Madison Library District

POLICY MANUAL

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.          Operating Procedures Development Policy - 20060920.1

Policy Development

Operating Procedures

 

II.       Policy Development Policy - 20060315.1

Policy Rationale

Definition of “Policy”

Policy Adoption

Policy Alteration

Policy Designation

Policy Availability

 

III.      Circulation Policy - 20091021.3

Purpose

Browsing Policy

Library Usage

Card Holder Responsibilities

Library Staff Responsibilities

Library Staff and Board Privileges

Interlibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary Loan Policy

Date Due Notification

Claimed Returned and Lost Items

Fines and Fees Recovery Policy

 

IV.      Collection Development Policy - 20091021.1

Purpose

Basic Goals

Criteria for Selection

Donations

Collections Maintenance and Weeding

Disclaimers

Collection Review Policy

 

V.        Public Internet Computer Use Policy - 20091021.3

Purpose

Computer User Responsibilities

Parental Permission for Minors

Filtered Computers

 

VI.      Personnel Policy - 20091021.3

Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees

Library Director

Employee Classifications

“Employee Day”

Insurance

Paid Holidays

Vacation

Sick Leave

Bereavement Leave

Leave of absence

Military Leave

Jury Duty

Work Schedules

Disciplinary Policy

Grievance Procedure

Resignation and Retirement Procedure

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

Sexual Harassment Policy

 

VII.     Professional Development Policy - 20080115.1

Library’s responsibilities:

Employee’s responsibilities:

 

VIII.   Records Retention Policy - 20070815.1

Library records are kept according to the following schedules:

Storage, review, and destruction of records

 


POLICY MANUAL

I.       Operating Procedures Development Policy - 20060920.1

            A.        Policy Development

                        1.         “Policy” represents the official position of the Madison Library District Board of Trustees (the Library board) on behalf of the patrons of the Library district. Policy can only be adopted following the guidelines outlined in the Policy Development Policy as adopted by the Library board.

            B.        Operating Procedures

                        Operating procedures are developed by the Library director in consultation with the staff to facilitate the smooth day-to-day operation of the library. Operating procedures must conform to the official policy as established by the Library board and all applicable state and federal laws.

II.    Policy Development Policy - 20060315.1

            A.        Policy Rationale

                        The Board of Trustees of the Madison Library District (the Library) shall adopt policy to facilitate the orderly operation of the Library to benefit Library patrons.

            B.        Definition of “Policy”

                        “Policy” is defined as any matter addressed in this manual as “Policy.” All other matters are considered “Procedure” and may be set and revised by the Library director after consultation with the Library staff.

            C.        Policy Adoption

                        1.         Policy can be introduced by any member of the Board of Trustees, the Library Director, or employees of the Library. Patrons may recommend policy or alterations to policy by submitting a written request in person to the board of trustees at any regularly scheduled meeting.

                        2.         No policy shall be adopted without a formal reading during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees plus a waiting period following the reading of not less than 14 days, which waiting period would typically extend until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board. No policy shall be adopted outside of a regularly scheduled meeting of the board. All policy shall be adopted by a majority vote of the board.

            D.        Policy Alteration

                        1.         Any existing policy of the Library can be modified or abolished upon recommendation of any member of the Board of Trustees, the Library Director, employees of the Library, or a patron. Procedure for modifying or abolishing existing policy shall be the same as that for adoption of policy. A majority of the Library board must vote in the affirmative for changes to be adopted or for policy to be abolished.

                        2.         As with the adoption of new policy, no changes or deletions of existing policy can occur without a formal reading during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees plus a waiting period following the reading of not less than 14 days, which waiting period would typically extend until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board. No policy shall be altered or deleted outside of a regularly scheduled meeting of the board.

            E.        Policy Designation

                        Policy adopted shall be encoded using a dual system of a policy number and a descriptive title. The policy number shall be an inverted date, consisting of the year, month, and day representing the formal adoption date (e.g., if a policy were adopted on July 14, 2004, then the policy number would be 20040714). If more than one policy is adopted on any given date, the policy shall be further designated with a decimal followed by an integer (e.g., using the previous example, 20040714.1). The policy shall also be assigned an appropriate descriptive title (e.g., Circulation Policy, Fees Policy, etc.).

            F.        Policy Availability

                        Adopted policy of the Library shall be made available in both print and electronic formats. Print format shall be available at the Library in a policy manual that can be reviewed by any patron upon request during regular Library hours. Electronic format shall be available on the Library web site under an appropriate link entitled Library Policy.

III.   Circulation Policy - 20091021.3

            A.        Purpose

                        The circulation policies of the Madison Library District exist to facilitate meeting personal, educational, and professional access needs for materials and information in the various Library collections, while protecting these same collections for the use of as many people as possible.

            B.        Browsing Policy

                        The collections and materials held in the library are to be organized so they are available to the greatest possible number of browsers, within limitations of budget and reason. In-library use is welcomed without cost except for damage to materials beyond reasonable wear and tear. Items marked “For Library Use Only” are for browsing only and may not be checked out or removed from the Library.

            C.        Library Usage

                        Borrowing privileges in the Library are controlled through the use of records accessed through library cards issued without charge to residents of the Library district or through cards issued to non-residents with a charge comparable to average resident Library taxes paid.

            D.        Card Holder Responsibilities

                        Card holders must commit in writing to meet reasonable requirements through the application forms, signed in the presence of and witnessed by a librarian. By signing the application form and the Library card, the applicant agrees:

                        1.         To provide proof of identity and current address and means of contact, and to provide timely notification to the Library of any address change.

                        2.         To be responsible for all use made of the library card, including but not limited to that of family members.

                        3.         To obey the rules and regulations of the Library.

                        4.         To promptly return all materials borrowed from the Library in complete and undamaged condition.

                        5.         To promptly pay all and any incurred fines and other charges.

                        6.         To report lost cards in a timely manner. Lost cards may be replaced for a fee. The fee schedule is to be available at the library and online.

                        7.         To present the library card when checking out materials.

            E.        Library Staff Responsibilities

                        The Library director and staff are to follow established procedures contained in the Library Procedures Manual. These procedures include several operations:

                        1.         To organize materials to give patrons easy access to the collections of the Library, including re-shelving returned and browsed materials to their assigned places in a timely manner.

                        2.         To give notification of the due date at time of checkout.

                        3.         To help patrons who have not met their responsibilities to do so by seeking reimbursement or collecting fines for overdue, lost, or damaged (unuseable) materials. It is important that the materials are available for other users, and the fines and fees are to help meet this mission, not to punish or belittle users. The fee schedule is to be available at the Library and online.

                        4.         To suspend check-out privileges when a patron has fines and/or fees exceeding $5.00 for an individual or $10.00 per household, and to resume check-out privileges when fines or fees owed are less than the limit.

            F.        Library Staff and Board Privileges

                        1.         Employees of the Library and members of the board of trustees shall not accrue nor be required to pay overdue fines on library materials.

                        2.         Employees of the Library and members of the board of trustees are responsible for the cost of lost or damaged materials checked out on their library cards.

            G.       Interlibrary Loan Policy

                        Materials not owned and not being purchased by the Library may be requested through interlibrary loan.

            H.       Interlibrary Loan Policy

                        1.         Incoming ILL Materials

                                    a.         A patron may request material through interlibrary loan (ILL) when the material is not owned by the Library. The patron will be responsible for any charges made by the lending Library, including fax costs, postage, and any charges for rush orders. If a patron loses an ILL item, the price charged our patron is the charge set by the lending library. There are no refunds if a lost ILL item is subsequently found by the patron.

                                    b.         After any ILL loan request has been sent to a lending institution, the patron is responsible for all loan charges and postage (if any), even if the patron cancels the ILL request or does not pick it up after notification.

                        2.         Outgoing ILL Materials

                                    a.         Most materials are available for ILL to other libraries. The following are not available: Story Kits, Backpacks, scrapbooking kits, and all “for-Library-use-only” materials.

                                    b.         ILL materials will be checked out to other libraries for a four-week period with one renewal allowed. There are no charges to other libraries for ILLs. Requests for photocopies are charged the regular photocopy charge (See Fee Schedule).

            I.         Date Due Notification

                        1.         Notification of due date is given at the time of checkout.

            J.         Claimed Returned and Lost Items

                        1.         “Claimed Returned” Items

                                    a.         If a patron claims to have returned an item that is still showing as checked out on the patron’s card, the staff will change the status of the material to “claimed returned.” The patron is asked to continue to search for the material. The Library will continue to monitor the claim for six weeks. After six weeks if the item has not been found, the status changes to “lost.”

                                    b.         “Claims returned” material that is later found is handled as follows:

 

Claims Returned - Not paid

Claims Returned - Paid

Library finds

No charge

Credit or refund

Patron finds

No charge if returned

No credit or refund

                        2.         Lost Items

                                    a.         The price to be paid is listed in the item record.

                                    b.         Patron-purchased replacements or substitutes are not acceptable.

                                    c.          No refunds will be issued or credit given if the patron finds the item. If the library finds the item, charges are removed if not paid, or credit or refund issued if paid.

            K.       Fines and Fees Recovery Policy

                        1.         Overdue and Lost Materials Notification

                                    a.         The first notice is given approximately two business days after the due date informing the patron that an item is overdue. A daily overdue fine (see Fee Schedule) will be assessed for each item that is declared overdue.

                                    b.         When Library materials are classified as overdue (overdue materials are inclusive of not returned and/or lost materials), patrons may be notified by email or automated phone call. No notices will be mailed.

                                    c.         When the item ages from overdue to lost approximately six weeks after the due date, a final bill is mailed to the patron to the address on Library records. It is the patron’s responsibility to insure the Library has the patron’s current address and phone number.

                        2.         Damaged Material Notification

                                    a.         When Library materials are found to be damaged (does not include normal wear) or incomplete, the patron will be notified.

                                    b.         For incomplete items (e.g., the case was returned but not the DVD), the patron is called by a member of the Library staff within 24 hours of discovery. If the patron cannot be reached by telephone, or if no response is made by the patron within two days, a notice is mailed to the patron at the address on the Library records. The patron is notified that overdue fines are accruing. If the patron does not respond within one week, a replacement fee is assessed (see Fee Schedule).

                                    c.         For items damaged beyond repair, a fee is assessed (see Fee Schedule) and entered on the patron’s record and the item is placed on the “Damaged” shelf. When the patron pays for the damaged item, the item is given to the patron.

                        3.         Suspension of Check-Out Privileges

                                    a.         Check-out privileges are suspended when a patron has fines or fees exceeding $5.00 and resumed when the total is less than $5.00.

                                    b.         If fines or fees exceed $10.00 per household, the Library reserves the right to suspend check-out privileges for the household until all overdue material is returned and/or any fines and fees are paid.

IV.   Collection Development Policy - 20091021.1

            A.        Purpose

                        1.         To provide guidelines and direction to the Director and staff as they select materials in the various Library collections; and

                        2.         To clarify those criteria for patrons of the Library.

            B.        Basic Goals

                        1.         To provide, assemble, and promote a varied collection of materials to facilitate meeting personal, continuing educational, and professional access needs for materials and information for the patrons of the Library within the reasonable capability of the Library to purchase or borrow such materials.

                        2.         To recognize the patron’s right to intellectual freedom and free and equal access to information and Library materials without restriction due to financial need, age, sex, ethnic origin, or religion, in the spirit of the “Library Bill of Rights” and “Freedom to Read” statements.

                        3.         To ensure continued cooperation with other libraries, including the sharing of resources through the statewide reciprocal borrowing agreement (LiLI Express) and with libraries nationwide through interlibrary loan.

                        4.         To provide an atmosphere that encourages information sharing and access to a rich collection of services.

            C.        Criteria for Selection

                        1.         The Director has authority to use her or his judgment in interpreting the collection development policy.

                        2.         The relative value of materials is increased by the following factors:

                                    a.         Public interest identified by demand:

                                                (1)       patron requests for materials;

                                                (2)       Library program tools; community educational, recreational, and informational relevance; and timeliness of topic;

                                    b.         Excellence in terms of artistic merit, scholarship, vitality of format and authoritativeness; value to humanity, significance of subject, factual accuracy, and effective expression, as judged by trusted experts in source evaluations;

                                    c.         Current or historical significance of author or subject;

                                    d.         Regional interest: Materials and authors specifically related to Idaho and the Northwest may be favored;

                                    e.         Reasonable balance among the various target ages, abilities, language, and other patron groups;

                                    f.         Reasonable balance in different media, including audio, video, electronic, internet, online computing, networking, and other media;

                                    g.         Reasonable level of diversity of viewpoint;

                                    h.         Current collection objectives, program objectives, and existing subject coverage;

                                    i.         Multiple copies when necessary for development goals and patron demand.

                        3.         The relative value of materials is decreased with the following factors:

                                    a.         Can be better accessed through interlibrary loan or electronically;

                                    b.         Costly or specialized in nature;

                                    c.         Rare and out-of-print sources;

                                    d.         Textbooks;

                                    e.         Not likely to be used by multiple patrons.

            D.        Donations

                        1.         The Library solicits and welcomes donations of funds and materials:

                                    a.         Grants applications are encouraged;

                                    b.         Dedicated donations in memoriam of individuals;

                                    c.         Private collections;

                                    d.         Material gifts.

                        2.         Stipulations regarding material gifts and private collections:

                                    a.         Donations of this type are unconditional; i.e., the donor may not restrict the library’s use of the materials;

                                    b.         Gifted items may not be reclaimed;

                                    c.         Receipt for donations will be provided but assigning value is the responsibility of the donor;

                                    d.         The Library reserves the right to decide whether the gift should be added to its collection, using the standards in this Collection Development Policy;

                                    e.         The Library reserves the right to dispose of gift materials not added to the collection in ways it deems fit;

                                    f.         The director may, with justification, make exceptions to gifts policies.

            E.        Collections Maintenance and Weeding

            Maintenance and weeding should be done with the same care, thought, criteria, and judgment as selection.

                        1.         A practical, useful collection is maintained through continual replacement, discarding, addition, and, when helpful and practical, repair;

                        2.         Materials are to be withdrawn when considered outdated, no longer of interest or in demand, unnecessarily duplicated (multiple copies), or have significant wear or damage;

                        3.         Materials meeting the above criteria may be kept when they are considered to have special value in the total collection;

                        4.         Electronic resources are not exempt from routine collection maintenance.

            F.        Disclaimers

                        1.         It remains the responsibility of the patron or the parent or guardian to determine what is appropriate for his/her own use.

                        2.         The Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy of information provided, including information obtained through the Internet.

                        3.         The Library does not mark or identify approval or disapproval of content.

                        4.         Materials are not sequestered except for the purpose of protecting from damage or theft.

            G.       Collection Review Policy

                        1.         The Library considers all materials selected under this policy to be protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Idaho State Constitution.

                        2.         The Library will respect and follow proper court jurisdiction over protections.

                        3.         If a patron claims that a particular item is not constitutionally protected, the burden of proof rests with the patron.

                        4.         The Library recognizes the right of patrons to question materials in the Library collection and will give serious consideration to each patron’s opinion.

                                    a.         Patrons may express concern to the staff and be offered a material challenge form which they may complete for review.

                                    b.         The Director will review the completed challenge form, respond in writing within a practical length of time, and inform the Library Board at the next public meeting.

                                    c.         The patron may appeal the director’s written response in writing to the Library Board at least ten days in advance of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.

                                    d.         The Library Board, upon request, hears appeals of the director’s written response. The Board will carefully review the objection, the material, and the appropriate policy. Their decision is final.

                        5.         Materials questioned may remain available to patrons until a decision is made.

                        6.         The Library does not censor materials, rate materials, nor stand in loco parentis (in place of a parent; charged with a parent’s rights, duties, and responsibilities).

V.     Public Internet Computer Use Policy - 20091021.3

            A.        Purpose

                        The public internet computers are made available to patrons of the library for accessing the internet, sending and receiving email, word processing and other appropriate uses. Guests at the library may request a guest computer pass. Users must agree to this computer use policy each time they use the library’s internet computers.

            B.        Computer User Responsibilities

                        The computer user, whether a patron or a guest, agrees to the following:

                        1.         to not access sexually explicit internet sites, and to immediately report any accidental access of sexually explicit sites;

                        2.         to limit computer use to purposes that are legal in the State of Idaho and the United States, and to respect and protect the privacy of all persons, companies, and organizations and to obey all copyright laws;

                        3.         to accept responsibility for all damages arising from the use of the computers, including protecting the computers from viruses, Trojan horses, or other harmful or damaging programs, by downloading only to a removable storage device (diskette, jump drive, etc.);

                        4.         to not change any settings or configurations on the library computers nor to disable any software;

                        5.         to have no more than two persons at a computer;

                        6.         to reimburse the library for each printed page at the advertised rate;

                        7.         to limit computer use to one hour total time in any one day; extensions may be requested but will depend upon computer availability;

                        8.         to use only the user’s own valid Library card which is free of fines to access the computers;

                        9.         to not allow anyone else to use one’s Library card to access the computers; and

                        10.       that violation of this agreement may result in loss of internet computer privileges for one year, and that a second offense will result in permanent loss of internet computer privileges.

            C.        Parental Permission for Minors

                        Parental permission is required for all minors (under 18 years of age) using the internet computers.

            D.        Filtered Computers

                        The Library’s computers are filtered, but the Library makes no guarantees, implied or otherwise, that inappropriate sites cannot be accessed.

VI.   Personnel Policy - 20091021.3

            A.        Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees

                        1.         The Board of Trustees of the Madison Library District (the Library) shall have the following powers and duties consistent with the laws of the state of Idaho:

                                    a.         To establish bylaws for its own government;

                                    b.         To establish policies for the administration, operation, and use of the Library;

                                    c.         To employ and evaluate a library director to administer the Library, and to provide an effective orientation for new directors to assure that the director understands:1) the policies and processes related to the daily operation of the library; 2) reporting and budgetary requirements that assure accountability and compliance with the law; 3) the expectations of the board in regard to administrative processes and protocol, and particularly as they relate to conducting effective and efficient board meetings; and 4) expectations of the board relating to interacting with patrons and other library personnel;

                                    d.         To conduct annual appraisals of the library director’s performance, at which time personal and management goals can be discussed and negotiated;

                                    e.         To create job descriptions, personnel policies, and compensation packages for Library personnel;

                                    f.         To establish an annual budget and to oversee the financial management of the Library;

                                    g.         To exercise other powers, not inconsistent with law, necessary for the effective use and management of the Library.

                        2.         Individual trustees shall have no authority to make decisions about the policies of the Library except as specifically authorized by the board.

                        3.         It shall be the duty of each trustee to attend all board meetings and committee meetings for committees to which he or she has been assigned.

                        4.         The regular term of a trustee shall be for five (5) years, or until his successor has been elected and qualified.

            B.        Library Director

                        1.         The board of trustees shall appoint a library director who shall administer the Library.

                        2.         The director shall serve as secretary for the board without voting rights. The director shall be present at monthly board meetings and prepare and present such reports and meeting documents as requested.

                        3.         The Library director shall advise the board, implement policy set by the board, and shall acquire library materials, equipment, and supplies. This includes selection, ordering, processing, weeding, and inventory of the collections according to the guidelines in the Collections Policy.

                        4.         The director shall maintain financial records in an efficient manner; present periodic reports to the library board and to county and state governments as required by law; prepare the draft of the annual budget to be presented to the library board; and assist trustees with presentation of the proposed budget to patrons at the annual budget hearing.

                        5.         The director shall attend all executive sessions of the board of trustees, except those called to consider the evaluation, dismissal, or disciplining, or to hear complaints or charges against the Library director.

                        6.         No Library director shall be an employee or board member of a library or other agency with which the Library has a contract to provide library services.

                        7.         The board shall fix and pay employee salaries and compensation, classify employees, adopt personnel policies, and discipline or discharge the Library director for cause.

                        8.         The Library director shall hire or oversee the hiring of all other employees based on the policies, procedures, and job descriptions created by the Library board, and shall discipline and discharge any employee for cause, as necessary, according to the written policies of the board.

                        9.         The director shall hold regular meetings with staff and/or volunteers for training and facilitating the smooth operation of the Library.

                        10.       The director shall be responsible for preparing annual performance assessments for Library staff.

            C.        Employee Classifications

                        1.         The Library currently has three classifications of employees:

                                    a.         Staff: benefitted, trained employees who work at least five hours per day;

                                    b.         Clerks: non-benefitted, trained employees who assist with circulation and cataloging duties and who work less than 20 hours per week;

                                    c.         Pages: non-benefitted employees who work less than 20 hours per week.

                        2.         Employees are hired subject to a ninety (90) day probationary period.

            D.        Employee Day”

                        A staff “employee day” equals, for purposes of vacation, sick leave, and bereavement leave, the number of hours per day that an employee regularly works (e.g., a “5 hour employee” normally works five hours per day, whereas a full-time employee normally works eight hours per day).

            E.        Insurance

                        1.         The Library provides health insurance to staff employees on a shared cost basis. The Library pays the employee’s premium in total, but if other family members are added to the coverage, then the employee pays the added premium for the additional coverage.

                        2.         The Library provides disability and life insurance for staff employees on a shared cost basis. The Library pays the employee’s premium for disability insurance in total. Group term life insurance is available to staff employees but the employee must pay the premium.

            F.        Paid Holidays

                        1.         All benefitted staff members shall have the following paid holidays:

                                    a.         Martin Luther King Day

                                    b.         Presidents Day

                                    c.         Memorial Day

                                    d.         Independence Day

                                    e.         Labor Day

                                    f.         Columbus Day

                                    g.         Thanksgiving Eve (close at 5:00pm), Thanksgiving Day, and the day following

                                    h.         Christmas Eve (close at noon), Christmas Day, and the day following, according to the following schedule:

Christmas on Friday

Christmas on Saturday

Christmas on Sunday or Monday

Library closes at noon on Thursday; closed Friday, Saturday, and Monday

Library closed Friday, Saturday, and Monday

Library closed Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday

                                    i.         New Years Eve (close at noon) and New Years Day

                        2.         If the scheduled holiday falls on a Saturday, the library will be closed on the Friday before. If the scheduled holiday falls on a Sunday, the library will be closed on the Monday following.

            G.       Vacation

                        1.         Each staff employee can accrue ten (10) employee days of vacation during their first year. Thereafter, each staff employee can accrue an additional one-half day of vacation for each subsequent year of employment. The maximum amount of vacation accruable will be 20 days after 20 years of service.

                        2.         A staff employee can carry over on October 1st into the next fiscal year one-half of the amount of vacation accruable in that employee’s current year of employment.

                        3.         The date for determining the amount accruable shall be the anniversary of that staff employee’s hire date.

                        4.         If a staff employee resigns his/her position and then is re-hired at some later point in time, the re-hire date becomes the new anniversary date for purposes of vacation accrual.

                        5.         If a page or clerk subsequently becomes a staff member, the date upon which that happens becomes the anniversary date for purposes of vacation accrual.

                        6.         As an example, a staff employee in her first year of employment who works six hours per day would have 60 hours (6 hours x 5 days x 2 weeks) of vacation.

            H.       Sick Leave

                        1.         Each staff employee can accrue 10 employee days of sick leave per year. At the end of any given fiscal year, any unused sick leave can be carried over into the new fiscal year, up to a maximum of six weeks of employee days.

                        2.         Examples:

                                    a.         For a six-hour-per-day employee, the maximum accruable is 180 hours (6 hours x 5 days x 6 weeks) of sick leave.

                                    b.         For a five-hour-per-day employee, the maximum accruable is 150 hours (5 hours x 5 days x 6 weeks) of sick leave.

                                    c.         Full-time employees can accrue 240 hours (8 hours x 5 days x 6 weeks) of sick leave.

            I.         Bereavement Leave

                        1.         Staff employees are eligible for three employee days of bereavement leave without loss of pay in the event of the death in the immediate family. “Immediate family” is defined as the spouse, child, brother, sister, or parent of either the employee or the employee’s spouse.

            J.         Leave of absence

                        1.         Leaves of absence without pay may be granted to staff employees for maternity, adoption, illness, travel, or graduate or certification training. All leaves are considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the director. A leave of absence for the director must be approved by the library board.

                        2.         Requests for leave should be submitted in writing well in advance of the time when the leave is to begin. Written requests should indicate both a beginning and ending date for the leave. Vacation time must be used before an unpaid leave will be approved for reasons other than maternity, adoption, or military training.

                        3.         When a staff employee is on unpaid leave, the employee is responsible for all health insurance costs and other benefit premiums/deductions that may apply.

                        4.         The Library reserves the right to deny requests for leaves of absence. Leaves are a privilege and can be granted only if the best interests of the Library can be maintained.

            K.       Military Leave

                        1.         Staff employees who are duly enrolled members of the National Guard, State Guard, or any other organized reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be allowed a military leave of absence when ordered. The leave, under normal circumstances, will not exceed fourteen days, excluding Sundays and legal holidays. A copy of the order requiring attendance at military training sites shall accompany all requests for military leave.

                        2.         The Library can assure no loss of wages if the staff employee wishes to turn all earnings from the training period in to the Library board. Benefits are not affected by a military leave as long as the leave stays within the fourteen day parameter.

            L.        Jury Duty

                        1.         In the event a staff employee is called for jury duty, the Library will release them and assure no loss of wages, provided any compensation paid to the staff employee up to and equal to the staff employee’s wage are turned in to the Library board. Clerks and pages will not be paid for time lost because of jury duty.

            M.       Work Schedules

                        1.         Major changes in the director’s work schedule shall not be made without approval of the Library board. Requests for such changes shall be made in writing to the Library board.

                        2.         Requests for work schedule changes for all other employees shall be made in writing to the Library director.

            N.        Disciplinary Policy (Adopted 05/21/2008)

                        1.         The Library wants each employee to be successful in that employee’s job and will work with employees to eliminate deficiencies.

                        2.         An employee of the Library may be dismissed for any action or behavior that causes the Library’s image or operation to be diminished. This includes but is not limited to incompetence, misconduct, inattention to assigned duties, or unapproved absences from work.

                        3.         Normally, termination of benefitted employees following the probationary period (see VI.C.2) would be a final step which would follow:

                                    a.         a substandard performance appraisal (see VI.B.10);

                                    b.         written notification of specific items to be remedied, how the remedies are to be demonstrated, and the specific amount of time (not less than one month or longer than three months) to demonstrate adequate performance of his or her duties; and

                                    c.         an employee assessment at the conclusion of the stated time period by the director based on the written notifications listed above.

                        4.         If the director determines termination is appropriate and/or necessary, the director will notify the employee in writing.

                        5.         Complete and clear records will be maintained of all disciplinary processes for the protection of the employee and the Library.

                        6.         While notice of intent to terminate can be expected, the Library reserves the right to immediately dismiss an employee in cases involving theft, drug or alcohol abuse, criminal activity, dishonesty, accessing pornography in the workplace, or other instances of significant misconduct.

            O.       Grievance Procedure

                        1.         It is the intent of the Library that every employee shall have the opportunity to express concerns relating to the physical surroundings in which the employee works, the procedures and conditions of the specific position, relationships with fellow workers or supervisors, and Library rules as they apply to staff. A concern or grievance should follow the procedure below.

                                    a.         If possible, discuss the problem with the director. In the case of the director having a concern, this should be discussed with the board of trustees.

                                    b.         If the director is part of the problem, the concern/grievance should be submitted in writing addressed to the Library board and be delivered to the board chair, who will present the concern, during executive session, to the full board at the next or a special board meeting.

                                    c.         If a member of the board is part of the director’s problem, the concern/grievance should be submitted in writing addressed to the Library board and be delivered to a board member, who will present the concern in executive session to the full board at the next or a special board meeting.

                                    d.         The board will respond to the employee within five days of the board meeting at which the issue is discussed, either providing a determination, solution, or strategy for how the board will address the issue over time.

            P.        Resignation and Retirement Procedure

                        1.         A Library employee wishing to resign or retire from employment must notify the director or, in the case of the director, the Library board as soon as practicable. Minimum notice for employees other than the director is two weeks. For the Library director, a notice of at least one month is preferred.

                        2.         If the employee is entitled to benefits (such as earned but unused vacation), a lump sum payment can be made to the employee.

                        3.         If the employee is retiring and is entitled to PERSI (Public Employees Retirement System, Inc.) retirement benefits, compliance with current PERSI requirements is essential for benefits to begin on the date of retirement.

            Q.       Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

                        1.         It is the policy of the Library to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified and qualifiable persons. Equal employment opportunity shall be according to the provisions of State and Federal laws and regulations.

            R.        Drug-Free Workplace Policy

                        1.         In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited while performing work for the Library, whether that work is carried out in the workplace building or not. All employees shall abide, as a condition of employment, by the terms of this notice and shall notify the Library director or board of trustees within five days of any criminal drug statute conviction.

                        2.         Failure to comply with the above requirements shall be grounds for appropriate personnel action against such employee up to and including termination, or such employee may be required to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

            S.        Sexual Harassment Policy

                        Any employee who engages in sexual harassment as defined in Title VII (Federal law) and Idaho state law will subject him/herself to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

VII.  Professional Development Policy - 20080115.1

Purpose: to encourage and assist employees to further their professional development.

            A.        Library’s responsibilities:

                        1.         Library related conferences, workshops, and online courses (not degree-related):

                                    a.         Pay the actual cost of the conference or workshop.

                                    b.         Pre-pay and/or reimburse travel expenses.

                        2.         Higher education classes (degree-related):

                                    a.         Contribute to the cost of higher education by reimbursing the employee for the actual cost of classes not to exceed $2,000 per year.

                                    b.         Reimbursement will be upon completion of the class with a grade of C or better.

                                    c.         Classes must be related to the employee’s job.

            B.        Employee’s responsibilities:

                        1.         Library related conferences, workshops, and online courses (not degree-related) may be a requirement of employment:

                                    a.         Complete the basic and advanced online certificate courses offered by the Idaho Commission for Libraries. For all new employees, complete the courses during the first year of employment. For all current employees, complete the courses within one year of the adoption of this policy by the board of trustees. This is not a requirement for any employee classified a “Page.”

                                    b.         Be ready, willing, and able to attend as required by the Director, including travel inside and outside the state of Idaho.

                                    c.         Suggest events the employee wishes to attend.

                        2.         Higher education classes and/or degree programs are voluntary and entirely at the discretion of the employee.

                                    a.         Discuss with and obtain approval from the Director for potential reimbursement.

                                    b.         Do all course work on the employee’s own time.

                                    c.         Remain in the library’s employ for one year after completion of the class or reimburse the library for any and all expenses incurred by the library.

 

VIII.         Records Retention Policy - 20070815.1

            A.        Library records are kept according to the following schedules:

Description

Person Responsible for Maintenance and Destruction

Permanent Records

Fixed Assets list

Director

Payroll records: IRS Form 941 payroll reports

Director

Board meeting minutes and accompanying records

Director

Five Year Records

Bank statements, deposit books, computer printouts of financial records Footnote

Director

Original employee time sheets and the computer reports generated from the time sheets

Director

LSTA grant materials

Director

Personnel records for past employees

Director

One Year Records

Paper records of overdue items, fines, and lost materials are kept for at least one year. Footnote

Director delegates

Six Month Records

Applications for library cards Footnote

Reference Librarian

Parental permission for a child to use the filtered internet is given (or not given) on the child’s application for a library card. Footnote

Reference Librarian

Computer use agreements: no longer applicable Footnote

 

One Month Records

Patron interlibrary loan (ILL) requests: one month after the item is returned to the lending library

ILL Librarian

ILL requests from other libraries: one month after the item is returned to our library

ILL Librarian

Varying Retention Times

Personnel files for active employees: maintained at all times during the employee’s term of employment

Director

Non-LSTA grant materials: according to the requirements of the individual grant or for five years if no requirement stated

Director

Records for computers, furniture and equipment, lists of vendors, and so forth: kept as long as needed

Director

ILL requests that result in our purchasing the item: kept until the item is processed and the requesting patron notified

ILL Librarian

Requests for purchase: kept until the item has been processed and the requesting patron notified

Librarian in charge of ordering the type of material

“Print Slips” Footnote : kept until the item is put out for the public

Librarian who ordered the item

Requests for memorials: listed on a computer spreadsheet; Footnote kept until the item is processed

Catalog Librarian

 

            B.        Storage, review, and destruction of records

                        1.         Destruction shall be by shredding, burning, or other appropriate means at the end of the retention time.

                        2.         All records placed in inactive storage shall indicate the date of destruction. Footnote