Administration

1. Gifts and Donations City Code 3-5-2
3-5-2 : GIFTS, DONATIONS: The City hereby accepts all gifts and donations of books and equipment heretofore made for the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library, with grateful thanks to the donors both of books and time, and it is ordained that such books and equipment, together with such additions as may be made from time to time, shall constitute and form the books and equipment of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library. (1970)

2. Special Gifts and Donations Account
1. Special Gifts and Donations
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 2:52pm.
SPECIAL GIFTS AND DONATIONS

The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library Board desires to encourage widespread support of the Public Library ideal. It accedes to a solid community service to Kleberg County and the surrounding area. It is understood that special gifts and donations should not take the place of local government support or cost efficient use of current income, but should be made to enable the Public Library to provide and enhance services in ways not financially possible within the current annual operating budget. The gifts toward which this policy is directed may include bequests in wills, charitable remainder trusts, transfer of property, life income gifts, assignment of life insurance, and other annuities.

2. Purpose
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 2:53pm.
PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish proper handling procedures for receipt, management, and disposition of funds or other properties received by the Public Library. The Library Director will place funds received in a special dual control account accessible and one other designated Library Board member.

3. Board Responsibilities
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 2:54pm.
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The Library Board of Trustees shall be responsible for educating the community regarding planned giving, for authorizing disposition of gifts received according to these policies, and for overseeing the prudent management of the Special Gifts and Donations Account of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library.

4. Receipt of Gifts and Donations
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 2:55pm.
RECEIPT OF GIFTS AND DONATIONS

Unless otherwise stated, all funds received as donations, special gifts, memorial gifts, bequests, and other gifts, will be designated as "special gifts and donations" pending the authorized disposition of such through the Library Board of Trustees and under the provisions of this policy. All gifts received in forms of property other than cash which cannot be used by the Public Library will be converted to cash at their fair market value as soon as is practicable. The Public Library reserves the right to refuse any gift.

5. Changes and Amendments
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 2:58pm.
CHANGES AND AMENDMENTS

New concepts, changing times, and unusual circumstances may dictate desirable changes in the Special Gifts and Donations Policy sometime in the future. However, the Special Gifts and Donations Policy shall be designated as inviolate for a period of one (1) year from the date of its establishment or amendment. Any change after that time shall require approval at two-(2) consecutive regular Library Board of Trustees meetings with the pre-announced agenda of the specific proposal.

6. Accountability
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:00pm.
ACCOUNTABILITY

The financial status and any pertinent information regarding the Special Gifts and Donations Account will be reported by the Library Director to the Library Board of Trustees at the regularly scheduled quarterly library board meetings.

7. Designated Gifts
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:01pm.
DESIGNATED GIFTS

If a testator's will, or the instructions accompanying other special gifts designates a particular purpose for which the gift is to be used, the gift will, so far as is practicable, be used in accordance with such designation. The Library Board of Trustees shall approve all dispositions of such designated gifts. The Library Director in consultation with the library staff, shall have prepared an up to date list of projects and equipment of varying costs as suggestions for such gifts. If the designated purpose has already been achieved, or is otherwise not a practicable use of the gift, then the Library Board of Trustees will, on advice of legal counsel, take whatever action is deemed necessary in the particular situation.

8. Undesignated Gifts
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:01pm.
UNDESIGNATED GIFTS

The Library encourages undesignated donations, special gifts, memorial gifts, bequests, and other gifts. Upon recommendation of the Library Director and approval of the Library Board of Trustees, funds received as undesignated gifts will be placed in deposit in the Library's Special Gifts and Donations Account.

9. Assets
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:02pm.
ASSETS

The Special Gifts and Donations Account will consist of funds from donations, special gifts, memorial and other gifts, designated bequests, and funds realized from disposition of undesignated gifts and bequests.

10. Administration
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:03pm.
ADMINISTRATION

The Library Director will be responsible for administering and verifying the receipt and disbursement of funds of the Special Gifts and Donations Account. All decisions of the Library Director are subject to the approval of the Library Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall oversee the libraries Gifts and Donations Account, and in conjunction with the Library Director, shall be responsible for periodically reviewing and auditing the account.

11. Dissolution
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:03pm.
DISSOLUTION

In the event of the dissolution of the Public Library, the assets of the Special Gifts and Donations shall become the property of both the City of Kingsville and Kleberg County or its legal successor.

3. Patron Complaints
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:05pm.
PATRON COMPLAINT POLICY



Policy: A complaint made by a library patron concerning staff, library facilities, services, materials or exhibits will be treated courteously and professionally. Staff will treat a complaint as a legitimate expression of dissatisfaction and respond appropriately while complying with all library policies. When a person reports a complaint, staff will advise patron of library policy. If patron is not satisfied with a staff response, advise the patron of the Library's Patron Complaint Form. Library staff is not expected to endure verbal or physical abuse by a library patron. (See Library Staff: General Policies and Procedures - Patron Library Complaints)



Patron Complaint Report Form: The "Patron Complaint Report Form" will be referred to the Library Director. All written complaints by patrons will be kept on file. Patrons submitting "Patron Complaint Report Form" for Library Director action will receive a written response within a reasonable time. If patron is not satisfied with the Director's decision, patron may appeal to the Library's Board of Trustees for further recourse.

4. Reconsideration of Library Material(s)
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:07pm.
RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIAL(S) POLICY



Policy: The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials is not made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in the library's selection policy. (See appendices 4, 11, & 12) If a patron objects to any library material, listen calmly and courteously to the complaint, advise the patron of the library's "Reconsideration of Library Materials Form." Handle the complaint according to established rules and treat the patron with courtesy.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form: The "Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Form" will be reviewed by the Library Director first and then referred to the Acquisitions' Librarian for adult materials or the Children's Services Librarian for juvenile materials for appropriate action. Patrons submitting "Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form" for Library Director action will receive a written response within a reasonable time. If patron is not satisfied with the Director's decision, patron may appeal to the Library's Board of Trustees for further recourse.

5. Displays and Exhibits
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:09pm.
DISPLAY POLICY: The Kleberg Public Library welcomes the opportunity to allow community groups, organizations, or individuals to use the various display areas of the library. Space is provided for displays of an educational, cultural, civic, or recreational nature, rather than for commercial purposes. The display must be judged appropriate. The Library Director will make the final decision as to the suitability of a display. Acceptance of a display by the Kleberg Public Library does not constitute an endorsement by the library of the group's or individual's policies or beliefs. (See appendix 6)

Areas available to the public for display are: (1) the display case, (2) the easel at the Front entrance, (3) and the easel at the Patio entrance.

The displays will be scheduled through the Circulation Office of the Kleberg Public Library and will be on a first-come first-serve basis.

It is the responsibility of the displayer to set up and remove the displays. Displays and exhibits will be scheduled for a period of one calendar month to begin with the first working day of the month and end with the last working day of the month. The Library Director must approve exceptions. Publicity for the display is also the responsibility of the displayer.

The library does not carry insurance on, and is not responsible for, any items owned by the displayer. The library will not provide storage for the property of organizations or individuals displaying in the library. All displayers are required to sign the attached form, which releases the library from any responsibility for displayed items.

6. Bulletin Boards and Announcements
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:10pm.
POLICY: The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library maintains several bulletin boards throughout the library. In its capacity as a public institution, the library displays announcements on educational, cultural, and recreational activities for the community. Because the needs of the library are first and foremost, the dissemination of information on library materials and services has priority access to bulletin board space. Any remaining space on bulletin boards is Available for use by the public. The following guidelines govern such use:


1. The event publicized should be for an educational, cultural, civic, or recreational purpose. Event which will not be publicized include those which are for commercial purposes (including money-raising events by individuals or groups such as bake sales and garage sales) or for any purpose which furthers an individual's goals.

2. The event must be open to all citizens in the community free of charge.

3. Posters and announcements must relate directly to the event scheduled. Posters outside of events listed in item one (1) are not permissible. (Examples: fund raising posters, promotions related to political campaigns, etc.).

4. Posters and announcements must be smaller than 22" x 14" in size.

5. Posters and announcements are displayed through the date(s) of the event and are removed and discarded within a reasonable length of time after the event.

6. The Library Director is responsible for determining which items may be displayed. The final authority rests with the Library Board of Trustees.

7. The library is not responsible for damage to or loss of posters and announcements.

7. Confidentiality of Borrowing Records
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:11pm.
POLICY: The Library Board Trustees and the Staff of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library support the concept of the confidentiality of library borrowing records as propounded by the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the American Library Association. This policy asserts the right of any individual to borrow any library materials without the fear of unwarranted public disclosure. All circulation records are confidential and will be surrendered only by court order. (See appendices 16, 17, & 18)

The law of the land recognizes that "people have a right to privacy." This right is necessary if people are to be self-governing.

The success of any organization is largely dependent upon the competence and integrity of those who conduct its affairs. We carry a special responsibility to our library patrons who expect standards we live by to embody honesty, fairness, and fidelity.

Safeguarding the confidential nature of information regarding the library's transactions with its patrons is essential to the conduct of our business.

Request for information concerning the library and its patrons, either by phone or in person, must be referred to the Library Director.

Knowledge of library patrons account status and circulation transactions must be kept in complete confidence. It is strongly urged that all library registration/application cards and any correspondences be placed face down or be covered with something so that no one can see them when passing by. In the event you place any type of business or personal correspondence, library card applications, etc. on someone’s desk or table, please place them face down. We must always be careful about having visitors in areas where private or confidential information is handled.

All possible precautions must be taken to properly safeguard confidential information regarding our library patrons circulation records.

If we all follow this procedure, confidential information will be properly safeguarded.

THIS POLICY REGARDING CONFIDENTIAL LIBRARY INFORMATION MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO AT ALL TIMES.

9. Free Access to Libraries for Minors
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:13pm.
POLICY: In accordance with the Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association (See appendix 1 & 4) the library does not restrict access to any materials in the collections on the basis of color, religion, national origin, socio-economic status or sex. Free access to the total library is a necessary concomitant to the diversity of materials essential to full public library service to the whole community.

The Library Director, Staff and Trustees are not judges or censors of the public morality. Their function is not to restrict the access of others to library materials. The library staff must not be expected to act "in loco parentis" by parents who wish to limit the reading material of their own children. Parents who wish to limit their own children's reading materials should accompany the children to the library to supervise the borrowing process, not rely on the library staff for such supervision.

Attacks on the library collection are most often justified for the protection of children.

Most parents acknowledge and vigorously defend their own right and responsibility to guide their own children's moral development and thought processes. The library supports the family in this.

However, some people demand that the library collection exclude difficult or controversial materials from which they wish to shield their own (or somebody else's) children.

It is precisely at the point that a child encounters difficult or disturbing information--whether in daily life or in a book or magazine--that the parent must do his part.

That the task may occasionally seem overwhelming begs the issue. To sanitize a library collection to A-Void the possibility of such moments dodges the point.

Through library materials, some subjects can be approached with children in a context, which will aid the parent in preparing the child for adulthood. The timing of such encounters as a child grows up is a serious matter. It is not entirely controllable.

Guidance in these matters is the parent's responsibility. (See appendix 5)

10. Patron's Rules of Behavior
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/28/2005 - 3:14pm.
POLICY: In accordance with the Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association (See appendix 1 & 4) the library does not restrict access to any materials in the collections on the basis of color, religion, national origin, socio-economic status or sex. Free access to the total library is a necessary concomitant to the diversity of materials essential to full public library service to the whole community.

The Library Director, Staff and Trustees are not judges or censors of the public morality. Their function is not to restrict the access of others to library materials. The library staff must not be expected to act "in loco parentis" by parents who wish to limit the reading material of their own children. Parents who wish to limit their own children's reading materials should accompany the children to the library to supervise the borrowing process, not rely on the library staff for such supervision.

Attacks on the library collection are most often justified for the protection of children.

Most parents acknowledge and vigorously defend their own right and responsibility to guide their own children's moral development and thought processes. The library supports the family in this.

However, some people demand that the library collection exclude difficult or controversial materials from which they wish to shield their own (or somebody else's) children.

It is precisely at the point that a child encounters difficult or disturbing information--whether in daily life or in a book or magazine--that the parent must do his part.

That the task may occasionally seem overwhelming begs the issue. To sanitize a library collection to A-Void the possibility of such moments dodges the point.

Through library materials, some subjects can be approached with children in a context, which will aid the parent in preparing the child for adulthood. The timing of such encounters as a child grows up is a serious matter. It is not entirely controllable.

Guidance in these matters is the parent's responsibility. (See appendix 5)
 

ADMINISTRATION: PATRON'S RULES OF BEHAVIOR


PATRON'S RULES OF BEHAVIOR


THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED ON LIBRARY PROPERTY:

v Abuse or vandalism of library facilities, equipment, or material
v Personal computer software disks
v Inappropriate dress
v Obscene language or loud talk
v Indecent exposure
v Soliciting
v Smoking in the building
v Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs
v Panhandling, begging or stealing
v Gambling or game playing
v Radios or TVs
v Non-Walkman type tape or disc players
v No shirt, No shoes, No entry


THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE LIBRARY:

v Birds, snakes or other animals, except Seeing Eye Dogs
v Contraband of any kind
v Drink or food except in patio area