General Operation of the Library

The New Haven Community Library will be available to all residents of the town of New Haven, including seasonal residents. It will also be available to residents in neighboring communities. Use of the Library or its services may be denied by the Librarian for due cause including but not limited to, failure to return books or materials, destruction of Library property, disturbance of other patrons or any other objectionable conduct on the premises.

Fines and Fees:
1. New Haven Community Library patrons will not be charged card fees.
2. There is no limit to the amount of material that may be borrowed, but the Librarian has the authority to place a reasonable limit on a patron’s borrowing.
3. Patrons are expected to return borrowed materials on time and in good condition.
4. There will be no fines for overdue materials, but a conscience box is provided. However, borrowing privileges may be curtailed if books are not consistently returned by the date due.
5. Patrons are responsible for replacement costs of lost or damaged items.
6. Inter-Library Loan books are offered free, but voluntary donations for postage and handling are gladly accepted.
7. Other fees for such things as photocopies or computer printouts shall be set at the discretion of the Librarian in consultation with the Board of Trustees.

Hours of Operation:
The library will be open Tuesdays from 9 am until 4 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 7 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme inclement weather, the library will be closed as determined by the library staff.

Holidays Holidays will be observed as follows: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day.

In addition, the Librarian will determine, in consultation with the Board of Trustees, what hours the Library will be open on the days preceding or following holidays.

General Responsibilities of the Librarian and the Board of Trustees:
Following the policies of the Board of Trustees, the Librarian will supervise staff, volunteers and daily operation of the Library. The Board of Trustees will develop, review, and revise policies.

Relationships with the Community and Other Organizations:
1. The Librarian and the Board of Trustees will cooperate with schools, community organizations, and other Libraries to maximize services and resources and minimize duplication of services and resources.
2. The Friends of the New Haven Community Library is a vital group whose function is to publicize and promote the Library as a community resource and to raise funds. The Librarian and the Board of Trustees will work closely with the Friends in setting fund raising goals and also in the planning and carrying out of programs and activities.

Children in the Library:
1. Parents or legal guardians are always responsible for the well-being and safety of their children in the Library. The Library assumes no responsibility for children of any age left unattended.
2. Preschool children shall at all times be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible adult. School-aged children may use the Library unattended provided that they adhere to the Library’s rules, regulations, and policies.
3. If an unattended school-aged child needs to be driven home, but the parent or another designated adult is not there to pick the child up at closing time, the Librarian will wait for the parent to arrive. It will then be at the discretion of the Librarian whether or not that child will be permitted in the Library again unattended.
4. Parental consent is required for children ten and younger to acquire a library membership. By consenting to their child’s library membership, parents agree to assume all liability for damage done to the Library by that child. This includes damage to materials, equipment, furnishings, and to the facility itself.
5. Parents of children younger than sixteen have the right to oversee such children’s accounts, and the responsibility to regulate their behavior in the library.
6. The library records and activities of individuals over the age of sixteen are not subject to oversight.
7. The Library is not responsible for enforcing the restrictions that a parent deems appropriate regarding the materials that a child of any age may access.

Animals in the Library:
Animals are not permitted in the Library except under one of the following conditions: 1. The animal is trained and used to assist a physically or mentally challenged person. 2. The animal is part of a Library program. Exceptions to this policy may be made by the Librarian.

Confidentiality:
In accordance with the law of the State of Vermont (Title 22, § 172), employees, trustees and volunteers of the library ordinarily may not disclose the following library records:1. Library patron registration and transaction records, as defined by 22 V.S.A. § 171. 2. Any patron’s name, address, or telephone number. 3. Whether or not a patron is a registered borrower or has been a patron. 4. The number, content or character of questions asked by the patron. 5. The frequency or content of a patron’s lawful visits to the Library. 6. Any other information about a patron supplied to or gathered by the Library, including information stored electronically. Records may be released only: 1. with the written permission of the library patron to whom such records pertain; 2. to officers, employees, volunteers and agents of the library when necessary for library administration; 3. to custodial parents or guardians of patrons under age 16 4. in response to an authorized judicial order or warrant directing disclosure. Only the Library Director or a member of the Board of Trustees (in the Director’s absence) is authorized to comply with a request from a law enforcement officer to release library records, and the Director or Trustee must first confer with legal counsel to be certain that the request is in order. Substitutes and volunteers must contact the Director or a member of the Board of Trustees if such a request is made. Each Trustee will have a copy of the Procedure for Release of Records Under Warrant or Judicial Order, and a copy of this procedure will also be available in the library.
All library staff, Trustees and volunteers will be trained to comply with this policy. Statistical records pertaining to patronage, circulation and other library services may be released, provided they do not contain names or other personal identifying information.

Nondiscrimination:
The New Haven Community Library serves and welcomes all constituents without regard to race, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ancestry, physical or mental condition, national origin, or views.