Library Policies
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 and approved by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association on April 13, 2018.
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 by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association in December 2018.
3. Patron Behavior Policy
The Brewster Ladies’ Library provides a comprehensive variety of resources, services, and programs for personal improvement, cultural enrichment, and community engagement to patrons of all ages in a clean, safe and welcoming environment. The Library is intended for use to the fullest extent by all members of the public. To maintain this environment and protect the rights of all patrons, volunteers, and staff the Library Board of Directors has adopted the following rules and regulations for appropriate library use and behavior.
General Rules of Conduct
In general patrons should demonstrate consideration and respect for other patrons and library staff by observing the following:
Dress appropriately for a public place. Shirts and footwear are required.
Behave appropriately for a public place. Sleeping, personal grooming, sexual conduct, lewdness and other disrespecting behaviors reduce the safety and cleanliness of the library for all and are not acceptable.
Be considerate of other patrons when using the restroom. These spaces cannot accommodate laundry washing, personal grooming, time-consuming rituals, or extended socialization.
Eating and drinking should be kept to areas designated for these activities. Please use our trash cans when you finish eating and drinking.
Exercise responsibility for any personal property. Library staff cannot monitor personal property and suggest that you store or secure your items off-site before visiting the library. Any items brought into the Library should be stored out of way of other patrons (e.g. aisles) and should not be left unattended.
Animals must be under the control of the owner/caregiver at all times. Animals exhibiting unclean, unsafe, destructive, or disruptive behaviors cannot remain in the library.
Be mindful of others’ use of the library by limiting your creation (including those from devices) of noises, visual displays, or odors.
Treat other patrons and staff with courtesy and respect the privacy of other patrons.
Prohibited Behaviors
Violations of any local, state or federal law.
Any activity or behavior that is disruptive to the library environment or infringes on the rights and abilities of other patrons to use, access, or otherwise take advantage of Library materials, resources, and services is strictly prohibited. This also includes but is not limited to abusive language, hate speech, verbally or physically harassing, threatening, or bullying any staff member or patron, or displaying unwanted attention toward another person.
Bringing guns, weapons or harmful chemicals into the Library.
Vandalism, defacement, or deliberate destruction or theft of library property or the personal property of other patrons or staff members.
Using or selling tobacco or cannabis products, electronic smoking devices, alcohol, or illegal drugs; being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
Panhandling, loitering, and unauthorized soliciting of any kind are prohibited. This includes the soliciting of money or signatures as well as conducting surveys or distributing pamphlets and information not approved by the library.
Failure of parent or legal guardian to supervise a child that is disturbing others or damaging library property. See Policy #6, Safe Child Policy.
Quiet areas cannot accommodate cell phone conversations. Brief conversations are encouraged in other spaces and extended phone conversations can happen in the front lobby or outside the building.
Enforcement of Policy
The library director or library staff are responsible for addressing disruptive behaviors and policy violations. When a patron violates a policy and/or engages in a behavior that interferes with the use of the library by other patrons or staff, the following actions may be taken:
Patron will be issued a verbal warning to cease the behavior and will be clearly informed of the policy.
Patron will be issued a second verbal warning to cease the behavior and will be given a printed copy of the policy.
If the behavior continues, the patron will be asked to leave the premises and their library privileges will be suspended for a specified period of time commensurate with the infraction.
Warnings will generally be issued, however, that may not always be the case depending upon the nature and severity of the infraction. This policy serves as adequate notice. Violations that result in the restriction or termination of library use and privileges for over a month may be appealed in writing to the Library Board of Directors. Additional disciplinary actions may include:
A request for the patron to immediately leave the premises.
The Brewster Police may be notified if a patron refuses to vacate.
Serious violations of policy may also result in:
The alerting of authorities to aid in addressing the disruptive behavior and/or removing the patron from the premises.
The issue of a trespass notice for a specified term commensurate with the infraction. Trespass orders are filed with and enforced by the Brewster Police. Permanent “No Trespass” orders may be issued in consultation with Public Safety officials and the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association Board.
Communications with parents/guardians when a minor receives a written warning or “No Trespass” order. “No Trespass” orders for minors may permit use of the library for school purposes when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Brewster Ladies’ Library is for everyone. We appreciate your cooperation with all Library policies in order to ensure that the Library is a welcoming and safe place to visit and that all who use these facilities receive respectful treatment.
Approved by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association on September 21, 2023; amended on August 15, 2024.
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 by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association on June 16, 2011.
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 and approved by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association on November 20, 2014.
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.
Undated.
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.
Undated.
8. Collection Development Policy
Note: This document is available for download in its entirety (with all appendices and footnotes) as a PDF file.
Mission Statement and Collection Goals
The Library’s mission is 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 of the community.
The collection of materials and resources is consistent with our mission and is maintained to enable each individual to choose materials and information according to their own free choice.
The collection as a whole is diverse and represents as many viewpoints as possible. Please note that the selection of materials does not represent an endorsement of the contents or the views expressed in those materials.
Fundamental to the BLL collection policy is the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights which includes but is not limited to the following:
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services:
Books and other library resources shall be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
Libraries shall provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
Libraries shall challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
Libraries shall cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
Please see Appendix (pages 9-17) for all the ALA’s policies to which the Brewster Ladies’ Library fully subscribes.
Selection Criteria
Selection and management of all library materials in the library’s physical and digital collections are the responsibility of the appropriate, trained, professional library staff members. Library staff shall select a wide variety of diverse library materials reflecting many points of view, for patrons of all ages. The collection will reflect a balance of current, popular titles with a core collection of recognized works in a variety of subjects. Selection of any given book or material is not to be interpreted as an endorsement of the views expressed therein.
The following criteria is considered for the selection of all library materials (including but not limited to books, magazines, eBooks, audiobooks, eAudio books, DVDs, video games, music, and databases):
Timeliness (current general interest on international, national, and or local level)
Well-reviewed by reliable, well-known review sources
Permanent or continuing value as a standard work
Literary merit, artistic merit, or scholarly merit
In keeping with library’s mission
Need in relation to the scope of the rest of the library’s collection
Provides a wide range of points of view on a subject
Availability of the same or similar material in CLAMS network or Inter-Library Loan
Space considerations
Interests of the Brewster Community
This Policy on Library Materials Selection is pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 78, Section 33, As Amended — and Reconsideration 1.
Deselection Procedures
Library staff maintains a quality library collection by routinely replacing and removing materials that are damaged, out of date or are no longer in demand, and to make space for new materials. Some older materials that cannot be replaced remain in the collection, but most of these materials are sold in the library book sale, discarded, or otherwise disposed of at the discretion of library staff.
Patron Requests
Library patrons can request specific items not in the library collection by filling out a Request for Purchase Form (Appendix A, page 7). Library staff will evaluate whether the item requested fits the criteria set forth in this policy and its availability and cost before deciding whether or not to make the purchase. The final decision for purchase of library items is always decided by library staff.
Reconsideration Process
The Brewster Ladies’ Library is committed to following the values of the library profession as set forth by the ALA. These values include equity, diversity and inclusion, social responsibility, and lifelong learning. The Brewster Ladies’ Library recognizes and affirms all the community members it serves regardless of heritage, education, beliefs, race, income, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical or mental capabilities. The Brewster Ladies’ Library understands that an acceptance of differences can place individual and collective values in conflict. Nevertheless, the Library is committed to fostering an environment of understanding and respect. The Brewster Ladies’ Library strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for people to explore ideas that differ from their own and gain new knowledge. The Library makes diversity a priority in developing and curating its collections.
Just because the Brewster Ladies’ Library has a particular material, does not mean the library endorses that material’s particular belief or view. Materials that may be viewed as offensive or unpopular to some could be important or necessary to others. The library does not restrict material use by age, and recognizes the parent, guardian, or caregiver as the responsible party for deciding what is appropriate for their child to be reading or viewing. The selection of material is not dependent on the possibility of a child obtaining or viewing it.
A patron who objects to an item in the collection may submit a Reconsideration Request of Library Materials Form (Appendix B, page 8) to the Brewster Ladies’ Library Association. For the reconsideration to be considered the complaining party must be fully identified on the form, have a working CLAMS card, and the full form must be completed in its entirely.
The Brewster Ladies’ Library Association Board will review any challenges at a regularly scheduled Brewster Ladies’ Library Association Board meeting. The Brewster Ladies’ Library Association Board may solicit advice from other library directors and other library Boards, the ALA office of Intellectual Freedom, the Massachusetts Library Association Intellectual Freedom Social Responsibilities Committee, and legal counsel. The Brewster Ladies’ Library Association Board will make a timely decision within a written report. The challenged material will remain in the library’s collection and no action to remove it will be taken until a final decision is made in the Board’s Report to do so, if that is what is decided.
The library reports all written requests for reconsideration to the MA Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee and to the American Library Association.
This document is available for download in its entirety (with all appendices and footnotes) as a PDF file.
Approved by the Board of Directors of the Brewster Ladies’ Library on October 20, 2022.
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.
10. Social Media Policy
The Brewster ladies Library seeks to keep residents and visitors informed and up to date with what’s new and exciting at the library. This includes notices of new books, programs and services as well as other local items of interest. The library uses social media outlets in this effort to publicize them as well as promote a sense of community among our patrons. These outlets include but may not be limited to Facebook, Instagram, and X.
We welcome comments, posts and messages from our patrons and followers, but note that posts will be monitored on a routine basis by library staff for content, relevance, and appropriateness. The library may fact check, delete comments and ban or block users who violate our policies or post comments that:
are offensive, obscene, racist, prejudiced or hateful;
are personal attacks, insults, or threats;
are spam, including but not limited advertisements, promotions, and solicitations and disinformation. In order to promote healthy dialogue, we request that all comments remain on topic;
are plagiarized or protected by copyright;
include private, personal information published without consent;
include libelous or slanderous statements ;
include material including hyperlinks that is off topic or inappropriate; or
include photos or other images that fall in any of the above categories.
Users should have no expectation of privacy in posting on the Library’s sponsored social media sites. The Library reserves the right to reproduce comments, posts, messages and pictures in other public venues.
Please note that social media sites have their own policies regarding privacy and use.
The Brewster Ladies Library and the Brewster Ladies Library Association assume no liability regarding any event or interaction that may arise out of posted content. The Library does not endorse or review content outside the “pages” created by the BLL or BLLA. Posting on the library’s social media sites implies agreement with all library policies. Posting on the library social media sites constitutes agreement to comply with this policy. The library is not responsible for enforcing any restrictions which a parent or guardian may place on a minor’s use of social media sites.
The role and utility of the social media sites is periodically reviewed and may be terminated at any time without notice to subscribers.
Approved by the Board of the Brewster Ladies’ Library on November 21, 2024.
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