Ruth Keeler Memorial Library - Library Policies

Library Policies

Policies for use of the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library

The Board of Trustees of the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library finds that it is beneficial to the Library and the residents and civic organizations of the Town of North Salem and the North Salem Central School District to make the public spaces of the Library available for use.

The following Guidelines shall be adhered to by all residents and organizations wishing to use the Library's public spaces. Applications for use of the Library public spaces shall be made on forms prepared by the Library and all applications must be approved by the Library or its Designee prior to such use.

The Ruth Keeler Memorial Library has several public spaces available for community use. The Library Proper contains three public spaces and the Community Meeting Room is separate from the Library Proper and is suitable for small groups. The Library Grounds are not available for use as the Library leases its space from the Town of North Salem.

Use of the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library

I. Library Proper

A. Main Room - the area of the main floor between the stacks and computers, adult reading area and director's office. The Main Room contains a Viewing Screen, tables, chairs and a podium.

B. Children's Room - the Children's Room is separated by glass walls and doors from the Main Room.

C. Exhibit Wall - the Exhibit Wall is to the right of the service desk and is the first area seen as one enters the Library.

II. Community Meeting Room - the Community Meeting Room is separate and distinct from the Library Proper and has it's own entrance/exit. Use of the room is limited to use of the conference tables and chairs. The walls of the Community Meeting Room are restricted to uses of the Library.

The Library Proper

The Library Proper is to be used primarily for the programs sponsored or co-sponsored by the Library or Friends of the Library. When not needed for their use, it may be used for civic, educational or cultural meetings, events or displays sponsored by not-for-profit, non-profit, or civic organizations. The Library Proper may not be used for commercial, religious, or political purposes.

All users of the Library Proper are subject to the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Use is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority will be given to those organizations situated within the Town of North Salem and/or the North Salem Central School District.

The Community Room

The Library's Community Meeting Room is located in a wing of the Library separated from the Library Proper by a fire door. Access may be via the Library main entrance or by a separate doorway in the wing. This separate access allows use of the Community Meeting Room without granting access to the Library Proper. It also allows the Community Meeting Room to be in use while the Library is open to the public.

The Community Meeting Room is available to individuals residing in and/or organizations
situated in the Town of North Salem and/or the North Salem Central School District. Individuals and local organizations may use the Community Meeting Room on a first-come, first-served basis. No one individual/organization may reserve the room for more than two [2] consecutive meetings at one time. Use by any one individual/organization is also limited to no more than three [3] times during any one month.

Use of the Community Meeting Room must not disturb or disrupt Library services, nor interrupt the duties of the Library staff. Library personnel must have free access to the Community Meeting Room at all times.

Use of the Library's Public Spaces

The following General Guidelines shall apply to use of all Library public spaces, unless specifically limited.

The fact that a group or individual is granted permission to use one of the Library's public spaces shall not constitute a Library endorsement of that group's or individual's policies or beliefs.

All local, state and federal laws and ordinances and all rules of the police and fire departments regarding public assembly must be strictly obeyed.

The number of individuals allowed within the Library is governed by local ordinance and, for reasons of fire safety, the numbers may not be exceeded.

For the Main Room that number is 75
For the Children's Room 30
For the Community Meeting Room 15

All meetings using the Library Proper must be scheduled when the Library is not open, must be open to the public, and must be free, that is, no admission fee may be charged. However, contributions are allowed to the extent that such contribution covers the cost of materials furnished or refreshments served. "Membership fees," and "sale of promotional, educational and cultural materials of the sponsoring organization" are permitted only by non-profit, community service, and charitable organizations. Such activity must be declared on the application form and is subject to approval of the Library and/or its designee. The Library reserves the right to request a percentage of the profits of such charges; such percentage shall not exceed 20% and shall be agreed upon at the time of application.

No Library public spaces may be used for any commercial purposes.

Use of the Internet on Library Computers

To fulfill its mission of providing public access to information of all types in a wide range of formats, the Library provides access to Internet resources. In doing so, the Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed though the Internet and assumes responsibility only for the information provided on its home pages. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information. However, some information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated, or offensive to some individuals. A good information consumer must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of the information found.

Unattended Children

A responsible parent or caregiver must accompany any child under the age of ten in the library. A parent or caregiver must supervise any child under the age of ten using a computer with Internet access.

Exhibits and Displays

Exhibits and displays in the Library shall reflect the Library's role as an educational and cultural institution. The Library reserves the right to cancel any exhibit or display at any time.

The scheduling of exhibits and/or displays is the sole responsibility of the Library and its staff. The selection and arrangement of the exhibit and/or display may be subject to approval of the Library and/or its Designee.
Any individual, group or organization may apply to place an exhibit or display in the Library for the purpose of benefiting the residents of the community and patrons of the Library.
An Application is required for all exhibits and/or displays and is subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth for the use of the Library's public spaces.
Individuals and/or organizations are responsible for hanging their own displays.
The hanging of all displays must be approved by the Director before installation.
Nothing is to be mounted or attached to any other wall, cabinet, furniture, windows, doors, etc. of the Library without the express written approval of the Director.
Exhibits shall be hung and removed in accordance with the dates and times specified on the Application Form. Failure to comply with such time frames may result in removal of the display by the Library staff. The Library assumes no responsibility for the items at any time.
The Library does not provide any specific insurance for any display or exhibit items nor items in their care, custody and control.
The sale of Art or other items on exhibit or display at the Library by residents, groups, organizations and/or artists is subject to a commission to the Library of 20%. Such commission may be waived or reduced in the event the sale benefits another non-profit or not-for-profit organization. Such waiver or reduction is at the sole discretion of the Library or its Designee.

Library Sponsored and Co-Sponsored Events/Displays

The following apply to events/displays either sponsored or co-sponsored by the Library:

The Library reserves the right to request a percentage of profits from sales of exhibit or display materials.
The Library reserves the right to request a percentage of profits from sales of promotional, educational and cultural material sold by an individual or organization using the Library's public spaces.
The Library reserves the right to allow admission fees and request a percentage of such fees.
Authors and performers invited to appear at the Library who wish to sell their books, tapes, compact disks or other materials at said appearance may do so subject to an agreement that a specified percentage of the sales are to be donated to the Library pursuant to an arrangement made in advance by the Library or its designee. The applicant is solely responsible for collection and payment of sales tax, if applicable.

Materials Selection Policy

The Library selects materials for the entertainment and enlightenment of its community. Criteria include, but are not restricted to, community interests, literary interests, intellectual interests, history/current events, recreational interests and do-it-yourself.

We support the American Library Association Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statements on file in the Library.

Wireless Internet Policy

The Ruth Keeler Memorial Library provides wireless Internet connectivity for library patrons with Wireless enabled laptops. Patrons may be asked to present a library card from the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library to utilize this service.

By choosing to utilize this free, wireless service you agree to abide by the Library's Acceptable Use Policy that prohibits abusive or illegal activity while using the Library's Internet service.

Copies are available at the Library Information Desk and at the public access computer stations.

It is the responsibility of the user to understand this Acceptable Use Policy and his/her obligation to refrain from viewing inappropriate websites, spamming or any illegal activities.

Use of the wireless network is at your own risk and the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library is not responsible for any damage that may occur to your computer while connected.

Please be advised that:

Due to insurance limitations and warranties, library staff members cannot configure your laptop or install PCMCIA cards
The Library assumes no responsibility for any alterations or interference with a laptop's configuration, operation, or data files resulting from connection to the wireless network.
Virus and security protection is the user's responsibility. The Library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user's equipment, software, data files or other personal property brought into or used at the Library's facilities.
The Library cannot guarantee that the service will be available at any specific time.
Patrons shall defend, indemnify and hold the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, its officers, employees and agents harmless against all claims, actions, and judgments based upon or arising out of the patron's use of Library wireless connections.