Policy

NEW PATRON POLICIES:

YOU MUST PROVIDE A UTILITY BILL TO PROVE RESIDENCY AS WELL AS A PHOTO ID. ONLY 2 ITEMS MAY BE CHECKED OUT DURING

THE 1ST 3 MONTHS, THEN 4 ITEMS UNTIL 6 MONTHS. AFTER 6 MONTHS, UP TO 10, INCLUDING NEW MATERIALS MAY BE CHECKED OUT.

THIS IS DONE TO ENSURE THE MATERIALS ARE RETURNED ON TIME.

OVERDUE ITEMS:

THERE ARE NO FINES FOR OVERDUE BOOKS; WE UNDERSTAND SOME CIRCUMSTANCES MAY REQUIRE A LATE RETURN. WE DO HAVE A

DROPBOX FOR ITEMS RETURNED DURING CLOSED HOURS. WE JUST WANT TO GET THE ITEMS RETURNED ON TIME & IN THE CONDITION

THEY WERE IN AS THEY WERE CHECKED OUT.

THE LIBRARY MUST ASSESS A CHARGE TO REPLACE AN ITEM RETURNED DAMAGED OR LOST; THE CHARGE IS THE COST TO REPLACE

THE ITEM, PLUS A $5.00 PROCESSING FEE. (IF A LOST BOOK IS RETURNED IN GOOD CONDITION, THE CHARGE MAY BE RETURNED, MINUS

THE $5.00 FEE)

Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy

(For all italicized print see page 7 for the exact wording of 15 CSR 30-200.015 Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors)

The purpose of the Mercer County Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.

Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs. The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and serves to acquaint the public with the principles of selection. Selections will be made and placed in the correct section according to their content and age appropriation. (See Appropriateness by age of materials for selection guidelines, these guidelines are a recommendation). In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (A) The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Mercer County Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy. The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.

Responsibility for Selection

The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Mercer County Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.

Appropriateness by Age of Materials selected for Youth

Library collections for patrons 18 and under have always been split into 3 different collections. These collections are marked with “E” for easy, “J” for juvenile and a “YA” for young adults. Books located in the “E” collection are intended for ages birth to 2nd grade, the “J” collection are intended for grades 3rd through 8th, and the “YA” collection are intended for 9th grade and above. In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (A)

Criteria for Selection

The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
a. individual merit of each item
b. popular appeal/demand
c. suitability of material for the clientele
d. existing library holdings
e. budget
Potential Problems or Challenges

The Mercer County Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made based on anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely based on the principles stated in this policy. Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C). Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.

Challenged Materials, Programs, or Displays

Although materials, presentation, and displays are carefully selected, there can arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials, presentations, events or displays. Patrons who live in Mercer County and carry a current library card, requesting that materials, presentations, events, or displays be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection or library may complete in full a "Statement of Concern About Library Resources" form which is available in the library. In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (D,E,F)

The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Mercer County Library Board of Trustees

Statement of Concern about Library Resources Form

The suitability of books, presentations, events, displays or other materials for the library collection may occasionally be questioned by individuals or groups. Patrons are free to enjoy, dislike, or ignore any item in the collection, any program presented by the library, or any display at the library. The library does not endorse opinions contained in its materials, programs, or displays. In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C,D,F).

The library believes that censorship is purely an individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject materials, programs, or displays for him/herself, that individual cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of other persons to any materials, programs, or displays. A request to remove library materials, programs, and displays creates complex legal and ethical questions for both the library and the community. Consequently, this issue is taken very seriously by the library and will be viewed objectively and as an important matter.

Request to withdraw an item, presentations, events, or display—if a request is presented the material, presentation, event, or display in question will be reviewed in its entirety, meaning passages will not be taken out of context. Materials, presentations, events, or displays being reviewed will not be removed from circulation, presentations or events will not be canceled, and displays will not be disassembled until a decision has been made. For your request for review, you must be a registered card holder of the Mercer County Library and a resident of Mercer County. This form must be filled out by an individual, not a group. The form must be filled out completely and signed. In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C,D,F)

If you wish to request reconsideration of library materials, presentations, events, or displays, please complete the form below and return it to: Library Director, Mercer County Library, 601 W. Grant, Princeton, MO 64673. PLEASE NOTE: In the event your request is made to the Library Board of Trustees, please be advised it will become a matter of public record, including your name and address.

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Form of material (e.g., book, DVD, audio etc.)

______________________________________________________________________________

Title__________________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer________________________________________________________________

Did you read, view, or listen to the entire work? _____ Yes _____ No

If not, why, or why not? __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

What would you like us to do with this material?

_____ Withdraw it from the collection.

_____ Reclassify (move) to another part of the library collection.

_____ other: ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In its place, what work would you recommend on this topic? ____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Additional comments:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________

Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________

Presentation:

Name of Presentation: ______________________________________________________________________________

Why would you like this presentation canceled________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional comments: ___________________________________________________________

Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________

Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________

Event:

Name or nature of the event _______________________________________________________

Why would you like the event removed from the library? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional comments: ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________

Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________

Display:

Name or nature of the display___________________________________________________

Why would you like the display removed from the library? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional comments: ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________

Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

For Library Use Only

Date received:

Date Item was added.

Number of times circulated.

Title 15—ELECTED OFFICIALS

Division 30—Secretary of State

Chapter 200—State Library

PROPOSED RULE

15 CSR 30-200.015 Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors

PURPOSE: For the protection of minors defined in 15 CSR 30-200.030(1)(E), this rule establishes a certification requirement for any library defined in 15 CSR 30-200.010 that receives funds pursuant to 15 CSR 30-200.020 and 15 CSR 30-200.025.

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of 15 CSR 30-200.020 and 15 CSR 30-200.025 to the contrary, the state librarian shall not distribute any funds to any library defined in 15 CSR 30-200.010 that receives funds pursuant to 15 CSR 30-200.020 and 15 CSR 30-200.025 unless such library certifies in writing each of the following:

* (A) The library has or will adopt a written, publicly-accessible collection development policy addressing how selections are made in considering the appropriateness by age of any minor, as defined in 15 CSR 30-200.030;

(B) No funds received shall be used to purchase or acquire material that constitutes “child pornography,” is “pornographic for minors,” or is “obscene,” as those terms are defined in section 573.010, RSMo;

**(C) The library has or will adopt a written, publicly-accessible policy allowing a minor’s parent or guardian to determine what materials and access will be available to that minor, and no person employed by or acting on behalf of the library shall knowingly grant access to a minor to any material in any form not approved by that minor’s parent or guardian;

***(D) No age-inappropriate materials in any form, as defined in the library’s collection development policy, shall be knowingly displayed in the library in areas designated by the library as containing materials predominantly for minors;

***(E) No event or presentation shall be held at the library without an age-appropriate designation affixed to any publication, website, or advertisement for such event or presentation; and

***(F) The library has or will adopt a written, publicly-accessible library materials challenge policy by which any parent or guardian of a minor within the library district may dispute or challenge the library’s age-appropriate designation affixed to any presentation, event, material, or display in the library, and the results of any such dispute or challenge shall be disclosed to the public and published on the library’s website.

(2) The library shall submit a copy of its written policies to the state librarian annually by July 31, and shall submit, within thirty (30) days, any revisions to such policies to the state librarian.

AUTHORITY: sections 181.021, 181.060, and 182.812, RSMo 2016. Original rule filed Oct. 14, 2022.

PUBLIC COST: This proposed rule will not cost state agencies or political subdivisions more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.

PRIVATE COST: This proposed rule will not cost private entities more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.

NOTICE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this proposed rule with the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, PO Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or by email to comments@sos.mo.gov with the proposed rule number (i.e., 15 CSR 30-200.015) in the subject line. To be considered, all comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the Missouri Register. No public hearing is scheduled.

NOTICE OF CHALLENGED MATERIALS:

A formal challenge to Looking for Alaska by John Green was presented to the Mercer County
Library board on September 9, 2024. The Board followed policy by reviewing the merits of the
challenge and Voted 4-0 to retain the book.

NEW LIBRARY USERS

A library card will only be issued to new users that fill out a library registration card, have proof of residency (for example a utility bill) and a local reference, preferably someone with an active library account. New library users are not automatically placed in the system; library registrations are kept on file for up to one year and then disposed of.

New users will be limited to the number of books and materials that they can check out. For the first three months 2 items may be checked out, nothing new. For the next 3 months 4 items may be checked out, again nothing new. No ILL books will be ordered until the patron has proven that they can return materials in a timely manner then all restrictions are lifted. Applicants under 17 years of age must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form before a new card can be issued. In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C) (Approved 6/12/2023)

Checkout Procedures for children 17 and under

The library staff does not monitor what anyone checks out. We will help with selections or guide you to the appropriate section if asked. When children checkout materials, their selection choices must be monitored by the parent or guardian. That library is not responsible for their selections. In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C).

MEETING ROOM
The meeting room will be used for library functions and may be reserved for civic and educational purposes. Exceptions may be made by the Library Board if the Board deems.
extenuating circumstances are involved. The fact that a group is permitted to meet in the library meeting room does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs by the library staff or Board. It is understood that library programming will have priority in room use.

There will be no charge for the use of the meeting room. No admission may be charged by the individual/group, nor may the individual/group make any profit from the meeting. A responsible adult must act as host for such meetings to see that the room is left clean, orderly, and locked; if not the individual/group will be given notice that continued offense will result in denied access to the meeting room. Refreshments may be served and shall be provided by the individual or group. No smoking is allowed. Items other than library property may be left in the meeting room at the discretion of the director. The library is not responsible for any equipment, supplies, materials, or any other items brought to the library by any individual or group attending the meeting. If the use of the room is promoted in any way (Flyer, Facebook, newspaper ad or radio), there must be an age disclaimer attached with the promotion according to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (E). The Library Board and staff do not assume any liability for individuals or groups attending the meeting in the library.

APPROVED (6/12/2023)

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Open Meeting Policy
The public is invited to attend all meetings of the Mercer County Library Board of Trustees
except those that are designated as a closed session. Meetings are always on the second Monday
of each month at 3:00 p.m. The agenda will be posted on the exterior door at least 24 hours in
advance.
Residents of Mercer County or Mercer County Library card holders of the library are welcome to
address comments to the Board as set forth below.
? Those wishing to address the Board of Trustees must submit a request in writing at least
48 Business hours prior to the meeting.
? Request forms are available at the Library Director's office.
? All public comment forms, regardless of whether the person chooses to speak or
not, will be added to the public record and will be distributed to all Board
members.

? Public comment is allowed in person at every board meeting and is included as an agenda
item. Unless otherwise noted on the agenda.
? All comments must pertain to the Mercer County Library.
? Priority will be given to
1. Residents of Mercer County who are active Mercer County Library Card Holders.
2. Residents of Mercer County.
3. All other individuals wishing to address the board.
? Each person desiring to be heard, when recognized by the Presiding Officer, shall first
state their name and address before commenting.
? Public comment is limited to three minutes per person unless otherwise directed by the
Presiding Officer. Speakers may not transfer time to other individuals. The total time for
public comment will be 15 minutes.
? At no time will the board hear personnel comments during the public comment portion of
a business meeting.
? The Presiding Officer shall rule “out of order” all comments which are off topic,
repetitious, derogatory of persons, or which include language or behavior that is
unlawful.
? The Presiding Officer shall allocate no more than thirty minutes to this part of the agenda.
These rules may be suspended by motion and majority vote of the Board.
? The Board of Trustees does not generally respond to public comments during the
meeting.

MERCER COUNTY LIBRARY

Public comment at Board Meeting request form

Date: ______________________________________________________________________
To: Presiding Officer and Member of the Board of Trustees
I would like to speak to the board about the following:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________________________________________
Email Address: _____________________________________________________
The Mercer County Library Board of Trustees meets at 3:00 pm p.m. the second Monday of the
month. The public is invited to attend all meetings, except for those designated as closed
sessions. Meeting agendas are posted on the exterior door at least 24 hours in advance.
Residents of the library district or members of the library may address the Board during the
Public comment section of the meeting, provided they submit a written request 48 business hours
prior to the board meeting. Request forms are available in the Library Director’s Office during
regular business hours. Filled out request forms will be added to the public record and will be
distributed to all Board members.
Individuals appearing before the Board will be limited to three minutes’ speaking time and may
not be transferred to other individuals. Comments which are off topic, repetitious, derogatory of
persons, or which include language or behavior that is unlawful will be ruled “out of order”. A
maximum of thirty minutes may be allowed for this part of the agenda.

ADOPTED 8/14/2023

INTERNET ACCESS POLICIES

Patrons are asked to read the following policies before using the Internet for the first time. They
must sign the form. Those under 18 must have a parent’s signature also.

MERCER COUNTY LIBRARY

INTERNET ACCESS POLICIES
ALL INTERNET USERS MUST READ AND SIGN THIS AGREEMENT. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WILL BE
REQUIRED TO HAVE A PARENT’S/GUARDIAN’S SIGNATURE.
THE MERCER COUNTY LIBRARY WILL NOT MONITOR THE INFORMATION ACCESSED THROUGH THE
INTERNET AND CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY, ACCURACY, OR CURRENCY OF ITS
CONTENT. THE INTERNET IS A WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY WITH A HIGHLY DIVERSE USER POPULATION AND
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE A WISE INFORMATION CONSUMER. USE THIS RESOURCE WISELY.
INTERNET RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE LIBRARY ARE PROVIDED EQUALLY TO ALL LIBRARY
USERS ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS WITH A ONE-HOUR LIMIT
PER DAY. RESERVATIONS FOR THE USE OF THE INTERNET MAY BE MADE BY CALLING THE LIBRARY AHEAD
OF TIME ON THE SAME DAY. RESERVATIONS FOR A SPECIFIC COMPUTER IS LIMITED TO COMPUTERS
W/SCANNER AND REFERENCE COMPUTER.
WE WILL BE GLAD TO ASSIST YOU IN ACCESSING THE INTERNET AND WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY
REFERENCE MATERIALS WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO AID YOU IN YOUR SEARCH. THE LIBRARY STAFF CANNOT
PROVIDE IN-DEPTH TRAINING CONCERNING INTERNET COMPUTER JARGON, SEARCH STRATEGIES OR
PERSONAL COMPUTER USE. HOWEVER, ALL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO LIBRARY STAFF
IMMEDIATELY.
WE DO OFFER COMPUTER CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE FALL, WINTER, AND SPRING, ONCE A MONTH. IF YOU
ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE COMPUTER YOU MAY SIGN UP FOR AS MANY CLASSES AS YOU NEED, JUST
CHECK WITH A LIBRARIAN FOR DETAILS.
YOU MAY PRINT INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET AT THE COST OF $.20/SHEET FOR BLACK & WHITE
COPIES AND $1.00/SHEET FOR COLOR COPIES. SCANNING PRINTS OR TEXT WILL BE FREE BUT PRINTING
WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
COLOR PICTURES OR TEXT…$1.00 EACH
BLACK & WHITE PICTURES…$.20 EACH
BLACK AND WHITE TEXT…$.20 EACH

THE LIBRARY STAFF IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTERNET INFORMATION ACCESSED AND/OR SELECTED
BY CHILDREN. A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST PROVIDE APPROVAL BEFORE A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 18
WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE THE INTERNET. PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO SUPERVISE THEIR CHILDREN’S
INTERNET SESSIONS.
THE LIBRARY AND STAFF ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INVASION OF PRIVACY IF YOU FAIL TO PROPERLY
LOG OUT OF ANY PROGRAM YOU ARE USING EX: FACEBOOK, EMAIL, AMAZON, ETC. IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO LOG OUT. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO THIS PLEASE ASK.
THE LIBRARY WILL NOT OFFER ELECTRONIC MAIL ACCOUNTS.
LIBRARY COMPUTERS MAY NOT BE USED FOR ILLEGAL PURPOSES. UNACCEPTABLE USES INCLUDE BUT ARE
NOT LIMITED TO: HARASSMENT OF OTHER USERS; ACCESSING CONTENT OFFENSIVE TO OTHER PATRONS;
LIBELING OR SLANDERING OTHER USERS; DESTRUCTION OF OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, OR
DATA BELONGING TO THE LIBRARY OR OTHER USERS; DISRUPTION OR UNAUTHORIZED COPYING OF
COPYRIGHT-PROTECTED MATERIAL. DUE TO THE PHYSICAL LAYOUT OF THE LIBRARY, CHILDREN AND
ADULTS ACCESS THE SAME COMPUTERS IN THE REFERENCE AREA. ACCESSING ILLEGAL OR OFFENSIVE
MATERIAL WILL BE CAUSE TO LOSE ALL COMPUTER PRIVILEGES.
DO NOT ALTER LIBRARY HARDWARE BY INSTALLING YOUR OWN SOFTWARE, ATTACHING OTHER
EQUIPMENT OR BY SAVING YOUR PERSONAL FILES ON THE HARD DRIVE. JUMP DRIVES MAY BE
PURCHASED FOR $5.00 AT THE CIRCULATION DESK.
KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT ALL SOURCES ON THE INTERNET PROVIDE ACCURATE, COMPLETE OR CURRENT
INFORMATION. YOU NEED TO BE A GOOD INFORMATION CONSUMER, QUESTIONING THE VALIDITY OF THE
INFORMATION YOU FIND.
HAVE FUN EXPLORING THE INTERNET BUT PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MANY TIMES YOU WILL FIND SPECIFIC
INFORMATION YOU NEED RIGHT HERE IN THE LIBRARY’S BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.
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INTERNET USER AGREEMENT
ALL USERS OF THE INTERNET MUST SIGN THIS AGREEMENT BEFORE ACCESSING THE INTERNET.
1. I HAVE READ THE POLICIES CONCERNING THE USE OF THE MERCER COUNTY LIBRARY’S
INTERNET COMPUTERS AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE POLICIES.
2. I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I FAIL TO ABIDE BY THE INTERNET COMPUTER POLICIES, I WILL LOSE
ELIGIBILITY FOR USE OF THE LIBRARY’S INTERNET COMPUTERS.
3. I AGREE TO PAY ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT COSTS OF EQUIPMENT OR SOFTWARE
DAMAGED BY ME OR BY MINORS FOR WHOM I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR.

______________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE DATE
______________________________________________________________________________
PRINT NAME
______________________________________________________________________________PARENTS SIGNATURE IF
UNDER 18
(REVISED JULY 11, 2019)

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE FOR PATRONS:

A citizen’s right to privacy and confidentiality are First Amendment rights and as such go hand
in hand with intellectual freedom.
The American Library Association frames privacy and confidentiality as follows: “The right to
privacy is the right to open inquiry without having the subject of one's interest examined or
scrutinized by others. Confidentiality relates to the possession of personally identifiable
information, including such library-created records as closed-stack call slips, computer sign-up
sheets, registration for equipment or facilities, circulation records, websites visited, reserve
notices, or research notes.”
The Mercer County Library adheres strictly to all sections of this Statute regarding the
protection of the confidentiality of its users.