Policy Statement

The general Library objectives of the Portneuf District Library shall be:

• To assemble, preserve and administer, in organized collections, books and related educational and recreational material in order to promote through guidance and stimulation the communication of ideas, an enlightened citizenship and enriched personal lives.
• To serve the community as a center of reliable information.
• To provide a place where inquiring minds may encounter the original, sometimes unorthodox and critical ideas so necessary as correctives and stimulants in a society that depends for its survival on free competition in ideas.
• To support educational, civic and cultural activities of groups and organizations.
• To provide opportunity and encouragement for all persons to educate themselves continuously.
• To provide opportunity for recreation through the use of literature.

Use of the Library:

• In
  the spirit of regional cooperation, any person living in an area that is taxed
  for library service in Idaho and
  a member in good standing at their home library, may borrow materials from the
  Portneuf District Library. Portneuf
  patrons have priority over interlibrary loan borrowers.

• The use of the Library and its services shall be limited when excessive demands of groups or individuals tend to curtail service to the general public. Such demands may include those made by students, puzzle contestants, or others whose demands for staff time, available materials, or space would prohibit attention and services to other individuals or groups.
• Failure to return materials is petty theft [Idaho Code 33-2620] and will result in fees and penalties being accessed. Our penalties and fees are documented in the fees schedule and are subject to change under Idaho Code [63-1311A].
• The use of the Library or its services may be denied for due cause. Such causes may be failure to return books or pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons or any other objectionable conduct on Library premises.
• No smoking is permitted in the public area of the Library.
• No eating or drinking is permitted in the public area of the Library.
• No pets are allowed in the library except guide dogs.
• Cell phones can be used in the lobby.
• The library will comply with all state and federal laws dealing with public records.

Materials Selection Policy:

• The Portneuf District Library Board of Trustees, by official action, enforces a materials selection policy.

Services of the Library:

• The libraian will select from the mass of available materials, and organize for easy access those which best meet the needs of the community and users.
• The library staff will provide guidance and assistance for people to obtain the information they seek.
• The library will cooperate with other community agencies and organizations to determine and meet the needs of the community.
• The Library accepts a responsibility for securing information beyond its resources by borrowing for patrons materials which are not owned by the library and which cannot be purchased or materials for which the demand does not justify purchase.
• The library will lend to other libraries, materials that are not available in the borrowing libraries. Portneuf patrons have a priority in the use of materials.
• The library will endeavor to maintain a balance in its services to all age groups. The library will cooperate with, but cannot perform the functions of, school or other institutional libraries, which are designed to meet curricula needs.
• Portneuf District Library is open to the public as follows: * Summer…10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday * Winter …10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Friday and Saturday
• * Closed Sundays * Closed on federal and state holidays and as designated by the Board of Trustees.
• Periodic review will be made of library services and hours.

Public Relations:

• The Board of Trustees recognizes that public relations involve every person who has any connection with the library. The Board urges its own members and every staff member to realize that he or she represents the Library with every public contact.

 Child Safety

• Children age seven and under must be supervised by someone of
  legal age.

• The library recognizes siblings and babysitters who are at
  least 12 years old as acceptable supervisors of younger children.

• If a child seven or under is left unattended the staff will
  first try contacting the parents. If they can not be reached, Child
  Protection Services will be called.

• If the child’s behavior is unsafe or disruptive they can be
  asked to leave even if a parent is in attendance.

 Meetings:

• The Board of Trustees normally meets on the third Wednesday of every month with the exception of August. This is in accordance with the Idaho State Code, which states that district library boards will meet no less than four times in each year. Meeting notices are posted on the conference room door a week in advance.
• The Librarian is ex-officio secretary, prepares the agenda and takes the minutes. She is responsible for notifying the board members of the meeting time.
• Copies of the previous month's meeting minutes are sent to each member with notification of the meeting the week before the scheduled meeting.

Library associations and meetings:

• The library pays dues for the librarian and all the trustees to the Idaho Library Association and for the board chairman to the Pacific Northwest Library Association.
• The librarian is encouraged to take an active part in their activities and to attend all meetings possible. Expenses to association meetings are paid for the trustees and librarian as the budget permits

General Fees