Policies govern many aspects of library services and are approved by the Library Board of Trustees.
Behavior Expectations
The Raynham Public Library is a place for everyone. The behavior expectations enable library users and staff to have a pleasant environment that is safe for all.
- We expect users to respect the comfort and safety of fellow library users and library staff. If your behavior is making others unsafe, we will ask you to stop. If your behavior impedes other’s use of the library, or operations of the library, we will also ask you to stop.
- We expect users to comply with requests from library staff. If you don’t, you may be asked to leave.
- We expect users to comply with local, state, and federal laws. The police will be contacted in situations of potential lawbreaking.
If you feel that something or someone is making your experience here uncomfortable or unsafe, please let a staff member know.
The following are prohibited at all times:
- Soliciting, petitioning, selling, or canvassing of any kind.
- Playing audio equipment and/or personal devices so that others may hear it (without headphones or with headphones at a volume audible to others).
- Disruptive or unsafe behavior including any conduct that interferes with the use of the library by others or with the functioning of the library staff.
- Use of profane and/or loud, abusive, threatening or insulting language.
- Sexual harassment or misconduct.
- Activities that may result in damage to library property.
- Smoking/vaping in or on library property.
Please note:
- All patrons must leave promptly at closing time.
- All persons are required to be fully clothed, including footwear.
- Restrooms are for intended use only.
- Caregivers are responsible for children 12 years old and younger, see our Unattended Child Policy
Failure to comply with the Library’s established standards of acceptable behavior may result in removal from the building. Police may be summoned at the staff discretion.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, June 2023
Bulletin Board/Lobby Display of Non-Library Materials Policy
Individuals or organizations that wish to present materials for posting on our Public Notice/Community Bulletin Board and/or for passive display in our lobby are welcome to do so provided they meet the following:
- materials to be displayed or distributed meet the educational, cultural and recreational needs of the community
- community organizations, clubs, educational institutions, etc that are non-profit in nature
- events are located in Raynham, or bordering towns; Bridgewater, Easton, Lakeville, Middleboro, Taunton, West Bridgewater
- Raynham postings will receive priority
- government agencies will be posted as space allows
Excluded from display are:
- personal ads or notices
- notices of items/services for sale or rent
- coupons offering discounted services
- political advertising
- business cards
- business advertising
- materials that support or oppose a specific religious conviction
- materials asking library patrons to sign a petition or letter for causes unrelated to the Library
Procedure:
- Items for posting or distribution must be delivered to the Main Desk for review and processing.
- Size is limited to 8.5×11
- Items will be posted by staff only.
- Staff will remove items after the completion of the event or after 30 days, whichever comes first.
In distributing non-library materials, the Library does not imply endorsement of the events or services advertised. The Library retains the right to accept or deny postings.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, March 2024
Collection Development Policy
Purpose
This Collection Development policy guides the Raynham Public Library staff in their efforts to meet community needs and interests while balancing the library’s budget and space. This policy is used by library staff to evaluate and select materials. This policy also serves to acquaint the public with the principles which guide staff through the selection process.
General Principles
The Raynham Public Library provides a contemporary, relevant collection of resources in a wide range of formats to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of its community. The Library strives to meet these needs within the limitations of space, staffing, and budget. The Library endeavors to make use of new technologies and formats to offer library users the greatest access to information and ideas. The Library also strives to build a diverse collection that reflects our community and offer materials that are by and about a wide array of people and cultures to authentically represent a variety of ideas, information, stories, and experiences.
The Library recognizes that there are ideas, opinions, viewpoints, beliefs, and philosophies which are subject to discussion and debate and that any community will be made up of citizens with divergent viewpoints. The Library endeavors to provide access to diverse points of view within the limits of financial resources and physical space. Inclusion in the library’s collection is not an endorsement of a particular point of view or belief. The Library adheres to the provisions of the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights,” (Appendix 1). We believe in the library user’s freedom to read and to view materials and uphold the principles articulated in the American Library Association’s “Freedom to Read Statement,” (Appendix 2), and the “Freedom to View Statement,” (Appendix 3). It is the right of the individual not to read, view, or hear materials that the individual considers objectionable. It is never the right of any library user or users to deny access to library materials to others.
Responsibility for Selection of Materials
The Board of Library Trustees delegates the authority and responsibility for selection and management of all print, non-print, and electronic materials to the Library Director and appropriate professional library staff members with expertise, library degrees, or both. Selection and management of the materials in the library’s collections are shared among the professional staff accordingly, who shall use this collection development policy as a guide to the growth and management of all library collections.
General Criteria for Materials Selection
Budget allocation by subject and format is based on public demand, usage, relevance, and available resources. Selectors use several criteria when evaluating material, keeping in mind physical space requirements and the library’s resources. Materials and formats are not maintained past their relevance. Items need not meet all criteria for inclusion in the collection, but should not have significant negative evaluations in any one criterion.
Evaluation Criteria
- Public demand and anticipated demand
- Relevance to the interests and needs of the community
- Attention of critics and reviewers, award winners
- Significance, timeliness, or permanence of subject matter
- Relevance and suitability of physical format
- Representation of diverse points of view
- Accuracy of information
- Literary merit and contribution to the field of knowledge
- Relationship to the existing collection
- Reputation or qualifications of the author, creator, or publisher
- Value of the resource in relation to its cost, including costs of acquisition, processing, or storage
- Suitability of subject and style for intended audience
- Availability of content through the internet, subscription databases, or other means
- Condition of material
Continuous evaluation is necessary for a healthy collection. Materials are regularly withdrawn (weeded) to maintain a current, accurate, and appealing collection and to facilitate its ease of use. Selection of materials for weeding is based on the industry standard CREW method of Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding. Examples of criteria used for weeding include: condition, misleading and/or factually inaccurate information, material is superseded by a new edition or a better source, material is trivial or of little overall merit, or the material may be easily borrowed from another source.
Collection Maintenance (weeding)
Materials may be discarded based on the availability of physical space in the Library as well as at the discretion of the librarians responsible for acquisitions. Materials are discarded from our collection with an eye towards sustainability and reuse. Weeded items may be redistributed or recycled. Collection maintenance also includes periodic reconsideration of how areas of the collection are cataloged, with the goal of identifying any sections in which the arrangement could be made more equitable and accessible. Library materials may be relocated at the discretion of library staff.
Local Authors, Self-published Authors, Unsolicited Materials
Materials submitted by local authors, self-published authors, and unsolicited materials from publishers will be considered for inclusion in the library collection using the General Criteria for Materials Selection. In addition, the following factors also will be taken into account for self published works or when inviting authors of self-published books to speak at the Library:
- Does the book have positive reviews in professional journals e.g. Library Journal, School Library Journal, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and/or Horn Book?
- Are full bibliographic records available in MARC?
- Does the book have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN)?
- Does the book contain unique local or regional content?
- Is the book bound and suitable for circulation?
- Has the book been edited and proofed by a professional editor and proofreader?
- Is the book available through major distributors, e.g. Ingram, Baker & Taylor?
- Is this a local author/illustrator from this area?
Patron Requests for Purchase
Recommendations for purchase by the public are welcomed by the Library, with the understanding that these materials are evaluated based on the same criteria for selection as other considered materials. In the event that patrons request to borrow an item that the Library has not purchased, they will be referred to network, statewide, or national lending resources to meet their needs.
Gift and Donations of Materials
Gifts/donated materials will be added to the library collection using the same criteria used for purchasing materials. All donations become the property of the library and cannot be returned. Gifts/donated material may be added to the library collection, sold for the benefit of the library, or disposed of in a manner appropriate to their condition and usefulness.
Reconsideration of Library Materials
Patrons with concerns about the content of materials are invited to document specific objections on the “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials” form (Appendix 4). Please note that:
- The material in question will not be removed while a reconsideration is in the process of being reviewed.
- A material can only be reconsidered once every 4 years.
- If the requester hasn’t read the entire material or submits an incomplete form, the resource will not be reconsidered.
The Library Director will make determinations on any removal or retention of materials, in consultation with the staff responsible for that collection area.
Appendices
Appendix 1 – American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights
Appendix 2 – American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement
Appendix 3 – American Library Association’s Freedom to View Statement
Appendix 4 – Reconsideration Form
Raynham Public Library appreciates the libraries of Newton, Wellfleet, Thayer, and Worcester for their assistance in the drafting of this policy.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, April 2023
Computer & Internet Use Policy
The Raynham Library provides computer and internet access for educational and recreational pursuits. Users must agree to abide by the policy.
- Public computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Users may sign in with their library card or request a guest pass at the Main Desk.
- Computer sessions last for 45 minutes. Up to two 45 minute sessions are permitted per person, per day.
- The Library does not block or filter content. Parents and caregivers are responsible for what their children select, access, or distribute.
- The Library reserves the right to end a session at any time if it creates a disturbance or restricts equitable use.
- Users are responsible for damages to computer equipment. When the user is a child, the caregiver is responsible.
- The Library staff is available to provide computer assistance but not in-depth training.
- Information cannot be saved to the public computers, all data is deleted automatically after use.
- Computers shut down automatically 15 minutes before closing.
- The Library assumes no liability for any damage to user data or loss of user privacy. To that end, the Library recommends:
- evaluating the validity of information.
- saving work frequently to your personal drive or a USB drive.
- exercising caution when working with or printing personal or sensitive data (e.g. bank accounts, financial statements, tax returns, medical forms, etc.).
Users are prohibited from:
- seeking unauthorized access to any computer system.
- misrepresenting oneself as another user or attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others.
- sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably be considered obscene or considered harmful to minors as defined in MGL 272, Section 31.
- using the Internet for unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purposes.
- making unauthorized changes to the setup or configuration of any Library software or hardware.
- unplugging Library equipment or altering wiring.
- distributing or copying illegal, unauthorized or abusive content, including, but not limited to:
- copyright-protected materials
- malicious software/viruses
- network performance (“bandwidth hogging”).
Failure to comply with this policy may result in suspension of Library privileges as outlined in the Behavior Expectations Policy.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, June 2024
Gifts & Donation Policy
The Raynham Public Library is pleased to accept donations and gifts year-round. Please complete the donation form so that we know who to properly thank!
Donations of $50 or more will receive a letter from the Library acknowledging your donation. If you wish for your donation to be anonymous, please indicate that on the donation form.
The Library prefers unrestricted funds so we can adapt spending to use when and where it is most needed. Donations might be used to purchase books, materials, technology, or pay for programming. You can specify adult programming, children’s programming, or technology if you prefer.
Money donated to the Library goes to the Town of Raynham for administration and is placed in a Library “Donations/Gifts” account solely for Library use. Please make your check payable to: The Raynham Public Library.
Gifts and donations of materials will be added to the library collection using the same criteria used for purchasing materials outlined in our Collection Development Policy. All donations become the property of the Library and cannot be returned. Gifts and donated materials may be added to the library collection, sold for the benefit of the library, or disposed of in a manner appropriate to their condition and usefulness.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask any Library staff member. Thank you for your kind donation and support of the Raynham Public Library.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, April 2023
Amended, October 2024
Hotspot Policy
The Raynham Library has hotspots available for checkout for Raynham cardholders. Hotspots have unlimited 4G LTE data and will allow internet access on up to 10 devices at a time. There is no installation required to access the hotspots.
- You may check out a hotspot the same way you would check out a book: visit the Library or request one online. Anyone who is a Raynham cardholder, has a valid SAILS library card, and is 18 years of age or older may check out a hotspot.
- You can borrow a mobile hotspot for 14 days, they cannot be renewed.
- Hotspots must be picked up and returned to the Raynham Library Main Desk. Do NOT return hotspots in the book drop. Please return the device with the case, charger, and a fully charged battery.
- In general, there is no data limit. However, the service provider may lower speed or limit the amount of data that its network can handle for a short time.
- The hotspot periodically receives software updates from the service provider. You can accept the update, which may take a few minutes.
- The borrower is responsible for the hotspot and all components from the time of checkout until the item is returned and checked in by Library staff. The Library is not responsible for any loss of data or damage incurred while using the device.
Overdue and Non Return Policy
- Hotspots have an overdue fine of $1.00 a day.
- Internet access will be deactivated immediately after the due date.
- If a hotspot is not returned within 7 days after the due date, the item will be considered lost, and the borrower will be billed for the full replacement cost of the hotspot and all accessories.
- Patrons with a history of failure to return hotspot devices may be restricted from future hotspot borrowing at the discretion of the Library Director or designee.
- Borrowing privileges will be suspended until the device is returned or the replacement cost is paid in full.
The Library reserves the right to adjust availability of hotspots for fair and equal distribution to the community.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, August 2024
Amended, May 2026
Library Cards & Borrowing Policy
The Raynham Public Library is a member of the SAILS Library Network. Your library card entitles you to borrow materials from the Raynham Public Library as well as libraries in 38 surrounding towns in Southeastern Massachusetts. If our Library doesn’t have an item in stock, an item from one of the participating libraries can be sent directly to the Raynham Public Library at no charge to you. You will be notified when the item has arrived at the Library and is available for pickup. Items will be held for seven days before being returned to their home library.
Borrowing policies on materials vary depending on which SAILS Library you visit, but all items checked out in Raynham are loaned under our borrowing policy.
Please visit our website: Library Cards & Borrowing page (under Services) for detailed information.
Meeting Room & Judy’s Garden Use Policy
Meeting Room and Judy’s Garden Policy
The Library Meeting Room and Judy’s Garden are intended to support library-sponsored and library-approved programs and events that are consistent with the mission of the Raynham Public Library. These spaces are not available for reservation or use by the general public.
Rules and procedures governing the use of these spaces are established by the Library Board of Trustees and are reviewed as needed.
- The Behavior Policy of the Raynham Public Library is in effect during all meetings and events.
- Meetings and events must be scheduled to conclude at least 15 minutes prior to the library’s closing time.
- All activities must be confined to the enclosed indoor meeting space and/or the gated outdoor garden area.
- Facilities must be left in the condition in which they were found, including the kitchen area if used.
- All library programs and events are open to the public; attendance is limited by room capacity to ensure safety.
- The library assumes no responsibility for the personal safety of any individual, either inside or outside the library building.
- The library is not responsible for damage to, loss of, or theft of personal property.
- Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a caregiver aged 16 or older when using the outdoor space.
- No admission fees, solicitation, or fundraising activities are permitted, except for those that directly benefit the library.
- Food may be served at programs or events held in the Meeting Room provided it is store-bought or supplied by a person or organization that is ServSafe certified.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, April 2023
Amended April 2026
Programming Policy
The Library supports its mission of enriching life in the community by developing and presenting programs that provide additional opportunities for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, literacy support, and community connection.
Ultimate responsibility for programming rests with the Library Director, who in turn delegates program management responsibility to the Adult Services Librarian, the Youth Services Librarian, and other designated staff. Staff utilize their expertise, collections, equipment, facilities, and feedback from the community in planning and delivering library programs. All programs are facilitated by library staff.
The Library’s philosophy of open access to information and ideas extends to library programming. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or the views expressed by participants. Program topics, speakers, and resources are not excluded from programs because of possible controversy.
In developing and delivering programs, the following criteria are used in making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources. This is not an exhaustive list.
- Relevance to the Library’s mission, strategic plan, and service goals
- Community needs and interests
- Potential to promote, supplement, and encourage the use of the library’s collections and resources
- Presentation quality as determined by the presenter’s background, record of presentation, and qualifications in the content area
- Historical, cultural, or educational significance
- Space required and the availability of that space
- Budget and staffing constraints
- Balance of current programs being offered at the Library
- Connection to other community programs, exhibitions, or events
All library-initiated programs are open to the public, but some meetings and programs may be designed with specific audiences in mind, such as programs intended for children and teens that are geared to their interests and needs. Adults who wish to attend a program specifically designed for children must be accompanied by a child. Tween and teen programs are limited to tweens and teens only, except when they require an adult assistant or caregiver. Programs targeted toward specific audiences are to be publicized as such.
- By participation in library programs and events, you agree photographs/video will be taken at and used on the library’s website and/or social media.
- Programs may be held on-site, virtual, or at an off-site location.
- Attendance at programs may be limited due to space limitations, the nature of the program, or may be restricted by age level.
- Publicity of library programs is handled by the library. Presenters may not publicize their programs without approval of the Library Director.
- The Library reserves the right to deny attendance to anyone becoming disruptive to audience members or the program facilitator and to anyone in violation of the Library’s Behavior Expectations Policy.
- Participants in our programming and events must adhere to our Unattended Children Policy; caregivers must attend programming with children 8 years or younger. For children ages 9-12, caregivers must remain in the building during the program.
- Programming held at the library must adhere to the Meeting Room & Judy’s Outdoor Garden Use Policy.
The Library values community feedback, welcomes requests for programming, and encourages patron participation in programs. However, submission of a request does not guarantee approval. Due to limited staff time and resources, as well as the high volume of requests and solicitations received daily, the Library may not respond to every inquiry. Responses will generally be provided only if the Library chooses to facilitate the requested program. Program suggestions from the public and/or unsolicited offers from individuals or organizations to present programs will be evaluated by the same criteria used to select library-initiated programs.
Programs are not used for the solicitation of business. Presenters and performers, whether individual or organizational, shall not use a Library program to petition, advertise, or recruit members or customers. While the Library welcomes professional experts to present at its events, Library programs cannot be used to directly further commercial, religious, political, or partisan purposes. Presenters are permitted to have business-related brochures, flyers, or other information available for attendees to pick up if interested. Presenters cannot distribute such materials as part of the event.
Authors or performers may sell books or CDs as part of a library program. Sale of any other products at library programs is not permitted unless authorized by the Library Director. Programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library may include the sale of merchandise as a fundraiser to benefit the library.
In keeping with Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 78, Section 7), names of registrants are confidential and are not to be collected by presenters.
Raynham Public Library appreciates the libraries of Lynnfield, Hanson, and Hanover for their assistance in the drafting of this policy.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, March 2024
Amended, November 2024
Signature Gathering & Political Activity Policy
The library allows petition signature gatherers and electioneering outside on library premises as long as they do not interfere with the public’s access to, entry into or exit from the building.
- Petition signature gatherers and electioneerers may be outside the library building only and may not be in the foyer, lobby or interior of the building.
- Petition signature gatherers and electioneerers may also utilize outdoor walkways and adjacent sidewalks as long as they do not interfere with traffic or public access.
- Ballot-access and nomination signature solicitation are permitted provided there is no interference with patrons, staff or normal library operations.
Both the United States and Massachusetts Constitutions protect the right to solicit signatures on nomination papers and ballot question petitions in a reasonable and unobtrusive manner in open public areas. This includes the public areas of municipal property as well as the common areas of privately owned shopping centers. Distribution of printed material in connection with signature solicitation is also protected. The right of signature solicitation (along with other free-speech activities) on municipal sidewalks in parks and in similar open public areas is clear.Hague v CIO. 307 U.S. 496, 515-16 (1939).
Raynham Public Library appreciates the libraries of Lynnfield, Hanson, and Hanover for their assistance in the drafting of this policy.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, November 2024
Unattended Child Policy
The Raynham Library welcomes children of all ages and strives to create a warm, inviting learning environment. The Library offers many programs and services that encourage children to develop a love of books and reading. However, the Library is a public building, and the well-being of children left alone at the Library is a serious concern. Young children are not safe when left unattended in a library or any other public place.The responsibility for children using the Library rests with the child’s caregiver.
The safety and well-being of every child is very important and to ensure their protection, the Raynham Public Library has adopted the following policy.
- The Library staff is not responsible for supervising children.
- Children age 12 or younger must be accompanied and directly supervised by a designated caregiver (aged 16+) at all times.
- If a child age 12 or younger is left unattended, every effort will be made to contact their caregiver. If the caregiver cannot be located, the police will be contacted.
- Caregivers (aged 16+) must not leave the Library while their children, age 12 or younger, are attending a Library sponsored program.
- Children age 13 and older should be familiar with, and adhere to, Library policies and hours of service. A child, old enough to use the Library alone, whose conduct interferes with another patrons’ ability to use the Library in violation of posted policies will be asked to leave the building. Children should know how to reach their caregiver during their visit.
- Under no circumstances will a staff member transport a child from the Library.
- Library staff cannot prevent children from interacting with or leaving with persons who are not the appropriate chaperone.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, June 2023
