Why do libraries have policies? Policies provide a framework for library operations and services. They guide the decisions made by the library director and staff. Carefully crafted policies promote high-quality library service, wise use of library resources and equitable treatment of all library users and staff.
This program addresses the core competency of “Public Library Administration – Policy Management” (section IIB, Core Competencies for Kansas Library Directors).
“That’s Our Policy: Using PLA’s Policies for Results”, a video conference presentation by Bonnie McKewon, the Administrator of Northwest Iowa Library Services presents the overview. You can find Bonnie's slides, bio and presentation description at "That's Our Policy."
The program also featured two one hour webinars:
Some additional resources:
Policies & Procedures (A WebJunction topic page.)
Webinar archives:
Library Technology Policies
30-Minute Webinar: Wireless and Acceptable Use Policies
Courses:
Library Privacy & Confidentiality: Law & Policy (LE@D)
Copyright Basics for Libraries (LE@D)
Copyright Issues in the Classroom and School Library (LE@D)
Other online resources:
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Teen Area
We created a "Teen Area" within our library for Jr High and High Schoolers. We have two game consoles with several games, card and board games, teen magazines, graphic novels, and the newest jr fiction books with comfy beanbag chairs to relax in.
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Unattended Children Policy
We addressed the need to have children supervised in the facility as this area of policy had not been included.
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Learning-2- Action: Library Policies-Project
Taking this course has definitely made me aware of our out of date policies and the need to reexamine them on a more regular basis. We decided to concentrate on our Collection Development policy due to the fact that it did not address the issue of the many formats that are available and being requested by our patrons.
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\ˈlȯst\, adj., no longer possessed
LOST seems to be the status of too much of our material. And to make matters worse, we can't find the borrower. A surprising amount of our material is lost by new patrons and we never see or hear from them again. Over the past three years we have experienced a 10% loss ratio on our material. At this rate, it will be impossible to keep new material on the shelves AND replace what is lost. I believe small changes in some of our policies where we have the most trouble will help reduce out loss ratio.
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Disaster Planning--part two
Following the first and meetings, we are now planning a third one which will expand our members, if this goes as planned. We are still in the planning and information sharing stage of the process. It is a long, but exciting, process!
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You’re so Vague
After taking he class, Learning 2 Action Library Policies, I have become aware of many items that need to be changed or need to be more detailed in our own library policy. For this project I have chosen our Personnel policy. We have nothing in place to give us guidelines for maternity leave, extended sick leave or leave of absence, job descriptions, resignations or dismissals. We also do not have a volunteer policy. These are all important issues that should be taken care of in the policy. This project will help us to get started on getting things right.
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Personnel Policy
This is a comprehensive update of our Personnel Policy. The old policy was written in 1985 and had never been updated. Basically this is a whole new policy.
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Comprehensive Review of the Independence Public Library Policy Manual
The staff at the Independence Public Library will review existing Policy Manual and Emergency Manual, as well as discuss policies needed for new and emerging services. There will also be a review of the policy available online through our website. We will then make recommendations to the library board. This will be an ongoing process over a four month period.
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Essential Support: Good Procedures for Good Policies
Cathy Newland, retired library director, provided the foundation for a good discussion of library procedures, how to develop them and their relationship to library policy.
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Scott County Computer/Internet Use Policy
Policy about the use of computers and the internet at the Scott County Library.
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Co-Planning for Disasters
I intend to work with staff from the Butler County Historical Society/Kansas Oil Museum, the World War II Museum, the Coutts Art Museum, and the Nixon Library of Butler County Community College to create a cooperative, community-wide disaster plan.
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Learning 2 Action: Library Policies Project Guidelines
Participants in the Fall, 2009 Learning 2 Action Library Policies training for Library Administrators should use these guidelines to prepare and post their training projects.
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What’s the Policy? Involving Staff in Policy Development
This page links you to the archive for Sharon Moreland's webinar. Sharon's webinar is part of the State Library of Kansas' library administrator training on library policies.
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That’s Our Policy: Using PLA’s Policies for Results
Bonnie McKewon, the Administrator of Northwest Iowa Library Services covers the elements of good policy, newly emerging policy topics, policy areas that are often neglected and tips for publicizing the policies that are of most interest to the public in the attached PDF handout file (see link above).
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