Policies

Length of Loans

• Audiobooks: 3 weeks
• Board Games: 3 weeks
• Books: 3 weeks
• Entertainment Equipment: 2 weeks
• Learning Kits: 3 weeks
• Mobile Hotspots: 2 weeks
• Preloaded Tablets: 3 weeks
• Cake Pans: 1 week
• DVDs/Movies: 1 week
• DVD Binge Boxes: 2 weeks
• TV Series: 2 weeks
• Fishing Poles: 2 weeks
• Video Games: 2 weeks
• Library of Things Kits: 1 week

Furniture, equipment, and other property of the library are not subject to loan.

Circulation Limitations

• Board Games: 2 per card
• Entertainment Equipment: 1 per card
• Learning Kits: 2 per card
• Mobile Hotspots: 1 per card (must be 18 years or older)
• Preloaded Tablets: 1 per card
• DVDs & Blu-rays: 10 per card
• Video Games: 2 per card
• Library of Things Kits: 1 per card

Books in the Arkansas Collection {designated on the spine as “ARK”) or Storytime titles cannot be checked out.

Copyright laws prohibit duplication.

Renewals

Books and audiobooks may be renewed twice, and all other materials may be renewed once, except as noted below.

The following items may not be renewed:

• An item on hold for another person
• Interlibrary loan material may only be renewed with the approval of the lending library
• Overdue items may be renewed by telephone, but the same exceptions

Materials may be renewed in person at the library, over the phone, or online by accessing the patron’s library account. If the item is overdue, the library’s computer system will automatically block the patron’s record. A phone call or visit to the library will be necessary to remove the block and arrangements should be made to return the overdue item. The library director has the discretion to remove the block.

Holds

If an item is checked out, it may be placed on “hold.” Holds are made by using the website or a computer in the building or requesting help from a staff member. Items are distributed in order by the holds list and the date it was requested. The patron will be notified by the library when the item becomes available. The title will be held for five days. If after five days the patron does not claim the item pursuant to the hold, the item will be provided to the next person on the hold list or be placed back on the shelf.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loans are available on items not owned by the library that are six months old or older. A patron must have a valid Saline County Library card and be a patron in good standing. Requests may be submitted online and need to be filled out as completely as possible especially if special formats are needed. There is a postage recovery fee charged per request for interlibrary loan materials.

In order to continue offering interlibrary loan services, it is necessary to maintain good relations with cooperating libraries. Library materials should be returned promptly. The loaned materials are due according to the owner library’s due dates, not Saline County’s.

Sometimes the library lending the book will put special restrictions on the materials, such as use within the library. The Saline County Library, in fairness, must insist on compliance with such restrictions. The patron will be contacted when the requested material has been received. If a patron fails to pick up an interlibrary loan that has been ordered for them, the library may refuse to order for them in the future.

Photocopies of material (such as magazine articles) are always requested to be received by fax. However, there is no way to ensure that the lending library will comply with our wishes.

Request for Purchase

A patron may request an item for purchase for the following:

• Items in the catalog marked “In” which are not found on the shelf and items marked “lost,” “claimed return”, or “missing.”
• Suggestions for purchase of books or other

Completion of a form guarantees that the staff will look for the title using all available avenues. The item may or may not be purchased depending on critical reviews and availability.

Claimed Returned

When a dispute arises over whether or not an item has been returned and not checked in properly, the item may be noted as “Claimed Returned” in the library’s computer. This gives the library staff and the patron time to search for and locate the missing material. The item will remain as “Claimed Returned” for

90 days, and then it will re-appear on the patron’s record. At that point, the missing item will need to be charged for replacement by the patron. The patron’s account will be blocked until the record is cleared.

Lost Items

If an item is claimed lost by a patron, or determined to be lost by the library due to the acts or omissions of the patron, the patron will be responsible for replacing the item either by:

• Paying the library the cost of the item or
• Giving the library a replacement copy

A replacement copy is defined as a brand new, exact copy of the item with the same ISBN number and format.

If a lost item is later found:

• If the patron paid for the lost book, the total amount paid will be returned; or
• If the patron provided a replacement copy, they will not be provided a refund, but they may keep the library’s copy.

Damaged Items

Users who return items to the Library damaged will be assessed a fee for the damages. The library’s computer system will automatically block the patron’s record until fees are paid to a balance of $5.00 or less. A phone call or visit to the library will be necessary to remove the block and arrangements should be made to pay the fee. The library director has the discretion to waive the fee and simultaneously remove the block.

Damage includes, but is not limited to:

• Items which have had barcodes and other Library markings removed, water damage
• Torn pages
• Writing,
• Graffiti
• Chewed edges
• Excessively dirty or foul smelling

If the item cannot be repaired, then the cost charged to the patron will be for a replacement item. The patron may keep the book when it has been totally removed from the library’s system database. If damage is due to a disaster, such as a fire or a tornado, there will be no cost to the patron for damages; however, the patron must provide proof that the claimed disaster occurred and caused the item’s damage. Examples of proof are: Insurance paperwork or a newspaper clipping with details.

It is both the library staff and the patron’s responsibility to note any condition problem at the time of check out and not after the item has been returned. The last person to have the item will be charged for the damage.

Wear and Tear Policy

Patrons are not charged for normal wear and tear on library materials. Library staff will assess each item on a case-by-case basis.

Normal wear and tear includes, but is not limited to:

• Book falling from spine, loose spine, loose pages
• Binding that separates
• Frayed edges
• Torn pages that can be easily mended
• Worn spine or pages
• Book jacket is loose, aged, or scratched
• Crinkled pages from being dog-eared or wrinkled pages from multiple uses
• Scratched DVDs and/or video games
• Hinges on cases that have broken due to usage
• Library of Things kits that have supplies that can be replenished
• Unavoidable wear and tear of Launchpads, Hotspots, chargers, AC adapters (swollen battery, will not hold charge, etc.)

Bankruptcy

If a filing of Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is sent to the Saline County Library, that patron’s library account will be waived of all fees accrued up to the date of the filing. The patron is still responsible for any lost or damaged materials and the account will be suspended until the materials are returned or the issue is resolved.

Insufficient Funds Check Policy

When a patron writes a check for insufficient funds (also known as bouncing a check), the check must be paid by cash or money order.

After the patron pays for the insufficient funds check, the library will continue to take checks from them unless they write a second check with insufficient funds. At that time, all monies owed to the Library must be paid in cash or money order until further notice. All accounts paid by said patron (including children and other family) will include a note which states that we cannot accept personal checks from them.

Patron Confidentiality

In 1989, the Arkansas State Legislature passed Act 903 (the “Act”) entitled, “An Act to provide that library records containing names or other personally identifying details regarding the patrons of the library shall be confidential; and for other purposes.” This Act guarantees that no one outside of the card owner will know what materials have been checked out on another library patron’s card from unless that patron has provided informed, written consent or if a search warrant is presented. This is why library cards are numbered and why patrons no longer sign a book card. It also makes it illegal for a librarian to tell a patron what another member of a household has checked out without his/her written permission. The Act is codified as Ark. Code Ann.§ 13-2-701 et seq., and library staff are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Act’s provisions.

Policy of Non-Discrimination

The Saline County Library does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, cultural race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disabilities, marital status, and veteran status, as well as people of diverse opinions, perspectives, lifestyles, ideas, and thinking.

Homebound Service

The Homebound Service is available to Saline County residents who cannot utilize traditional library services, or it would cause an undue hardship to do so including: elderly, physically impaired, injured, critically ill, long-term care facility residents, retirement enter residents, and rehabilitation center residents.

The Homebound Service provides patrons with a personal one-on-one service to meet their informational, educational, and recreational needs.

Patrons participating in this service may check out any Saline County Library material. Library materials can be mailed or delivered directly to the home or room of the patron.

To apply for this service, please visit the Homebound page of the website:
www.SalineCountyLibrary.org/services/anywhere-support/homebound.

Programming and Special Events

The Saline County Library shall conduct programs, promotions, special events and publicity to fulfill its mission in the community. All programs and events shall be open to the public, but some programs or events may be designed with specific audiences in mind, i.e., children’s programs. Programs or events targeted towards specific audience will be publicized as such.

Library programming is a continuing resource that provides information, education recreation to patrons through reoccurring classes, storytimes, summer reading activities and group meetings. Special events are such that occur occasionally, such as author signings,workshops, or observances. The library may incorporate cooperative programming or events with other agencies, organizations, and educational institutions, as well as other resources, to communicate with patrons and promote further library use.

Selection of program and event topics, speakers, courses, classes and resource materials should be made by staff on the basis of interests and needs of the community. Acceptance of a program or event topic by the library does not constitute an endorsement by the library of the group’s or individual’s policies or beliefs.

It is the intention of the Board of Trustees to provide programs to the community that educate and enlighten its residents without prejudice to the full and free expression of ideas.

Personal Code of Conduct

The Saline County Library expects conduct of the patrons to be polite and respectful. Anyone unable to behave in such a manner that will not disturb, abuse or physically endanger patrons or staff will be asked to leave the building and property, no matter what their age. A refusal to leave after being asked to do so will precipitate a call to the local law enforcement officers.

Examples of unacceptable behavior or activity include, but are not limited to:

1. Leaving children ages 12 and younger unattended as outlined in the Unattended Child policy
2. Leaving children at the library after closing
3. Leaving vulnerable adults unsupervised or unattended
4. Not following the cell phone policy: Cell phone ringers must be set to silent and calls should be in a quiet voice and keep to a minimum. No cell phone use in the computer labs.
5. Soliciting, selling, skateboarding or skating, consuming intoxicants, intoxication, spitting, sleeping, or loitering on premises
6. Leaving unattended items
7. Annoying, harassing, or threatening another person
8. Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse of another person
9. Interfering with others’ use of the library through poor personal hygiene
10. Eating in the library. Covered beverages are permitted in all areas except computer labs.
11. Leaving automobiles in the parking lot without prior permission
12. Demonstrating or picketing inside the building or in such a way as to block access to the building
13. Carrying weapons of any type unless otherwise allowed by law
14. Defacing, damaging, or stealing library property. Vandalism of any kind will result in the pressing of charges with no tolerance. Arkansas Code 5-38-203
15. Uttering profane, obscene, or injurious language
16. Not following the library’s “Computer Resources and Internet Access” policy
17. Not wearing proper attire.
18. Disturbing public peace by persistent loud, annoying or aggressive conduct
19. Bringing animals into the building except by invitation for a program or a service animal defined by Title II and Title III of the ADA.
20. Being in an unauthorized area of the library, or remaining in an area after its closing; staying in the building when requested to leave during emergency situations or drills.
21. Engaging in any activities while on Library premises that are not related to the proper use of the Library
22. Engaging in any criminal activities at the library or otherwise violating federal, state, or municipal law

The library welcomes children of all ages. Our goal is to provide a clean, safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for all library users.

To ensure the safety of children in the library, the following rules are in effect:

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for ensuring appropriate behavior and safety of their children at all times while in the Library and on Library property. Parents, guardians, and caregivers can include non-relatives or older siblings of suitable babysitting age. Jumping on or excessively moving furniture and disruptive behavior are not acceptable. Children are required to act in a manner appropriate to the use and function of the Library.

Children younger than five (5) years of age such as those attending the Lapsit, Toddler Time or Storytimes must be accompanied by an adult at all times and throughout all programs.

Children five (5) years old and older may attend staff-supervised programs alone on library property while their supervisory adult makes personal use of library facilities and services without leaving the property. Tween and teen late night programs are the only exception.

Children ages twelve (12) and younger are to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or caregiver at all times. Young children cannot be left alone in any area of the library while the adult browses other areas unless they are in a staff-supervised program and are of the appropriate age as described above.

Children ages thirteen (13) and older who come to the Library without a parent, guardian, or caregiver are welcome for appropriate use of the Library, such as homework, reading, computer use, or attending programs.

Parents and caregivers must be aware of library hours and make suitable arrangements to meet and/or transport their children. Prior to closing, staff will walk through the library to secure it. If a child age 12 or younger is left unaccompanied at closing time, every effort will be made to ascertain why the child has not been retrieved and assist the child in calling the parent/guardian/caregiver to arrange for transportation. If there is no contact within 15 minutes, the Library will call police for assistance. Two staff members will remain with the child until the police or parent/guardian/caregiver arrives to transport the child. A note documenting the situation will be placed in the child and/or parent/guardian/caregiver library record.

The Saline County Library cannot and will not, in any way, control the content of any petition being circulated near any of its libraries. The presence of petitioners outside of a library building does not constitute the Library’s endorsement of the policies, beliefs or political affiliations of any person or group circulating petitions for signatures.

To minimize disruptions to staff and patrons, the Library prohibits petition circulation within the interior spaces and entry lobbies of the Library buildings. Certain areas outside of the Library buildings may be used by the public to gather signatures if the petitioners adhere to the following rules:

• Petitioners and their furniture or equipment must not hinder or block the entrances to the Library buildings, or create potentially unsafe conditions to Library staff, patrons, or to the general
• The Library will not provide supplies, furniture, equipment, or any other amenities to petitioners, nor will the Library store any items for any period of time.
• Petitioners may not use any part of the buildings, including walls, columns, and lights to exhibit posters, notes or printed information.
• Petitioners shall not approach Library patrons and staff in an aggressive manner or engage in action that constitutes harassment of Library patrons and staff.
• Soliciting for funds is not allowed on Library

Petition circulators who fail to comply with this (or any other county or city) policy will be asked to leave the premises. Law enforcement will be contacted if any petition circulator engages in what is believed to be unlawful behavior.

Intellectual Freedom Policy

The Saline County Library endorses the principles of the Freedom to Read Statement, the Freedom to View Statement, and the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association.

As proclaimed in the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution, freedom of expression, specifically the right to publish diverse opinions, is essential to the democratic form of government. As a public institution committed to the principles of democracy and intellectual freedom, the Library recognizes its obligation to provide as wide a spectrum of materials as possible.

Diverse points of view are available in the library’s collection. Inclusion of a material in the collection does not imply the library’s endorsement or promotion of an available material’scontents. The library is committed to balancing the right to receive information and ideas with the duty and responsibility to select and curate library materials for the benefit of Saline County residents. Not all library materials will be suitable for all patrons and may reflect controversial, unorthodox, or even unpopular ideas. The library encourages parents and legal guardians to exercise authority and responsibility to determine the use of library materials for their own children.

Library materials are not marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents, nor are materials sequestered except for the purpose of protecting them from damage or theft.

To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law or these policies, no restrictions are placed on what materials anyone may read, view, or listen to so long as the materials promote the selection criteria established by the Library’s Collection Development Policy. Selection of materials to include in the collection will not be made on the basis of outside influence or anticipated approval or disapproval by others inside or outside the Saline County community, but solely on the merits of the material in relation to fostering a diverse library collection serving the needs and interests of Saline County at large.

Individuals or groups may question the inclusion of an item in the collection. It is the Library’s position that the risk to society is far greater if public access to ideas and information is restricted. Anyone is free to select or reject materials for themselves or their own minor children or wards. Parents and legal guardians have the responsibility for their child’s or ward’s use of Library materials.

Materials from the Library may not be removed or otherwise restricted at the request of an individual or group if the material’s inclusion is supported by the Library’s Collection Development Policy.

Collection Development Policy

The function of the Library is to provide materials for all ages, from preschool through maturity. As many subject fields as possible are provided with the only limitations being those of Library resources. The objectives of the materials selection policy are to use money collected and donated for the benefit of the public to:

• Provide library resources for the interest, information and enlightenment of all the people of the area served,
• Provide materials to meet the continuing education needs of out-of-school adults and
• for the enrichment of the formal education needs of children and young adults, and
• Provide materials to meet the recreational needs of all.

The collection of the Saline County Library shall be developed under the supervision of the library director and is maintained by selection librarians on staff. The collection shall be expanded and made available according to library policies and in accordance with the best professional judgment of the librarians. The librarians have discretion to provide access to the human records of the past and present, whether factual, imaginative, scientific, or cultural, on all intellectual levels of thought and interest in a variety of forms, whether tangible or intangible.

Selection librarians provide continuity in collections through an organized structure for budgeting, selecting, acquiring, and managing Library materials.

Collection Development Philosophy

The Library’s collection is living, changing, and constantly evolving. As items are added, others are reviewed for their ongoing value and sometimes withdrawn from the collection. Great care is taken to retain or replace items that have enduring value to the community. Decisions are influenced by patterns of use, the capacity of each location and the holdings of other libraries that may specialize in a given subject matter. Selection librarians review the collection regularly to maintain its vitality and usefulness to the community.

Inherent in the collection development philosophy is an appreciation for each patron of the Saline County Library. The Library provides materials to support each individual’s life journey and does not place a value on one patron’s needs or preferences over another’s. So long as an available material’s inclusion is supported by the Selection Criteria, the Library upholds the right of the individual to access information, without regard to perceived acceptability to others.

Selection Criteria

Public libraries provide collections containing a wide variety of material formats, including but not limited to print, audio-visual, and electronic. In selecting materials and developing collections for adults and new adults, as well as for children and teens, library staff includes materials that represent the broad range of human experience, reflecting the ethnic, religious, racial, and socio-economic diversity not only of Saline County, but also the larger global perspective. Library collections will provide a broad range of opinion on current issues.

Widespread interest and usage are the most powerful influence on the Library’s collection. Circulation, customer purchase requests and hold levels are all closely monitored, triggering the purchase of new items and additional copies of high demand items. The other driving force is the Library’s Strategic Plan.

Collections contain popular works, classic works that have withstood the test of time, and other materials of general interest. Works are not excluded or included in the collection based solely on subject matter or on political, religious, or ideological grounds. Furthermore, the selection of a given item for a library’s collections should not be interpreted as an endorsement of a particular viewpoint.

We endeavor to build collections of merit, as determined by the professional judgement of the library staff, and consistent with the criteria below. These criteria are illustrative but not exhaustive. An item need not meet all of these criteria in order to be acceptable.

General Criteria:

• Present and potential relevance to community needs
• Suitability of physical form for library use
• Suitability of subject and style for intended audience
• Importance as a document of the times
• Relation to the existing collection and to other materials on the subject
• Attention by reviewers from authoritative, public library sources
• Potential user appeal
• Requests by library patrons
• Cost

Content Criteria:

• Authority
• Comprehensiveness and depth of treatment
• Skill, competence, and purpose of the author
• Reputation and significance of the author
• Objectivity
• Consideration of the work as a whole
• Clarity
• Currency
• Technical quality
• Representation of diverse points of view
• Representation of important movements, genres, or trends
• Vitality and originality
• Artistic presentation and/or experimentation
• Sustained interest
• Relevance and use of the information
• Effective characterization
• Authenticity of history or social setting

Special Considerations for Online Collections:

• Ease of use of the product
• Availability of the information to multiple simultaneous users
• Equipment needed to provide access to the information
• Technical support and training
• Availability of the physical space needed to house and store the information or equipment
• Available in full text

Some Examples of Authoritative Public Library Reviewing Sources:

• Booklist
• Library Journal
• New York Times Book Review
• Publishers Weekly
• School Library Journal

Special Considerations for Selecting for Branch Libraries

Branch libraries serve the needs of the communities in which they are located. Library staff regularly evaluate the collection to ensure its relevance. Collections of the branch libraries concentrate on materials of high community interest and materials that support the Library’s strategic goals. Branch collections are especially shaped by patron use and the physical size of branch locations.

Special Considerations for Foreign Language Materials

Materials published in languages other than English are purchased for the collection in response to local demographics, demonstrated need, and according to popular demand.

Specific consideration is given to materials in Spanish, the prevalent foreign language in the Saline County area.

Special Considerations for Selecting for Children

Children’s materials are selected to provide pleasurable reading for the sake of reading and to provide information in fields of knowledge that are of interest to children. Materials are carefully selected so that children of all ages and abilities are served and so that the collections will stimulate imagination, mental growth, and intellectual development. The reading and viewing activity of children is ultimately the responsibility of parents and legal guardians who guide and oversee their own children’s development. The Saline County Library does not intrude on that relationship.

Special Considerations for Selecting for Teens

Teen materials are selected to help teenagers to realize self-actualization and to live useful, well-adjusted lives in the community and to help them know and understand the world at large. The reading and viewing activity of teens is ultimately the responsibility of parents and legal guardians who guide and oversee their own children’s development. The Saline County Library does not intrude on that relationship.

Special Considerations for Selecting for New Adults

New adult materials are selected to focus on the transitional period between being a teenager and an adult and of life and experiences approximately between ages 18-24. New adult focuses on issues such as leaving home, developing sexuality, and negotiating education and making career choices.

Special Considerations for Films and Video Games

Films and video games are selected to provide patrons with important resources of past, present, and future significance-or, a glimpse of what was, what is, and what might be. The collection does not shy away from titles which contain artistic value, even if those titles are considered to be controversial or innovative, in hopes that their inclusion invites discussion, thought, and understanding.

Special Considerations for Print on Demand, Self-Published and/or Local Authors

The Saline County Library respects the willingness of authors to suggest their items to be a part of the Library collection. All author requests presented to the Library are subject to the same selection criteria as purchased items. Titles may be excluded from the collection if the title is written or produced by an unknown author, privately printed or fabricated, or issued by obscure publishers. Also, titles may be excluded if no review can be found in a national professional publication. Exceptions may be made in the case of local authors, local materials, and subjects on which no other material is available.

Special Considerations for Selecting and Developing Nontraditional Collections (or, the Library of Things)

To support the Saline County Library’s mission of providing traditional and innovative library resources, programs and services, we have expanded our collections to include what might be considered nontraditional library collections, to create a Library of Things. This collection is a major part of the Saline County Library’s Strategic Plan.

The Library of Things collection is developed and managed to meet the cultural, informational, educational, and recreational needs of library patrons of all ages in Saline County, and provides members of our community access to technologies they wish to explore and understand or to which they may not normally have access. The Library’s professional staff selects materials based on the needs and interests of library patrons. The Library welcomes input from the community concerning the collection. All suggestions for purchase are evaluated using the same selections criteria as for other materials and are not automatically added to the collection.

Due to limited storage space and the staff time necessary to evaluate, test and maintain items in the collection, the Library does not accept materials that are not outright gifts, and cannot guarantee the permanence of a gift in the collection. Materials donated to the Library are received with the understanding that they are subject to the same selection, evaluation and withdrawal criteria as material acquired for purchase.

Not all Library of Things materials may be suitable for all members of the community. Responsibility for a child’s use of library materials, regardless of format or content, lies with the parent or legal guardian, not with the Library. Some items may be limited to use by patrons 18 years old and older due to excessive item cost and/or safety concerns and for reasons unrelated to content.

The library has amazing ideas of what patrons would love to borrow and cannot begin to predict what might be added to the collection next. To that end, it is easier to describe the formats that have not been previously identified or described in the collection development policy. Items in the Library of Things may include but are not limited to kits, tools, consoles, tablets, and equipment.

Special Considerations for Selecting and Developing Special Collections

The David 0. Demuth Arkansas Collection collects original and secondary materials in a variety of formats in the following subject areas: history of the state of Arkansas, Saline County school yearbooks, Saline County obituary records on microfilm, and scrapbooks from local organizations and individuals.

The Demuth Collection is also the repository of the Library’s digital archives.

Statement of Accessibility

The collection shall be developed and organized for access in many ways, to make it possible for citizens to inform and entertain themselves as their needs and desires occur, and to allow access across multiple material formats for those disadvantaged by lack of education, lack of language facility, ethnic or cultural background, age, or disability.

Consortium Memberships

Saline County Library belongs to a variety of consortium organizations that provide materials and databases for use by our Library patrons.

The Library is a member of the Arkansas Digital Library Consortium, which provides Overdrive and Libby access to public and school libraries across Arkansas.

The Library is a member of the Mid-Arkansas Regional Library System, along with Malvern-Hot Spring County, Grant County, Dallas County, and Cleveland County, and provides resource sharing for patrons of all member libraries.

The Library is also a member of Mockingbird Resource Sharing, which allows libraries across the state to share their catalogs and resources with other libraries and their patrons.

The Library, along with the other public library systems across the state, receives access to a wide variety of databases purchased with state funds through the Arkansas State Library.

Gifts and Memorials

The Friends of the Saline County Library accept donations of materials in good condition which are sold to raise money for the Library. Donations may be delivered to the main Library location in Benton.

The Saline County Library accepts gifts and/or memorial gifts for its collection that fall within needed subject categories as determined by selection librarians and library staff. For an item to be added, it must meet the same selection criteria as purchased materials.

In respect to gift books, this policy shall be followed: the Library maintains the right to decide whether or not any gift is to be added to the collection, sold, or discarded.

The board would like for donors to understand the following concerning donations:

• The Library is not obligated to retain any gifts which fail to meet its criteria for
• The Library has the right to discard any gifts in poor physical condition (e.g., brittle paper, water or mildew damage, underlining in the text, torn and/or missing pages).
• The Library has the right to sell any gifts which duplicate materials already in the collection and are not needed for replacement or duplicate
• The Library is not obligated to retain back issues of gift periodical subscriptions that are of limited interest or not indexed.
• The Library has the right to determine suitability for inclusion in the special or noncirculating Those materials which are useful to the library collection will be retained and other items will be disposed of in whatever manner the Library deems appropriate.
• The Library will determine the classification, housing and circulation policies of all gifts (as with purchased items).
• The Library does not appraise gifts or provide evaluations of gifts for tax deductions or other purposes, but will acknowledge the receipt of gifts in writing if requested by the donor. Donors who wish to have an evaluation of their gifts for tax purposes are referred to the IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, and Publication 526, Charitable Contributions.

Suggestions of specific titles or subjects are welcomed when memorial donations are given but the final decision, based on the Library collection, rests with the selector responsible for the collection. No materials will be automatically added to the collection.

Materials Generally Excluded from the Collection

The decision to exclude an item is based on the professional judgement of Library staff. Other examples include:

• Most textbooks (except in those areas where the titles represent the main body of knowledge or best available sources of information.)
• Most complimentary desk copies or publisher’s samples
• Older editions of titles already owned by the library
• Marked up or dilapidated
• Consumable materials, including workbooks and instructional supplies
• Most outdated titles containing erroneous or misleading information, particularly in medicine, science, social science, and business disciplines.
• Reader’s Digest Condensed
• The work has inadequate characterization, plot, literary style, or atmosphere.
• The work is produced to incite hatred and intolerance.
• Defamatory materials.
• The work counsels and promotes conduct integral to the commission of criminal or fraudulent actions.
• The work is obscene and unprotected by the First Amendment. Works which present an honest picture of some problem or aspect of life, however, will not be excluded because of coarse language or frankness; furthermore, all materials will be judged as a whole rather than isolated passages; and
• The work adds nothing new to a field already well covered in other works currently available at the Library.

All library materials including gifts will be evaluated according to this policy. Any items not kept by the library are considered for inclusion in the book sale to benefit the library.

Collection Maintenance

As the physical plant of the Library limits materials capacity, and as the use and age of materials limits their life and effectiveness, material is regularly re-evaluated as to its current and future value to the library.

Damaged or worn materials of continuing value will be repaired when possible and/or replaced with materials of similar use when possible.

Materials of continuing value which are replaced by updated or revised information will be considered for redistribution according to the needs of the Libraries.

Titles which have not circulated for several years will be considered for withdrawal.

The Library board has approved the “CREW [Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding] Guidelines for Weeding” as a good general guide for weeding.

Reconsideration of Materials Policy

Any decision to relocate or remove existing materials must comply with federal, state, and municipal law or other applicable authority, and to the extent of there being an irreconcilable conflict, the library must comply with the prevailing law or authority.

Any library patron may personally reject materials which the patron does not approve, but may not restrict the consumption of library materials of any adult patrons and minors over which that person has no custody.

Requests to reconsider the availability of a library collection item must be made pursuant to the following procedures. Only a Saline County resident or library employee may invoke these procedures to challenge the appropriateness of available library materials.

1. Before a person can file a reconsideration request, they shall schedule a meeting with the library director. The library director and challenger will make themselves available for the meeting within 5 business days. The challenger may be accompanied by a single Prior to the meeting, the challenger shall explain in writing their concerns about the material. At the meeting, the library director will communicate the selection criteria for the inclusion of the work pursuant to the Library’s Collection Development Policy.
2. After the challenger’s meeting with the library director, the challenger has 5 business days to submit a complete Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form (the “Form”). Every item on the Form must be completed, and anonymous forms will not be It is expected that the challenger read, view, or listen to the material in its entirety.
3. Upon receipt of the completed Form, the library director will select a committee of library personnel and one board member (the “Reconsideration Committee”) to review the Form and the challenged The Reconsideration Committee will consist of the library director ex oficio, content experts, and other staff as identified by the library director. The committee shall determine whether the challenged material meets the criteria of selection under the library’s Collection Development Policy. The Reconsideration Committee shall not withdraw the challenged work solely for the viewpoints expressed within the work. The Reconsideration Committee must read, view, or listen to the challenged work in its entirety and shall not merely consider selected portions of the work or consider aspects of the work without considering the context in which the work is presented to its intended audience.
4. The challenged material shall remain available to library patrons throughout the reconsideration process.
5. The challenger may request a hearing within 5 business days after submission of the If a hearing is conducted, the Committee must meet to deliberate the request within 30 calendar days after the hearing. If no hearing is conducted, the Committee must meet within 30 calendar days of submission of the form, or 30 calendar days after all Committee members have access to the material, whichever is later.
6. The Reconsideration Committee will promptly deliberate whether the challenged material meets the selection criteria under the library’s Collection Development Policy, and committee members may individually continue their review of the matter after the conclusion of the The committee will consult with legal counsel on any questions of law related to the review.
7. The Reconsideration Committee will ultimately determine by a majority vote whether the material at issue will be retained, relocated, or removed in its entirety from the library. A member of the Reconsideration Committee’s majority shall write a summary stating the reasons for the majority’s decision (the “Decision”). The Decision must set forth the specific selection criteria supporting the action taken. The Decision shall be provided to the challenger by certified mail with return receipt, or by regular mail or email if the preceding method of notice is unsuccessful.
8. Within 5 business days, the Decision of the Reconsideration Committee may be appealed to the Library Board of The Library Board of Trustees must review the challenged work in its entirety and shall not merely consider selected portions of the work or consider aspects of the work without considering the context in which the work is presented to its intended audience. The Library Board of Trustees will review whether the challenged material aligns with the selection criteria outlined in the Library’s Collection Development Policy. The Decision of the Library Board of Trustees is final.
9. The challenged material cannot be rechallenged for a period of 5 years from the decision.

By using a public access computer at Saline County Library you agree to the following guidelines. All users of public access computers and laptop computers are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner and to follow the library’s Rules and Regulations. Responsible, ethical uses of resources, including the Internet, include the following:

Using resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only; not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes. Any commercial or malicious use is prohibited.

Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.

Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.

Patron’s personal software may not be loaded on library computers without staff knowledge and/or assistance.

Not sending, receiving, or displaying inappropriate materials that could reasonably be construed as obscene in either text or graphic formats. Deliberate, continued use of an obscene or illegal site may result in the police being called and computer privileges will be discontinued.

Printing is 10¢ per page for black and white copies and $1.00 per page for color. You are responsible for all copies that you print.

The Saline County Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet. As with other library materials, restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to determine what is appropriate for his/her child. All internet computers are filtered.

Rules and Regulations

• Patron has a current library card and is in good standing. Patron must have card present, have photo on file, or present a photo ID. Guest passes can be given to non-Saline County residents.
• Patrons under the age of 17 who are not accompanied by a guardian and are in good standing may be given courtesy time via a guest pass at the discretion of the Children’s Staff.
• Patron may be required to sign in using his/her library card.
• Patron respects the 60-minutes per day limit on the Children’s computers and the 90 minutes per day limit on the Young Adult and Adult computers. Time may be extended at the discretion of library staff.
• Computers in the Children’s Department are divided by age. Young Adult computers are available for patrons ages 13-16. Children’s computers are available for patrons ages 5-12. Toddler computers are available for patrons ages 0-4. The toddler computers do not connect to the internet and do not require a library card. Patron is required to honor the age restrictions and use only the computers designated for him/her.

Library staff is available to assist patrons in their use of the computer resources, but may not be familiar with every application that is available. Due to scheduling constraints, there may not be staff available for one-on-one assistance.

Patron’s using SCL’s laptop computers must also present a valid driver’s license, which will be held at checkout point until all pieces are returned.

Laptops can be used anywhere in the library, but may not be taken out of the library. Patron assumes full physical and financial responsibility for the equipment checked out. You are responsible for the laptops; they should not be left unattended. Report immediately any hardware or software problems to the check-out desk.

When returned, equipment will be inventoried for all pieces and tested. The loan period is 90 minutes per day. All laptops are due back ½ hour prior to closing. The patron is responsible for any missing equipment.

Any attempt to tamper with any piece of equipment or to remove it from the library will be considered theft and the library staff will call the police

Patron has agreed to abide by this Internet Acceptable Use Agreement and these Rules and Regulations when logging onto any public access computer.

Patrons as well as non-resident patrons will have access to the Libraries’ wireless connection. Library staff is available to assist patrons and non-resident patrons to gain access to the wireless connection; however staff cannot assume liability for directly configuring the users system. It is the sole responsibility of the individual to know how to connect their equipment to the libraries’ wireless connection.

Failure to abide by this policy will result in computer privileges being suspended for 30 days or being revoked.

Wireless Internet Policy

The Saline County Library offers FREE wireless access (aka “hot spots” & “Wi-Fi”) for library patrons to use with their own personal notebooks, laptops and other mobile devices. These access points are unsecured and filtered to comply with Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) regulations. A patron’s use of this service is also governed by Saline County Library’s Internet Policy.

• As with most public wireless “hot spots,” the library’s wireless connection is not secure. There can be untrusted parties between you and anybody with whom you communicate with, and any information being transmitted could potentially be intercepted by another wireless user. Cautious and informed wireless users should choose not to transmit personal information (credit card numbers, passwords and any other sensitive information) while using any wireless “hot spot.” Please take appropriate precautions when using this service.
• Library staff can provide general information or handouts for connecting your device to the wireless network, but cannot troubleshoot problems related to your wireless device or assist in making changes to your device’s network settings and/or hardware configuration. The Library cannot guarantee that your device will work with the Library’s wireless access points.
• All wireless access users should have up-to-date virus protection on their laptop computers or wireless devices. The library will not be responsible for any information (i.e. credit card) that is compromised, or for any damage caused to your hardware or software due to electric surges, security issues or consequences caused by viruses or hacking.
• All users are expected to use the library’s wireless access in a legal and responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which it is provided.

Use of Saline County Library’s wireless network is entirely at the risk of the user. The library disclaims all liability for loss of confidential information or damages resulting from that loss.

The Library has a meeting room available for reservation at the Benton, Bryant, and East End locations that are primarily for meetings or programs of an educational, cultural or civic nature presented or co-sponsored by the library or not-for-profit groups or agencies.

Library sponsored programs and programs of the library’s affiliated organizations will be given priority in the reservation of meeting room space. After, requests are considered in the following order:

1. Agencies of Saline County Government
2. Community non-profit cultural or civic organizations
3. Municipal agencies in Saline County
4. All other uses

Sale of Products or Services

Programs involving the sale, advertisement or promotion of commercial products or services are prohibited. Organizations may not charge admission fees. Costs for items such as a meal or program materials are permissible as long as attendance is not dependent upon the payment of such costs.

Reservations

Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis and may not be made more than 4 weeks in advance of the requested date. Organizations or individuals are allowed one meeting per month at each location. Additional days may be available at the discretion of the Branch Manager.

To reserve a meeting room, fill out the online application or call the library branch. To see available dates and times, visit our website.

Rules and Terms of Use

• Food or drink is allowed only by special permission. Only catered meals, covered-dish meals or light refreshments shall be served. Utensils, dishes, etc. must be furnished by the user All groups are responsible for food and/or trash cleanup.
• Damages to the room or library property shall be charged to the person/group using the room. No group is allowed to attach anything to the
• The library assesses no deposit for the use of its meeting rooms except in the case of persons or groups wishing to make crafts or items that require hammers, nails, glue guns, paint and other like items. Charges may be assessed against groups or individuals who fail to leave the room in a clean and orderly condition.
• Setting up tables and chairs is the responsibility of the user or
• Groups using the meeting rooms must observe the building’s scheduled opening and closing times. All meetings should be over and the room vacated 15 minutes before the library closes.
• When scheduling meeting room time, remember to allow sufficient time for any necessary set-up or clean-up.

The library can provide the following audiovisual items:

• TV
• DVD player
• Laptop
• Podium
• Overhead projector

Scheduling of a meeting or program of a group or organization in the library does not in any way constitute an endorsement by the library of the group or organization, its activities or the ideas, and opinions expressed during the course of the meetings or programs held at the library.

Publicity generated by a group or organization for a meeting or event in a library meeting room may recite the library name, address and appropriate room designation only.

The Saline County Library Board of Trustees values transparency and community engagement. All meetings are conducted in accordance with Arkansas open meetings laws. To encourage public input on library-related matters, the Board provides an opportunity for residents to address agenda items during its meetings. The Board establishes the following rules for public attendance and comment at these meetings. The presiding officer, who is responsible for maintaining order, will oversee public comment and has authority to decide procedural matters not addressed in this policy.

Request to Speak:

Saline County residents and library patrons wishing to address the Board must sign in with the agenda topic they wish to speak on before the Board meeting begins. Only those who have signed up may be permitted to speak.

Rules for Public Comment:

• Public comment is permitted only at designated times on the agenda and when recognized by the presiding officer.
• Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes. The presiding officer may adjust time limits for each speaker or the order of speakers as needed to maintain order.
• Public comment is limited to a total of 30 minutes per meeting unless extended by a majority vote of the Board.
• Speakers must announce their full name and city of residence before making comments.
• No one may speak more than once on the same topic unless all others wishing to speak have been heard.
• Comments must pertain to items listed on the agenda. The presiding officer may stop any speaker who strays from agenda topics.
• Petitions or written correspondence will be presented to the Board at its next regular meeting.
• The Board will consider public comments but will not engage in discussion or debate during the comment period.

Personnel Matters:

To maintain orderly meetings and protect employee privacy, public comments regarding individual Library personnel-whether commendations or complaints-are not permitted during Board meetings. Members of the public may submit such matters in writing through the Library’s established administrative channels for personnel concerns. The public is encouraged to contact the Library Director or staff for guidance on how to pursue those channels.

The Library welcomes photography and filming on the premises, consistent with its role as a public facility and community gathering space. This policy is intended to support free expression while maintaining an environment conducive to reading, learning, and research, and to protect patron privacy and public safety.

Library Use of Photos

Library staff may photograph or film programs, events, and users for public relations and archival purposes. Attendance at Library programs may be recorded and used for promotional purposes (in print or online). If a patron — or a parent/guardian on behalf of a child — does not wish to be photographed, the patron should inform Library staff. The Library will not publish the names of filmed or photographed patrons without express written consent from the patron or their legal guardian.

Rules for Photography and Filming

All photography and filming must:

• Avoid disturbing Library patrons or staff
• Not disrupt Library services and operations
• Not obstruct access to Library materials, pathways, or workspaces
• Not involve artificial lighting, tripods, or equipment that blocks walkways unless approved by the Library Director
• Respect the privacy of patrons at all times — the person or organization must obtain consent before capturing identifiable individuals
• Not photograph or film minor children without permission from a parent or guardian
• Must not pose a risk to patron or staff safety
• Must not create hazards for patrons or staff
• Must comply with all applicable Library Policies and Procedure, as well as any applicable federal, state, or municipal laws

If a project involves extensive equipment, staged scenes, or is likely to impact access or operations, the Library encourages contacting the Library Director in advance so accommodations can be discussed.

All individuals and groups — including members of the press, content creators, academic researchers, nonprofit organizations, and commercial entities — are subject to the same rules under this policy.

The Library reserves the right to prohibit or stop any photography or filming that violates this Photography and Video Policy.

Crediting the Library

Photographs or recordings that feature the Library’s name, facilities, programs, or identifiable staff and are used for commercial purposes must properly credit the Library in the final product (e.g., in captions, acknowledgments, or credits, as applicable).

For non-commercial uses, such as academic, educational, or public interest content, appropriate credit is also encouraged when the Library is a central subject or location. If users are unsure how to provide credit, they are encouraged to consult with the Library Director in advance.

Permitted and Restricted Areas

Filming and photography are allowed in public-facing areas of the Library, such as:

• Outside the buildings
• Makerspace during open Maker hours
• Library shelves
• Public programming spaces during public library programs

Areas not permitted for filming or photography without prior written approval from the Library Director include but are not limited to:

• Non-public areas, including staff offices, workrooms, storage areas, behind service desks
• Any space that has been privately reserved or booked by a patron or outside group;
• Restrooms or other spaces designated for private use;

Requests to film or photograph in these restricted areas must be submitted to the Library Director in advance and may be approved on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability, impact on operations, and privacy considerations.

News Media Inquiries

The Library welcomes coverage by members of the news media. To help minimize disruption and ensure staff availability for questions or assistance, media are encouraged to contact the Library Director in advance of filming or interviews.

Media are subject to the same rules as other individuals under this policy. The Library reserves the right to restrict or relocate any media activity that interferes with Library services, patron use, or staff operations, or otherwise violates this policy.

Library Closings for Holidays

Saline County Library will be closed for the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King’s Birthday (third Monday in January)
• President’s Day (third Monday in February)
• Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Veterans’ Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve (December 24)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the library will be closed the Friday before the calendar day and the day. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the library will be closed the Monday after the calendar date.

The library will close at 5:30 p.m. the day before a holiday.

Other closing days for in-service will be by board approval and will be announced on the website and in the local newspaper.