Educators Reference Desk
Library Policies links
http://tinyurl.com/23nrp

An AskERIC Response | June 2002
Question:
I need help finding information on creating library policies. Do you have any ideas?
Read answer:
http://tinyurl.com/yrjv2

From Web Junction.org
Policies and Practices
A comprehensive overview of appropriate policies and
practices for your library. Browse this section for
guidance on technology planning, acceptable use
policies, accessibility issues, and fundraising and
marketing strategies. 
http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=327

Alliance Library System: To Begin - Every Library Should...
http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/safeharbor/index.cfm?sectionID=90

From Soaring to Excellence - presentation Nov. 2000 
The Public & Policies
"Interpreting & applying library service policies"
Order program at:
http://www.cod.edu/teleconf/SOARING/tapeorder.htm
**PDF document may be available
http://www.cod.edu/teleconf/STE2002/Deb%20Johnson/Johnson.PDF

Creating Policies for Results From Chaos to Clarity
Sandra Nelson, June Garcia
Pub. Date: June 2003 | ISBN: 0838935354
Quoted From the Publisher
  "What does a librarian do if an unattended child remains at closing time? Can nonresidents get a library card? What is the library's position on Internet filters? These are but a few of the kinds of issues that require clear, up-to-date library policies." "If your staff makes decisions on the fly, if policies are nonexistent, outdated, and no one knows what they are, your library may be experiencing policy chaos. The answer is to create current, customized policies geared to your library. Now it's easier than ever using this one-stop, step-by-step guide that dovetails with PLA's The New Planning for Results." Covering governance and organizational structure, management policies, and services relating to customers, circulation, information, and groups, this comprehensive how-to addresses each major library area. Follow these guidelines to assess existing policies, develop new ones, and communicate all changes to improve consistency. 
Order from ALA or Barnes & Noble online

From IT Company.com
Administration and Management:
Library Policies
http://www.itcompany.com/inforetriever/adm_pol.htm

Acceptable Use and Computer Policies
Tips, guidelines, and best practices to help you develop or improve computer use policies in your
library. **Click on Policys and Practices tab at top of web junction page.
http://webjunction.org/

Writing an Acceptible Use Policy
http://www.ash.udel.edu/ash/teacher/AUP.html

Quoted From "The Internet Advocate" [*note: some material may be out of date on this page]
 Develop an "Acceptable Use Policy" (AUP) for Schools and Public Libraries
    This portion of the Internet Advocate provides some sample "Acceptable Use Policies" developed by schools and libraries across the country intent on providing young people access to the Internet with an understanding of the responsibilities Internet use requires. Most AUPs are being developed by schools, where teachers act "in loco parentis." At first public libraries simply posted disclaimers about the reliability and diverse nature of information found on the Internet and reminded parents that, as with all library materials, they are the ones responsible for monitoring their child's use of the Internet - not the library staff. However, more and more public libraries have developed their own Computer and/or Internet Use policies. Many have done so to comply with state or other legislative requirements. 
http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/~lchampel/netadv3.html

Educause.edu Resources
Information Resources Library
Items with a source of Policies - Includes Acceptible Use, IT Management, Web Page policies and more
Search Educause databases for latest updates on this topic "Library policies" (type that search term in search box)
http://www.educause.edu

Kent State University
 Library Workstations - Acceptable Use Policy 
http://www.library.kent.edu/policies/acceptable.html

Univeristy of Alabama
Acceptable Use Policy - Electronic Resources
http://brunolib.cba.ua.edu/about/ualibpol.htm

Association of Research Libraries
SPEC Kit 218
Information Technology Policies
October 1996
Introduction
The rapid expansion of networks and information systems, widespread use of electronic communications, and the unprecedented success of the World Wide Web are all contributing to the burgeoning growth of the electronic environment in many sectors, but especially in academic institutions. Although campus computing centers continue to hold a key position in matters related to the use of computing resources and electronic information, research libraries are beginning to assume an increasingly active and visible role in providing and facilitating access to networks, information systems, and electronic communications, as well as in disseminating electronic information. While all research libraries have assumed expanded roles vis-à-vis the delivery of computer-mediated services, public academic institutions have a "public face" and an additional capacity as a community resource. Campus computing units may be able to focus on providing services to students, faculty, and staff; libraries in public institutions, on the other hand, must also address issues related to making electronic information resources available to external users. For example, the library may provide key access to the Internet for community users. 
Read complete information:
http://www.arl.org/spec/218fly.html

From Ohio State
Council on Libraries and Information Technology
This page contains links to Annual Reports and Minutes of meetings of the Council on Libraries and Information Technology (COLIT), as well as links to materials mentioned in the Minutes, recent reports from other sources that are germane to the Council's charge, and Web sites of scholarly and academic organizations that work with issues of interest to the Council. 
http://www.lib.ohio-state.edu/council/

See too: Resources on TechSoup.com - the Technology Place for Non-Profits
includes links for Tech Planning, Interent Use and more
http://www.techsoup.com/

FDLP Internet Use Policy Guidelines
http://tinyurl.com/2vhjb

All depository libraries must offer the general public free access to online Federal Government information
provided through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). This follows the same principle of
free access that governs the use of traditional depository materials, as provided in Section 1911 of
Title 44, United States Code. 
http://tinyurl.com/2vhjb

State Library of Ohio
Sample Library Policy Statements
This policy list been compiled to assist Ohio public libraries in the development of effective policies and practices. The Ohio Library Council's Management and Administration Division has collected policies from small, medium and large libraries in Ohio to assist the State Library of Ohio's Library, Programs and Development Division in this project.
http://winslo.state.oh.us/publib/policies.html

Library Policies on the Web
Listed below are a sampling of public library policies. Library policies are the creation of the library administrative board and director for the guidance of library operations. The following policies are presented as samples, not recommendations. For personnel policies, we recommend that you visit MRSC's Personnel Page.
http://www.mrsc.org/subjects/infoserv/publiclib/libpolicy.aspx?r=1

Public Library Policies
The following Louisiana public libraries have made their Internet and / or electronic resources policies available to the State Library to post on its web site:
http://www.state.lib.la.us/TheLibrary/policies/

Public Library Association
Publications available : Topic - Policies & Guidelines 
Recent Releases:
Creating Policies for Results From Chaos to Clarity
Sandra Nelson, June Garcia
Pub. Date: June 2003 | ISBN: 0838935354
Quoted From the Publisher
  "What does a librarian do if an unattended child remains at closing time? Can nonresidents get a library card? What is the library's position on Internet filters? These are but a few of the kinds of issues that require clear, up-to-date library policies." "If your staff makes decisions on the fly, if policies are nonexistent, outdated, and no one knows what they are, your library may be experiencing policy chaos. The answer is to create current, customized policies geared to your library. Now it's easier than ever using this one-stop, step-by-step guide that dovetails with PLA's The New Planning for Results." Covering governance and organizational structure, management policies, and services relating to customers, circulation, information, and groups, this comprehensive how-to addresses each major library area. Follow these guidelines to assess existing policies, develop new ones, and communicate all changes to improve consistency. 
Order from ALA or Barnes & Noble online
 

From Michigan.gov
Primer on Library Policies | July 2000
The Michigan Constitution grants the governing boards of public libraries the authority and responsibility to adopt regulations for the public use of libraries. These regulations are commonly called policies. 
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17451_18668_18689-54481--,00.html

From the New Jersy Public Library Association
NJ Library Trustee Manual [*note: this links to a Web Archive.org page*]
Print Trustee Manuals Now Available:  Printed copies of New Jersey Public Libraries: a Manual for Trustees are now being made available through the NJLA office for a nominal fee. Please contact NJLA at (609) 394-8032 with your request. (05/30/02)

San Jose Public and San Jose State University 
Library Policies
http://www.sjlibrary.org/legal/policies.htm

Library Safety and Security Issues
Selected Resources | Selected Library Policies 
http://www.lori.ri.gov/news/2001/safety.php

Library Safety Update (October 1996)
Written Safety and Health Policy
Having a written safety and Health Policy is one of the critical steps in the development of a program to allow your library's operating culture and safety culture to evolve together. Taking this step clearly states your library's commitment to these issues. This can be your initial step in the implementation of effective safety and health systems and processes and demonstrates high-level support to staff and management. 
http://www.ohionet.org/safety/wcwritten.html

Milford Town Library Safety Policy
    The Milford Town Library is a focal point for community learning. The Library attempts to provide a safe and harassment-free environment for all who use the facility. These rules are based upon respecting the safety children and adults while they are using the library and protecting the library’s collection from damage.
http://www.infofind.com/library/policy_safety.htm

Child and Adult Safety Policy (Public)
The Westbank Community Library staff hopes that the people who use our library will find the facilities a warm, welcoming place to be, as well as a receptive environment for lifelong learning. The library encourages children of all ages to visit the library with their parents to take advantage of the available resources. 
http://www.westbank.lib.tx.us/about/safety.shtml
 

Brighton District Library
Library Safety Rules
http://brightonlibrary.info/about/pol-safe.html

River Falls Public Library -- Safety Policy
http://www.rfcity.org/library/policies/safety.html

HADDON LIBRARY -- SAFETY POLICY [United Kingdom - Library]
http://www.archanth.cam.ac.uk/library/safety-policy.shtml

Library Policies and Policy Making, Especially for Schools
http://library.trinity.wa.edu.au/library/lib/pol.htm

Policy Writing for Teacher Librarians
http://www.slaq.org.au/SubCommittees/Murrumba/PD/policiesonthewww.htm

See related page with resources for School Libraries
4schools.html

Links to examples of some, University/College Libraries - "Policies" pages

Cornell University
Catherwood Library policies are set by the Cornell University Library administration and are consistent with those followed by all of Cornell's nineteen libraries. The purpose of these policies is to encourage timely and equitable access by Cornell faculty, students, and staff to books, journals, and other items which they need for teaching, learning, and research.
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/library/catherwood/policies/default.html

University of Kentucky
Guidelines, Policies, & Procedures
http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/policies.html

University of California Santa Barbara Libraries
Policies page
http://www.library.ucsb.edu/policies/

University of Virginia | University Library Policies
http://www.lib.virginia.edu/policies/

South Dakota State University
http://www3.sdstate.edu/Academics/Library/LibraryPolicies/Index.cfm

Stetson University
 Library Policies  & Procedures
http://www.stetson.edu/departments/library/libpolicies.html

York University -  Canada
http://www.info.library.yorku.ca/policies/

Lincoln Universiry - New Zealand
http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/libr/libpols.htm

Mesa Community  College Library Policies
http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/library/policies.html#internet

Caltech
Institute Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Information Resources
http://library.caltech.edu/about/compusage.htm

Miscellaneous  links to General Library Policies & Resources

Library Bill of Rights [American Library Association]
http://www.ala.org

ALA Intellectual Freedom Statements and Policies
Other ALA Statements & Policies of interest:
    ALA Code of Ethics
    ALA Freedom to Read Statement
    ALA Freedom to View Statement
    ALA Policy of Confidentiality of Patron Records
    ALA Guidelines of Confidentiality and Coping with Law Enforcement Inquiries
    ALA Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries
 
ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) 

ACRL Guidelines for Media Resources in Academic Libraries
Standards & Guidelines
ACRL is the source that the higher education community looks to for standards and guidelines on academic libraries. ACRL promulgates standards and guidelines to help libraries, academic institutions, and accrediting agencies understand the components of an excellent library. These standards, guidelines, and model statements are reviewed and updated by the membership on a regular basis.

American History Museum of Natural History
Library Policies and Procedures for Museum Staff
http://library.amnh.org/policies/museumpolicies.html

University of Hawaii
Staff Policies and Procedures
http://libweb.hawaii.edu/uhmlib/staffonly/library_staff_materials.html#STAFF

Cornell University
Faculty and Staff  - Circulation Policies
http://campusgw.library.cornell.edu/services/facultypol.html

Use of Public Computers in the Colgate Libraries
http://exlibris.colgate.edu/services/departments/Systems/usepolicies.htm

Kenosha Public Library / Staff Computer Use policy
**PDF document**
http://www.kenosha.lib.wi.us/policies/staffcomputer.pdf

University of Notre Dame
Food & Drink Policy for Library Staff
http://www.nd.edu/~presunit/food_drink_staff.shtml

Manual of Staff Policies - University of Toronto
Academics / Librarians
**PDF Document**
http://www.utoronto.ca/hrhome/acman.pdf

MIT Libraries Staff Web
Policies
http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/#policies

UC Berkeley Staff Web
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/AboutLibrary/Staff/

University of Waterloo - Staff Manual
Policies and Procedures
http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/staff/manuals/staffman/section6.html

Vanderbilt University
Heard Library StaffWeb
http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/siteindex.html

UniSA Library
Library Policy Statements - include staff development policy
http://www.library.unisa.edu.au/about/policies/default.asp

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Order from ALA online store or Barnes & Noble online
 
 

Back to>> Main - On the Job Help resource pages
jobhelp.html

Other pages of interest:
Strategic Planning Resources for Libraries
Marketing Your Library Online & Off Resources
Library Job Descriptions
Library Job Competencies
Co-worker relations

Please feel free to let me know your comments
on these pages.
Contact, Mary - via e-mail, write to: mary@librarysupportstaff.com
Page updated: December 2004