Policies

BRRL does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet. BRRL assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its Internet connections.

Library users and employees are forbidden to use the library's computers equipment and communications for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading illegal material by way of the Internet. Persons who violate this provision of the policy may be reported to the relevant legal entity.

Who can use internet workstations?

• Registered patrons of the library who are 18 or over may use the Internet after reading the rules and agreeing to abide by them. If the patron has a card, staff will scan it and then return it to the patron
• Residents of other communities who are 18 or over may use the Internet after reading the rules and agreeing to abide by them
• Registered patrons between the ages of 13 and 17 whose cards are in good standing must have their parent's permission to access the Internet. Permission will be indicated by the parent or legal guardian's signature on the application
• Children under the age of thirteen must be under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, teacher, or adult child care provider who has signed in for a session

Acceptable Use Guidelines

• Users must sign in before logging on
• The Internet computers are in public places and can be viewed by other people. Privacy and confidentiality cannot be assured. Users should be sensitive to others when choosing Internet sites to explore or may be asked to move to another site or to leave the computer if they have chosen sites which are offensive to other library users
• Users are limited to 60 minutes if others are waiting. If no one is waiting, the person may continue until someone else needs to use the computer
• Users may print electronic files or copy them to diskettes or USB flash drives. The charge for printouts is the same as the per page charge for other forms of copies (25¢ for BW and 35¢ for color)
• If you experience a problem while using the workstation, ask for assistance. DO NOT attempt to FIX it. DO NOT TURN OFF or REBOOT the computer
• E-mail accounts are not provided for library users
• Direct links to news groups or news servers are not provided
• No more than two people may use an Internet terminal at any given time

Unauthorized Uses

To comply with the federal Child's Internet Protection Act, the Blue Ridge Regional Library has installed filtering software on Internet-connected computers. Unauthorized use of the Internet via BRRL computers may result in the loss of Internet privileges. Any person making unauthorized use of workstations or the Internet in violation of applicable laws may be prosecuted. The following uses are UNAUTHORIZED:

• Using a BRRL computer or network resources for illegal or criminal purposes
• Using a BRRL computer or network resources to "hack" the BRRL system or any other system
• Reading, or attempting to read, any protected file, including another person's e-mail
• Installing personal software on a BRRL computer. Obstructing other people's work by consuming excessive amounts of system resources and time. You must respect the privacy of others using BRRL computers by not interfering with their use
• Any modification or installation of the system or programs is forbidden. This includes installation of programs, bookmarks, and favorites. Suggestions for additional bookmarks, shortcuts or links are appreciated and should be made in writing to the libray staff

Martinsville and Henry County

If, due to inclement weather, the library system has to be closed, a message on the answering machine at the Martinsville branch will indicate the libraries are closed. That number is 276-403-5430.

However, after assessing the road and library parking lot conditions, the director may decide these branches can open. Messages will be posted regarding the open status on the Martinsville answering machine.

Even if local schools are on a delayed schedule, the libraries will open at their regular times. In some cases, the library may open at a later time to allow road conditions and parking lots to improve and will be noted as above. Early closing of the libraries due to bad weather will be determined by the director and branch managers. The early closing will be announced in the library and posted on the library doors.

Patrick County

If the Patrick County library will be closed, an announcement will be placed on the local radio station and the library’s answering machine. The number is 276-694-3352. If the director and branch manager determine the library can open even though the public schools are closed, he/she will place an announcement on the local radio station. Early closing due to bad weather will be determined by the director and branch manager and will be posted on the library door.

PLEASE LISTEN TO THE LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS AND CALL AHEAD WHEN IN DOUBT

The American Library Association (ALA) affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948.
Amended February 2, 1961, June 27, 1967, and January 23, 1980, by the ALA Council

The freedom to view, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:

1. To provide the broadest possible access to film, video and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to ensure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
3. To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of view and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.
4. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video and other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
5. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public's freedom to view.

This statement was originally drafted by the Freedom to View Committee of the American Film and Video Association (formerly the Educational Film Library Association) and was adopted by the AFVA Board of Directors in February 1979.
Endorsed by the ALA Council January 10, 1990

An Interpretation of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS:

Library policies and procedures which effectively deny minors equal access to all library resources available to other users violate the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.

Article V of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS states, "A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views." The "right to use a facility" includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.

Libraries are charged with the mission of developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interests of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities which fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of library resources. The needs and interests of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interests, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interests of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, level of education, or legal emancipation.

The selection and development of library resources should not be diluted because of minors having the same access to library resources as adult users. Institutional self- censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community and restricts access for all users.

Librarians and governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions on access to library resources in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections from parents or anyone else. The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries do not authorize librarians or governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents - and only parents - have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children - and only their children - to library resources. Parents or legal guardians who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials or facilities, should so advise their children. Librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal access to all library resources for all library users.

Librarians have a professional commitment to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free and equal access to the entire range of library resources regardless of E-1 content, approach, format, or amount of detail. This principle of library service applies equally to all users, minors as well as adults. Librarians and governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.

Adopted June 30, 1972; amended July 1, 1981; July 3, 1991, by the ALA Council. [ISBN 8389-7549-6]

Solicitation, of the public or the staff, is not permitted on public library property or property under the control of the public library by the public or members of the library staff. By soliciting it is meant the sale or distribution of merchandise, sales materials, tickets, insurance, coupons, magazine subscriptions, political campaign material, or anything not connected with the work of the library.

The Blue Ridge Regional Library System participates in various "social software" applications whereby library staff and community members can interact through virtual (internet) communication. The BRRL regards online social software applications in the same way as its other information resources, in accordance with its mission of serving the patrons need for informational, educational, cultural and recreational pursuits.

As with more traditional resources, the Library does not act in place of, or in the absence of, a parent and is not responsible for enforcing any restrictions which a parent or guardian may place on a minor's use of this resource.

BRRL does not collect, maintain or otherwise use the personal information stored on any third party site in any way other than to communicate with users on that site, unless granted permission by users for Library contact outside the site.

Comments, posts, and messages are welcome on BRRL social networking sites. While the library recognizes and respects differences in opinion, all such interactions will be regularly monitored and reviewed for content and relevancy (before publishing when possible). BRRL sites are intended for moderated discussion. All postings which contain any of the following will be removed, at the library's sole discretion, and the poster disallowed from posting any subsequent messages to library social networking sites:

• Obscene or racist content
• Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
• Potentially libelous statements
• Plagiarized or copy-written material
• Violation of intellectual property rights
• Private, personal information published without consent
• Comments totally unrelated to the content of the forum
• Hyperlinks to material that is not directly related to the discussion
• Commercial promotions or spam
• Organized political activity
• Photos or other images that fall in any of the above categories

BRRL reserves the right to edit or modify any postings or commentary for space or content. The Library has the right to reproduce comments, posts, and messages in other public venues.

BRRL assumes no liability regarding any event that occurs or interaction that takes place involving any participant in any Library-sponsored social networking service. BRRL does not endorse or review content outside the "pages" created by the library staff. Participation in BRRL social networking services implies agreement with all Library policies, including its Social Media Policy and Public Internet Policy, and the Terms of Service of each individual third-party service. If a user does not agree to these terms, they are not to use the services provided.

BRRL will have one system-wide platform per social networking site and social networking sites may be terminated at any time without notice to subscribers.

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove books from sale, to censor textbooks, to label "controversial" books, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as citizens devoted to the use of books and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating them, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read.

We are deeply concerned about these attempts at suppression. Most such attempts rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary citizen, by exercising critical judgment, will accept the good and reject the bad. The censors, public and private, assume that they should determine what is good and what is bad for their fellow-citizens.

We trust Americans to recognize propaganda, and to reject it. We do not believe they need the help of censors to assist them in this task. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be "protected" against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression.

We are aware, of course, that books are not alone in being subjected to efforts at suppression. We are aware that these efforts are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, films, radio and television. The problem is not only one of actual censorship. The shadow of fear cast by these pressures leads, we suspect, to an even larger voluntary curtailment of expression by those who seek to avoid controversy.

Such pressure toward conformity is perhaps natural to a time of uneasy change and pervading fear. Especially when so many of our apprehensions are directed against an ideology, the expression of a dissident idea becomes a thing feared in itself, and we tend to move against it as against a hostile deed, with suppression.

And yet suppression is never more dangerous than in such a time of social tension. Freedom has given the United States the elasticity to endure strain. Freedom keeps open the path of novel and creative solutions, and enables change to come by choice. Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with stress.

Now as always in our history, books are among our greatest instruments of freedom. They are almost the only means for making generally available ideas or manners of expression that can initially command only a small audience. They are the natural medium for the new idea and the untried voice from which come the original contributions to social growth. They are essential to the extended discussion which serious thought requires, and to the accumulation of knowledge and ideas into organized collections.

We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture. We believe that these pressures towards conformity present the danger of limiting the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. We believe that every American community must jealously guard the freedom to publish and to circulate, in order to preserve its own freedom to read. We believe that publishers and librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to that freedom to read by making it possible for the readers to choose freely from a variety of offerings.

1. The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in free people will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights and will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights. We therefore affirm these propositions: It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or unpopular with the majority. Creative thought is by definition new, and what is new is different. The bearer of every new thought is a rebel until that idea is refined and tested. Totalitarian systems attempt to maintain themselves in power by the ruthless suppression of any concept which challenges the established orthodoxy. The power of a democratic system to adapt to change is vastly strengthened by the freedom of its citizens to choose widely from among conflicting opinions offered freely to them. To stifle every nonconformist idea at birth would mark the end of the democratic process. Furthermore, only through the constant activity of weighing and selecting can the democratic mind attain the strength demanded by times like these. We need to know not only what we believe but why we believe it.
2. Publishers, librarians and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation contained in the books they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what books should be published or circulated. Publishers and librarians serve the educational process by helping to make available knowledge and ideas required for the growth of the mind and the increase of learning. They do not foster education by imposing as mentors the patterns of their own thought. The people should have the freedom to read and consider a broader range of ideas than those that may be held by any single librarian or publisher or government or church. It is wrong that what one can read should be confined to what another thinks proper.
3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to determine the acceptability of a book on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author. A book should be judged as a book. No art or literature can flourish if it is to be measured by the political views or private lives of its creators. No society of free people can flourish which draws up lists of writers to whom it will not listen, whatever they may have to say.
4. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression. To some, much of modern literature is shocking. But is not much of life itself shocking? We cut off literature at the source if we prevent writers from dealing with the stuff of life. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to prepare the young to meet the diversity of experiences in life to which they will be exposed, as they have a responsibility to help them learn to think critically for themselves. These are affirmative responsibilities, not to be discharged simply by preventing them from reading works for which they are not yet prepared. In these matters taste differs, and taste cannot be legislated; nor can machinery be devised which will suit the demands of one group without limiting the freedom of others.
5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any book the prejudgment of a label characterizing the book or author as subversive or dangerous. The ideal of labeling presupposes the existence of individuals or groups with wisdom to determine by authority what is good or bad for the citizen. It presupposes that individuals must be directed in making up their minds about the ideas they examine. But Americans do not need others to do their thinking for them.
6. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people's freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large. It is inevitable in the give and take of the democratic process that the political, the moral, or the aesthetic concepts of an individual or group will occasionally collide with those of another individual or group. In a free society individuals are free to determine for themselves what they wish to read, and each group is free to determine what it will recommend to its freely associated members. But no group has the right to take the law into its own hands, and to impose its own concept of politics or morality upon other members of a democratic society. Freedom is no freedom if it is accorded only to the accepted and the inoffensive.
7. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a bad book is a good one, the answer to a bad idea is a good one. The freedom to read is of little consequence when expended on the trivial; it is frustrated when the reader cannot obtain matter fit for that reader's purpose. What is needed is not only the absence of restraint, but the positive provision of opportunity for the people to read the best that has been thought and said. Books are the major channel by which the intellectual inheritance is handed down, and the principal means of its testing and growth. The defense of their freedom and integrity, and the enlargement of their service to society, requires of all publishers and librarians the utmost of their faculties, and deserves of all citizens the fullest of their support. We state these propositions neither lightly nor as easy generalizations. We here stake out a lofty claim for the value of books. We do so because we believe that they are good, possessed of enormous variety and usefulness, worthy of cherishing and keeping free. We realize that the application of these propositions may mean the dissemination of ideas and manners of expression that are repugnant to many persons. We do not state these propositions in the comfortable belief that what people read is unimportant. We believe rather that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours.

This statement was originally issued in May of 1953 by the Westchester Conference of the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, which in 1970 consolidated with the American Educational Publishers Institute to become the Association of American Publishers. Adopted June 25, 1953, by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee; amended January 28, 1972; January 16, 1991; July 12, 2000; June 30, 2004. A Joint Statement by: American Library Association & Association of American Publishers. Subsequently Endorsed by: American Booksellers Association American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression American Civil Liberties Union American Federation of Teachers AFL-CIO Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith Association of American University Presses Children's Book Council Freedom to Read Foundation International Reading Association Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression National Association of College Stores National Council of Teachers of English P.E.N. - American Center People for the American Way Periodical and Book Association of America Sex Information and Educational Council of the U.S. Society of Professional Journalists Women's National Book Association YWCA of the U.S.A.

The Blue Ridge Regional Library attempts to provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues and to provide recreational reading for a wide range of tastes. However, no library is large enough or wealthy enough to purchase all the materials available or retain all the materials it has acquired over time. For that reason, the Blue Ridge Regional Library has adopted the following criteria for selecting and discarding materials, which support and are supported by the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Freedom to View Statement, all of which affirm that free and convenient access to ideas, information, and the creative experience are the right of every citizen, regardless of the person's origin, age, background or views.

chevron_rightLibrary Objectives

chevron_rightResponsibility for Selection

chevron_rightMaintaining the Collection

• Duplication: Each branch must weigh specific demand for the duplication of materials in relation to the total library program and policies. The purchase of additional copies of material is governed by a combination of demand, intrinsic or historical value, perceived need in the community, and budget limitation.
• Discarding: The discarding of materials is the selection in reverse. Systematic withdrawal of materials which are no longer useful in maintaining an active, accurate collection is necessary. Library materials are discarded because they are irreparably damaged, obsolete, insufficiently used, or occupying space which is needed for materials which are more likely to be used. Discarded materials may be sold either by the library itself or by the Friends of the Library.
• Replacement: A replacement is an item purchased to take the place of an item previously in the collection. The library will not automatically replace materials withdrawn because of loss, damage or wear. Items may be replaced if there is a demand for the specific title, if the subject is not adequately covered by other materials in the collection or on order, and if the item is readily available in the current book market.
• Reconsideration: Once an item has been placed in the collection following the established selection policies and rules, it will not be removed at the request of patrons who disagree with it unless it can be shown to be in violation of these policies and rules. The formal procedure for reconsideration of materials can be found under Material Reconsideration Procedure.
• Interlibrary Loan: The library subscribes to the National Interlibrary Loan Code. If a patron requests a title which only he/she would use, an attempt is made to order the book through interlibrary loan. Titles repeatedly requested for borrowing this way are considered for purchase by the library. Books cannot be borrowed through interlibrary loan if they are in this library’s collection nor can they be borrowed if they are current or newly published. IV. Material Reconsideration Procedure If a patron complains about an item in the library’s collection, the P.I.C. should establish the specific nature of the complaint with the patron. If the patron wishes to have the material formally reconsidered with respect to its place and purpose in the collection, the staff member should:
  • Provide a copy of the Materials Selection Policy and point out the reconsideration section.
  • Provide a "Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials" form if the patron still wishes to register a formal complaint after reading the Materials Selection Policy.
  • Assure the patron that the material will be reviewed by a Reconsideration Committee composed of representatives from the library staff and the Governing Board.
  • Notify the patron that he/she will receive a letter from the director describing the results of this review.
  • Give the completed "Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials" form and the material in question to the library director.
  • The branch or staff member receiving the complaint should send to the director the completed form, a written description of the initial interview with the complainant, and the material in question. At the conclusion of the review process, the director will notify the complainant of the library’s decision and will be available to discuss the decision. V. Revision of Policy This policy will be reviewed and revised as times and circumstances require.

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Meeting rooms, in the Blue Ridge Regional Library system, may be used by individuals and educational, civic, cultural and governmental organizations which are based in Martinsville, Henry County, or Patrick County. Meeting rooms may be used for political, partisan or religious purposes but may not be used for social or commercial purposes. Commercial purposes shall include sales events, promotions, or any other similar activity for the purpose of conducting commercial transactions. Exceptions can be made for events in which all or part of the proceeds goes to the Library, as in book sales by an author or Friends of the Library sales. Library programs take priority over non-library programs and may result in the cancellation or rescheduling of non-library programs. Organizations may charge fees for materials only. No fee may be charged for admission. Meeting rooms may be booked up to 60 days in advance. Any group or individual who may, in the judgment of the branch librarian or library director, cause disorder or endanger facilities, library personnel, or the public will not be eligible for use. It may be necessary to limit the number of times an organization can meet each month. The library reserves the right to make whatever judgments it believes to be in its best interests concerning the use of meeting rooms. Meeting rooms may be used during library hours. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the director. The library assumes no responsibility for loss, damage, or liability that may arise through use of the facility. The facility must be left in a clean and orderly condition, as it was found, and the user assumes responsibility for any damage to the room or its contents. All meetings shall be open to the public. If the group includes anyone under 18, adult supervision is required at all times. If the juvenile is not a member of the organization, a permission slip from the parent or guardian will be required. While light refreshments may be served, no alcohol, drugs or smoking will be permitted. Equipment requiring voltage of more than 120 volts will not be permitted. Maximum permitted occupancy will not be exceeded. Violation of the regulations will result in denial of permission to use the facility in the future. The branch librarian or library director may use discretion in permitting or denying use of the room. The individual requesting use of the room must sign a statement indemnifying and saving the Blue Ridge Regional Library harmless from and against any and all claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability resulting from, arising out of, or in any way connected with the use of library premises.

All acts and conduct in violation of federal, state or local laws, ordinances or regulations are prohibited in the library and on library property. Specifically prohibited are:

• Bringing animals into the library, except for service animals such as guide dogs for the blind or hearing-impaired
• Creating loud, unreasonable or disturbing noises, either personally or by electronic devices
• Distributing or posting printed materials that have not been approved by the library
• Bringing food and any uncovered drink into the library
• Disorderly conduct, including fighting, disruptive or disrespectful treatment of staff or patrons
• Leaving a child unattended
• Not wearing shoes or shirt
• Removing library materials from the premises without authorization
• Selling items without authorization
• Using tobacco
• Soliciting
• Using skateboards, skates or other recreational devices on library property
• Using obscene language or offensive words
• Use of any form of nicotine delivery products

Failure to comply with the library's rules and regulations may result in arrest and/or exclusion from the library.

A period of Public Comment shall be provided as part of the Agenda for the Library Board of Trustees regular monthly meetings. The Public Comment Period is provided to permit Henry County, Patrick County and City of Martinsville residents or property owners an opportunity to address the Board on legitimate matters of library business. This period shall be governed by the following provisions:

• The Public Comment period shall be strictly limited to five (5) minutes per speaker and restricted to residents of Henry County, Patrick County and the City of Martinsville or owners of property located within those localities. The matters on which speakers may address the Board shall be limited to legitimate matters of library business. No speaker shall engage in political statements, personal attacks upon members of the Board of Trustees, library employees, or any other person, nor are speakers entitled to use abusive language or discuss matters outside of the authority of the Board of Trustees. Violation of these rules shall enable the Chairman to rule the speaker out of order and by directive to have the speaker removed from the meeting, if necessary, and to take such other steps the Chairman deems appropriate, including bringing charges against the speaker in the name of the Board of Trustees.
• All persons wishing to speak during the Public Comment period must register to do so on a sign-up sheet available immediately prior to and during the period. Speakers shall address the Board upon recognition by the Chairman, whereupon they shall identify themselves, any title and organization they represent, and provide a mailing address. The Chairman at his discretion may provide a verbal advisory to a speaker after four (4) minutes and thirty (30) seconds have elapsed to conclude comments. A timing device may be used in addition to or in lieu of Chairman giving notice
• Board members and library employees may not respond to questions posed nor address or rebut speaker’s statements made during the Public Comment period. Matters raised during the Public Comment period may be discussed during Board Member Reports and the Board at its discretion may direct that such matters be placed on the Agenda of a future meeting.

The provisions of this subsection shall be stated on the Public Comment sign-up sheet. Speakers shall acknowledge their understanding of, and agreement to, abide by these provisions by registering to speak.

Approved by Governing Board August 17, 2022

Parents are responsible for their children's behavior while in the library. Because the library does not provide child care services, it is not a proper environment for unattended children. The library does not have a minimum age for unattended children; however, if in the judgment of staff the child is too young to be left unattended or is disruptive, staff will attempt to contact the parent by phone and request that the parent picks up the child. If the parent cannot be contacted or refuses to pick up the child, or if the library is closing, the Department of Social Services will be called (656-4300). If the Department of Social Services personnel is unavailable, the appropriate law enforcement agency will be called.

Pre-Employment Recruitment and Application Procedures

The Blue Ridge Regional Library develops and maintains effective recruitment procedures that attract candidates who possess the education, skills, and abilities to meet the current and future needs of the library system. When a position is to be filled from outside of the department/branch, the branch manager/department head will notify the Director of the need to advertise the position and seek qualified applicants for employment. No person will be hired or promoted into a position unless that position is a funded vacant position as approved by the Director.

Vacant positions may be filled by recruitment from inside and/or outside sources as determined appropriate in coordination with the Director. Vacancies may also be advertised with the local Virginia Employment Commission, newspapers, electronic media, other government agencies, journals or other appropriate sources. All posted position vacancies can be viewed online at any time at www.brrl.lib.va.us/careers.php.

When a vacancy occurs or the Board approves a new position, normally, vacancies shall be advertised concurrently internally and externally and posted until the position is filled. Applications will be accepted only for posted positions. The library supports cross-training and promotion from within when appropriate and internal applications will be considered first. If no internal application is selected to fill the position, outside applicants will be considered.

In the interest of public welfare and safety, before an employment offer can be extended, an applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. The application process also includes examinations such as personal reference checks, criminal history, alcohol and drug testing, personal interviews, and other testing as determined appropriate and lawful.

Some positions require the operation of a library owned motor vehicle as a function of the job. Applicants may be required to provide a copy of their valid driver’s license and Division of Motor Vehicles driving record. Employees must report any restrictions, limitations, or loss of their driving privileges to their supervisor.

Applicants will be required to grant permission to library personnel to conduct background investigations and state criminal history checks not to violate any federal or state equal opportunity law or regulation. All applicants for library employment will be required to undergo a drug screen upon offer of employment and prior to final appointment. Due to the length of time required to complete certain background investigations, a conditional offer of employment may be extended, subject to the successful completion of the investigation.

The library does not discriminate unlawfully against persons who have been convicted of criminal offenses. A prior conviction does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the library. The nature and the offense of a past conviction are weighed and considered in relation to the duties of the vacant position.

The Director and/or branch managers will review applicants for vacant positions in their department and will make recommendations for employment to the Director. The Director will review the department/branch manager’s decision. The Director will make the final approval.

Approved by Governing Board July 14, 2022

Revised: January 2016

chevron_rightRequirements for a Library Card

• Applicant must show a photo I.D. If address on the I.D. is not current, applicant must show another piece of identification with the current address, such as an article of mail, personal check, receipt, phone directory entry, etc. In the case of minors, the person signing for the minor must show identification. With proper identification, applicant may receive his/her library card immediately.
• Persons living in the following designated areas of Virginia and North Carolina are eligible for cards:
  • Virginia: Carroll County, Danville City, Floyd County, Franklin County, James City County, Pittsylvania County, Upper York County, and the City of Williamsburg
  • North Carolina: Rockingham County, Stokes County, Surry County
• Library cards will be issued for a period of two years. Shorter expiration dates may be used for special circumstances at the discretion of the Branch Head.
• The charge for a replacement card is $2.00.
• Anyone under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the application. Parents of minors must have a library card and those cards must be free of overdue books, fines, and lost or damaged book charges.
• Parents do not have to have the child in attendance with them to get a card for their child.
• Patrons with Pittsylvania County cards may use the same barcode that is compatible with our system. Their information must still be entered in our database.

chevron_rightRevoked Privileges

• Borrowing privileges will be revoked under any of the following circumstances:
  • Fines over $5.00 are owed.
  • An item is more than 50 days overdue.
  • More than 1 item is overdue.
• Use of the library may be denied by the Governing Board or the staff for:
  • destruction of books or other library property
  • disturbance of patrons
  • any other objectionable conduct on library premises
  • or conduct which interferes with the library's business.
• Misuse of Internet will result in loss of Internet privileges, but not "borrowing privileges". See Internet Acceptable Use guidelines.

chevron_rightCirculation of Materials

• Patrons must have their library card with them in order to check out materials.
• Videos and DVD's will circulate three days and may be renewed once.
• All other circulating materials will be circulated for two weeks and may be renewed two times.
• A maximum of five videos and five DVD's and five music CD's may be checked out on each card.
• All materials may be returned to any building within the system.
• The library user must have his/her library card in hand to renew materials. Patrons renewing materials by phone must give their library card number. Patrons can renew items remotely from the library webpage with a pin number (see circulation staff for more information).
• Materials may be renewed providing the borrower is not delinquent and there are no reserves on the item.
• Responsible parties must clear up all cards with fines of $5 or more before being allowed to check out materials on their own card or another family member's card.

chevron_rightFines

• Fines are due as follows:
  • Videos - $1.00 per day up to a maximum of $5.00 or the cost of the video if not returned.
  • All other materials - $.10 per day, maximum of $5.00.
• An overdue notice will be sent when the item is 14 days past due. If the material is not returned, and is 50 days overdue, a bill for the cost of the material plus processing fees will be sent. (Failure to receive a notice does not excuse payment of late charges.)
• Through the debt set-off process, the Library will seek payment for fines and unreturned materials that have a value of $20.00 or more. No attempt will be made to collect debts more than five years old.
• If a patron claims an outstanding debt is no longer valid due to a bankruptcy judgment, the staff person will need to make a copy of the bankruptcy document and forward it to the library director, who in turn will forward it to the library attorney. Until the attorney makes a decision, the patron may not check out materials.

chevron_rightRefund for Return of Lost Item

• A library user who has paid for a lost item and who subsequently finds and returns it in usable condition is entitled to a refund of the cost of the item, provided:
  • No more than three months have elapsed since the item was lost
  • The borrower has the written receipt
• The refund will consist of the amount paid minus the five-dollar processing fee.
• No on-site refunds will be paid.

chevron_rightWaiving Fees

• Acts of God: In cases where inclement weather (snow, ice) prevents the borrower's returning the items on time, the part of the fine that occurred during the affected time may be waived.
• Personal Difficulties: If personal difficulties prevented the borrower from getting to the library (hospitalization), the staff member may waive the portion of the fine for the relevant period.
• Senior Citizens: Senior citizens are given fine-free status when they reach 60 years of age. If the borrower was not given this status earlier but is now eligible, change the patron type to “C” and waive the current fine owed.
• When in doubt, ask your supervisor

chevron_rightHolds

• Only registered borrowers may place holds.
• No more than five items may be on hold for an individual at one time. Simultaneous holds may not be placed on items that have more than one format, for example a hold cannot be placed on both a regular and large-print book nor on both the dvd and video version of a film.
• Holds may be placed on all circulating materials.
• The user will be called when the item becomes available. The material must be picked up within two days of the date the notice originates. If the staff person leaves a phone message, the material title or type should not be specified. The staff person should say "The item(s) you have placed on hold are now available and may be picked up at [name of branch]."
• Materials will not be renewed if they are on hold for another patron.

chevron_rightClaims Returned

• If a library user insists that an item has been returned and the library's records clearly show the item has not been returned, the staff member should first check the shelf to see whether the item has been re-shelved without clearing the records.
• If the item is found on the shelf, the staff member should clear the borrower's record, including all fines connected with that item.
  • If the item is not found on the shelf, the staff member will check the item in under “Claims Returned”. The borrower will be allowed to continue to use the library unless more than four items have reached this status.
  • If more than four items are “Claims Returned”, library privileges will be suspended until the record is cleared.

chevron_rightPayment for Lost or Damaged Items

• Replacement cost of an item consists of a $5.00 processing fee plus the cost of the item.
• Damage Fees:
  • Barcode: $2.00
  • Kit bag: $3.00
  • DVD insert with barcode*: $3.00
  • DVD case with useable cover art*: $3.00
  • CD case with no cover art or barcode: $1.00
• *Insert: the single sheet inside a DVD that has the barcode on it
• *Cover Art: the outside artwork of a DVD or CD pamphlet
• Exceptions:
  • When the cover art is missing or damaged beyond use, the patron is charged for the entire item
  • When an AV item is returned without a case, the patron is charged for the entire item
  • Missing audio CDs or Tapes: call Patty (as some items cannot be replaced piecemeal)
• Patrons may not replace items on their own.
• When accepting payment for a lost item, a staff member should:
  • Collect the payment, including the processing fee, and issue a written receipt that includes the item's barcode number and title.
  • Register the item in the computer as LOST.
  • Clear the charges from the patron's record.
  • Place the payment in an envelope with the following information on its front:
    • Name of borrower Library card number
    • Author, title, barcode # of book Price of Book
    • Did you give receipt? Date money was paid Name of Branch

chevron_right Interlibrary Loan Policy

• The Blue Ridge Regional library offers interlibrary loan service to provide access to materials not owned by the main library or its branches. *

• The following policies apply to all interlibrary loan requests:
• 1. Audio/visual materials (including movies, music and audio materials) will neither be loaned nor borrowed. No more than three interlibrary loan books may be requested by a patron at any given time.
  2. Unless restricted to in-library use, interlibrary loan books are checked out to patrons for two weeks.
  3. Renewals will be made when permitted by the lending library.
  4. Overdue materials will be subject to fines.
  5. Patrons must have a Blue Ridge Regional Library card with no more than $10.00 in fines.
  6. Replacement cost for lost or damaged interlibrary loan materials will be decided by the lending library.
  7. There is a fee of $4.00 for each book received, plus any applicable fees (e.g. insurance) from the lending library.
  8. Microfilm may be borrowed but BRRL microfilm will not be loaned.
• * Please be aware that a minimum of two weeks is required for in-state ILL requests; out-of-state requests may take longer.

chevron_rightVideo Policy

• Five videos and five DVDs per card may be checked out for a three-day period. Late charges on videos/DVDs are $1.00 per day per video/DVD.
• The video area is not accessible 15 minutes prior to closing.
• Patrons are requested to have videos/DVDs at the circulation desk five minutes prior to closing.
• Videos and DVDs are separated into two categories: Adult and Children. All items are arranged by box number which can be found by searching the patron access terminal (PAC), the library's online catalog.