Library policies
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Presentation on Library Policies at Broad Valleys Federation meeting February 28, 2015
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Library policies
- 1. Broad Valleys Federation Pam Henley & Suzanne Reymer Montana State Library February 28, 2015 LIBRARY POLICIES
- 2. What is a Policy? • Merriam-Webster: • Prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs • A high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body • Dictionary.com • A definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency • BusinessDictionary.com • Principles, rules and guidelines formulated or adopted by an organization to reach its long-term goals and published in a booklet or other form that is widely accessible
- 3. Why have policies? • Translate service priorities into actions • Allow staff to perform jobs effectively • Ensure equal treatment for all • Educate public • Provide legal support
- 4. Good policies… • Reflect library priorities • Are current, comprehensive and consistent • User-friendly, easy to access • Comply with local, state and federal regulations
- 5. 4 Tests • Legality • Reasonableness • Nondiscriminatory • Measurability
- 7. Policy Development • Determine priority • Identify current practice and best practice • Involve staff • Consult groups affected • Write procedures based on staff input and best practice information • Review and ask Why?
- 8. Personnel • Often developed by city/county HR • Hiring/termination • Benefits • Grievance procedures If library develops their own, align with city/county for consistency
- 10. Policy Assessment • Brief statement of WHY • Regulations define, WHAT is done to support policy • Procedures outline HOW staff supports policy and regulation • Guidelines describe best practice
- 11. 4 Tests • Legality • Reasonableness • Nondiscriminatory • Measurability
- 12. Implementation • Communicate • Internal • External • Monitor • Update and revise
- 13. Examples • Great Falls Public Library http://greatfallslibrary.org/?p=about&n=about • Missoula Public Library http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/about/missoula-public-library- policies • ImagineIF: http://imagineiflibraries.org/about-us/policies/ • Bitterroot Public Library: http://www.bitterrootpubliclibrary.org/policies • More resources: http://mslconsulting.pbworks.com/w/page/55864309/Sample%20Libra ry%20Policies (list of possible policies) • http://libraries.msl.mt.gov/Home/library_development/consulting/librar y_admiistration (links to other resources)
- 14. Bibliography and Resources • Larsen, Jeanette and Herman L. Totten. Model Policies for Small and Medium Public Libraries. New York: Neal- Schuman Publishers, 1998. • Nelson, Sandra S., and June Garcia. Creating Policies for Results: From Chaos to Clarity. Chicago: American Library Association, 2003. • Reed, Sally Garner. The Complete Library Trustee Handbook. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2010.
- 15. Questions? • Pam Henley: phenley2@mt.gov • Suzanne Reymer: sreymer2@mt.gov
Editor's Notes
- Policies define current practice
- Also need to be adopted by board at an open meeting
- Some policies are connected, work on these simultaneously Procedures: step-by-step description of HOW staff supports policy and regulation
- Regulations – written rules Board approves policy and regulation, director with staff input is involved in procedure and guideline
- Also need to be adopted by board at an open meeting
- Internal: organize manual, distribute, train staff External: both library users and general public; web page accessibility; post signs in appropriate areas; stress positive points Monitor: observe actual practice, modify if needed Update: regular review, can set a schedule