KFL Privacy Policy
The Kennebunk Free Library recognizes that library records and patron
information are confidential. Under Maine state law (Title 27 chapter 4a section
121) public libraries are required to keep patron records confidential. These
records may only be released with the express written permission of the patron
involved or as the result of a court ordered subpoena.
The USA Patriot Act of 2001 allows the FBI to obtain search warrants for library
circulation records, Internet use records, e-mail, books, floppy disks, and
computer hard drives. This act supercedes state law regarding confidentiality.
Furthermore, it is illegal for librarians to disclose the existence of such
warrants, or to tell patrons if the FBI is investigating them.
The library staff is bound by the American Library Association Code of
Professional Ethics which states: We protect each users right to privacy and
confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources
consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted.
The library collects and maintains the following information from patrons:
- All information patrons are required to provide in order to be eligible for a
library card, including name, address, phone and date of birth for minors.
- Records of materials currently checked out to an individual and materials
returned but not checked out by another patron (e.g. last check out.)
- Materials being kept on hold or in reserve an individual
- Interlibrary loan records for three years back.
The library does not keep the following records:
- Program attendance
- Internet sign up
- Reference questions, interview and consultations
- Database search records
When a library staff member contacts an individual regarding overdue materials
or material on reserve, the staff member will not leave specific item
information with a third party or on an answering machine. Specific item
information will only be shared with the person requesting the material. Library
staff will leave a phone number for the individual to call.
Internet histories and cookies on public access computers are wiped clean at the end of each day. No
office files may be saved to the computer hard drive. In the event unauthorized
files are saved to the computers, they are erased at the end of each day.
Approved by the Board Of Trustees 6/24/03
Lending Policy
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A valid KFL library card must be
presented to borrow library materials.
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Circulation records are confidential and private as defined by
State and Federal laws.
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Books, periodicals, and audiobooks circulate for a 2-week period.
Videos and DVDs circulate for a 7-day period.
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Books may be returned in either the drive up bookdrop or the
bookdrop at the main entrance. Audiobooks and videos may not be
placed in the drive up bookdrop.
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Two renewals will be accepted in person or via telephone, provided
that no one is waiting for that item.
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Books on certain topics for school assignments may be limited to 5
items due to the availability of materials.
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Reserves on items will be gladly taken in person or by telephone.
The library will notify you when your requested item is ready for
you. Items will be held for one week.
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Fines for all items are $.10 per day per item. Fines for videos
and DVDs are $.50 per day. The maximum fine is $3.00 per
item per borrowing period.
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Special loan extensions may be made for educators using library
materials in their classrooms.
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The library charges for the replacement cost of lost or severely
damaged materials.
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BORROWING PRIVILEGES ARE SUSPENDED IF library materials are not
returned or charges are not paid. It is the library policy to
charge the replacement cost of lost or severely damaged materials.
Patrons owing fines of $5.00 or more will be restricted from
borrowing items until the balance is less than $5.00. Restricted
patrons are still welcome to use the library facility and all of
its resources.
Interlibrary Loan Policy (ILL)
The Kennebunk Free Library (KFL) offers free Interlibrary
Loan (ILL) service to all library patrons. Patrons can request
materials not owned by the KFL through the ILL service. If the
KFL does not own the requested item, the staff will try to
locate the material through the statewide ILL system.
A search through the ILL system may take a few days to
several weeks, depending on the availability of an item. The
timeframe for receiving material via ILL is generally 7-10 days.
For items that are requested from out-of-state or non-U.S.
libraries, the receipt time may vary.
ILL Policies
- Only one copy of any material may be requested.
- Only books and copies of periodical articles may be
requested via this service, as most libraries only loan books.
In some instances, materials such as microfilm or audiobooks
can be fulfilled, depending on the lending library. The KFL
staff can assist with these requests.
- New books and best sellers are not recommended for ILL, as
they are generally not available. However, the KFL will
consider a request to purchase new books and best sellers.
- The limit for ILL requests is 5 items per person per week.
- Checkout periods for materials obtained through ILL may
vary, depending on the policies of the lending library.
Most materials obtained through ILL are not renewable.
However, in some instances the KFL staff can assist in
extending the loan period. If an extension is needed, the
borrower must contact the KFL staff prior to the due
date.
- Some materials (i.e. rare books, special collections,
etc.) may not be available for ILL.
- Patrons are responsible for the item borrowed.
- If material obtained through ILL is lost, not returned, or
damaged during the lending period, the borrower will be
charged for replacement.
ILL Process
- To request an item via ILL, patrons should fill out the ILL
form available at the Main Circulation desk and return the
form to the library staff.
- A separate form must be completed for each item.
- When requested material arrives at the KFL, the patron
requesting the material will be notified.
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Food and Beverage Policy
The Kennebunk Free Library
strives to create welcoming, clean and comfortable environments for the public.
Consistent with this goal, the Library has adopted the following guidelines for
the consumption of food and beverages in the facility:
- Consuming non-alcoholic beverages from lidded containers is permitted in
the Library. Lidded containers include covered coffee, water, soda, and juice
cups, glass and plastic beverage bottles, and beverage cans.
- As authorized by the Library, food and beverages may be consumed in
Library meeting room and at special events.
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The use of “sippy cups” and/or baby bottles is
permitted. Children are not permitted to walk around the Children's Room with
a cup or bottle.
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Unattended beverages will be discarded.
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Users who do not comply with these policies
will be asked to take the food or drink outside the Library.
Exceptions may be made by the Library Director for
special events.
Approved by the Board of Trustees 09-30-08
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Patron Pet Policy
The
Kennebunk Free Library strives to create welcoming, clean and comfortable
environments for all members of the public. Consistent with this goal, patrons’
pets are not allowed in the Library, with the exception of service animals and
animals involved in approved Library events.
Approved
by the Board of Trustees 09-30-08
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Patron Conduct Policy
The mission of the Kennebunk Free Library is to serve the
diverse cultural, informational, educational and recreational needs of the
community. The Library and its staff are committed to providing a safe and
congenial atmosphere in which to carry out this mission.
The foregoing commitment can only be fully achieved if
users of the Library respect the rights of all other users as well as the staff
and volunteers. This general statement underlies the more specific provisions of
the Library's Code of Conduct set forth below and basically requires that
Library users act in a manner that will not interfere with the functioning of
the Library or disturb others.
This Patron Conduct Policy will be posted in multiple
locations around the Library and on the Library website.
CODE OF CONDUCT
- No Library property may be misused, mutilated, damaged,
or defaced, nor may any material be removed from the Library without being
checked out appropriately.
- The Library staff may ask to examine users’ briefcases,
handbags, and other packages to help assure compliance with the Library's
checkout procedures.
- All materials borrowed from the Library must be returned
or renewed in a timely manner.
- Use of the Library's search, copy, print, and other
information machines, as well as its courtesy telephone, is subject to
reasonable limitation, at the discretion of the Library staff, if others are
waiting.
- Behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to
disturb others, such as shouting or loud talking, including loud telephone
talking, and the use of radios, or other electronic devices without earphones,
are not permitted anywhere in the Library.
- Upon entering the Library building, cell phones should
be set to vibrate or turned off. Cell phone calls may be made only in the
vestibule area or outside the building. Incoming cell phone calls may be
answered in a low conversational voice, but conversations should be continued
in the vestibule area or outside the building.
- Since the Library is not designed to serve as a public
shelter or lounge, sleeping, lingering aimlessly, and misuse of the rest rooms
cannot be allowed.
- Interference with or the harassment or intimidation of
other users, the Library staff, or Library volunteers represents unacceptable
behavior. This includes all unwanted or abusive attention by word, act, look,
or gesture.
- The Library staff and this Policy recognize that the
children's area of the library may be louder and have more commotion than the
adult areas of the Library. However, if a child is behaving in a manner which
can reasonably be expected to disturb others and cannot be quieted or calmed,
the parent or caregiver must remove the child from the Library.
- The use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal substances is not
permitted.
- Consumption of food and beverages must be in compliance
with the Library's Food and Beverage Policy.
- Patrons shall not be permitted to enter the building
without a shirt or other covering of their upper bodies or without shoes or
other footwear.
- Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive so as to
constitute a nuisance to other persons shall be required to leave the
building.
- The presence of pets on Library property must be in
compliance with the Library's Pet Policy.
- Weapons are not permitted on Library property except as
specifically authorized by law.
- The use of skateboards, rollerblades or similar devices
is not permitted on any Library property.
The Kennebunk Free Library staff has been authorized to
administer the Patron Conduct Policy and, if necessary, to modify and/or adapt
the Code of Conduct to special circumstances.
Users who do not comply with the Code of Conduct or any
reasonable request of the staff may be asked to leave the Library premises.
Continued noncompliance may result in action ranging from suspension or
termination of Library privileges to prohibiting access to the Library premises.
Egregious behavior may be reported to the police.
The decision of a staff member pursuant to this Policy may
be subject to review by the Library Director. The decision of the Library
Director is final. However, a decision of the Library Director to revoke
Library privileges may be appealed to the Board of Trustees pursuant to the
Library Grievance Policy.
Approved by the Board of Trustees 9/30/08
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