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Island Free Library Policies

Use of the Workstations:

• Access to the Internet is for Library members only except for two public access terminals which can be used for 5 minutes at a time.
  
• Customers must sign into the computer using their library card barcode number.
  
• Customers may download information to a disc and also print.  Printing costs are $.25/page for black and white and $1 for color.  CD-Roms can be purchased for $1 and flash drives can be purchased for $15 at the front desk.
  
• It is not permitted for Customers to:
  • change the settings and configurations of public workstations
  • install personal software or hardware on library computers,
  • to visit chat sites or to use Instant Messaging,
  • use library computers for unauthorized access, including so-called 'hacking', and other unlawful activities,
  • invade the privacy of other library customers, harass library staff or customers, damage or disrupt library computer resources.
  • use library computers to violate copyright protection or licensing agreements in violation of applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including, but not limited to, Title 17 of the United State Code

Meeting Room Policy:

1.	No activity shall take place which conflicts with, interrupts, or disturbs any scheduled activities of the library
2.	If the approved activity is to be conducted during hours that the library is closed to the public, a Library staff member will inform the Police Communication Center of the name of the responsible person and the date and time of use. No one will be allowed to enter the building until the responsible person has entered, and the responsible person must not leave the building until the last person has left. Only those designated by the Library Director will be permitted to obtain the library key from the Communication Center. The responsible person must ensure that the facilities are left in good condition, and that the building is locked and secured upon leaving.
3.	Procedure for obtaining key: The key to the library is to be picked up at the Police Communication Center. The designated person must personally pick up the key immediately prior to the meeting, sign the log, then return the key to the Communication Center immediately after the meeting.
4.	All activities must be confined to that portion of the building specified in the application. Any use of specialized equipment must be authorized in advance. The applicant will be responsible for any loss or damage incurred by such equipment.
5.	Any problems or deficiencies should be reported to the Library Director.
6.	Any accident occurring during use of the Library facilities which incapacitates a participant for any period of time, or which has the potential to do so, must be reported to the Library Director or Board of Trustees within 24 hours.
7.	No liquor is allowed in or on Library premises. The Library has a strict NO SMOKING policy.
8.	Library property shall not be defaced in any manner. Damage to property or equipment must be reported to the Library Director and paid for by the applicant.
9.	The applicant is responsible for obtaining (from the equipment closet) and setting up any tables, chairs, or other library equipment that is to be used, and returning such equipment to the closet at the end of the activity. Any other moving of furniture, or changes to existing library facilities is allowed only by specific permission and supervision of authorized library staff.
10.	The library must be left in the same or better condition as it was found. The library reserves the right to engage custodial services at the expense of the applicant if conditions warrant.
11.	The applicant understands that should any of these conditions be broken, the organization may lose the privilege of using library facilities in the future. The library Director and Board of Trustees reserve the right to approve or disapprove all applications for use of library facilities.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for use of the meeting rooms are available at the library. Please submit requests at least two weeks in advance.

Island Free Library Internet Safety Usage Policy:

The library provides access to the Internet as a part of its mission to offer its patrons “A full spectrum of library services.” The Internet is a global computer network that provides easy access to an incredible amount of information. By providing the community access to the Internet, the Island Free Library greatly expands its existing collection in size and depth, and offers any resident or visitor the opportunity to explore the exciting resources on the Internet. The Island Free Library endorses the principles of the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, and its interpretation entitled Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks.

Responsibilities of the Library and its Customers:

The courts have decided in recent cases that access to the Internet should be protected because it broadens the opportunities for free speech. However, it is widely recognized that there is no single organization to govern, control, or select information for the Internet. Because of this freedom of information, customers must realize that not all information found on the Internet is accurate, complete, current or even legal.

In compliance with the CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) legislation, the Island Free Library filters all computers with internet access. We use a commercial product called WebSense. Access to sites containing adult entertainment, pornography or which promote illegal activities is blocked on all library computers. However, no filtering system is foolproof. Because of the unstructured and unregulated nature of the Internet, and the unreliable state of filtering, the Island Free Library cannot control the content of resources available on the World Wide Web. While the Materials Selection Policy addresses the criteria to select the materials acquired for the Library's collection, the Internet poses a different challenge. Its ever-changing resources are only partially reviewed and recommended. Library staff can recommend specific resources that have been found to be reliable and can offer advice on how to evaluate content. In the case of minor children, it is the parent or guardian who sets family standards and values. Therefore, parents or guardians, not the library staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their minor children. The use of the Internet, which should not be treated differently then books, movies, TV or music, presents a great opportunity for parents/guardians to discuss with their children their family's values. Each family needs to be prepared to deal with potential access to what parents deem inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web. Parents must teach their children to never give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number, credit card number). We strongly recommend that parents/guardians monitor and supervise their children when they are using the Internet.

Children's Policy:

The Island Free Library encourages children to visit the library and it is our desire to make these important visits both memorable and enjoyable for the child. However, library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library.

Therefore, it is library policy that all children under the age of ten must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the library.

If the child is attending a library program, we require the parent or responsible person to remain in the library throughout the program. 

Preservation plan (updated 2008)

 The Island Free Library’s   preservation plan is an integral part of its collection development policy.  Part of that mission is the responsibility of maintaining and preserving those materials that are irreplaceable and have permanent significance, The Block Island Historical Collection, for example.

 We recognize that Block Island has a very limited number of historical documents and those that are housed here at the Island Free Library are very precious and need to be preserved for future generations. Last year we decided to take a look at how our collection was used, its condition and what the patron information needs were. This resulted in our recognizing the need for easier access to the collection and a more detailed catalog. In an effort to make these items more accessible to the public we have  cataloged  our entire Block Island Collection of historical documents on an in-house system which can  provide local history researchers with detailed descriptions not available in the statewide system.  We are hoping to find funding to make this database available on our web site. Any new additions to our Block Island History archives are protected in archival boxes and Mylar envelopes as is the entire collection.  In the long term we hope to digitize the entire collection.

We are diligent about maintaining our collection. Staff members have been trained in archival book repair and document preservation by a volunteer who has taken classes at the NEDCC.  With the great influx of summer residents the IFL‘s fiction and DVD collection are heavily used and we are constantly recovering and repackaging to keep the collection in good condition. This year we purchased a new Elite 60 Disc repair machine from Venmill Industries which has proven to be a time and money saver since it allows us to repair even more DVDs and CDs in-house and return them to the shelves for circulation

Another important on-going project is a major weeding of the collection.   This allows for inspection of nearly every book in our collection where its condition and usefulness can be assessed. Books vital to the collection are recovered or repaired as needed and new books are bought to replace those that are outdated or in poor condition. The library also encourages preservation of materials by educating the public and staff about care of materials and by instituting procedures for proper handling and storage of materials. We have a procedure manual for the staff which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

The Island Free Library is fortunate to have undergone a major renovation in 2001. However, we are now faced with the results of some poor planning and the effects of cost cutting decisions.  The library has had an evaluation done and the entire HVAC system needs to be revamped which is a costly and time consuming project but must be addressed as soon as possible. As a result, many of the concerns we had in regards to humidity control and mold growth which we thought was rectified are with us again.  The trustees will be having a meeting with the town and repairs should be underway this fall.

The library has a comprehensive security system which links directly with the fire /rescue department and our fire extinguishers are examined and serviced annually. We are ever diligent in regards to basic housekeeping since a dust and mold free environment is beneficial for library materials, staff and patrons. In that regard we have just had a major professional cleaning done of all the rugs, furniture, duct work and windows. It is now the plan to have this be an annual budget item.

The Library Director has overall responsibility for the planning process but both the Director and the Board of Trustees are responsible for its implementation.  8/28/08