Policies

Morgan County Library

POLICIES

Mission Statement

The Morgan County Library provides services to all members of the community, by providing them with resources, printed or electronic, that will help meet their needs for educational and personal enrichment. Special emphasis is also placed on stimulating young children's intellectual interests and to encourage them to develop a lifelong love and appreciation for reading and learning. The library provides public access computers and encourages the public to become familiar with the electronic resources available at the library.

Approved by the Board on November 8, 2006

Internet Policy

The intent of the Morgan County Library’s Internet and Online Access Policy is to meet and comply with the provisions of Sections 9-7-213 Rulemaking, 9-7-215 Internet and online access policy required, and Section 9-7-216 Process and content standards for policy UCA, and Administrative Rule R223-2, as well as provide guidelines for patrons and staff regarding Internet and online accessibility.

This Internet and Online Access Policy was developed under the direction of the Morgan County Library Board, was discussed and adopted in an open meeting. This policy supersedes all previous Internet and Online Access Policy statements and is effective on May 9, 2007. This policy will be reviewed by the library board at least every three years.

The Morgan County Library has in place a policy of Internet safety for minors, including the operation of a technology protection measure on any publicly accessible computer with Internet access that restricts access to (1) visual depictions that are child pornography, or (2) harmful to minors, or (3) obscene. The filtering software will be enforced to provide Internet safety during any use of a computer by a minor.

In addition, the Morgan County Library has in place a policy of Internet safety, relating to all public access and staff computers and includes the operation of a technology protection measure on any publicly accessible computer with Internet access that restricts access to (1) visual depictions that are child pornography, or (2) obscene. The filtering software will be enforced to provide Internet safety during any use of a computer.

All staff and publicly accessible computers connected to the Internet employ technology protection measures in the form of filtering through the Utah Education Network.

Access by minors to sites that contain visual depictions that are child pornography, harmful to minors or obscene materials is restricted. “Minor” means any individual younger than 18 years of age.

According to Utah House Bill 131: the Internet Child Protection Act, “obscene” means materials meeting the standard established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Miller vs. California, 412 U.S. 15 (1973) whereby an affirmative answer is required to each of the following three questions:

(a) whether the “average person applying contemporary community standards” would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interest;

(b) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual content specifically defined by the application of state law; and

Adult patrons may request that authorized library staff disable the filter during their Internet sessions to enable access to research or for other lawful purposes.

It is also the intent of this policy to protect patrons and the library against materials other than the materials specified in Utah law.

Use of the public access computers for activities such as gambling, pornography or computer hacking is strictly prohibited. Chatting, which includes Instant Messaging, is prohibited unless patron is over the age of 18 and can present legitimate reasons supporting the use of chat. Those conditions are available upon request.

Use of social networking websites are also prohibited for patrons under the age of 18.

Administrative procedures and guidelines have been established for library staff to follow in the enforcement of this policy, handling patron complaints regarding this policy, and what a patron should do if they observe inappropriate behavior by another library patron. These guidelines are available for review at the front desk in the Morgan County Library Policies and Procedures manual.

Notice of the availability of this policy is posted at each public access computer.

Policy adopted: June 9, 2004

Effective date of current policy: May 9, 2007

Circulation Policy

This Circulation Policy was developed under the direction of the Morgan County Library Board, was discussed and adopted in an open meeting. This policy will be reviewed by the library board on an as needed basis.

Basic Borrower Rules:

A. Borrower must have a valid Morgan County Library card. Patrons under
the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the Morgan County Library
authorization card in order to check out library items.

B. Patron library cards should be presented at time of check out. At library staff
discretion, library items may be checked out using the name of the patron.

C. A fine will be charged on each item borrowed, which is not returned according to the
Morgan County Library borrowing rules.

D. All damage to materials beyond reasonable wear and all losses will be made good to
the satisfaction of the librarian.

E. Borrowers will be held responsible for all library items checked out on their library
cards and for all fines accruing on the same. Patrons are urged not to lend their cards
or check out library items for others.

F. Patrons may request a hold to be placed on circulating library items. The library will
      contact the patron by telephone and place the item on the hold shelf. If the requested
      item has not been picked up after three days, the patron will be called and reminded
      the item is here for them and will be given a “hold til ___” date. If the item is not
      picked up by the “hold til ___” date, the hold will be deleted, the patron sent a card
      stating that the hold has expired and if they are still interested to call the library and
      request it again. The hold will be given to the next patron waiting. If the patron is
      the only one on the list, the item will be reshelved.

G. A patron is limited to checking out 5 videos/DVD’s, 5 audio books and 5 magazines
      at any one time. There is a limit of 30 library items total, in any combination of
      books, videos/DVD’s, audios or magazines. Patrons under the age of 18 must have a
      parent or guardian sign the Morgan County Library CD/DVD Agreement and
      Authorization in order to check out CD’s and DVD's.

H. Patrons may request Inter-Library Loans from other libraries and agree to abide by
the lending libraries policy.

Library Cards:

A. Patrons applying for library borrowing privileges must complete and sign a library
authorization card and show picture ID (issued by government, school or employer).

B. Library cards expire every two years. Patrons will be asked to update their address
and phone numbers as needed.

C. The parent or guardian signing the library authorization card for anyone under the
      age of 18 agrees to abide by the rules of the Morgan County Library and agrees to take
      responsibility for all library items checked out by the underage patron whose card
      they have signed. The parent or guardian may choose to permit each child to have a
      library card in his or her individual name, or they may choose to have one family card
      for the use of their entire family.

D. Individuals residing outside of Morgan, Weber or Summit Counties may apply for a
      Morgan County Library card by filling out the authorization card and paying an
      annual non-resident fee. A fee of $25.00 per year will be assessed for each individual
      or family that wishes to check out Morgan County Library items. Non-resident
      patrons agree to take responsibility for all library items checked out by themselves or
      their family members and to abide by all Morgan County Library borrowing rules.

E. There will be a $1.00 charge for each replacement library card made.

F. New patrons will be limited to five (5) items per check out for the first 90 days.

Loan Period:

A. Library items which include books, magazines, audio books, videos/DVD’s and maps
      may be checked out for a period of two weeks. New magazines will stay in the library
      until the next edition of that magazine comes in. The older issue will then be
      available for circulation. Due dates will not be set on days the library is closed.
      Extended due dates can be given, but patron must request additional time at time of
      check out or renewal. Certain reference materials and all items held by the Historical
      Society are non-circulating.

B. Patrons may renew library items as many times as needed, as long as there are no
holds on an item. If library items are on hold for another patron they may not be
renewed. Renewals are for two weeks.

C. The loan period for Inter-Library Loan materials will be determined by the lending
library and will vary from system to system.

Fines and Fees:

The library is under no obligation to notify patrons of overdue library items. However, as a courtesy the library sends written notices of overdue items to patrons. Library patrons or a parent or guardian if patron is under the age of 18, are responsible for all fines, damages, losses and collection costs of library materials.

A. Fines of 10 cents per day, per item, will be assessed on all overdue materials, except
      Inter-Library Loans. Fines will not be assessed on days the library is closed. There
      will be a three-day “grace period” on all materials loaned except for Inter-Library
      Loans. Fines will not be charged on library items returned during this period.
      However, items returned after the grace period will accrue overdue fines from the
      original due date.

B. There is a $5.00 fine limit on each overdue item. Overdue fines for materials owned
      by Morgan County Library will not exceed the current replacement cost of an item.
      Depending on the patrons’ circumstances, fines may be waived in whole or in part at
      the librarian’s discretion.

C. The book drop located to the left of the main entrance of the library will be emptied
      at 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. every day the library is open and items checked in at those
      times. Books deposited after 6:00 p.m. will be checked in the following business day.
      Items returned inside the building will be checked in upon receipt. The Mountain
      Green book drop will be emptied at least once a week. The library staff will take off
      fines accrued since the previous week.

D. Patrons will be assessed a replacement fee for lost or damaged items based on the
current replacement cost of the item. The fees for lost or damaged Inter-Library Loan
items will be assessed by the lending library.

E. Delinquent patrons will not be allowed to check out additional library items until all
charges are paid in full and all items are returned. Patrons are delinquent if either of
the follow conditions apply:

1. They have fines in excess of $5.00.
2. Account has been suspended due to extreme past dues – having been
sent a final past due notice or account sent to collection.

F. Patrons whose accounts are sent to collection for a second time will lose library
privileges, including use of public access computers and materials check out for a
period of one year.

G. Library staff will remind patrons of over due items and/or fines when they check out
library material.

H. The actual amount of postage will be assessed for each Inter-Library Loan book
ordered. The fee will be paid at the time the book is picked up.

Cooperative Borrowing:

Residents of Weber and Summit Counties may apply for a free Morgan County Library card. Residents of Morgan County also qualify for free borrowing privileges in the Weber and Summit County Library systems.

Under the terms of these agreements, borrowers are subject to the rules of the library from which they check out materials, including rules related to loan periods, fines and the legal methods used to recover money owed to the library. Patrons must also pick up library items and return them to the owning library.

Policy adopted: November 17, 1999

Last modified: January 16, 2008

Collection Development Policy

Introduction:

The Morgan County Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following Collection Development Policy. The purpose of this document is to further public understanding of the purpose and nature of the library’s collection and to provide guidance and direction to the library staff for development and maintenance of the library’s collection.

Mission Statement:

The Morgan County Library provides services to all members of the community, by providing them with resources, print or electronic, that will help meet their needs for educational and personal enrichment. Special emphasis is also placed on stimulating young children’s intellectual interests and to encourage them to develop a lifelong love and appreciation for reading and learning. The library provides public access computers and encourages the public to become familiar with the electronic resources available at the library.

General Objective:

The objective of the Morgan County Library is to select, organize, preserve, and to make freely and easily available to the citizens of the county both print and non-print materials, within the limitations of space and budget, which will aid them in the pursuit of education, information, research, and personal enrichment. The goal of the library is the maximum use of its collection by the greatest number of persons.

Community Analysis

(Statistics taken from 2000 census, unless otherwise noted)

A. Geographical Boundaries: Morgan County (609 square miles)

B. Population Served: 7906 (2005 estimate)

C. Median Household Income: $56,523 (2003)

D. Median House Value: $174,500 (2000)

E. Age Levels:

Under 5 years: 581

18 years and over: 4486

65 years and over: 620

F. Median Age: 28.5

G. Predominant ethnic groups (% of population)

Caucasian 98.1%

Black 0.0%

American Indian 0.2 %

Asian 0.2%

Hispanic 1.4 %

H. Education level for adults over 25:

High School graduate or higher 92.6%

Bachelor’s degree or higher 23.3%

I. Number of schools:

Elementary: 1

Secondary: 2

Collection Priorities

The following print and non-print categories of material have been determined to be best able to meet the needs of the community in accordance with the mission of the Morgan County Library.

Material Formats

Material is selected in the most appropriate format including the following categories: Hardcover, Paperbacks, Magazines/Newspapers, Video/DVDs, Book and Tape/Book and CD Combinations, Audio books on Cassette Tape and CD, Large Print Books, Electronic Resources, and Maps.

Collections for Different Ages

Material is purchased to meet the needs of the community at various reading and interest levels. They include Easy Picture Books, Beginning Readers, Junior Fiction and Non-Fiction, Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction, Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Print Materials

Books:

Fiction: The library attempts to include popular, notable and classic novels and short stories for
adults and children.

     Non-fiction: The library aims to have an authoritative, up-to-date non-fiction and reference
        collection for the general reader in various fields of knowledge. Within each subject area,
        priority is given to those books which will serve the most readers. No attempt is made to
        specialize in particular subject areas. Non-fiction and reference materials will be collected for
        both children and adults.

Reference materials: Factors considered in the selection of reference materials are authority,
reliability, scope, treatment, arrangement, format, cost, existing holdings and local interest.

     Periodicals/Newspapers: The selection process for magazines will parallel that for books.
        A selection of basic popular, general information and current interest titles will be provided.
        A few mainstream news magazines will be included, but most research periodicals will be
        available electronically. Area newspapers are added to meet reference and research needs of
        patrons, to provide current information, and to satisfy casual interest in current events.

Maps: The library collects maps from the National Geographic map section as well as maps of
local interest.

Special Historical Collection: Local history and special history materials on Utah will be made
available through the Morgan County Historical Society’s history room.

Non-Print Materials

The library recognizes the importance of non-print materials as a source of educational and personal enrichment for the community.

     Audio books: The audio collection contains audio recordings with a variety of music styles, and
        books on cassette and CD for both children and adults. The audio collection includes popular,
        notable and classic novels and short stories as well as popular non-fiction works.

    Video/DVDs: The video/DVD collection includes, but is not limited to, videos that are based on
        literature, science, history and the arts. It also comprises videos with entertainment value,
        movie classics and award winners.

Materials Not Collected

Due to funding and space constraints textbooks and other curriculum related materials are not added. Legal and medical works will be acquired only to the extent that they will be useful to the layman. R-rated videos, other than those with historical value, are not added.

Selection Criteria

The Morgan County Library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the American Library Association Council. (Attachments 1 and 2)

Specific selection criteria include:

            1. The demand for the material.
            2. The author’s significance and/or reputation as a writer.
            3. Importance of the subject matter to the collection.
            4. Scarcity of material on the subject.
            5. Timeliness or permanence of the work.
            6. Appearance of title in special bibliographies or indexes.
            7. Authoritativeness.
            8. Reputation and standing of the publisher.
            9. Cost and shelving limitations.
            10. Availability of the materials elsewhere in the area.
            11. Acceptable reviews in recognized review media.
            12. The contribution of the material to the balance and variety of the library collection
                  as a whole.
            13. Appropriateness of the format.
            14. The aesthetic, literary, or social value of the material.
            15. The currency and accuracy of the material.

Aids in selection:

1. Recognized reviewing media including pre-publication reviews.
            2. Judgment of staff members.
            3. Best-seller lists.
            4. Regular inspection and evaluation of books at the Utah Library Association meetings and at
                other local, regional and national meetings.
            5. Suggestions from library patrons.
            6. Inter-library loan requests by patrons.

Selection Process

All staff members and the general public may recommend material for consideration. Material is purchased in the most appropriate format for library use.

It should be recognized that some materials chosen may be offensive, shocking or boring to some readers but may be meaningful and significant to others. Works being considered should be viewed as a whole, not in isolated parts.

The number of items purchased for each area of the collection will be determined by indicators of use, the average cost per item and objectives for the development of the collection.

Other community resources and area library resources are taken into consideration when developing collections. Through interlibrary loan, librarians may obtain materials from other sources. Additional information may be obtained through electronic access and the Internet.

Non-print materials, such as audiocassettes, CDs, videos, DVDs, CD-ROM discs are selected and deselected according to the same criteria as book materials. Some titles may be purchased in several formats in order to serve the most patrons. Availability of items in the format, the cost per item and the library’s ability to acquire and handle the items will also be factors in determining when a new format will be collected.

     Responsibility for Selection: All members of the library staff share in the initial selection of
        books and other materials. However, ultimate responsibility for material selection shall rest
        with the LibraryDirector who is to use the best judgment possible as a professional in
        purchasing books and other materials for the library.

     Community Participation: Suggestions from library users are always welcomed and given
        serious consideration. The library will periodically distribute questionnaires/surveys to determine
        the library needs of the community which will be used to help build the library’s collection.

Inter-Library Loans

Patrons requesting materials from the Utah State Library Inter-Library Loan Program shall be charged per item for return postage. Lost materials are subject to the policy of the lending library.

Gifts

The Morgan County Library accepts irrevocable gifts of books and other library materials, or money to purchase materials. Gifts must meet the same selection criteria as purchased material. All gifts become the property of the Morgan County Library. The library reserves the right to add the material to the collection; or to sell, exchange, donate or discard gifts.

The library will not assign a value to donated gift materials. However, the library will make available to patrons a receipt for X number of books, boxes of books, books-on-tapes, etc., which can be used for tax purposes.

Memorial gifts are accepted using the same criteria for selection as for purchased material. Gifts of money are accepted to purchase memorial material which meet selection criteria. Such gifts are acknowledged with a memorial plate.

Weeding

The library maintains an active policy of discarding outdated material; material no longer of interest or in demand; duplicated material; worn or mutilated copies; and material which no longer contributes to the total collection.

Discarded materials may be sold, exchanged or given to another non-profit organization at the discretion of the Library Director.

Challenged Materials

If a patron wishes to question the suitability of a particular title in the library’s collection, the following procedures will be followed:

1. The patron will be requested to fill out a Citizen Request for Reconsideration of Library
materials and return it to the library director.

     2. The person may then request a review board consisting of the Library Board to examine
         and evaluate the material in question. Appropriate action will follow the recommendation of the
        Board.

     3. If the material is not recommended for removal and the patron continues to demand that the
        title be withdrawn from the collection, it will be necessary for him/her to institute court
        proceedings and sustain the cost thereof to determine if, indeed, the material does not meet
        community standards and therefore must be removed from the library’s collection.

The Morgan County Library Board approved this document on January 10, 2007.

Past Due Policy

This Past Due Policy was developed under the direction of the Morgan County Library Board, was discussed and adopted in an open meeting. This policy will be reviewed by the library board on an as needed basis.

It is the intent of the Morgan County Library Board to maintain a policy regarding recovery of or reimbursement for library items checked out by patrons who fail to return or renew library items by the due date.

The library is under no obligation to notify patrons of overdue library items. However, as a courtesy the library sends written notices of overdue items to patrons.

Patrons will be notified in writing two to three weeks after their library items become past due. If the patron does not respond, a second reminder will be sent two to three weeks after the first notice. In the event the patron does not respond to a second request, they will be sent a final notice stating they have 10 days to respond or the matter will be sent to a collection agency.

When the second notice is sent, the patron’s account and all family members’ accounts will be blocked. After all past due items have been returned, and fines paid, the patron and their family members will again be allowed to check out library materials.

Library items may be renewed until the account goes to collection. When the final notice is sent the past due patrons account is suspended, and nothing can be checked out until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved.

Notifications will be sent to the parent or guardian signing the authorization card for any patron under the age of 18, and if necessary, further action will be taken in the parent/guardians name.

In the event that a patron ignores all written notices, the account will be sent for collection to Bonneville Collections. At this point the patron will then be charged the current retail cost of each item checked out, a $5.00 per item past due fine, a collection fee of one third of the total of the replacement costs and past due fines, and a $10.00 processing fee.

Up until the time that an account goes to collection, the patron deals with the Morgan County Library. After that time, they are to contact Bonneville Collections for resolution.

Policy adopted: September 12, 2007

Last modified: January 15, 2008