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Handbook for Library Trustees of New York

External

Circulation

  • Customer Service
  • Patron Confidentiality
    • Law Enforcement Inquiry
  • Lending Rules
    • Non-Resident Borrowing

Collection

  • Collection Development
    • Weeding
  • Censorship:
    • Challenge of Library Materials
    • Freedom to Read (ALA)
    • Freedom to View (ALA)
  • Copier/Copyright
  • Local History

Public Space

  • Accessibility/ADA Statement
  • Exhibit/Posting
  • Incident Report Form
  • Meeting Space/Equipment
  • Patron Behavior/Code of Conduct
  • Patron Complaints
  • Programming
  • Tutoring
  • Unattended Children
  • Vulnerable Adults

Technology

  • Library Equipment Usage:
    • Computers
    • Printers
    • Devices
    • 3D Printer
  • Internet Use
  • Wireless Use
  • Website
  • General Data Protection Regulation

Internal

Board

  • Code of Ethics/Conduct
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Continuing Education
  • Meeting Procedures
    • Public Expression
  • Removal of a Trustee

Administrative

  • Business Continuity Plan
  • Environmental
  • Inclement Weather/Closing
  • Public Access to Records (FOIL)
  • Public Relations (including Social Media)
  • Records Retention

Financial Controls

  • Audit/Review Schedule
  • Claims Audit Process
  • Credit Card
  • Disposition of Surplus Property
  • Friends Group Memo of Understanding
  • Fund Balance & Reserve Funds
  • Fundraising/Gift
  • Investments
  • Inventory/Fixed Assets
  • Online Banking & Wire Transfers
  • Petty Cash
  • Purchasing/Procurement
  • Travel & Conference

Personnel

  • Attendance/Leave
  • Code of Conduct
  • Computer/Internet/Email/Social Media Use
  • Continuing Education
  • Discipline/Termination
  • Equal Employment Opportunity
  • Evaluation Procedure
  • Grievance Procedure
  • Harassment
  • Jury Duty
  • Nepotism
  • Orientation
  • Outside Employment
  • Personnel Records Access
  • Probationary Period
  • Recruitment/Hiring
  • Salary/Benefits
  • Volunteers
  • Whistleblower Protection

Safety

  • Emergency Plan
    • Disaster Recovery
    • Active Shooter Procedures
  • Fire Safety
  • Opioid Prevention Measures
  • Workplace Safety

In Addition

This Policy Checklist is offered as a guideline of typical public library policies. Though terminology may vary, every library board is required to adopt appropriate policies for their institution (8 NYCRR §90.2).

For helpful information on developing policies, libraries are encouraged to contact their public library system.