
[9]8. ~XHISITS
Only governmental or iibrary related exhibit inay be displayed at the library.
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REGULA'1"IONS AND POLICIBS Page 3 of 6
KENAI COMMUNITY LIBRARY POLICIES
[THE KENAI COMMUI~ITY LIBRARY WILL ENDEAVOR:]
[ A. T'O PROVIDE FREE SERVICE TO EVERY RESIDENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
B. TO SUPPORT THr LIBRARY BTLL OF RIGHTS AND THE AMF,RICAN LIBRARY
ASSOCIATION FREEDOM "1"O RI;AD STATEMEN'I'.
C. TO ASSEMBLE, PRESERVE, AND ADMiNISTER BOOKS AND/OR O'I'HER
LIBRARY MATERIALS.
D. TO SERVE THE COMMLNITY AS A CENTFR OH RELIABLE INFORi'v1ATION.
E. TO PROVIDE NONRESIDENTS THE SAME SERVIC~S.
F. TO I-IAVE THE LIBItARY OPEN SEVEN ('7) DAYS A WEEK FOR A"I' LEAST A
1 OTAL OF PIFTY-NINE (59) IIOUEtS.j
The mission of the Kenai Community Library is to provide a comforfable and friendly
environment in which the public ma~
~~ a. I Iave a reasonabie ex~ectation that thev will leave the building with what they came for;
b. Relax and read current materials~
c. Receive knowledgeable assistance and answers to questions;
d. Pursue opportunities for lifelong learuing;
e. Find professionaily selected materials in aii fonnats for personai enjoyment;
£ I;n'~programsorperformances;
g. Have access to teehnological resources.
In support of this mission, the library provides individuaiized assistance, commtmity outreach,
professional expertise, and cti~rrent technologies for equal access to facilities, quality services,
and materials in a variety of formats.
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REGULATIONS AND POLICIRS Page 4 of 6
'the Kenai Communitv Library will endeavar to:
a. Provide service to everv resident in the community;
b. Provide non-residents the same services~
c. Have the librarv open seven (71 days a week for at least a total of fifty-nine (59) hours.
"Che librar~supports Yhe Library Bill of Rights of the American Librarv Associarion Freedom to
Reacl statement. The Iibrary's mandate is to provide the oublic with access to information on all
sides of an issue.
MATL;RIALS
Books and other library materials will be added to the present collecrion to provide
infornlation, entertaimnent, inteiiectual development and enrichment to all the people of the
community.
~ ~ PERSOI~,~NEL
Salary schedule, holidays, vacation and sick leave shall conform to those rules outlined in the
Personnel Regulations of the City of Kenai.
BUDC'rET, OPERATIONAL
The budget shall be presented to the City by Che Libraiy staff.
BUDGET,CAPITALIMPROVEM~NTS
The initiation of a budget for Capitai Improvements shall be done by the Library Commission
and the Library Statf.
BOOK SELECTION
The Library Commission recognizing the pluralistic nature of this community and the varied
backgrounds and the needs of the citizens, declares as a matter of book selection policy Chat:
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REGULATIONS AND POLICIES Page 5 of 6
a. Books and/or other library material selection are and shall be vested in the librarian. Any
book and/or libraiy inaterial so selected shall be held to be selected by the Commission.
b. Selection of books and/or other library material shall be made on the basis of fheix value
of intexest, information, and enlightenment of all the people of the community. I~~o book aild/or
library material shali be excluded because of the race, nationality or the political or sociai views
of the authar.
a This Commission believes that ceiisorship is a purely individual matter and declares that
while anyone is free to reject for himself books of which he does not approve, he cannot exercise
this xight of eensorship to restrict the freedom to read to others.
d. This Commission defends the principies of the &eedoin to read and declares that
whenever censorship is invoived no book and/or library material shali be removed from the
Iibrary save under the arders of a court or competent jt~risdiction.
e. This Commission ~dopts and declares that it will adhere to aud support:
The Library Bill of Rights, vld
2. The Freedom to Read Statement adopted by fhe Ameriean Library Association, both of
which are made a part hereof.
Uifts will bc accepted with provisions as to addition to the collection upon examination of
materials. l\~on-usable gifts wiil be given the disposition that is of most value to the library.
PUBLIC RELATIOI~~S
Cooperation will be given to other libraries to advanec the usage of all libraries and to provide
additional servicES to the readers of our commm~ity, and to publicize the value of library services
to all.
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