Library Policies
Borrowing Policy
Bulletin Board Policy
Patron Behavior Policy
Internet Use Policy
Meeting Room Policy
Safe Child Policy
Teen Room Policy
Collection Development Policy
Gift & Donation Policy
Social Media Policy
1. Borrowing Policy
In accordance with this article from the Library Bill of Rights, “The rights of an individual to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of his (her) age, race, religion, national origins or social or political views,” the Brewster Ladies’ Library welcomes everyone to use its materials and take advantage of its programs. With an appropriate photo identification, anyone is eligible for a free CLAMS card. (CLAMS is the regional library consortium to which Brewster belongs.)
Use of a CLAMS Card
A CLAMS card may be used in most libraries on the Cape and Islands. Ordinarily this card would be issued in the town where the patron lives, but this is not required. Only one CLAMS card is issued to a patron (except for Cape Cod Community College students who may have a college card and a local card). There are no family cards, but parents are expected to use their cards for young children. If a visitor has been given permission to use a relative’s card, he or she must bring the card with him to the library.
How to Register for CLAMS Card
The applicant will fill out an application and provide an authorized ID with his current address. Children may register at 5 years of age. Young adults register as an adult at 12 years of age.
Borrowing From Other Libraries
Materials may be requested from other libraries in the CLAMS system. Materials that are unavailable through CLAMS, can be requested through the Commonwealth Catalog or researched by the Interlibrary Loan Librarian and requested for you, if available, from a library outside the region.
Borrowing Limits
Most items have a borrowing period of two weeks. However, videos are limited to seven days, and museum passes, two days. Materials can be renewed in person, on the phone or on-line, unless another patron has requested the item. Patrons are allowed 50 items on their account at one time.
Returns
Patrons are expected to return their library materials to the circulation desk when the library is open. There are two book drop locations for use when the library is closed. Materials returned after closing will not be discharged from a patron’s record until the following day. Items other than museum passes and inter-library loans may be returned to any library in the CLAMS system.
Fees
On August 1, 2020, Brewster Ladies’ Library will be joining Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, with more CLAMS Libraries to follow along with more than 450 libraries across the country, in revising their policy toward overdue fines. This new fine-free policy means that Brewster Ladies Library will no longer charge late fees for overdue materials. However, patrons will still be responsible for paying for the replacement costs of lost or damaged items. The main goal is to remove obstacles and improve access to information and services for everyone. Research about library use increasingly shows that fines are often barriers preventing people from using the library and its services – especially those who most rely on those services. Brewster would rather welcome patrons back than have them stay away because they owe late fines.
Parental Responsibility
Children and Young Adults (under 16 years of age) are encouraged to use materials that are appropriate for their age but are not restricted from using any part of the library or any of its materials. Parents are responsible for what their children borrow as well as what they use at the library, including the internet.
Revised on 2018 April 13 and approved by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association
2. Bulletin Board Policy
The Brewster Ladies Library provides a limited amount of bulletin board space in the library for individuals and groups in the community to display civic, cultural, and educational information and announce events and services that are of general and current interest. These types of materials are different from the library’s collection of print and non-print materials and are not selected by library staff. Display of events or information does not imply library endorsement. If the board is crowded, library staff reserve the right to select notices for events with the widest appeal.
Library Bulletin Boards
Materials for all bulletin boards and materials distribution areas inside the library are posted and removed by library staff. These bulletin boards and materials distribution areas are reserved for non-commercial notices that are civic in nature. A public bulletin board is available for posting in the Auditorium entrance. This bulletin board allows postings by the public and is not monitored by the library staff.
Approved on 2018 December by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association
3. Patron Behavior Policy
4. Internet Use Policy
The Brewster Ladies’ Library, in accordance with its mission to provide free and convenient access to information, offers its patrons access to the Internet by means of either public computers or wireless devices. Patrons are required to agree to the Acceptable Internet Use Policy before using the Internet.
Since there is no restriction on the content or quality of the material available on the Internet, the Library cannot be responsible for what is accessed.
As with other library materials, restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the sole responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. We cannot guarantee or supervise the safety and security of minors when they are using the Internet or any other forms of direct electronic communications. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to monitor their child’s Internet access and behavior while they are online in the Library
The Library’s Internet connection is not secure and any information being entered or transmitted could be intercepted, viewed by another user, or lost.
It is illegal for patrons to use the Library’s Internet access to view, print, send or receive images, graphics or any other material that violate Massachusetts or Federal laws relating to pornography.
Patrons may not violate copyright or trademark laws, software licensing agreements or intellectual property rights, or download material covered by these laws.
The staff may observe use of the computers to ensure that this policy and appropriate standards of behavior are maintained. Library privileges may be suspended for misuse of or damage to equipment, for behavior that is disruptive to the operation of the library and its patrons, and for any inappropriate behavior deemed to be a violation of any library policy.
Approved on 2011 June 16 by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association
5. Meeting Room Policy
The Brewster Ladies’ Library welcomes the public use of its meeting facilities in keeping with the Library’s mission “to be a cultural and life-long learning community center that provides free access to a range of resources, activities and professional assistance to further enhance the quality of life.”
Meeting Rooms may not be booked by “for profit” or commercial groups. Groups or individuals must be of an educational, philanthropic, cultural or civic nature holding public meetings that are free of charge. Library staff will have free access to all meeting rooms at all times.
The library subscribes to the equitable use of its facilities. Permission to use the meeting rooms does not constitute an endorsement of an organization’s policies or beliefs.
The Library has priority for use of all its facilities and meeting rooms and reserves the right to preempt any scheduled meetings.
There is no charge for use of the meeting rooms but donations are welcome.
Goods or materials may not be sold or advertised at meetings without the permission of the Library Director.
No smoking is allowed on any library property. No alcoholic beverages may be dispensed or consumed on library property. No open flame is permitted at any time.
Groups shall, at their own expense, procure any license or permit necessary for the conduct of their meetings and the license or permit must accompany the application for room use.
Groups are responsible for the security, safety and behavior of the group. Children must be supervised by group members and pick up of children must be monitored by the group.
Permission for use of a room is not transferable to another individual or group.
Political candidates may reserve the library’s auditorium for two hour events as availability allows. During the seven day period preceding an election, a single candidate may reserve the auditorium only once.
Surveys, polls, petitions, nominations papers, promotional material or any political literature directed specifically to Brewster citizens may be left, (at the owner’s risk) in the designated public information section for general public review.
The Library Director and/or the Library Board of Directors reserves the right to refuse the use of the library meeting rooms or cancel any reservation when deemed the action to be in the best interest of the Library and/or Town.
Any questions of interpretation of this policy will be referred to the Library Board of Directors and no meetings will be booked until that Board renders a decision.
Disclaimer: The library assumes no liability for injuries to persons who are on library premises or for damages to any equipment or property. The groups or persons using the library meeting rooms agree to accept all equipment and property as is and waive any and all claims against the library and the Town of Brewster, its officials, and employees and/or agents for any injury, accident, illness, or expense or claim of damage of any kind whether to person or property, which may occur as a result of the use of the library facilities by such persons or groups under their express, implied or apparent authority.
Revised on 2014 November 20 and approved by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association
6. Safe Child Policy
The Brewster Ladies’ Library strives to create a welcoming, educational, and safe environment for our youth. The library offers age-appropriate materials and programs as well as a knowledgeable, friendly staff that promotes a love of books, reading, and lifelong learning. The safety and welfare of every child is of the utmost importance and, to ensure this, the Brewster Ladies’ Library has established the following Safe Child Policy.
Parents & Caregivers
Children 10 years and under must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver at all times while using the Brewster Ladies’ Library. Parents and caregivers are responsible for the materials their children select. Parents who wish to monitor their children’s reading material should personally oversee their children’s selections. The Brewster Ladies’ Library offers Internet access. Parents and caregivers are responsible for supervising their children’s usage of the Internet.
Unattended Children
The safety of children left alone in the library is a serious concern. If children are found to be unattended, library staff will attempt to locate the caregiver within the building. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the Brewster Police Department will be contacted and asked to pick up the unattended child. The library staff is not responsible for supervising unattended children.
Parents should be aware of library hours. If at closing time, children 10 years and under are found to be without a caregiver present, the staff will make an effort to contact a caregiver for immediate pick-up. The library staff will not transport children. If arrangements cannot be made, the Brewster Police Department will be notified. Library staff will remain with the child until Brewster Police arrive.
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7. Teen Room Policy
The Teen Room at the Brewster Ladies’ Library provides a safe and welcoming environment for teens to gather, socialize, and use the library’s resources.
Use of the Room
The space is designed and intended exclusively for young adults between the ages of 12 and 18. All seating in the Teen Room is reserved for 12 to 18 year old patrons. An adult may accompany a young adult into the Teen Room for the purpose of assisting with any tasks. Materials in the Teen Room are selected for the young adult population but are available to all patrons. Any library patron may visit the Teen Room to find and select material for borrowing.
Use of Computers in the Teen Room
Teen Room computers are to be used only by patrons between the ages of 12 and 18. Computer use is limited to thirty minutes if other teen patrons are waiting. Food and drink are not permitted at computer stations. The library has a policy of open access; Internet sites and content are not restricted. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for establishing appropriate computer use guidelines and boundaries for young adults’ Internet use. Please protect your own privacy with safe computer and Internet practices.
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8. Collection Development Policy
9. Gift & Donation Policy
The Brewster Ladies Library Association (BLLA) welcomes the support of individuals, groups, and organizations through bequests, monetary donations, or other tangible assets. Such gifts do not take the place of public support, but help to further enhance library facilities, services, and collections. This policy governs gifts and donations to ensure they are consistent with the Association’s purpose and mission.
Types of Gifts
Donors may give:
Monetary gifts. The BLLA welcomes gifts of cash.
Real estate, securities, and other currency. The BLLA, with input from the Director, will review the suitability of the gift and the terms of acceptance consistent with the donor’s intent and applicable laws.
Materials. Gifts of books, collections of books, art, puzzles, and decorative objects or any other kind may be accepted by the BLLA with input from the Director. All materials are accepted with the donor’s understanding that the library shall handle or dispose of the gift in the best interests of the library.
Deaccessioning Gifts
The library has limited display and storage areas and prioritizes focus on its mission as a library.
Therefore, deaccessioning can occur when items no longer fit the library’s scope, are redundant, deteriorated, or have disproved provenance. Proceeds from sales of deaccessioned materials are generally used to support library acquisitions or collection development. Efforts will be made to research provenance, donor history and prospective recipients of gifts being considered for deaccessioning. If donors can be identified, the BLLA may notify them of the disposition of their gift and the reasoning behind the deaccessioning
Note: All non-cash gifts may be accepted and sold to generate revenue for library priorities. The BLLA reserves the right to refuse any gift or grant. The BLLA cannot guarantee that gifts upon acceptance will remain a permanent part of the collection or furnishings.
Acknowledgment
The BLLA approves all gifts, including named gifts, and the terms for their acceptance. All personal and financial information concerning a donor shall be treated as confidential, unless permission is given to share their name and contribution in various public ways.
Nothing is named in perpetuity. Named gifts are reviewed by the BLLA board and the director at the time of the donation and may be recommended to the Town of Brewster as appropriate.
Revised on 2025 October 16 and approved by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association