Mission Statement

Housed in an 1897 granite structure, the Dickinson Memorial Library’s mission is to preserve the historic integrity of the building while providing  the citizens of Northfield access to information through the most up-to-date technology. 

The Library strives to be the heart of the community by responding to the townspeople’s informational, educational, cultural and recreational  needs. Through careful selection the Library provides print and non-print materials, offers programs for children and adults, and endeavors to  provide service in an enthusiastic and professional manner.
 

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Appropriate Patron Behavior Policy

The Dickinson Memorial Library and its services are available to all members of the public.  To maintain an atmosphere which promotes the use and enjoyment of the library we adhere to the following:

Anyone who engages in disruptive behavior (MGL, Ch. 272, Sec. 42) is subject to removal from the building and/or restriction of library privileges. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to:

·        Any illegal activity
·        Smoking
·        Soliciting
·        Intoxication
·        Loitering

Library privileges may be limited or withdrawn for the following reasons:

·        Damaging library property
·        Stealing library materials
·        Threatening or physically harming staff or patrons
·        Abuse of borrowing privileges
·        Disregard for library policies

Parents are responsible for the supervision and behavior of their young children.  Children under the age of 8 years must be accompanied by someone 15 years of age or older.  Although children 8 and older may be left unattended for a reasonable length of time, children should know how to reach a parent or guardian, and parents should be aware of the closing time of the library. 

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Art Exhibition Policy

By providing space in which to exhibit original works of Northfield area artists the Dickinson Memorial Library Trustees hope to:

• Acquaint library patrons with the talents of Northfield area artists
• Promote the work of Northfield area artists
• Encourage self-education through art appreciation

The exhibition of art at Dickinson Memorial Library is by invitation.  While artists are encouraged to seek an invitation, the final decision will be at the discretion of the Librarian and the Trustees reserve the right to review works for their appropriateness and to reject any work that seems inappropriate.  Northfield residents will always have priority in scheduling art exhibits

Length of Exhibit
Exhibits will be two months unless other arrangements are requested.  All works should remain until the last exhibit day.
 

Setting Up
The artist will oversee placement and dismantling of the exhibit.
 

Description and Price Sheet
The artist should leave a list describing each piece.  Person interested in purchasing a particular work should contact the artist directly.
 

Liability
The artist in encouraged to carry insurance on valuable works as the Trustees cannot be liable for theft or loss.  All artists will be required to sign a liability waiver

(See Appendix)

Publicity
The artist is responsible for publicizing the exhibit.  When there is a special and/or shared event publicity will be arranged between the artist and the Librarian.

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Bequest, Donation and Gift Policy

It is the stated policy of the Board of Trustees of the Dickinson Memorial Library that:

·        The Librarian shall be the authorized recipient on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Dickinson Memorial Library and shall give written acknowledgment to the donor for the receipt of all bequests, donations and gifts made to the Library. (See Appendix) The Trustees reserve the right to refuse a bequest, gift/donation as inappropriate.

·        All personal property, of whatever kind or nature, donated or given, to the Dickinson Memorial Library shall become the property of the Board of Trustees and held by them for the use and benefit of said library.

·        The Library will not provide evaluations of gifts/donations for tax deductions or other purposes.

·        All right, title and interest in the gift or donation shall be placed in the name of the Board of Trustees of Dickinson Memorial Library without any restrictions or restrictive covenants, and all donors shall affix their signature to the following form.

Borrowing Policy and Procedure

Borrowing Regulations

      1.  Massachusetts residents are entitled to free library services and may apply for a borrower's card in person at the library.
      2.  Residents of other states may also obtain a Dickinson Memorial Library card. 
      3.  Each adult borrower is held responsible for all items charged out on his/her card.
      4.  Parent/guardian signature is required for children under 18 years of age. The parent/guardian will be responsible for the appropriateness    
           of  materials, including electronic information, and for payment of charges incurred with the card.

Library Cards

       1. To qualify for a library card an applicant must show an ID with proof of current address.   Children under 18 years of age must have 
           the signature of a parent or guardian.
       2. A replacement card may be obtained for $1.00.

Loan Periods 
These loan periods have been developed in conjunction with the C/W MARS Standard Loan Guidelines.

      1.  Books, audiobooks and kits circulate for 21 days with 1 renewal.
      2.  Designated  “New” materials circulate for 14 days with 1 renewal.
      3.  Videos, magazines, and CD ROMs circulate for 7 days with 1 renewal.
      4.  Museum passes circulate for 24 hours.
      5.  Materials received through InterLibrary Loan will follow the policies of the lending library.

Borrowing Restrictions
Patrons may borrow up to 50 items at any given time.  However, in order to assure that there is sufficient information or materials available in a given format, we ask that all patrons respect the needs of other borrowers.       

Fines
These fees have been developed in conjunction with the C/W MARS Standard Fine Guidelines.

       1.  Books, audiobooks, kits, and magazines accrue fines at the rate of 5¢ a day, up to $2.00 per item.                                                      
       2.  Videos accrue fines at the rate of $1.00, a day up to $5.00 per item.                                                                                               
       3.  Patrons will lose borrowing privileges when fines total $10.00.

Lost or Damaged Materials
Materials that are 28 days overdue are considered lost and will be billed in conjunction with C/W MARS policy.

1.  Lost materials that were the property of the Dickinson Memorial Library:  Patrons will be expected to replace any lost or damaged materials. They may choose to:

        -replace the lost material with an exact copy.
        -replace the lost material with equivalent material as approved by the Director or Assistant Librarian
        -pay the replacement cost.     

2.  Lost materials that were the property of other C/W MARS libraries will follow the C/W MARS Lost Book Payment Policy.

3.  Lost materials borrowed through InterLibrary Loan will follow the policies of the lending Library.

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Collection Development Policy

The primary responsibility of the Dickinson Memorial Library is to serve the people of Northfield by providing a broad choice of materials to meet their informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs. The Library maintains print and non-print collections for adults, young adults and children, as well as a local history collection with an emphasis on Northfield.

Responsibility for Collection Development
The Library Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing the collection development policy.  The Library Director is responsible for the allocation of the materials budget, the selection of materials and the ongoing maintenance of the collection.  
 

Selection Process
Collection development decisions are made using staff judgment and expertise, evaluating reviews in professional journals and using other available library selection tools.  Factors used in making decisions include, but are not limited to:

  ·        popular demand
  ·        community needs and interests as determined by library use
  ·        current interest and usefulness
  ·        cost
  ·        quality of the item and its appropriateness for the intended user
  ·        budget and space considerations
  ·        availability of the materials through lending library programs

 Maintaining the Collection
 In order to maintain a collection that is current, reliable, in good condition, well used, and which relates to the needs and interests of the community, materials will be withdrawn on a systematic and continuing basis.  Materials are withdrawn when they are judged to be:

    ·        dated
    ·        inaccurate
    ·        seldom used
    ·        in poor condition
    ·        otherwise no longer appropriate

Withdrawn material is given to the Friends of the Dickinson Memorial Library except in certain circumstances when the discarded materials can be used by another library, educational institution or non-profit institution.

Gifts
Gifts and donations of materials accepted by the Dickinson Memorial Library are subject to the same process as purchased materials. They are considered with the explicit understanding that such factors as duplication, merit, lack of community interest, processing costs, physical condition of the materials, or inadequate shelf space may prevent their addition to the collection or permanent retention on the shelves. Gifts and donations are accepted with the understanding that the Library mat, at any time, discard them or offer them for sale through the Friends of the Library Book Sale program.

 Controversial Materials and Intellectual Freedom
The Library recognizes its obligation to provide as wide a spectrum of materials as possible.  Selection of materials is not restricted by the possibility that certain materials might be considered objectionable by some users on moral, religious, political or other grounds.  The Library endorses the principles of the Freedom to Read Statement and the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. 

The Library believes it is essential in a free society to provide access to all library materials.  No restrictions are placed on what anyone may read or view.  Individuals or groups may occasionally question the inclusion of an item in the collection because of fear or doubt about the effects of the material on an impressionable person.  Although the Library understands this concern, it is the Library’s position that the risk to society is far greater if public access to ideas and information is restricted.  Neither an individual, nor group, not even the Library itself has the right to decide what others may or may not read.  The Library is opposed to removing from its shelves, at the request of any individual or group, materials that have been chosen according to the collection development policy.  In addition, the library will oppose coercion on the part of an individual or group seeking to have material added to the collection that is contrary to the criteria selection stated above. 

Request for Reconsideration
Any person in the community who finds any Library materials objectionable is entitled to complete a Request for Consideration of Library Material Form and submit it to the Library Director who will present the issue to the Board of Trustees.

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Internet Use and Safety Policy and Procedures

General
Consistent with its mission to serve the community by offering a wide array of informational and recreational resources, the Dickinson Memorial Library provides patrons with access to the Internet from computer terminals in several areas of the Library.

The Internet offers an immense amount of information through a vast global network.  Because it is so massive there is no local control or organization of its content.  Patrons who access the Internet are advised to use discretion in evaluating the validity and accuracy of any website information, seek the assistance of library staff when doing research, and take advantage of computer workshops held at the Library.

The Trustees of the Dickinson Memorial Library subscribe to the principles of intellectual freedom expressed in the American Library Association’s (ALA) Bill of Right. The Trustees are also in agreement with the ALA’s position that the use of filtering software on library Internet computers blocks Constitutionally-protected speech and is inconsistent with the United States Constitution and federal law.

Acceptable Use
Library computer use is a privilege, and should be done so in a responsible manner.  Misuse of computers includes, but is not limited to:

   ·        Violating any applicable federal, state or local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations including,   
          but not limited to Massachusetts General Law 272 Section 31, the Harmful to Minors    
          Statute,   which prohibits dissemination of material which is harmful to minors or which is 
          obscene; or dissemination or possession of child pornography.
   ·        Disclosing, using or disseminating personal identity information about minors.
   ·        Harassing, libeling or slandering other persons or parties.
   ·        Violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements.
   ·        Hacking into the library computer system or any other computer system.
    ·        Damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software.

While Constitutionally-protected speech and information is available for access by all library patrons, the library must also be mindful and respectful of the rights of other patrons not to be inadvertently exposed to material and images they find personally unsuitable.  The library’s computers are in full view of the public and to that end Internet users are expected to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing potentially offensive information or images.

Misuse Penalties
 Violators of the Library’s policies, including the Internet Use and Safety Policy and Procedures may lose library privileges for up to 2 months.
 

Access by Minors
As with other library materials, parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for guiding their children in the use of the Internet.  Parents or legal guardians must:

     ·         Decide whether material accessed by their minor children is or is not appropriate.
     ·        Assume responsibility for ensuring their own minor children’s safety and security when using e-mail, chat rooms and other forms of 
           direct electronic communications.

The Library urges parents, legal guardians, and minors to keep in mind the following recommendations:

    ·      Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number.
    ·       Decide whether you want personal information such as age, marital status, or financial  information revealed.                      
    ·       Never allow your child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without your approval.
    ·        Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make you or your child uncomfortable.
    ·        If you or your child become aware of the transmission of child pornography, report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited     
          children at 1-800-843-5678.
    ·        Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
    ·        Remember everything you read may not be true.¹

Waiver of Responsibility
The Dickinson Memorial Library does not actively monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content, authority, reliability, currency, or use.  Neither the Board of Trustees of the Dickinson Memorial Library, the Library staff, nor the Town of Northfield is liable for any negative consequences that may occur as a result of using the library’s Internet connection.

¹A Safety Net for the Internet:  A Parent's Guide.  New York Public Library.  21 May 2002.  http://www.nypl.org/Branch/safety.html.

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Meeting Room Use

The Dickinson Memorial Library offers two rooms for use by community groups.  The meeting rooms may be used by non-profit community groups or organizations devoted to education, cultural, civic and recreational activities.  Although usage is open to all such groups, preference is given to Northfield-based organizations.

1.  Meeting room use must be approved and scheduled through the Library Director.

2.  The meeting rooms are available during regular library hours or through prior arrangements, when the Library is closed.

If the Library is closed: 
·        There will be no use of any part of the building other than the designated meeting area. 
·        One person must be designated to accept responsibility for the Library while the group is using the building.
·        Upon leaving, all lights must be turned off, doors locked and utilities and climate control returned to normal night settings.
·        The key must be returned within one working day of the completion of the meeting

3.  All meetings must be open to the public. Private parties by invitation only are not permitted.

4.  All groups using the meeting rooms are responsible for the care and cleanup of the rooms and must agree to pay for any damage.

5.  State law prohibits smoking or use alcohol in public buildings.

6.  Use of the library’s meeting rooms does not constitute an endorsement of an organization’s policies or beliefs.  No advertisements or 
     announcements implying such endorsement will be permitted.

7.  There is no charge for the use of the meeting room, but donations to the Friends of the Library are always appreciated.

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