Policies

How To Get A Library Card
You Will Need:

Two pieces of Identification with your name - one id must have your current address.
If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by your parent or
legal guardian
No Money - your first library card is free!

Applications are available at the Circulation Desk of the Main Library,
and at every Branch Library location.

Lost cards cost $1 to replace. Please report lost or stolen cards to the
Library as soon as possible.

How to get a Library Card

How Long You can Keep Materials Out

Fines,Renewals, and Returns
Overdue Fines, Renewing and Returning Materials

Overdue Fines:
Books, Magazines, Audio Books, CD's and Audio Cassettes
10¢ per day per item

ILL Fines
$.50 per day

Video Cassettes, DVDs and Programming Kits
DVD Limit 5
$1 per day per item

Renewals:
Books and audio materials may be renewed in person at any Library
location, or by phone. Call the Main Library at 521-3142, or phone
any Branch location to renew these materials over the phone.
Entertainment videos may not be renewed, but educational
videos may be. Call for more information.

Returning Materials:
All Library materials may be returned to any location, regardless of
where they were borrowed. Drop boxes are available at all locations.

Failure to return materials, pay for lost or damaged materials or
failure to settle fines will result in the loss of borrowing privileges.

The Internet

The Internet is an information resource beyond the confines of the Library's collection. The Internet contains some controversial material. Patrons are responsible for the choice of the sites they access and for using the resources appropriately. Parents of minor children are responsible for overseeing their child's use of the Internet through the Mansfield / Richland County Public Library. The Library encourages parents and children to read the pamphlet, "Child Safety on the Information Highway." The National Center for Missing and Exploited children and the Interactive Services Association produced this pamphlet. It is available at the Library

Security

The Library strictly prohibits any efforts to bypass the security of the library network and any other computer network connected with the Library. The Library will assist in investigations of any individuals who violate this policy.

Staff Assistance

Library staff will help patrons access the Library's electronic resources but cannot provide in-depth training. Staff may be able to offer searching suggestions and answer questions.

Limits

The Library does not assume liability for the reliability of the local network and the Internet. The Library does not assume liability for the content or accuracy of information found within.

Use Guidelines

Patrons are responsible for scrutinizing information on the Internet for reliability and point of view.

You must observe standard conventions for etiquette on the Internet.

Etiquette guidelines are available online at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/
You may not display sexually explicit graphics.
Informal conversation via the Internet, i.e.. chat rooms, is prohibited.
You may not use the Library computers for illegal purposes.
You may not use copyright-protected materials without proper authorization.
You must have a library card to sign up to use the computers. If others are waiting to use the computer, use is limited to 60 minutes per day.

The first five pages of printing from an Internet computer are free; after five pages, there will be a charge of 10¢ per page.

Patrons violating the guidelines will be asked to stop. If the violation continues, the patron will give up the right to use the computers.

Any issues not covered here fall under general library policy.

Inter Library Loan (ILL)

What is ILL?
ILL stands for Interlibrary Loan. Libraries borrow books from one another permitting patrons to use items not owned by their local Public Library. Mansfield/Richland County Public Library borrows books, videos, audio books, compact discs and audio cassettes from libraries throughout the United States.

How does ILL work?
You may request up to 3 titles at a time from any public service desk at the Main Library or at any Branch Library location. You will be asked to fill out an ILL request card with your name, address, phone number and library bar code.. It is helpful to know the title and author of the work you are requesting, but not always necessary.

How long does it take?
An ILL request usually takes from 2 to 4 weeks to arrive, depending upon the availability of the item.

How will I know the material is at the Library?
You will receive a notification. The item will be held for you at the Circulation Desk of the Main Library, or sent to the Branch location of your choice.

When and where do I return it?
Return your ILL material to any of our Library locations, on or before the date shown on the yellow sheet attached to the front cover.

May I renew ILL materials?
Inter Library Loan materials may not be renewed. However, you may request the item again.

How much does it cost?
The ILL service is free, but a fine of 50¢ per day will be charged if the materials are overdue.

Rules and Regulations for
Public Behavior in the Library
The Board of Library Trustees is responsible for determining the rules for public behavior in the library necessary:

To protect the rights of individuals to use library materials and services.
To protect the rights of library employees and volunteers to conduct library business without interference.
To ensure the use of the buildings, materials, and services by the greatest number of individuals.
To preserve those materials and facilities from harm.
To ensure the safety of library patrons, employees, and volunteers.
The Board authorizes the director or his designee to revoke or restrict library privileges of any individual who behaves contrary to these rules. The Board also authorizes the director to file charges against individuals who continually transgress these rules.

The rules for public behavior are listed below. Security guards and other employees are authorized to bring to an individual's attention any act or omission which violates these rules and detracts from the decorum of the library. Such an individual will be asked to change his behavior to conform to the rules. If such change is not evident or forthcoming that individual will be asked to leave the library building and library property. If the individual does not leave on his own accord, police may be called for assistance.

Depending on the severity of the misbehavior, individuals who have been asked to leave the building and property may be barred from returning to the library. Individuals who have been barred may be asked to talk to the director or his designee before being readmitted. Juveniles will be asked to bring a parent or guardian to such a conference.

Any misconduct that hinders use of the library or library materials is prohibited. Such misconduct might include but is not limited to:

Loud or boisterous behavior.
Conversation that is disturbing to other individuals or employees.
Profanity or other abusive language toward other individuals or toward employees.
Possessing any weapon on library property except those in the possession of safety forces. Weapons may include but are not limited to firearms and other forms of dangerous ordnance.
Abusing library furniture, equipment, or materials.
Running in a library facility.
Harassing others, either verbally or through actions. Harassment may include initiating unwanted conversations, impeding ingress to or egress from the building, etc.
Fighting on library property.
Using tobacco in any form while inside a library building.
Possessing, selling, or using alcoholic beverages or illegal substances on library property.
Eating or drinking in a library building, except for groups that are using meeting rooms and have properly requested the available kitchen facilities.
Sleeping in a library building.
Buying or selling of any kind, or soliciting for personal gain or charitable purposes.
Using radios, tape players, or other personal listening equipment at a level that can be heard by other individuals.
Skateboarding anywhere on library property.
Distributing literature, taking surveys, or asking individuals or employees to sign petitions or similar activities.
Bringing animals other than guide dogs and the like into a library building.
Not wearing a shirt or shoes.
Using the emergency exits at times other than during an emergency.
The library reserves the right to limit the number of individuals who may sit together.

The library reserves the right to inspect all bags, purses, briefcases, packs, personal listening equipment, etc. for library materials.

Boom boxes, skateboards, basketballs, or other athletic equipment may not be brought into library buildings.

The above rules are based on powers granted to a library board of trustees under Ohio Statutory and Case Law to operate a public building. They will be posted prominently in each library location.

An Incident Report must be completed by any staff member involved with patrons who, because of the severity of their infraction of the above rules, have been asked to leave a library building.

Unattended Child Policy

The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming, exciting and safe environment for people of all ages. Sharing this environment with other people requires that all follow the Rules for Public Behavior on Library Property established by the Board of Library Trustees and posted in each library building.

The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library wants children to use its facilities and services. Children in the library should always be accompanied by a parent / guardian or assigned caregiver.

When children are left alone they may become frightened or anxious. If they wander through the building they may encounter hazards such as stairs, doors, furniture or electrical equipment. They may also become bored and restless and could disturb the enjoyment and work of others.

The safety of children left alone in a library building is a serious concern of the library staff. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the library rests with the parent / caregiver and not with library personnel. Librarians cannot be responsible for children who are unattended or demonstrating inappropriate behavior. The following guidelines will be followed concerning the care and behavior of young users:

Children from birth through age 6 must have a parent / caregiver in the immediate vicinity of the child. The assigned caregiver must be at least 10 years old and must carry emergency contact information. An exception would be children ages 4 and 5 attending a story time or to her library program without a parent/caregiver in the room. However, the parent / caregiver must remain in the library building and immediately join the child at the end of the program.

If a child in this age group is found unattended, library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the library and inform him/her of the rules. If the parent / caregiver cannot be found, or if the child is found unattended again, the police will be called to come pick up the child.

If a child in this age group violates the Rules for Public Behavior, the child and the parent/caregiver will be informed of the ruled. If inappropriate behavior continues, the family may be asked to leave the library.

Children ages 7 through 12 may use the library on their own. However, parents are still responsible for the actions of their child(ren). Children using inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the library. If a child of this age group is not able to leave the library without an adult, he/she should not be in the library. This is of particular concern in inclement weather and after dark. All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.

Young people ages 13 through 17 are treated as adult users. However, they are still legally the responsibility of their parents and should have an emergency contact available.

Closing Time:
Children up to age thirteen who do not have transportation home at closing time will be asked for telephone numbers of people who can pick them up at the Library. If transportation is not available within 30 minutes of closing, the police will be asked to pick up the child(ren).

Collection Development Policy

I.  Mission of the Library and of Collection Development

Mission Statement
The purpose of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library is to select, maintain, and make available those resources, in a variety of formats, which serve the public’s educational, informational, recreational and cultural needs.

Purpose of the Collection Within the Context of the Mission
A library is identified and defined principally by its holdings of materials and information resources.  The Library acts to fulfill its mission by selecting, acquiring, organizing, preserving, maintaining and providing access to a collection of materials (both print and nonprint) and electronic resources that address the interests and needs of the members of the community.

II.  Purpose of the Collection Development Policy
This formal policy serves several vital purposes.

• Guides staff in making decisions about the selection, management, and preservation of library materials and in allocating library budgets;

• Informs the public of the principles that govern collection development at Mansfield/Richland County Public Library (M/RCPL) and;

• Constitutes a public declaration of the Library’s commitment to the principles of free access to ideas and information and to providing collections that reflect a variety of viewpoints.

III.  General Principles of Collection Development
Collection development at Mansfield/Richland County Public Library is founded on the principles of intellectual freedom, equal access for all and the preservation of a documentary record of culture.  The Library provides a collection that balances viewpoints across a broad spectrum of opinion and subject matter in formats suitable to a variety of learning and recreational interests and skills.  Using selection practices that are flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the community, the Library builds and maintains collections for the general public while recognizing the needs of special population groups.

Intellectual Freedom
The Library makes available a wide diversity of ideas and viewpoints in support of an informed citizenry and a democratic society.  The Library supports the individual choice and judgment of its users in seeking information, and upholds the freedom of library users to read, view and listen.
Decisions to select or retain an item are based on the merits of each work or information source as it relates to the goals and coverage of the collection.  The Library considers the value of each item in its entirety and within the context of the collection, not on specific passages or sections in the item itself.  Materials are not marked, labeled or set apart in such as way as to show approval or disapproval of content.  Materials are not excluded, removed, banned or suppressed because of their creators’ origin, background or views, or because they represent a particular aspect of life, frankness of expression or controversial subject matter.  Selection of materials for adults is not constrained by possible exposure to children or teens.  Responsibility for children’s use of library collections rests with their parents, guardians and/or caregivers. 

Inclusion of an item does not constitute endorsement of its content by the Library Board.

Access
The Library makes its collections available to all.  However, not all library materials can be made immediately accessible at all locations within the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library system.  Selectors decide how many copies to buy and where to locate them by considering anticipated demand, the interests of local library users, physical space limitations and available budgets.  Main Library, with its larger collection and retrospective and specialized holdings, serves as a resource for the branches.

M/RCPL is committed to the expeditious delivery of materials and information to its users.  Some library materials, however, may be subject to use limitations due to consideration of rarity, exceptional levels of demand, cost, physical condition and permanent value of their information content.  Immediate availability may also be affected by storage limitations.  Efforts will be made to provide access to materials and information beyond the immediate premises of a library agency or beyond the holdings of its collection, by means of regularly scheduled delivery of materials systemwide, holds/reserves, referrals, statewide resource sharing, interlibrary loans, online searching, provision of licensed electronic resources and access to the Internet.  In all these efforts, M/RCPL will operate within the provisions of United States copyright law.

The advent and expansion of electronic and Internet information resources pose challenges for the future of library collections and the information needs of the public.  Many materials once available in print are now also being produced in electronic format.  Some are now available solely through the Internet or proprietary database products.  Providing access to electronic resources is an integral part of the Library’s collection development efforts.

The Library recognizes the importance of a collection that reflects the past as well as the present.  To achieve this, M/RCPL strives to preserve items of permanent or long-standing value.  Working within financial limitations and the challenges posed by deterioration of materials, the Library develops programs and procedures to insure the preservation of the documentary memory of the community.

IV.  Responsibility for Collection Development
Collection development is a process guided through all its stages by the expertise and judgment of librarians.  Ultimate responsibility for the direction, purpose and scope of collection development rests with the Board of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.  The Library Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the policy and delegates this professional responsibility through the Collection Development Coordinator and designated selectors.

V.  Audience and Roles
The Library’s community is diverse, consisting of individuals of various ages, races, faiths, levels of education, incomes, sexual orientations, political viewpoints, ethnic backgrounds and languages spoken.  As a county district library, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library’s primary service area is Richland County, exclusive of the Shelby School District.  Since Mansfield is the largest city in a 50-mile radius, M/RCPL attracts a secondary clientele from the five surrounding counties and the City of Shelby.  Any resident of the State of Ohio may borrow materials from Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.  Use of the collection within the Library is not limited by place of residence.  M/RCPL is an active participant in statewide resource sharing and in interlibrary loan in accordancewith OCLC and ALA standard practices.

The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library meets the needs of its diverse community with physical collections, electronic resources and referrals that emphasize:

• Early literacy and other initiatives for young children
• One-on-one literacy tutoring for adult new readers
• Supplemental resources to support students at all levels of formal education
• Lifelong learning for adults
• Recreational reading, listening and viewing for all ages
• General research, especially in areas of local or regional interest or subjects in high demand
• Artistic and creative resources
• Occupational and professional development materials
• The particular or specific needs of identified populations of users

The focus of each library location varies depending upon the needs of its local community.  All locations support the operations of the library system with their services and collections.

VI.  Content and Scope of Collection Development at M/RCPL
Mansfield/Richland County Public Library’s main and branch libraries plus interagency partnerships at the local and state level contribute to a rich mixture of resources and information for library users.

Main Library serves as headquarters for the county system and as a community library for people who live and/or work in downtown Mansfield.  Main houses the core collection and offers the most comprehensive array of both circulating and non-circulating materials.  It has the system’s most in-depth reference collection, including books, microforms and databases.  Main’s collection also supports M/RCPL’s literacy program for adult new readers, services to individuals with vision or hearing impairments, and delivery services to homebound individuals, assisted living centers and nursing homes.

The Sherman Room at Main focuses on the history of the City of Mansfield, Richland County and the State of Ohio.  Its collection of local newspaper backfiles, school yearbooks, city and county directories, local government and census data, cemetery records, genealogical resources and works by local authors, including the papers of John Sherman, define its role as the collective memory of the community.

Branch library collections are designed primarily to serve users in the community that directly surrounds each library.  Branch library collections contain chiefly current, general interest materials on a variety of subjects for all ages.  Each community’s branch collection varies in size, scope and depth according to its patterns of use, the expressed needs of the community and the space limitations of the facility.
 
The Library participates in cooperative agreements to further expand the range of its resources.  Locally M/RCPL provides the Information Line of Richland County in partnership with Richland County Job & Family Services.  The Library’s online public access catalog includes the holdings of the Kingwood Center Library.  M/RCPL’s website hosts a community cultural calendar developed by the Library and local Arts Council. 

State and national affiliations also enhance service to library users.  Mansfield/Richland County Public Library is a depository library for municipal, county and state government documents as well as federal census documents.   The Grant Center within Main Library’s reference collection is one of ten Foundation Center cooperative collections in Ohio providing information and educational services about philanthropic resources to grant-seeking individuals and nonprofit organizations.  M/RCPL is a sublending agency for the Library of Congress Talking Book Program.  The library website connects local users to statewide library resources including Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) electronic resources and KnowItNow, the 24/7 live reference service that is a joint project of The State Library of Ohio and local public libraries around the state.

VII.  Collection Management
Selection Sources
A wide variety of sources may be consulted when making selection decisions, for example: customer recommendations or requests; critical reviews; awards and honors lists; publisher or vendor catalogs; and promotional information.

Selection Criteria
Librarians/selectors use their subject knowledge and expertise in combination with criteria including, but not limited to those listed below (not in priority order) to select and evaluate collection items. Gifts and purchases are held to the same standard.  An item need not meet all criteria to be selected.

General Criteria

• Format or physical form suitable for library use and reflecting customer preferences
• Cost relative to the value the item contributes to the collection
• Space required relative to the value the item contributes to the collection
• The extent to which the item supplements, expands on, or supports the existing collection, rather than duplicates it
• Relevance to observed and anticipated community needs and desires
• Reputation and qualifications of the author, creator or publisher of the work
• Local significance of the author or creator of the work

Content Criteria

• Comprehensiveness of treatment, including breadth and depth
• Skill and purpose of the author or creator
• Consideration of the work as a whole, rather than a specific passage or passages
• Evaluation of the currency and accuracy of the information contained, to the extent that is possible
• Representation of diverse points of view
• Representation of important movements, subjects, genres or trends of local, regional or national significance
• Long-term or historical significance or interest
• Relevance of the information to immediate local requirements

Additional considerations may apply to the selection of electronic resources.

• Ease of use of the product
• Accessibility to multiple users
• Access to needed equipment
• Enhancement of the print equivalent (if any), in terms of speed, flexibility, combinations of search terms, or general utility
• Continued access to retrospective information when necessary or desirable
• Reduction of space requirements over print products
• Reduction in number of copies of a print source when purchased for multiple locations

The Library gratefully accepts gifts of money and materials under the circumstances outlined below.

The Library accepts donations of materials that are in good condition if deemed valuable to the collection.  The Library reserves the right to make final disposition of all gifts received.  Gifts may be added to the collection or rejected at the discretion of the Library.  Gift materials not added to the collection are not returned to the donor.  Unused gifts may be given to the Friends of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library for public sale or disposed of in some other way.

The Library will, if requested, provide a written acknowledgement of the receipt of gift, but in accordance with income tax regulations, will leave the determination of the value of the material to the donor.

Gift collections will be accepted only by the Director, with the counsel of the Collection Development Coordinator as appropriate, with the understanding that the collection may not be kept intact or retained forever.

The Library accepts monetary gifts intended for the purchase of library materials.  Consideration will be given to the interests of the donor or honoree.  The Library reserves the right to make the ultimate selection decision based on its needs and consistent with the criteria in this policy.

Substantial cash offerings, securities, endowments and bequests will be handled by the Director, who, with the Board of Trustees, will work out terms of acceptance that are in agreement with the Library’s needs and policies, the donor’s intent and applicable laws.

The Library views any decision to retain or preserve as another type of selection choice.  Applying the same criteria used to select new materials, the Library retains or preserves materials of long-standing value to its mission and collections.

Retention and preservation decisions regarding items in the collection are the responsibility of the Director and delegated to the Collection Development Coordinator and designated professional staff.

Condition, content, inherent value and use are the primary criteria used to determine the continued retention of materials in the collection.  Many materials do not withstand the test of time and repeated handling.  Likewise, many fields of knowledge are drastically altered by new discoveries and changes in culture.  As demand declines, the Library selectively removes multiple copies, making exceptions for areas of special importance to the overall collection.  The Library also removes worn, damaged and obsolete materials that cannot be repaired and are no longer usable.  An item that is damaged or lost may be replaced if it is deemed still useful and is still available for purchase.

The Library takes appropriate action to preserve those materials that cannot be replaced, but that continue to have long-standing or permanent significance to the overall collection.  The Library may use a variety of means to preserve such materials, including but not limited to replacement of content through purchase of another edition, rebinding and use restriction.  The Library also encourages preservation of materials by educating the public and staff about care of materials and by instituting procedures for proper handling and storage of materials.

Evaluation techniques are used to measure collection usefulness in terms of scope and depth, as well as strengths and weaknesses.  Measures and evaluation techniques used by library staff may include, but are not limited to:

• Age and condition of items in the collection
• Comparison of the collection with accepted core collection lists
• Frequency of holds and interlibrary loan requests
• Circulation
• Relevance to observed and anticipated community needs and desires
• Long-term or historical significance or interest
• Compliance with collection-related Standards for Public Library Service in Ohio

Library users occasionally express concern about titles that have been selected for oromitted from the collection.  Persons registering strong concernregarding a book, dvd, compact disc, or other item may complete the form “Statement of Concern About Mansfield/Richland County Public Library Resources.”  The Library, upon receipt of the completed form, reviews the item for inclusion in the collection in light of the Library’s mission and overall objectives, its Collection Development Policy, the Library Bill of Rights, and ALA guidelines on intellectual freedom.

This Collection Development Policy is subject to change without notice.