LIBRARY LAW AND ORDER!
Policies and
Procedures
Mission Statement
BELOW YOU'LL FIND A BASIC OUTLINE OF LIBRARY POLICIES FOR THINGS LIKE CONDUCT, BORROWING, FINES, AND MORE.
THE MISSION OF THE WEST WARWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY IS TO PROMOTE THE READING INTERESTS AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING OF THE CITIZENS OF WEST WARWICK AND ALL OTHER USERS BY PROVIDING FREE AND OPEN ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF CULTURAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES, MATERIALS, AND SERVICES.
Service Policy
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NO RESTRICTIONS BETWEEN SERVICES OFFERED TO WEST WARWICK RESIDENTS AND ALL OTHERS.
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BASIC LIBRARY SERVICES ARE FREE FOR ALL REGARDLESS OF AGE, GENDER, RACE, RELIGION, OR POLITICAL VIEWS.
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SERVICES INCLUDE PHYSICAL ACCESS, OWNING A LIBRARY CARD, ACCESS TO DATABASES, CHECKOUT OF MATERIALS, INFORMATIONAL ASSISTANCE, AND ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY.
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PROMISED ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY.
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THE LIBRARY REMAINS SAFE, CLEAN, AND ADA-ACCESSIBLE.
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PROMPT, COURTEOUS SERVICE FROM TRAINED STAFF.
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RELEVANT, CURRENT MATERIALS THAT REPRESENT A WIDE VARIETY OF VIEWS.
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ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ALL INTERESTS AND DEMOGRAPHICS.
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EMBRACING NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND MEANS TO DELIVER INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES.
Rules of Conduct
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PATRON BEHAVIOR THAT IS DISRUPTIVE WITH INTENT TO ANNOY, HARASS, VIOLATE PRIVACY, OR INTERFERE WITH OTHERS EXPERIENCE OR A STAFF MEMBER'S ABILITY TO PERFORM JOB DUTIES WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING:
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A VERBAL WARNING.
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IF BEHAVIOR PERSISTS, THE PERSON(S) WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE BUILDING. IF THEY REFUSE, STAFF WILL CONTACT THE POLICE.
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IF BEHAVIOR PERSISTS, THE PERSON(S) WILL RECEIVE A 5-DAY SUSPENSION.
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FURTHER POOR BEHAVIOR WILL RESULT IN UP TO A YEAR OR PERMANENT SUSPENSION, AS DECIDED BY THE DIRECTOR.
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ALL WARNINGS AND ACTIONS ARE DOCUMENTED.
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IF A PATRON'S ACTIONS ARE THREATENING, POLICE ARE CALLED IMMEDIATELY.
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A MINOR EVICTED FROM THE BUILDING MORE THAN TWICE OR RESULTED IN POLICE INTERVENTION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN IN ORDER TO RETURN.
Library Card Registration
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YOU MAY REGISTER FOR, RENEW, OR REPLACE A LIBRARY CARD AT CIRCULATION DESKS IN RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
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THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PHOTO ID AND PROOF OF ADDRESS IS NECESSARY.
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FOR PATRONS 18 YEARS AND OLDER:
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A VALID RI DRIVER'S LICENSE, RI STATE ID, OR DRIVER'S PERMIT.
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A PHOTO ID AND PROOF OF ADDRESS MAY BE PRESENTED IN ABSENCE OF OTHER ID. EXAMPLES INCLUDE UTILITY BILLS, COLLEGE ID, A PASSPORT OR VISA.
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FOR PATRONS UNDER THE AGE OF 13:
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PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY AND PROVIDE THE ABOVE IDENTIFICATION ON THEIR BEHALF.
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FOR PATRONS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 - 17:
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MAY APPLY WITHOUT PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN WITH PROPER ID (ABOVE). STUDENTS MAY USE SCHEDULE OR REPORT CARD IN ADDITION TO PHOTO ID.
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MAY INSTEAD HAVE A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN ACCOMPANY AND PROVIDE THE ABOVE IDENTIFICATION ON THEIR BEHALF.
Inter-Library Loans
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IF NO STATE LIBRARY OWNS THE MATERIAL A PATRON WANTS, STAFF MAY REQUEST IT FROM AN OUT OF STATE LIBRARY.
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A $5.00 PROCESSING AND MAILING FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH MATERIAL REQUESTED.
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THE FEE PAID WILL BE RETURNED TO THE PATRON IF THE ORDER IS NOT COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY.
Cell Phone Use
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RINGERS SHOULD BE SET TO VIBRATE OR SILENT.
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MAKE ALL CALLS OUTSIDE SO AS TO NOT DISTURB OTHERS. TAKE YOUR BELONGINGS WITH YOU.
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A BRIEF CALL MAY BE MADE AT ANY DEPARTMENT DESK.
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VIDEO CHAT IS TREATED THE SAME AS A CELL PHONE CALL.
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REFUSAL TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
Lost or Damaged Items
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A PATRON IS FINED ANY OVERDUE CHARGES PLUS THE REPLACEMENT FEE LISTED IN THE BIBLIOGRAPHIC SOURCE.
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AN OUT OF PRINT BOOK REPLACEMENT FEE IS $15.00.
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A TRANSACTION RECEIPT IS PRINTED.
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IF A PATRON FINDS THE ITEM WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER PAYING, THE LIBRARY WILL REFUND THE AMOUNT PAID IF PROPER RECEIPT IS SHOWN.
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ITEMS TWO OR MORE YEARS PAST DUE INCUR A REPLACEMENT FEE. EVEN IF THE ITEM IS RETURNED, THIS FEE MUST BE PAID.
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THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE TO AN ITEM IS LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE HEAD OF CIRCULATION.
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IN THE CASE OF A DAMAGED ITEM BEYOND REPAIR, A REPLACEMENT FEE WILL BE CHARGED.
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IF THE ITEM IS JUDGED AS ABLE TO BE REPAIRED, A $5.00 FEE WILL BE CHARGED TO COVER MATERIALS FOR REPAIR.
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PURCHASING REPLACEMENT COPIES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTED.
Volunteer Policy
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THE LIBRARY AIMS TO GIVE VOLUNTEERS MEANINGFUL RESPONSIBILITIES, TRAINING, AND RECOGNITION.
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ACCEPTED VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE:
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STUDENTS PARTICIPATING FOR EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
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PATRONS AGE 18+ WITH BACKGROUND CHECK.
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TEENS IN GRADES 7 - 12 WITH PARENTAL CONSENT.
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PATRONS PARTICIPATING IN SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY PROGRAMS.
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THE LIBRARY CANNOT GUARANTEE A POSITION FOR EACH PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEER AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY APPLICATION.
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SCHEDULES WILL BE ARRANGED BY THE VOLUNTEER AND STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR WORK.
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THE LIBRARY WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY MEDICAL, ACCIDENT, OR WORKER'S COMPENSATION BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEERS.
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UPON REQUEST, A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION CAN BE PROVIDED FOR VOLUNTEERS THAT COMPLETE SERVICES.
Meeting Room Policy
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THE LIBRARY HAS TWO MEETING ROOMS FREE OF CHARGE FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.
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MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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MUST BE EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, OR CIVIC IN NATURE.
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CANNOT BE SOCIAL, RELIGIOUS, PRIVATE, OR COMMERCIAL.
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LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IS PRIORITIZED.
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USE DOES NOT IMPLY LIBRARY ENDORSEMENT.
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BOOKINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITH 2 WEEK NOTICE.
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ADVERTISING OR SELLING PRODUCTS IS PROHIBITED.
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NO FEES CAN BE COLLECTED WITHOUT LIBRARY CO-SPONSORSHIP.
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RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE ONE WEEK PRIOR.
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NO GROUP CAN HAVE MORE THAN TWO MEETINGS PER MONTH.
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AVAILABILITY IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
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ROOM FURNITURE CAN BE ADJUSTED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS.
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USERS MUST ABIDE BY ALL LIBRARY RULES AND POLICIES.
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PERMISSION IS GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OR BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Unattended Children
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THE LIBRARY IS NOT EQUIPPED, NOR IS IT THE LIBRARY'S ROLE, TO PROVIDE LONG OR SHORT-TERM DAYCARE.
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CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT MUST ALWAYS BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT.
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IF A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT IS ATTENDING AN EVENT, A RESPONSIBLE ADULT MUST STAY WITHIN THE LIBRARY.
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PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR.
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IF LEFT UNATTENDED, TRAINED STAFF WILL AID THE CHILD IN LOCATING THEIR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN.
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POLICE ARE NOTIFIED OF ANY CHILD LEFT ALONE AT THE TIME THE LIBRARY CLOSES.
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POLICY MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A CHILD LEFT UNATTENDED. REPEAT OFFENSES WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
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IN THE EVENT OF A LOST OR MISSING CHILD, THE LIBRARY HAS A COMPREHENSIVE PROCEDURE TO ENSURE SAFETY.