Mission
and Goals Statements
The mission of the Oakland Public Library is to provide
quality materials and services which fulfill the educational, informational,
cultural and recreational needs of the entire community in an atmosphere that
is welcoming, respectful and professional.
The general goals of the Oakland
Public Library shall be:
1.
To serve all residents of the
community and surrounding area.
2.
To acquire and make available to all
residents of the aforementioned area such books, periodicals, pamphlets and
other services as will address their needs to:
·
become well informed
·
locate answers to their questions
·
cultivate imagination and creative expression
·
develop skills for career and vocational
advancement
·
enjoy leisure by means of reading and other
media series
3.
To acquire the means to provide the most
frequently requested material locally and upon demand.
4.
To maintain a program of service
which locates information, guides reading, organizes and interprets material
for people of various backgrounds, and stimulates thinking and intellectual
development in individuals of any age.
5.
To strive consistently to discover
new methods and improvements for better service for the library’s customers.
6.
To review regularly these goals of
the Oakland Public Library and, if necessary, revise them in the light of new developments.
Oakland
Public Library Policies
A. Confidentiality
of Library Records
The Library Board of the Oakland
Public Library recognizes its circulation records and other records identifying
the names of library users with specific materials to be confidential in
nature.
All librarians and library employees
are advised that such records shall not be made available to any agency of
state, federal or local government except to such process, order, or subpoena
as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state,
or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery
procedures or legislative power.
The board shall resist issuance of
enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena until such time as a proper
showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction. (In
other words, upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena, the library’s
board will consult with their legal counsel or the city attorney to determine
if such process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form or if good cause has
not been shown, they will insist that such defects be cured.)
In accordance with Nebraska state
law, library records are confidential; however, the federal USA Patriot Act
requires the library to provide access to those records when requested with the
appropriate authorization. If information is requested, the USA Patriot Act
will prohibit the library from notifying the patron of the request. To preserve
the confidentiality of records, the library retains personally identifiable
information only as long as needed to manage library services.
(Approved by the Oakland Public
Library Board 7-7-10, effective same)
B.
Behavior Policy
To ensure the safety and
positive experiences for all who work in and visit the Oakland Public library,
the following Behavior Policy has been created.
The library is designed for the use of all members of the public.
Patrons are expected to observe the rights of other patrons and staff members
and to use the library for its intended purpose.
Persons using the library
shall:
- Accompany and supervise children under the age of 11.
Parents, not library staff, are responsible for their children’s safety
and behavior. Children who come into the library alone must be old enough
to conduct themselves in a quiet manner that does not disturb other
patrons. Running or jumping in the library will not be allowed. Patrons who
refuse to observe this policy will be asked to leave the library.
- Monitor personal belongings. The library is not responsible for
personal belongings left in or on library property.
- Treat the library, people and property in a respectful
manner. Eating and drinking at the study tables only. Please
clean up trash and notify library staff of any spills.
- Talk in moderate tones.
- Set cell phones to silent/vibrate before entering.
- Observe that the
computer lab is a designated quiet zone.
- Observe copyright laws.
- Obtain approval from library staff for any signs
or flyers before they are displayed within the library.
- Be fully clothed while in the
library, this includes wearing a shirt and shoes.
- Leave pets outside. Service animals are allowed.
- Refrain from loitering in the stacks or anywhere
on the premises.
- Refrain from using the
library’s facilities for personal bathing.
- Refrain from bringing alcohol and/or illegal
drugs into the library or onto library grounds.
- Refrain from entering the library with items the
general population views as threatening
or that could damage library materials.
- Refrain from unapproved selling
or soliciting.
- Evacuate the building during an emergency (such
as the event of a tornado warning, fire or bomb scare) or go to the
designated safe areas when deemed necessary by staff.
- At closing time, all patrons must leave the building promptly.
Failure to adhere to this conduct may result in a suspension
of library privileges
While on Library Property:
- Smoking is not allowed.
- Please park bicycle in the bike rack. Roller blades, skateboards, and other outdoor sporting equipment may not be used within the library.
(Approved by the Oakland
Public Library Board 9-14-2015)
C. Computer and Internet Use Policy
Computers are available for public
use in the Oakland Public Library. The uses for these computers include
searching the library’s card catalog, word processing and internet access.
Wireless internet is provided by the library offering service to those patrons
entering with their own internet devices.
It is the responsibility of the
patron to demonstrate good judgment, respect for others and appropriate conduct
while using the computers. Using the computers is a privilege which may be
revoked at any time for conduct which, at the sole discretion of library
management, is deemed inappropriate, irresponsible or disturbing to other
patrons or staff.
The library does not endorse the
content, accuracy or various viewpoints accessed through the internet. The
internet content is filtered on select machines; however filters may be lifted
at the discretion of the librarian.
1. Authorization for Internet
Access
Patrons aged 14 years and over, must
have a valid library card or provide personal identification to library staff
at the circulation desk for authorization to use a computer. Patrons under age
14 must have access to a valid library card and be accompanied by a parent or
legal guardian with appropriate identification.
When you access the internet you
leave the Oakland Public Library. The library has no control over the
information accessed through the internet and cannot be held responsible for
its content. The library does reserve the right to question material accessed on
its computer terminals for its appropriateness in a public setting.
Parents or guardians, not the
library or its staff, are responsible for the internet information accessed by
their children.
2. Time Allocation
Computer sessions are for 30 minutes
on a first come first served basis. If no one is waiting, the librarian may
grant patrons extended time on the computer. If a patron is asked to vacate a
computer, they are expected to do so promptly.
3. User Assistance
The library does not routinely provide
computer training. Personal assistance may be arranged by appointment as time
allows.
4. Prohibitions
The following activities are
prohibited and may subject the patron to prosecution by local, state, or
federal officials. You agree to the terms and conditions at the time that you
use any computer at the Oakland Public Library:
a. Installing of modifying software.
b. Downloading of information.
c. Entering into a dialog where the
user’s identity is ascribed to the library’s computer.
d. Destruction of damage to
equipment, software or data belonging to the library.
e. Unauthorized monitoring or
disruption of electronic communications.
f. Unauthorized use or destruction
of data belonging to others.
g. Unauthorized copying or
transmittal of copyright protected data.
h. Harassing, libeling or slandering
of others.
(Approved by the Oakland Public
Library Board 7-7-10, effective same)
D. Circulation Policy
All residents of the City of Oakland
are eligible for a library card at no cost. Non-residents are currently
eligible under the same conditions. Children under the age 8 must have a
parents or guardian sign their library card. In all cases, personal
identification with address verification may be required before a library card
is issued.
Registration and circulation
statistics are reported monthly to the library board and the city council, and
yearly to the Nebraska Library Commission. All
individual registration and circulation records of this library are
confidential and shall not be disclosed to or examined by the public. The
individual circulation record is defined as materials checked out by the
patron.
1. Materials
a. Books may be checked out for two
weeks and renewed once upon request. There is no limit to the number of books
that may be checked out except: 1) at the librarian’s discretion and 2) new
cardholders may check out no more the 5 items at a time for the first 6 months.
b. Magazines may be checked out for
one week and renewed once upon request. Current issues are not available for
check out. Magazines may be checked out 4 to a barcoded bag.
c. Reference materials will not be
allowed for check out. Patrons may photocopy pages from reference materials at
the current fee charged set by the library board for copies.
d. Audio books may be checked out
for 2 weeks and renewed once upon request.
e. Videos may be checked out for 1
week. There will be no renewals of videos. A limit of 3 videos may be checked
out at one time per household.
2. Reserved Materials
The library will reserve circulating
materials on a first come first served basis. Patrons may be notified through
their library account contact information as materials become available.
Reserved materials must be checked out within 3 business days of notification
or it will be returned to circulation.
3. Lost, Damaged, and Overdue
Materials
Library materials are overdue if
they are not returned to the circulation desk or drop box by closing time on
the date the item is due. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for any patron
who has materials thirty days overdue. Patrons will be charged appropriate fees
whenever delinquent materials are returned.
After materials are 60 days overdue,
the library may declare the item(s) lost and withdraw the item from the
collection. The patron will then be charged the replacement cost of the item(s)
and a $5.00 administrative fee per item. The patron will lose library
privileges until full restitution has been made.
(Approved by the Oakland Public
Library Board 7-7-10, effective same)
4. Fines for Lost, Damaged, and
Overdue Materials:
Library materials are overdue if
they are not returned to the circulation desk or book drop by closing time on
the date the item is due.
• Overdue books will have a fine of
5 cents per day.
• Overdue magazines will have a fine
of 10 cents per day.
• Overdue videos and audio books
will have a fine of 25 cents per day.
Fines in excess of $3.00 must be
paid and the item(s) returned or the patron will lose library privileges until
full restitution is made. Library materials not returned after 60 days will be
considered lost. Library materials lost or damaged beyond repair will result in
a fine equal to the replacement cost plus a $5.00 administrative fee.
Special arrangements for extended
check out periods on materials to local teachers for use of materials in the
class room will not be charged late fees, but will be charged for items
considered lost or damaged.
(Fine Policy - Drafted
2-3-10/Approved 3-3-2010/Effective 4-3-2010)
5. Inter library Loan
Patrons will be charged one-way
postage on the requested material. This fee is due at the time of the receipt
of the material, prior to check out. This fee will be charged to the patron's
account even if the patron declines to pick up the requested material.
The Library staff will attempt to
notify a patron that material has arrived, however it is the responsibility of
the patron to check on its arrival within ten days of the request. The Patron
should provide the library with a current telephone number or email address at
the time the request is made.
Requests for an extension on the
return date must be made within a week prior to due date and are contingent
upon the borrowing library.
Patron is responsible for late fees
incurred or damage to inter library loan materials.
(Approved by the Oakland Public
Library Board 8-4-10, effective same)
E. Collection Development Policy
1.
The Oakland Public Library gathers
materials, both print and non-print, on subjects of interest to the service
area. In collecting these materials, the library adheres to the principles
embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to read and this policy
statement.
2.
The library collection is kept
relevant by adding purchased or donated items that enhance existing resources,
taking into account the interest of the service area as well as the
accessibility of information from other community and available outside
sources.
·
Items of local significance are
added to the collection whenever possible and are generally not discarded or
circulated if deemed irreplaceable.
·
Popular fiction and non-fiction
titles for all ages constitute a major emphasis of the library collection. Titles
with lasting value will be added to the library permanent collection as
resources allow.
·
Periodical titles purchased include
those covering current issues, popular culture, hobbies, and regional news.
·
The library maintains a video
collection consisting largely of entertainment DVDs. Special emphasis is placed
on titles of lasting value.
3.
Selection of materials to be added,
whether purchased or donated follows standard guidelines:
·
The final responsibility for
selection of library materials rests with the Library Director who operates
within the framework of policies set by the Oakland Public Library Board.
·
At least one of the following
criteria will be used in material selection: need and interest of the library’s
users and anticipated users, accuracy and responsibility of the author,
effective expression, significance of the subject or the item’s relationship to
the collection.
·
Selection criteria for
audio-visual and other non-print materials include such factors as artistic and
technical standards.
·
Standard selection tools, such
as but not limited to book reviews from professional journals, best-seller
lists, and other professional library publications
are used to determine usefulness of all print and non-print materials.
·
Patron requests are considered,
but must meet previous criteria.
4.
Library Funding
·
Additions to the library’s
collection are dependent upon available funds. The library secures the best
discount possible.
·
Funds are provided to the
library primarily by the City of Oakland, the Burt County Board of Supervisors,
and the State of Nebraska. Requirements to attain said funds are achieved by
meeting certification and accreditation standards.
5.
Gifts and Donations
·
The library accepts gifts of books
and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the
collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of
duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them
as seen fit. The same criteria of selection which are applied purchased
materials are applied to gifts.
·
Memorial gifts of books or money are
also accepted with suitable bookplates placed in the book. Specific memorial
books can be ordered for the library on request of a patron if the request
meets the criteria established by the Board. It is desirable for gifts of or
for specific titles to be offered after consultation with the library director.
Book selection will be made by the director if no specific book is requested.
·
The library is not allowed to
appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an
acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.
6.
Weeding
·
The collection is systematically
weeded to maintain attractiveness, ease of use and to allow space for new
purchases.
·
Weeding criteria includes: obsolete,
inaccurate or outdated information; low circulation; damaged condition; and
duplication when no longer needed.
7.
Complaints
·
The Oakland
Public Library recognizes that some materials may be challenged. Selection of
material is not to be made on the anticipated approval/disapproval, but solely
on the principles stated in this policy.
·
Responsibility for children’s
use of materials rests with their parents or legal guardians.
·
Patrons requesting that
material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a
signed Complaint form which is available in the library. The Library Director
will consider the complaint and respond in writing with seven working days. If
the patron is not satisfied at that time, he/she may request to be placed on
the agenda for the following board meeting.
