Policies

Display and Signage Policy

The Dunstable Free Public Library believes that a diverse and pluralistic society is central to our community’s identity. Libraries strive to deliver inclusive service. The Dunstable Free Public Library recognizes and energetically affirms the dignity of those it serves, regardless of heritage, education, beliefs, race, income, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical or mental capabilities.

The Library is committed to fostering an environment of understanding and respect.

The Dunstable Free Public Library decorates, displays, designates and differentiates collections and genres using Graphical Signs, Posters, and other Decorative graphics to complement the informational, cultural, or recreational holdings of the Library’s collections and formats. These items have been acquired under the aegis of the Trustees and administered by Library Director and Staff. This décor and environment enhances the library’s programs and events. These graphical expressions may be permanent, semi-permanent or ephemeral. They may promote or enhance education, interest and esthetics, and may reflect the ever-changing demographics and diversity of the community of Dunstable and the collections and library programs.

Patron suggestions for displays or graphical items should be directed to the Library Director and considered by the Library Trustees. Library Trustees and Staff will continue to have the responsibility to contribute to a culture that recognizes diversity and fosters social inclusion.

Approved by Board of Trustees 2.2024

Library Conduct Policy

The Dunstable Free Public Library is committed to promoting an enjoyable and safe environment where patrons and staff can fully benefit from and utilize the Library’s resources and services. Use of the Library requires respect for others who are also enjoying the Library facilities and services. This policy is designed to promote the appropriate use of the Library.

The following conduct is strictly prohibited on Library property:

1. Use of tobacco products, cannabis, and alcoholic beverages

2. Possession or use of unlawful controlled substance

3. Interfering with the use of the library or its resources by library patrons or interfering with Library employees’ performance of their duties

4. Destruction of property, including but not limited to books, any part of the library facility, other patron’s property, etc.

5. Creating a disturbance by making noise, talking loudly or engaging in disruptive conduct

6. Willfully annoying, harassing, or threatening another person

7. Bringing any animal into the library building other than a guide dog or service dog

8. Leaving a vulnerable adult* or child under the age of 10 unattended

9. Running, pushing, shoving or rambunctious activity

10. Eating and drinking at the computer workstations

11. Entering the Library without shoes or a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.

*A vulnerable adult is an adult who should not be left alone in the Library or is unable to reasonably care for themself in an emergency situation. This includes adults who need staff help beyond assistance with normal library service.

Violation of the Library Conduct Policy is at the discretion of the Library Director (or library staff designation) and may result in financial restitution, expulsion from the library and/or forfeiture of library privilege

Approved by Board of Library Trustees, 2.7.05

Amended by the Board of Library Trustees, 3.27.24

Meeting Room Policy and Guidelines

The Meeting Room Policies and Guidelines have been formulated to ensure residents have the greatest possible access to educational and cultural opportunities. Priority for the meeting room use is as follows:

1. Library Use

a. Group sponsored or co-sponsored by the Trustees, the Dunstable Free Public Library, or the Town of Dunstable

2. Town of Dunstable Departments, Committees, and Boards

3. Non-Profit groups

The meeting room is available during library hours; exceptions by permission of the Library Director.

The meeting room cannot be reserved for private events. All meetings are open to the public. No admission fee may be charged, no business or notations may be solicited, directly or indirectly, and no merchandise, food, or beverages may be sold by any group without advanced permission from the Board of Library Trustees or the Library Director.

Use of the meeting room does not imply endorsement by the Board of Trustees or staff. No group may call the library “home.”

Light refreshments, such as cookies and coffee, are permitted.

Equipment, supplies, or personal belongings cannot be stored or left in the Library before or after use of the meeting room. The Library and the Town of Dunstable will not be held responsible for the loss of or damage to personal property of group members while on the premises.

Applicants are responsible for room set-up and are expected to leave the room in the condition it was found. The Library provides a vacuum and carpet sweeper. A minimum $50.00 clean-up fee will be assessed and more will be charged in cases of unusual wear and tear.

All events happening during library hours must conclude 15 minutes before the Library’s closing (including cleanup). A $50.00 fee per staff will be assessed if staff is detained beyond closing.

Noise should be minimized in the Meeting Room. Meetings must not interfere with regular library services.

No smoking or alcohol consumption on the premises.

All events are canceled if the Library is closed due to emergency or inclement weather. It is the group’s responsibility to notify attendees. The Library/Town is not liable for any losses resulting therefrom.

If a meeting is canceled, the Library Director must be notified as soon as possible.

Any exception to the policies and guidelines must be approved by the Library Director or the Board of Library Trustees who have the final authority regarding all meeting room use requests. Exceptions are limited to the Meeting room and restrooms only.

Approved by Board of Trustees 12.2024

Collection Development Policy

Mission Statement

The Dunstable Library provides equal access to information and ideas through a wide variety of materials and programs for community members of all ages.

Collection Development Policy Purpose

The purpose of the collection development policy is to guide acquisition and withdrawal decisions, resources allocation, and strategic planning in accordance with the library’s mission statement.

The Dunstable Free Public Library seeks to provide a welcoming environment, a qualified staff, a variety of materials in all formats, programs for patrons of all ages, and access to current technology. The library subscribes to the principles in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association, and the Freedom to Read Statement and the Freedom to View Statement of the American Library Association (see appendices).

Goals

Ensure Dunstable Free Public Library collection fulfills the evolving informational, educational, and recreational needs of all demographics of the Dunstable population.

Establish and maintain a collection that is current, balanced, and comprehensive. The collection should be of adequate size, quality, format, and diversity to meet the needs of patrons.

Utilize collection usage statistics to optimize budget allocation and cooperate with the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) to ensure that our collections meet our consortium responsibilities.

Responsibility for Selection

The Board of Library Trustees delegates the authority and responsibility for selection and management of print, non-print, and electronic materials to the Library Director. The Director allocates the materials budget, and ensures that the collection conforms with the Collection Development Policy. Library materials are selected by the Director after consulting with staff members, professional review media, and well as various online websites. Additionally, the Director is responsible for deselection, replacement, and augmentation of the collection.

Criteria for Selection

Materials will be selected to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs and interests of the community. Materials will represent a variety of viewpoints on current and historical issues. The Director will select materials in a variety of formats using published reviews, professional and trade publications, and patron requests and recommendations. General selection criteria for all materials includes:

anticipated and popular demand

accuracy and currency of information

relevance to the present needs of the community

cost and durability of format for library use

space and processing requirements

representation of trends, subjects, or genres of local, national, or international interest

literary, visual, or aural merit

reviews and inclusion in reputable print or online resources

availability of materials through current collection, other libraries, or electronic/digital resources

An item need not meet all of these criteria to be selected. Local authors, self-published materials, and patron requests will be evaluated based on the above selection criteria as well as the availability of materials in the libraries of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC).

Materials published or released in new formats will be considered for the collection when there is evidence that a significant portion of the local population has the required equipment to make use of the format. Availability of items in the format, the cost per item, and the library’s ability to obtain and circulate the items will also be factors in determining when a new format will be acquired.

Parent and Guardian Role and Responsibility

Children are not limited to children’s collections, which are kept separate from other library collections to facilitate use. There is wide variation in criteria used by parents in determining what is suitable for their children to read or view. The library selects materials to meet a broad range of interests and needs across the community, relying upon parents and guardians to monitor their child’s access.

Resource Sharing

For patrons with needs beyond the local library and MVLC, interlibrary loan allows access to materials in libraries throughout the Commonwealth and the rest of the United States through cooperative interlibrary loan agreements. The library does not have control over the content of certain electronic collections, including those administered by MVLC or the state, or over materials that may be available through interlibrary loan from other libraries.

Collection Maintenance and Weeding

A strong collection requires ongoing evaluation and maintenance. Materials will regularly be weeded from the collection based on the following criteria:

currency and relevance

infrequent use

physical condition

Replacements and updated editions are purchased when warranted. Discarded materials may be sold, donated, or recycled as the Library determines. Standards for materials withdrawal are detailed in the CREW Manual (see appendices).

Gifts/Donations

The library welcomes gifts of funds and materials to enrich the collection. New or used donated materials are subject to the same criteria as purchased materials. Gifts of materials are accepted with the understanding that they may be utilized or disposed of at the library's discretion. Monetary gifts will be applied to the selection of materials by the director in consultation with library staff and the donor as appropriate. The Library reserves the right to determine the use and disposition of all gifts unconditionally.

Reconsideration of Material

Anyone who wishes the Library to reconsider the acquisition or removal of an item must fill out a “Request for Reconsideration of Material” form. These forms are available at the circulation desk. The request is reviewed by the Director. The Director will issue a response. If the complainant is not satisfied, they may appeal to the Board of Trustees. The decision of the Board is final. Above all, the Board of Trustees has as its concern the fairness of such a hearing so as to protect the rights of all who are involved.

Materials will remain available until the review process is complete.

This policy is subject to review by the DPL Board of Trustees.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees: 3.2025

*Parts of this policy were adapted from Massachusetts Library System Collection Development Policies

Appendices

The First Amendment:

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship

Library Bill of Rights:

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

Freedom to Read Statement:

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement

Freedom to View Statement: