Policies
I. Library Cards and Registration
a. All residents of Clive, unincorporated areas of Polk and Dallas County, and communities contracting with the library are considered to be patrons, and our customers. All patrons are eligible to receive a library card unless their borrowing privileges or use of the Clive Public Library have been suspended or revoked by the library.
b. Patrons of other Iowa libraries may borrow materials from the Clive Public Library (through our participation in the State Library’s Open Access program). These people may register for and receive a library card with the same borrowing privileges and responsibilities as local patrons.
c. Other people may apply for and receive cards at staff discretion.
d. A customer’s first library card is free. There is a $1.00 fee for a replacement card.
e. If a card is lost or stolen, the customer must notify the library promptly. Only upon notification, staff will block loans against that card, and the customer will not be responsible for any further checkouts.
f. Most library cards do not expire. (See VII. Special Arrangements).
All customer information will be updated once per year. Registered borrowers who have not used their cards at least once, or had their customer information updated within any three year period, must
re-register for a library card. A customer’s outstanding fines and fees must be under $5.00 before the Library will renew her/his registration.
g. Adults desiring registration should be present and provide two forms of current identification (driver’s license, student ID, social security card, check with current address, gas/electric or water bill) to become a registered borrower. At least one i.d. must be a picture i.d. (Identification may be waived if staff will vouch for the customer’s identity.) The customer’s signature, street address and telephone number (if he/she has one) is required; her/his age and social security number are optional. See also Item m.
h. A parent or guardian’s signature is required for minor children to receive a library card. Children’s registrations require a street address, birth date and telephone number (if they have one) of the parent or guardian signing the registration.
i. Library staff may send a registration form and issue a library card to any customer with a disability, which prevents them from coming to the library.
j. Customers (or, in the case of minor children, their parents/guardians) are responsible for all items checked out on their cards. Customers will be held responsible for the payment of any fines or fees incurred due to lost, overdue or damaged items checked out on their cards, as well as any costs incurred by the library to see that these responsibilities are fulfilled (including, but not limited to, standardized charges for postage, collection and processing. See VI. Schedule of Fees).
k. The Library Director may revoke a customer’s borrowing privileges if it is determined that their card was improperly issued. If the cardholder has become ineligible since the card was issued, due to change of address, change in custody of a minor child, or any other reason, their borrowing privileges may be revoked.
l. Customer information is confidential. It may, however, be used by the library or its representatives while attempting to collect money, material or equipment as set forth in these policies and approved by law.
m. Family cards may be issued to an adult who requests one. Family cards can include parent(s) and children or just spouses. Up to six people may be listed on one family card including adult(s). Only people all living at the same address will be put on the same family card. Family cards are treated like all other accounts if fines accrue or materials are lost or stolen. All above requirements for items a-m must be met. Family cards are optional for patrons and patrons who choose to do so may instead have individual cards issued to the members of their families. Patrons cannot have an individual card if they are included on a family card or obtain a family card while retaining their individual borrower account. One adult can open a family card account and must sign the application to do so if he/she has the required proof of i.d. The adult applying for the account may list other family members in the account if they live in the same household. No one can have more than one card account. No one can have an individual account and be in a family account, too.
II. Circulation and Renewals
a. All materials are checked out for a period of three weeks.
b. Materials may be renewed for up to two three-week periods. Additional
renewals may be made with permission of the director.
c. Items may be renewed by customers over the telephone, by
e-mail and on-line.
d. No item may be renewed if another customer has placed it on reserve.
e. No item may be renewed on an account on which the fine is $5.00 or higher.
f. Check out of movies is limtied to ten per account.
III. Title Requests and Reserves
a. Title requests are made by registered borrowers for materials that are not yet part of the library’s collections. All title requests will be evaluated by staff for purchase. (See the Collection Management Policy). Most title requests not selected for purchase will be pursued for the customer’s use through Interlibrary Loan.
b. Reserves are hold requests placed on titles that are owned by the library or are on order for addition to the library’s collections.
c. When requested or reserved materials become available, customers will be notified within 48 hours (or as soon thereafter as possible).
d. If multiple customers have reserved the same item, the first customer on the reserve list will be the first to be called. If a customer is not reached (whether by telephone conversation, telephone message or e-mail) within four days of an item becoming available, the next customer listed will be called. The first customer will be removed from the list.
e. Reserves and requests (other than those received through Interlibrary Loan) will be held for pickup for four days, unless the customer specifically requests that other arrangements be made. If a reserve or request is not picked up by the end of the fourth day after notification,
the item will be offered to the next customer; the first customer’s name will be removed from the reserve list for that item. Customers may arrange to move their own names to the bottom of reserve lists by calling or e-mailing the library.
f. Materials received through Interlibrary Loan will be held for customers through the length of the lending
library’s loan.
g. Mail A Book Service – Customers who do not wish to come to the library to pick up an interlibrary loan or reserve item may choose instead to have these items mailed to their home or workplace for a fee. (See Schedule of Fees). Patrons who choose the Mail A Book service may pay for the service in advance if they are in the library or have it billed to their accounts. Charges will not be placed on an account that has a balance over $5.00.
IV. Overdues, Fines and Fees
a. According to section 714.5 of the Code of Iowa, it is a criminal offense to intentionally fail to return library materials. It states that if “a person fails to return library materials for two months or more after the date a person agreed to return the materials, [it] is evidence of intent to deprive” the library of materials. In the event that the materials have been lost, Iowa law provides that arrangements may be made to pay for them. The library will pursue all legal avenues to retrieve library materials, property and/or compensation for library materials and property that is overdue, lost, stolen or damaged. If an account is sent to a collection agency or turned over to some other agency for debt recovery, then the computer as well as borrower accounts of the patron (s) will be suspended.
b. Fines are charged every day of the year, regardless of whether or not the library is open. (See VI. Schedule of Fees for current fines.)
c. Fines for lost, overdue or damaged items will not exceed the price of the items (based on the library’s records), plus standardized charges for postage, processing and collection. (See VI, Schedule of Fees for rates).
d. If an item becomes lost or is returned to the library damaged beyond repair, the customer will be charged the cost of the item (based on the library’s records), plus standardized charges for postage, processing and collection. (See VI. Schedule of Fees).
e. A service fee (See VI. Schedule of Fees) will be added to delinquent accounts that are referred to a collection agency after the library has mailed two delinquent account notices including one notice about theTheft of Library Materials Law to the account holder.
f. If a lost or damaged item was part of a set, the responsible customer may be charged the purchase price of the set (as recorded in the library’s records), plus standardized charges for postage, processing and collection. (See VI. Schedule of Fees).
g. Once each week, library staff will generate overdue notices for items three and eight weeks overdue to be sent to delinquent customers. The library will send customers two overdue notices based on the amount of time items are overdue in returning to the library. A “first notice” will be sent three weeks after the items are overdue to remind customers that fines are accruing. A second notice will be sent to delinquent customers eight weeks after due date to remind them of the implications of section 714.5 of the Code of Iowa. Additional contact with delinquent customers, if necessary, may be made through other agencies at the discretion of the Library Director.
h. If a customer’s unpaid fines and fees total $5.00 or more, her/his borrowing privileges will be suspended. Borrowing privileges will be reinstated when the outstanding balance falls below the $5.00 limit.
i. Customers may keep items paid for if they are later found, or damaged materials once they have been paid for to the library’s satisfaction; such payments are considered final and no refunds will be made.
j. Fines may be temporarily over-ridden by staff, pending the decision of the Library Director. Staff must write up an incident report after overriding a fine.
V. Confidentiality of Library Patron Records
a. The exemption for library records to the Open Records Law is found in section 22.7(13) of the Code of Iowa and reads as follows:
22.7 Confidential Records
The following public records shall be kept confidential, unless otherwise ordered by a court, by the lawful
custodian of the records, or by another person duly authorized to release such information.
The records of a library which, by themselves or when examined with other public library records,
would reveal the identity of the public library patron checking out or requesting an item or informationfrom the library. The records shall be released to a criminal justice agency only pursuant to an investigation
of a particular person or organization suspected of committing a known crime. The records shall be
released only upon a judicial determination that a rational connection exists between the requested release
of information and a legitimate end and that the need for the information is cogent and compelling.
b. Staff may not divulge customer numbers, show registration cards, or in any other way assist any individual, including parents of minor children, (except in the case of family card accounts and then only if the child in question is in the family card account with the adult requesting the information) or agency in discovering who has used any library materials, or who has sought information from any library source. Any party seeking such information shall be referred to the Library Director.
c. The Library Director shall be the “lawful custodian of the records”. All requests for access to the registration file, circulation records, or information requests must go through the Director. Any person or agency requesting circulation records, electronic usage records or records of information requests shall be requested to produce a court order for the release of the information. All cases of confidentiality must be considered by the Board of Trustees of the Clive Public Library in consultation with the Director and City Manager. The Board of Trustees recognizes that many records of this library pertaining to registration, circulation and the information requests of its customers are confidential in nature and declares that no library employee shall make such records available to anyone, including any agency of state, federal or local government except pursuant to federal, state or local law relating to civil, criminal or administrative investigatory power.
d. After consultation with the Library Director and the City Manager, the Library Board may vote at a public meeting to release the names, addresses and telephone numbers of registered borrowers for purposes unrelated to commercial gain. Any such requests must be made in writing to the Library Director.
VI. Schedule of Fees
a. Fines for materials are 20¢ per item per day.
b. Processing charges for lost or damaged items are assessed per item as follows:
Paperbacks (items from “paperback” collection), $5.00
children’s board books, magazines and newspapers
All other materials (hardcover books, videos, audios, CDs) $15.00
Delinquent accounts referred to collection agencies $35.00
c. Photocopy and printer charges are 10¢ per page, except color printing, which is $1.00 per page.
d. Diskettes are 50¢ each, blank CD’s are 50¢ each.
e. Headphones are $8.00 each. (Customers may purchase a set or bring their own.)
f. Faxing costs are $1.00 per page to send or receive except the cover page.
g. Mail-A-Book Service is $4.00 per item.
h. CD cases are 50¢ each .
i. USB jump drives are $6.00 each.
Special Arrangements
Special arrangements for the use of library materials (for institutions, corporations, deposit collections, special groups, etc.) may be made with the approval of the Library Director.
Visitor's Internet Access
The library has eleven public access Internet computers. Short-term visitors to the community may register for a Temporary Computer User's Account. These accounts will be established by staff for one month and may not be renewed for one year. A parent or guardian's signature is required for minors who are short-term visitors to the community and who want to establish a Temporary Computer User's Account.
Policy On Access To Electronic Information
The Board of Trustees of the Clive Public Library recognizes that within the community are groups and individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds and needs. The Board further recognizes and emphasizes that the library was established to serve all of the people in its service area.
Electronic information and networking is a very rapidly developing area of public and private activity. These developments pose new opportunities and challenges for the Library Board, the library staff and library users and their families. The Board believes that these challenges and opportunities are best addressed by adherence to fundamental principles of traditional library use and the principles of a free society. The new methods of receiving information do not change the commitment of the Clive Public Library, which was established to provide open and equal access to ideas and information.
RESOURCES
The Clive Public Library utilizes electronic media such as periodical articles on-line, specific databases and the World Wide Web. In providing these resources the Clive Public Library will consider such factors as the availability of electronic material, established selection criteria, user responsiveness, costs, and the effectiveness of the media to meet the information needs of the people and communities of the Clive Public Library service area.
The World Wide Web (Internet) is a global network that already links many millions of computers and databases in universities, colleges, schools, corporations, government agencies, commercial enterprises and homes. The Internet provides communication and information services to patrons in public libraries as well as in their own homes.
ACCESS
Congress and the courts have recognized that there is no single organization to govern, control, or select
information for the Internet. Because of this freedom of information, the breadth of information on the Internet, the unstructured and unregulated nature of the Internet, and the unreliable state of filtering, Clive Public Library cannot control the content of resources available on the Internet.
The Clive Public Library will not impose blocking or filtering software to limit access to Internet sites. However, the Library will provide users with the option of using filtered access to the Internet. This option is intended to assist all users in meeting their special interests and/or their own family values.
The public library, unlike schools, does not have the authority to serve in place of a parent. It always has been and remains the right and the responsibility of parents and guardians of children to determine what if any restrictions to place on their own children using library resources. This must continue to be the case for minors who are using on-line information. As it does with other library resources, the library will provide information on electronic resource usage for users. It will also make available information to help parents and guardians in efforts to exercise their rights and responsibilities.
Users may choose to have filtered, unfiltered or no Internet access to suit their own needs and those of their minor children. However, no filtering product is capable of blocking access to everything that might give offense to individual users. The best course for parents who wish to teach their minor children how to safely and wisely use the Internet is parental supervision of their use.
Anyone using the Internet computers at the Clive Public Library must register as an Internet user and register for a library card.(See exception for Temporary Computer User) A parent or guardian’s signature is required for minors to use the Internet.
Short-term visitors to the community may register for a Temporary Computer User’s Account. These accounts will be established by staff for one month and may not be renewed for one year. A parent or guardian’s signature is required for minors who are short-term visitors to the community to establish a Temporary Computer User’s Account.
Users may checkout a computer terminal for Internet or other electronic use in two hour increments. If no one else has registered for the computer at the end of the two hours, then the user may renew checkout for an additional two hours.
Users may not install or save anything on the library’s public computers hard drive.
Users who bring their own laptops may use the Library’s wireless service. Laptop users are not required to have accounts with the Library.
Confidentiality and Privacy
The Clive Public Library upholds the right of confidentiality and privacy for all library users. Thus, in order to protect the privacy of the user and the interests of other library users, the library will attempt to minimize unintentional viewing of the Internet. This will be done by use of recessed screens, and by judicious placement of the terminals and other appropriate means. Users are urged to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing information that may be considered offensive to others. However, absolute privacy for users using electronic resources in the library cannot be guaranteed. This is because there does exist a possibility of inadvertent viewing by others, either by watching the user’s screen or because a user may leave the screen unattended. The Conduct in the Library Policy applies to the behavior of patrons using electronic equipment and resources. Failure to follow the Conduct in the Library Policy may result in revocation of library privileges.
Constitutional Protections
The use of all library resources, including electronic resources, is voluntary. The library does not select the material on the Internet and has no way to assure that only constitutionally protected material is available on the Internet. Access to, use of, or dissemination of constitutionally unprotected (legally obscene) speech is unacceptable in the library. Access, use, or dissemination of constitutionally unprotected speech in the library, in violation of this policy, is the responsibility of the user, or in the case of minors it is a joint responsibility of the user and the parent or guardian.
The Library attempts to protect the privacy of computer users through the use of firewalls, regular deletion of users’ site histories and other means intended to keep users’ information as secure and private as possible. However, there can be no absolute guarantees of privacy to users of public computers and users are strongly encouraged to be prudent about entering information that is personal and private on the Library’s computers. The Library and City are not responsible for the theft of personal information that occurs via the public access computers in the tech room.
Library Conduct Policy
All library users and employees should be free of any threat of harm, invasion of property, or gross indignity. In an effort to protect these rights for all persons, the Library Board has approved the following rules.
No person shall engage in any conduct that disturbs or interferes with the legitimate use of the Library, including, but not restricted to the following:
- Willfully annoy, harass, or threaten another person.
- Behave in a disorderly, loud, or boisterous manner.
- Interfere with another person’s passage within the Library or on library grounds.
- Consume or possess alcoholic beverages, or use or possess controlled substances on library grounds or be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances in a manner that causes public disturbance.
- Possess any firearm, knife, any device which could be used as a weapon or other weapon prohibited by City Ordinance or State Statutes.
- Deface or destroy library property.
- Smoking in the Library.
- Remain in the Library without authorization after regular closing hours.
- Solicit funds or panhandle.
- Interfere with others’ use of the Library through poor bodily hygiene that is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance.
- Bringing unauthorized animals into the Library except as required by persons with disabilities.
- Use skates or a skateboard in the Library or entrance.
- Play audio equipment at volume that is disturbing to other users.
- Campaign, petition, interview or survey patrons or staff in a manner that is disruptive to Library activities.
- Willfully expose patrons and staff to offensive images or language.
- Engage in loud or lengthy conversations (including conversations on cell phones) in areas intended for quiet study.
- Interfere with the Library’s right to maintain a clean, pleasant and safe facility.
- Use of the Library’s or public telephone for extended periods so that other patrons are prevented from using it as needed.
- Use of cell phone cameras or other unauthorized cameras in the Library.
- Attachment or use of private equipment to download or obtain website images or to obtain information about other patrons from public access computers, such as spyware.
Enforcement of these rules for persons may take the form of any of the following actions, depending on the severity of the misconduct that will be determined by the staff on duty at the time. These disciplinary procedures are merely guidelines. They are not listed in any particular order and there is no requirement that any particular disciplinary action precede any other action. The Library may choose to implement any of the procedures listed, including immediate banishment from the premises, at any time, depending on the seriousness of the violation.
- In the case of a minor disruption, the patron receives two warnings. At the third offense, the patron must leave the Library for the rest of the day.
- In the case of any misconduct that, in the judgement of a staff member, is extreme, the offender may receive only one warning, be ordered to leave the building immediately, or the police may be called as appropriate.
- Patrons causing disruptions on repeated visits will be warned by the Director or designee that they will not be allowed to enter the building if the behavior continues. Patrons who engage in repeated disruptive behaviors that interfere with others’ use of the Library, or who engage in behaviors that violate City Code or State Statutes, may be permanently banned from the Library premises by the Director. An appeal of the Library Director’s decision may be made to the Library Board. An appeal to the Library Board must be in writing.
- Exceptions to the above may be authorized by the Library Director and/or her/his designee.
Safe Child Policy
Policy Statement: The Library Board and Staff are concerned for the safety and welfare of children who use the library unattended by a parent or guardian. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for their children’s behavior while in the library.
Children under the age of nine attending a library program must be brought into the building by a parent or responsible child care provider who must remain in the building until the conclusion of the program when they again resume supervision of their charge. Children under the age of four must be attended at all times unless attending a library program.
It is not the library’s intent to seek out unattended children but rather to have a reasoned response prepared as situations occur.
Children Under Age Nine Left Unattended:
- Children left unattended are often frightened and crying and should be comforted by the staff.
- If it is determined that a child is lost or left unattended, a staff member should bring the child to the person on duty at the public services desk/or to the Youth Services Librarian.
- The public service desk staff person or the Youth Services Librarian should try to identify and locate the parents or responsible adults:
- Walk around the library with the child looking for the parent.
- When the parent is located explain the library policy on unattended children. If the parent or childcare provider will not comply, they and their child will be asked to leave the building.
- If the parent is not found in the building, a staff member should stay with the child until the parent can be located, through searching the library’s records, phone book, city directory, etc. They will be informed of the library’s policy and asked to either join the child at the library or to pick up the child immediately. If they are unable to come immediately, they will be told the child may stay until they arrive this time but that the police will be called upon to take responsibility for the child at the next occurrence.
- If the parents have not been located within an hour, or if the library is closing, the public service desk staff or the Youth Services Librarian shall call the police who will take charge of the child.
- Under no circumstances shall a staff member take the child out of the building.
Children Any Age Left Unattended At Closing:
- If the parent is not found in the building, a staff member should stay with the child attempting to locate the parent through searching the library’s records, phone book, city directory, etc. If the parent arrives within 15 minutes of closing, they will be informed of the library’s policy and asked that the child be picked up in a more timely manner in the future.
- If the parent cannot be located within 15 minutes after the library closes the police will be contacted to take charge of the child until the parents are found. Under no circumstances shall a library staff member take the child out of the building.
Parents Will Want To Know
Iowa's Confidentiality of Library Records Law protects the confidentiality of borrower records. Library staff are prohibited from divulging what items have been borrowed to anyone except the borrower. For parents convenience a Family Card is available.
Parents may want to have young children give them custody of their library borrower receipts when they are printed.
Parental permission is required for minor children to use the Technology Room. The library will not impose blocking or filtering software to limit access to Internet sites. However, the library will provide users with the option of using filtered access to the Internet.
Users may choose filtered, unfiltered or no Internet access to suit their own needs and those of their minor children. A parent or guardian must come to the library and sign the computer registration form in order for minor children to check out a computer terminal for use in the Technology Room.
Gifts and Donations
Gifts and donations may be made to the Library in several ways. Memorial and Celebratory books, donations to the Library’s Gift Fund, or the Library also accepts donations of used books and magazines.
The Friends of the Clive Public Library supports the Library by seeking additional sources of funding to support and enhance the programs and services at the Library, which are not included in the budget. For more information, please click here.
The Gifts Policy includes details on what types of donations the Library can accept.
Memorial and Celebratory Books - Consider honoring someone special. Congratulate a graduate, honor an anniversary or birthday, thank a co-worker, or present a memorial.
The Library accepts monetary donations for the purchase of Library materials to honor the memory of individuals or celebrate a special occasion. Bookplates are placed in the materials acknowledging the honoree and the donor. Notification is sent to the memorial family or the honoree, with the opportunity to reserve the material for first viewing when the item has been received and processed. Please click here to access the form. The completed form can be returned to the Library by mail, FAX or email. For questions, call the Library office at 515-453-2221 ext. 233.
Gift Fund - Donations to the Library’s Gift Fund may be made at any time and in any amount. The Gift Fund is used for library materials and programming. Expenditures are approved by the Library Board of Trustees. Donations may be made in person at the Library or mailed to the Office Assistant, Clive Public Library, 1900 NW 114th St., Clive, IA 50325.
Used Books And Magazines - The Library accepts donations of used books and non-print materials. Items that meet the Library’s selection policy and are in good condition are added to the collection. Other items are sold at the Friends of the Clive Public Library annual book sale or donated to another non-profit.
You may bring your donations to the Library any time the Library is open. Bring your items to the public service desk. If you would like a receipt, please ask staff. The Library staff is not qualified to determine the value of your donation, but they can confirm the number and type of items you donated. It will be up to you to assign a value for tax purposes.
Collection Development Policy
Selection of Materials - The Clive Public Library provides materials and services to support the informational, educational and recreational needs of the citizens of Clive. The functional roles of the library will be considered in the development of the collection and will receive priority in the allocation of resources and funds.
Selection and purchase of library materials rests with the library director who may delegate some responsibilities to other staff members. Staff will adhere to accepted professional practices when making selection decisions. First, the recreational, educational, and informational needs of the community will be considered in selecting materials. When collections are shared with a consortium of libraries selection may be delegated to the consortium managers.
Before the beginning of each budget year, the Director will determine how limited funds will be allocated among the major collection subdivisions (e.g., adult non-fiction, fiction, youth collection, reference, periodicals, media and electronic). Circulation statistics and counts of in-house use of materials will be maintained to assist in decision-making. Average cost per item, as determined by the previous year’s purchases and reports in library and publishing journals, will also be considered in allocating funds.
Materials will be selected based on positive reviews in professional journals or actual examination and evaluation of materials. Instead of reviews, popular demand (bestsellers, school bibliographies, local interest) may be used as the criterion for selection of materials. Items that must be updated every year may be placed on a standing order list to ensure timely delivery. Suggestions from the community for items to be considered for purchase are strongly encouraged, but materials must meet selection criteria.
The Clive Public Library does not attempt to acquire textbooks that support local curricula, but may acquire textbooks for general use by the public. Multiple copies of popular books (e.g., bestsellers, resume guides, tax preparation) may be purchased to meet demand. Paperback books will be purchased when available to meet short-term demand. The library will attempt to have information available in a variety of formats (book, non-book/media, pamphlet, magazines, electronic) when available and practical. Generally, only one copy of materials in other formats (video, compact disk) will be purchased unless long-term high demand is anticipated. Movies will be selected with priority given to children’s films, educational films, award-winning and/or critically acclaimed films and classic films. Regardless of an item’s popularity, the library may choose not to select it, because its format is not durable enough to withstand reasonable library use, or it would require excessive staff time to maintain.
Gifts - The Clive Public Library welcomes gifts of new and used books, audio recordings, videos, and similar materials. Items will be added to the collection in accordance with the selection policy of the library. Once donated, items become the property of the Clive Public Library and may be given to other libraries and non-profit agencies, sold, traded, or discarded if they are not added to the collection. Donated items will not be returned to the donor and the library will not accept any item that is not an outright gift. The library will acknowledge receipt of donated items, but is unable to set fair market or appraisal values. It is recommended that the donor make a list of items donated. If items are being donated to obtain a tax benefit, it is the donor’s responsibility to establish fair market value or obtain expert assistance in establishing any value. The library also reserves the right to decide when a gift added to the collection must be withdrawn.
Monetary gifts, bequests, and memorial or honorary contributions are particularly welcome. Funds donated will be used to purchase items in accordance with the selection policy of the library. Books, videos, and other materials purchased with bequests and memorial or honorary contributions will be identified with special donor plates whenever possible. If requested, notification of memorial or honorary contributions will be sent to the family of the person being recognized or to the person being honored. Suggestions for subject areas or other areas of interest are welcome and will be followed to the extent possible.
Acceptance of donations of equipment, real estate, stock, artifacts, works of art, collections, etc., will be determined by the library based on the suitability to the purposes and needs of the library, laws and regulations that govern the ownership of the gift, and the library’s ability to cover insurance and maintenance costs associated with the donation.
Requests for Reconsideration of Materials - The Clive Public Library welcomes comments and suggestions regarding the continued appropriateness of materials in the collection, especially concerning outdated materials. Suggestions will be considered and utilized by the library in the ongoing process of collection development.
Individuals may take issue with library materials that do not support their tastes and views. Staff is available to discuss concerns and identify alternate materials that may be available. If a patron’s concern is not satisfied through discussion with staff, a formal written request for reconsideration of materials may be submitted to the library director. Copies of this form are available from the director’s office.
The Clive Public Library is not a judicial body. Laws governing obscenity, subversive materials and other questionable matters are subject to interpretation by the courts. Therefore, no challenged material will be removed solely for the complaint of obscenity or any other category covered by law until after a local court of competent jurisdiction has ruled against the material. No materials will knowingly be added to the library collection that has been previously determined to be in non-compliance with local laws.
For a request for reconsideration to be considered, the form must be completed in full. The patron submitting the request must be a resident of the City of Clive or rural Polk or Dallas County and hold a valid borrower’s card. The Director will respond, in writing within thirty days of receipt, to the patron’s request for reconsideration. The response will indicate the action to be taken and reasons for or against the request. An item will only be evaluated for reconsideration once in a twelve-month period.
After receiving the Director’s response, the complainant may request that the Director refer the matter to the library board for further consideration. Challenged materials will not be removed from the public shelves while awaiting resolution of a request for reconsideration. The library board will review the issue at a regularly scheduled board meeting. The decision of the library board will be final in the matter. A complainant who wishes to appeal the decision of the library board concerning reconsideration of materials will need to pursue a judiciary proceeding in a court.
Deselection of Materials - Materials that no longer fit the stated service roles of the library will be withdrawn from the collection. This may also include materials that are damaged, include obsolete information, or are no longer used. Decisions will be based on accepted professional practice, such as those described in The CREW Method, and the professional judgement of the Library Director or designated staff. When necessary, local specialists may be consulted to determine the continued relevance and reliability of materials.
Items withdrawn from the collection will be disposed of in accordance with local law, which permits discarding into the trash or recycling of paper. Materials may also be sold or donated to other groups such as the Friends of the Clive Public Library.
Reference and Information Services
The staff at the Clive Public Library endeavors to provide accurate information and materials in response to requests from library users in an efficient, courteous, and timely manner. In order to ensure that quality service is provided, only staff trained in providing reference service will work at the reference desk. Questions are generally answered in the order received, with priority given to questions asked by patrons in the Library. Staff will respond to questions asked in the Library, over the telephone or via e-mail and the ‘bold chat’ live website service.
Services available through the reference desk include information services (answers to specific questions, call number and ownership of a specific book, recommendations on subject materials), instruction on the use of the Library and library materials (indexes, online services, catalog, reference tools), bibliographic verification of items requested (title, author, publishers, ISBN, price), reader’s advisory (suggestions on books to read, videos to view, recordings to hear), referral to community services, and assistance in locating materials, and homework questions.
Before responding to a reference request, staff must understand the question completely. When answering specific information questions, staff will always cite the source of the answer. Personal beliefs, opinions, and experience are generally not acceptable sources of answers to reference questions but, if given, will be appropriately identified. Staff will accompany the patron to the location of the desired material in the Library and confirm that the information meets the patron’s need.
E-mail, ‘bold chat’ live website service, and telephone reference service is usually limited to supplying readily available information that does not require extensive research and that can be accurately and quickly imparted. Extensive research that requires selection of appropriate materials, interpretation of data and sources, or analysis of information is best performed by the patron. Detailed information, especially that which is subject to analysis or interpretation, will not be relayed over the telephone, website or through e-mail. Samples of available materials can be gathered and held for patron pick-up.
Every attempt will be made to answer questions using information available in the Library. This includes print, non-print and online resources. If the answer is not found the questions will be sent to a back-up reference service.
Telephone reference questions that can be answered quickly (two or three minutes) without affecting service to patrons in the Library should be handled while the patron waits. Questions that require more time to answer, or that are received while other patrons are waiting in the Library, will be handled as callbacks or e-mails. All callbacks and e-mails will be cleared by the end of the day or the patron will be notified of the delay. Privacy and concern for accuracy of information will be considered when leaving messages on answering machines or with another household member.
Library Programs Policy
As part of its service roles, the Clive Public Library offers programs for citizens and especially for very young children, their families and care givers.
Programs may be developed and presented by Library staff, independent contractors or may be co-sponsored by the Library and other community organizations.
The purpose of Library programs at the Clive Public Library is to promote and help develop literacy skills in youth and a love of lifelong learning.
Story time programs for preschool-aged children will be presented on a regular schedule throughout the year. Programs for school-aged children and teens will also be offered, especially after school, during school holidays and summer vacations.
Each year, the Library Director will establish a budget for hiring performers and purchasing materials for children’s programming.
Programs for adults may be scheduled as staff time and budget permit if they help fulfill the Library’s service roles. There is no budget for adult programs.
Presenters may not directly solicit business before, during or following a program, although cards and brochures may be left on the display table for attendees to pick up and authors/illustrators may sell copies of their books.
All speakers, independent contractors, volunteers and staff will undergo the City’s required criminal background check before presenting programs. In the event of ongoing programs the presenters will undergo the criminal background check annually in July.
It is the intent of the Library Board to make youth programs that promote pre-literacy and literacy skills available without fees to the public. Fees may be charged for some special or costly programs especially if they are not related to the purpose of Library programs or the mission and service roles of the Library.
When space restrictions or program requirements limit the number of people who may attend, then preference will be given to residents of the City of Clive, residents of Windsor Heights, which contracts for Library service from Clive and rural residents of Polk County, which also contracts for library service from Clive. Residents of other Metro or Iowa communities may
Persons attending Library sponsored or co-sponsored programs are expected to adhere to the Library’s policies including the Conduct in the Library Policy.
also attend programs if space and program requirements permit.
Policy on Social Networking Sites
Clive Public Library-sponsored social networking sites are places for patrons to share opinions about library-related subjects/issues. The Clive Public Library reserves the right to review comments before they are posted on all of the Clive Public Library social networking sites, and to modify or remove any messages or postings that are deemed, in its sole discretion, to be abusive, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate for the service. The Clive Public Library also reserves the right to edit or modify any submissions in response to requests for feedback or other commentary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Clive Public Library is not obligated to take any such actions, and will not be responsible or liable for content posted by any subscriber patron in any forum, message board, or other area within the Clive Public Library social networking sites.
The following comments will be removed by the Clive Public Library’s editors before being published:
- Potentially libelous comments
- Obscene or racist comments
- Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
- Plagiarized material which violates any copyright, trademark or other intellectual property right of a third party
- Private, personal information published without consent
- Comments totally unrelated to the topic of the forum
- Commercial promotions or spam
- Hyperlinks to material that is not directly related to the discussion
Forums and messaging may not be used for commercial purposes.
If you do not agree to the terms of use included in this policy, do not use the Clive Public Library social networking sites. By posting a comment, you agree to indemnify the Clive Public Library and its officers and employees from and against any liabilities, judgments, damages, and costs (including attorney’s fees) incurred by any of them, which arise out of or are related to the content that you post.
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