General Policies

BOOK SELECTION: Section 1: The purpose of this policy is to guide the Director and to inform the public about the principles upon which decisions are made. A policy cannot replace the judgment of the Director, but stating goals and indicating boundaries will assist him or her in choosing from the best array of available materials. One of the Library’s goals is the provision of materials that best meet the community’s informational, recreational, and educational needs. Basic to this policy is the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the HCL Trustees, May 12, 1984. Section 2: Objectives: The primary objectives of the Henry County Library are to collect, produce, and make easily available materials of contemporary significance and of long-term value. The Henry County Library will always be guided by a sense of responsibility to both present and future in adding materials, which will enrich the collection and maintain an overall balance. The Henry County Library also recognizes an immediate duty to make available materials for enlightenment and recreation. All staff members selecting library materials or authorizing the same will be expected to keep these objectives in mind and apply their professional knowledge and experience in making decisions. The final responsibility lies with the Director. The Director delegates to staff members the authority to interpret and guide the applications of the policy in making day-to-day decisions. Unusual problems will be referred to the Director for resolution. Section 3: Guidelines for selection: The Library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Decisions will not be made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the collection and to serving the interest of patrons. Responsibility for children’s use of library materials rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection decisions will not be inhibited by the possibility that material may be accessible to use by children. The Library does not attempt to acquire textbooks or other curriculum-related materials except as such materials also serve the general public. The library acknowledges a particular interest in local, county, and state history. It will take a broad view of works by and about Missouri authors as well as general works relating to the state of Missouri. However, the library is not under obligation to add to its collection everything about Missouri or produced by authors, printers, or publishers with Missouri connections. The library will always seek to select materials of varying complexity and format because it has a potential public embracing a wide range of ages, educational background, interest, sensory experiences, and reading skills. The Library will pay due regard to the special civic, commercial, cooperative, cultural, industrial, and labor activities of each of the communities it serves. The Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents and materials will not be sequestered except for the purpose of protecting them from damage or theft. Gifts of materials will be accepted for integration into the collection only if they meet the selection criteria. Any donated materials not accepted into the collection will be sold with the funds going towards the purchase of more materials. The Library will reconsider any material in its collection upon the completion of a signed Reconsideration Request.

Your library records are confidential. For your protection, you must present your library card for transactions. You will also be asked for your library card number in cases of telephone access, so you will want to have your card in hand when calling to renew a book or check your record.

In order to fulfill its mission of public service, the Henry County Library will make every reasonable effort to open to the public as scheduled, consistent with safe access for the public and staff. However, inclement weather can cause transportation problems or locally hazardous conditions and possible power outages. At times when the weather becomes hazardous to the health and/or safety of the public and/or library staff, the library will close, delay opening, or close ahead of schedule. National or local weather service advisories concerning travel during storm conditions, or during the clean-up afterward, will always be followed. The policy of the library will be those library facilities will not open until 10:00 AM if the local public school district delays the start of the school day or closes due to inclement weather unless, the weather is severe enough to present a danger to staff and patrons, in which case the Library will close for the day. The decision to close or postpone the opening of the library due to inclement weather will be made by the Director or in his or her absence, the Assistant Director.

INTERNET ACCESS: Section 1: In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Henry County Library endeavors to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of Henry County. It is within this context that the Henry County Library offers access to the internet. Section 2: The Henry County Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and it is your responsibility to use this resource wisely. Section 3: All internet resources accessible through the Henry County Library are provided equally to all library users. Parents or guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents-and only parents-may restrict their children-and only their children-from access to internet resources accessible through the Henry County Library. Parents are advised to supervise their children’s internet sessions. To be more specific: A. The Henry County Library complies with CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). There are explicit material and other informational resources, which you may personally find controversial or inappropriate. B. Not all sources on the internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. You need to be a good information consumer, questioning the validity of the information you find C. Although we use a virus checker, this will not completely protect you from the chance of getting a virus. Software downloaded from the internet may contain a virus and you need to have virus-checking software on your home computer. The Henry County Library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s disc, zip drive, or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the library’s computers. D. You may not be able to always go to the places on the internet you want to visit. There are many reasons, among them: There are too many internet visitors and the host computer has closed or limited access from the “outside world”. The database or resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case you would need to be affiliated with the institution in order to get access. The site requires specialized software, which is not available on the library’s computers. The host computer has changed its address or has closed down. The host computer may be “off the net” due to technical difficulties or to carry out periodic maintenance. The library’s internet connection may be temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties. WIRELESS ACCESS: Section 1: Wireless internet access (WiFi) is provided free of charge by the Henry County Library. The use of this service is governed by the Henry County Library’s internet use policy. A. WiFi access is provided free of service on an “as is” basis with no guarantee of service. B. Users are responsible for setting up their equipment to access the Henry County Library’s WiFi network. Library staff can provide general information or handouts to help connect to the WiFi network. Library staff will not provide technical assistance and will not assume any responsibility for personal hardware, configurations, security, or changes to data files resulting from connection to the library’s WiFi network. It is recommended that users make a backup copy of any settings changed before configuring their equipment for use on the library’s WiFi network. C. All WiFi users should have up-to-date antivirus software installed on their computers. D. As with most public WiFi networks, the Henry County Library’s wireless network is not secure. Any information transmitted (including credit card numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information) could potentially be intercepted by another user. E. The library’s WiFi network is subject to periodic maintenance and unforeseen downtime. F. The library filters all internet access. This filter blocks those sites that violate the library’s internet use policy. G. The library assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of equipment. Users must keep their equipment with them at all times. H. Printing access is not available via the WiFi network. If the user desires to print, the file can be saved to a zip drive or emailed to themselves and printed from one of the library’s public access computers for 10¢ a page. I. Any attempt to circumvent library procedures or any unauthorized attempt to access or manipulate library equipment will result in permanent disconnection from the library’s WiFi network. COMPUTER LAB: Section 1: Any person wishing to use the computers or equipment provided by the library is required to be a library patron in good standing. Each person must produce a valid library card to access the equipment. There is a two (2) hour per day limit on all equipment at both the Clinton and Windsor locations. With one (1) computer being designated as 30-minute use at the Clinton facility. A parent or guardian must accompany children who are under ten (10) years of age. The maximum number of people allowed to use any piece of equipment is two (2).

The Library is to be used for library-related purposes only, except as defined in the Friends Room policy. Library property is to be respected at all times. Patrons will be held financially responsible for damage to library property. Violent, lewd, or disorderly conduct is not permitted on library property. Any behavior that is disruptive to other patrons or staff is prohibited. Obtaining signatures on a petition, conducting surveys or investigations, or distributing printed materials are prohibited on library premises. These restrictions do not apply to library-related activities. There shall be no food or drink in areas where electronic equipment is in use. No smoking or alcohol is permitted on library property. Service animals are the only animals permitted in the building. Service animals must be in control of the owner at all times. Exceptions to this rule are made at the discretion of the Director. Children in the library for an extended period of time are to be accompanied by an adult. The library assumes no responsibility for the supervision or protection of children. Any person left at the library at the time of closing will be asked to vacate the building. Any unattended child will be considered abandoned and the library staff will contact the police to take custody of the child. At no time will library staff transport children or be held responsible for them. Cell phones are to be kept on vibrate in the library. Cell-phones are to be used in a respectful manner in the library.

Section 1: Overdue charges: print material, audios, jigsaw puzzles, cake pans, and topic totes shall be 5¢ per day (excluding Sundays and library holidays) per item with a maximum charge of $1.00 per item. DVDs are 5¢ per day per item with a maximum charge of $1.00 per item. Speed Reads (written material of great demand) are $1.00 per day per item with a maximum of $10.00 per item. A. Overdue notifications are made using the following method: A patron will be notified when an item is two (2) weeks overdue. If the material is not returned, a second notice will be given when the material is four (4) weeks overdue. When the item is eight (8) weeks overdue, a notification will be made by first-class mail to the address listed on the library card application stating the following: AS OF DATE OF THIS LETTER, ALL LIBRARY PRIVILEGES WILL BE DENIED TO THE HOLDER OF THIS LIBRARY CARD UNTIL THE OVERDUE ITEMS ARE RETURNED AND ALL FINES PAID IN FULL OR THE MATERIALS ARE PAID FOR IN FULL. B. Payment for lost or damaged items: in the case that an item is lost or damaged beyond normal wear and tear, payment will be expected as follows: Book still in print: replacement cost (as determined by the website Amazon.com). Book out of print: the original cost of the book when purchased or $20.00 whichever is higher. Juvenile board books out of print: the original cost of the book when purchased or $10.00 whichever is higher. Magazines: the original (newsstand) cost of the magazine. Compact discs: replacement cost or $20.00 per set whichever is higher plus a $5.00 processing fee. In multiple audio sets replacement cost is $10.00 per item to be replaced. DVDs: replacement cost. Playaways: the original cost or $50.00 if no longer available. Cake pans: $10.00 each. Jigsaw Puzzles: $2.00 each. Launchpads: original cost of Launchpad plus a $5.00 processing fee. WiFi Hotspots: original cost of hotspot plus a $5.00 processing fee.If an item that was lost and has been paid for is found within three (3) months of the payment day, the patron will be refunded the cost of the item minus the processing fee in those cases that warrant such action.

Section 1: The posting of announcements must be confined to the area designated specifically for that purpose. The library does not post material relating to activities undertaken for individual gain or commercial profit, nor does it post personal or political campaign literature.

Henry County Library patrons should be informed that all Henry County Library facilities and grounds have been designated as smoke-free areas. This directive was made in an effort to conform to the recent decision by the Henry County Commissioners, which declared county facilities as non-smoking areas. The library appreciates your cooperation as we make the changes needed to meet the needs of our patrons and community.