Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable state and federal fair employment practices.  The Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library does not discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, or any other characteristic protected under applicable state and federal laws.

Donations or Gifts

It is the general policy of the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library to accept all gifts of books and other library materials (see attached donation voucher below) provided only that:

  • materials offered are clearly suitable for library use;
  • no stipulation as to the use or disposition of the donated materials is made;
  • the staff of the library must have a free hand in disposal or refusal to duplicate titles, titles not needed, outdated materials not of sufficient reference or circulating value to the library, or titles in poor physical condition;
  • collections of books are not accepted when the donor requests that they be kept together as a separate unit, even those which are considered a memorial;
  • gift books will be subject to periodical weeding procedures with the rest of the collection as deemed necessary;
  • gift books placed in the collection will be given labels signifying that they are gift books, should the donor request.  Circulation of gift books will be in accordance with established procedures; and
  • when the Library receives a cash gift for the purchase of a memorial book, the selection will be made by the Library Director.

Use of the Library’s Community Bulletin Board

A portion of the large bulletin board in the front lobby of the library is for the display of community activities that are free, non-profit, educational and non-commercial in nature.  Preference will normally be given to the promotion and display of library events.  Items promoting and/or advertising projects/programs of a commercial, religious, and political nature or those which further an individual’s goals are not permitted. Items may be displayed for four weeks or until the event has occurred, whichever comes first.  Items are to be picked up within five days after removal from display.  Items not picked up will be disposed of by the library.  The library reserves the right to remove any item at any time and is under no obligation to so inform the requestor. Flyers or posters of a size greater than 24” by 24” will not normally be posted due to limited library display space. All flyers or posters must be dated and submitted to the Director for approval.  The Library Director reserves the right to accept or deny any flyer or poster submitted for display.

Use of library meeting rooms:

The library conference room's are available for community gatherings of civic, cultural and educational nature. [During normal library hours]. they may not be used for private social functions (wedding receptions, showers, parties, etc.), commercial purposes (unless for training or interviews), political meetings or events, or religious worship services. Meetings that would interfere with the function of the library because of noise or other factors, or those that use hazardous materials in classes or demonstrations are not permitted. All persons attending the meetings are subject to library rules and regulations.

All exhibits must be approved by the Library Director prior to the showing.

Bookings will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

No admission fee may be charged. The Library Director reserves the right of final refusal for requests for use of the rooms. The Library Director has the right to determine if the requested use falls into the accepted categories. The general library staff will be responsible for the mechanics of the reservations and they will follow all library rules and regulations.

Permission to use the meeting rooms in no way implies library endorsement of the goals or activities of any organization using the room.

Use of the room for library activities have first priority.

The library, and conference rooms, are a smoke-free environment.

Light refreshments (beverages, cookies, desserts) may be served with prior arrangements. Each group is responsible for leaving the room in the order in which it was found.  Cleaning up the room after use includes stacking and storing the chairs and tables and removing trash from the premises. (Please bring your own trash bags.)

The requesting group must sign an agreement (see attached use of meeting room form below) prior to each scheduled use, taking responsibility for general clean-up and payment for any damages. The room will be inspected by library personnel at the end of the meeting.

Meetings may normally be scheduled during the following hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; [meeting should be completed by 5:30 to allow time to clean up and exit the building by 6:00]  Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. (The library is closed on Sunday.)

No charge will be made for the use of the library conference rooms.

The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right, upon recommendation of the Library Director, to deny further use of the library conference room's to any group which does not adhere to the rules.

Application for library Conference Rooms (see below).

Use of Library Materials Policies and Regulations

Library cards are free to patrons over the age of five. However, a parent or guardian who has a library card must sign for all patrons under the age of 18.

To apply for a library card, patrons must supply identification, such as a State of Ohio driver’s license or ID card and one recent piece of mail received in order to verify the patron’s current address.

When signing a library card, patrons agree that they are responsible for:

  • following all the rules of the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library;
  • all financial charges accrued on their card (fines and fees);
  • all materials borrowed on their card;
  • notifying the library immediately if their card is lost or stolen;
  • notifying the library if they have a change of address or telephone number; and
  • not lending this card to anyone else.

The patron must present his or her card to check out materials.

Library equipment and books are public property.  Each user or borrower is responsible for returning property or books in good condition or replacing them.

Most new materials are lent to individuals for a 14-day period.  Items may be renewed for an additional 14-day period, if no reserves have been placed on them. Some materials are lent for a four-week period and may be renewed for an additional four-week period.

Magazines, videos, and DVDS are lent for a 7-day period, with a limitation of four (4) items to a patron.  They may be renewed for an additional 7-day period.

All other non-circulating magazines and newspapers are available for use in the library only.

At this time, the library does not charge fines for overdue library materials.  However, patrons will be notified of their overdue items by telephone and by mail.  If items are lost or damaged, the patron will be responsible for the total costs of the items. Borrowing privileges will be temporarily suspended until the patron pays for lost or damaged items.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials

The Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library welcomes comments and suggestions regarding the continued appropriateness of materials in the collection. Suggestions will be considered and utilized by the library in the ongoing process of collection development. Individuals who take issue with library materials that do not support their tastes and views may complete in full a formal, written request for reconsideration of materials (see form below). The patron submitting the request must be a resident of Vinton County and hold a valid borrower’s card.

Unattended or Disruptive Child Policy

In an effort to provide a library environment that allows all patrons to utilize library materials and information sources in a safe, relaxed manner, the Board of Trustees of the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library has adopted this policy statement concerning unattended or disruptive children.

The Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library welcomes children to use its facilities and services. However, the responsibility for the care, safety and behavior of children using the library rests with the parent, guardian, or caregiver.  While many people think of a public library as a safe environment, that is unfortunately not always the case.

Library staff members have many duties and cannot supervise children nor act as a substitute for daycare or babysitting services.

Children through age seven (7) must have a parent, guardian, or caregiver in the immediate vicinity unless they are participating in a library program.  Parents, guardians, or caregivers for those age five (5) or under who do not attend the program with the child should remain in the building. Parents, guardians, or caregivers are still responsible for the actions of the children in their custody.

Children may use the library unattended for an amount of time appropriate to their age and maturity.  It is important for staff to take note of disruptions caused by children who apparently are unaccompanied.  Nevertheless, parents, guardians, or caregivers are still responsible for the actions of the children in their custody.  Children using inappropriate behavior will be informed of the rules.  The staff of the library deems what is inappropriate behavior.  If inappropriate behavior continues, the child shall be asked to leave the library.  Staff members are not obligated to contact a parent or guardian if the minor child is asked to leave library property for violating the policy due to inappropriate behavior.  Minors who are in chronic violation of the policy will be required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian during library visits for a period to be determined by the Library Director.  In the event there is an unruly child at the library without a parent or custodian, library staff may contact the McArthur Police Department or the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office to request that the child be removed by law enforcement officials.  Law enforcement would be authorized to take physical custody of the child to reunite the child with a parent or guardian.     

If a child is unaccompanied by an adult or caregiver, the staff will follow the directions below for children found on library premises without a parent, guardian, or caregiver. All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency. The library staff may not take responsibility for the care of any child of any age. 

If a child is found without a parent, guardian, or caregiver, the staff will:

  • attempt to comfort the child, if necessary.
  • locate the parent, guardian, or caregiver in the library and explain the Unattended or Disruptive Child Policy.
  • make every effort to contact the parent, guardian, or caregiver who is not in the library to come and pick up the child. Staff will express the library's concern for the child's safety and explain the Unattended or Disruptive Child Policy.
  • encourage an unattended child to contact the parent or guardian if it is within 30 minutes of closing time. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached or does not arrive within 15 minutes of closing, library staff will call the McArthur Police or the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office to pick up the child. Staff will notify the Library Director that law enforcement officials have been called.
  • remain with the child until the parent, guardian, caregiver, or law enforcement officials arrive. (This is compensatory time for the two staff members who remain with the child.)
  • leave a note on the library door stating "Unattended child is in the custody of the McArthur Police or the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office, 106 S. Market St., 596-5242" once the child is in the care of law enforcement officials. Names will not be stated on the sign.
  • not transport any child from the library to another location.
  • complete an incident report form and submit it to the library Director.  A copy will be provided to the law enforcement officials, or children's services office when appropriate.

Procedures for Public Comment

Meetings of the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library Board of Trustees are public meetings, which means the meetings may be observed by members of the public.  Board meetings are not open meetings, however, which means observers may not participate in the work of the board.  The agenda of the board meeting shall include an item for public comment.  This is the only time during a board meeting that the public may contribute to the meeting.  The Board accepts comments, but may not respond to them, preferring instead to consider them at another time.  Each person wishing to make comment to the Board shall (a) be given three (3) minutes to speak and (b) shall provide his name and address for inclusion in the official records of the Board.  The minutes of the Board will reflect the comments made by members of the public.  Copies of Board proceedings are available when requested in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code.

Use of the Internet or Wi-Fi 

In order to access the Internet, all patrons must read and sign the Use of the Internet or Wi-Fi agreement (see form below).  Parents or guardians must sign for their children who are under the age of 18 before Internet access is permitted.  A library card must be presented to access Internet privileges.

Use of Animals in the Library

The purpose of this policy is to assist in protecting the health and safety of members of the library community.  Effective immediately, the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library will enforce the following policy relative to animals:

Only service animals, such as guide dogs who are guiding the blind, the visually handicapped, the hearing impaired, or the physically disabled, will be permitted in the library.  However, service animals may be asked to leave the library under certain circumstances that include the following:

  • the animal is unruly, disruptive, or exhibits aggressive behavior;
  • the animal is not on a leash;
  • the animal is destructive;
  • the animal is ill;
  • the animal is unclean; or,
  • the owner does not clean up after his or her animal.

 

Privacy Policy: The Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library website is provided for information purposes only. The Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library collects no personal information from website visitors. The Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library uses cookies to collect traffic data for analysis, and the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library uses Google Analytics to track general use, but does not track or permanently record information about individuals and their visits. While the information contained within the website is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in the website is correct, complete, and up-to-date. Through the website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. All users of the website agree to hold the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the website and/or the networked information available via the website, caused thereby or arising therefrom. In no event shall Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library is advised of the possibility of such damages.