Sully Area Library

I. Mission and Goal Statements

A. The mission of the Sully Area Library is to provide quality materials and services which
fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the entire
community/county/school district in an atmosphere that is welcoming, respectful, and
businesslike.

B. The general goals of the Sully Area Library shall be:

1. To serve all residents of the communities, school and the surrounding region.
2. To acquire and make available to all residents and students of the above area
such books, periodicals, pamphlets, and other services as will address their
needs to a) become well informed, b) locate answers to important questions, c)
cultivate the imagination and creative expression, d) develop skills for career and
vocational advancement, and e) enjoy leisure by means of reading and other
media services.
3. To acquire the means to provide the most frequently requested material locally
and upon demand.
4. To maintain a program of service which locates information, guides reading,
organizes and interprets material for people of various backgrounds, and
stimulates thinking and intellectual development in individuals of any age.
5. To strive consistently to discover new methods and improvements for better
service for the library's patrons.
6. To review regularly these goals of the Sully Area Library and, if necessary, revise
them in the light of new developments.

II. Who May Use the Library

A. The library will serve all residents of the communities and the public school system.
Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, or
political status; or because of mental, emotional, or physical condition; age; or sexual
orientation.
B. The use of the library may be denied for due cause. Such cause may be failure to
return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of
other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive, or objectionable conduct on library
premises.

III. Services of the Library

The library provides materials and resources for information, entertainment, intellectual
development, and enrichment of the people of the communities and school.
The library should endeavor to:

1. Select, organize, and make available necessary books and materials.

2. Provide guidance and assistance to patrons and students.
3. Sponsor and implement programs, exhibits, displays, book lists, etc.,
which would appeal to children and adults.
4. Cooperate with other community agencies and organizations.
5. Secure information beyond its own resources when requested. (Using interlibrary loan
and other resource sharing methods provided through the system and state.)
6. Develop and provide services to patrons with special needs.

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 7. Maintain a balance in its services to various age groups.
8. Perform the functions of a school library and cooperate with other institutional libraries.
9. Provide service during hours which best meet the needs of the school and communities.
10. Regularly review library services being offered.
11. Use media and other public relations mechanisms to promote the full range of available
library offerings and services.

IV. Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy

A. Objectives

The purpose of the Sully Area Library is to provide all individuals and students in the
communities with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the
pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.

Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the
library must have a selection policy with which to meet the interests and needs of our
schools and communities.

The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the
selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of
selection.

The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by
the Sully Area Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy.

https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif/LBOR-FTR-statement-pamphlet

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement

The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be
reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.

B. Responsibility for Selection

The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director
who operates within both the framework of policies determined by the Sully Area Library
Board of Trustees and the fiscal budget determined by the School District. This
responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because
the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for
actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary
to the recommendations of the staff.

C. Criteria for Selection

1. The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
o a. individual merit of each item
o b. popular appeal/demand/requests
o c. suitability of material for the clientele
o d. existing library holdings
o e. budget
2. Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary
source for literature reviews are the Amazon list and other published reviews.
3. The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for
rejecting a title which is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests

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 from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged
on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.

D. Interlibrary Loan

Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are
requested. When possible or available, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other
libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library's current collection. Due
to shipping fees, a patron will be allowed five interlibrary loans. Once a patron has
exceeded the five free loans, a fee of $2.50 will be charged per loan to cover shipping
fees.

E. Gifts and Donations

The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will
be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because
of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as she
deems necessary. The same criteria of selection which are applied to purchased
materials are also applied to gifts. Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted
with suitable recognition placed within the book. Specific memorial books can be ordered
for the library on request of a patron if the request meets the criteria established by the
Board. It is desirable for gifts of or for specific titles to be offered after consultation with
the library director. Book selection will be made by the director if no specific book is
requested. The Sully Area Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations.

The library will not appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an
acknowledgment of items receipt, if requested by the donor.

F. Weeding

An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual

withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon
current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions.
This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director and is
authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar
manner and under the same authority as donated materials.

G. Potential Problems or Challenges

The Sully Area Library recognizes that some materials may be controversial and that any
given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis
of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in
this policy.

Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians.
Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may
come into the possession of children. The Librarian retains discretionary control of any
materials to be loaned or used by minor-aged children.

Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their
contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or
theft.

H. Challenged Materials

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 Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise differences of opinion regarding
suitable materials. Patrons requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within
the collection may complete a "Statement of Concern About Library Resources" form
which is available in the library. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next
regular meeting of the Sully Area Library Board of Trustees. The patron will be informed
of the board’s decision in writing no later than one week after the meeting.

V. Circulation Policy

A. Registration

It is the desire that all patrons be registered to borrow library materials.

Registration includes demonstration of a current driver’s license, completion of an
application, and acceptance of usage statement with conditions.

B. Loan periods
1. Four weeks for books.
2. Generally, reference books do not circulate. Upon request, some reference
materials may be checked out overnight.
3. Interlibrary loans are due the date indicated by the lending library.
4. Books may be renewed once if there is not a waiting list for the title.
5. Current issues of periodicals/magazines do not circulate.
6. Non-current periodicals may be checked out for one week and may not be
renewed.
7. Four weeks for audiobooks.
8. One week for DVD’s.

There is no limit on the number of items an adult patron can borrow at one time.
Student check-out limits are established by the school librarian.

C. Reserves

Reserves may be placed by patrons either in person or over the phone. Attempts will be
made by telephone to notify patrons when the materials are available. There is no charge
to the patron for placing a reserve or for interlibrary loan services.

D. Fines and charges

There are no fines for overdue materials. A first notice is sent shortly after the material is
due. If the material is not returned within six months past due date, a bill will be sent for
the material with the cost of replacement of the material and a service charge for
processing, cataloging and postage. Patrons who have been sent an overdue notice shall
be denied borrowing privileges until those overdue materials are returned or paid for if
lost and/or damaged.

E. Damaged materials

If materials are damaged so as to be judged by the library as being unsuitable for the
collection, the patron must pay the replacement cost. A notice of these charges will be
sent to the borrower; a sample of the notice follows:

Dear____________________________

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At the time a library patron borrows materials from the public library collection, the patron
assumes the responsibility for the care and timely return of the materials. Recently
materials checked out on your library card were returned to the library damaged beyond
the point of being usable in the Library's collection. The titles and costs of these materials
are listed below:

__________________________________ $____________

Your assistance in clearing this matter promptly will be appreciated and will be necessary
in order to retain your borrowing privileges. Thank you in advance for your prompt
response to this matter.

Sincerely,

F. Confidentiality

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 As specified in SDCL 14-2-51, All public library records containing personally identifiable
information are confidential. Any information contained in public library records may not
be released except by court order or upon request of a parent of a child who is under
eighteen years of age. As used in this section, “personally identifiable” means any
information a library maintains that would identify a patron. Acts by library officers or
employees in maintaining a check out system are not in violation of this section.

The Sully Area Library adheres strictly to all sections of this Statute regarding the
protection of user confidentiality.

VI. Equipment Use Policy

Computers are available to patrons/students on a first-come, first-served basis. Instructions for

operating hardware are displayed near the computer. There is no charge for use of a computer;
however, in order to make the service available to as many individuals as possible, a time limit for
usage has been imposed. That time limit is 30 minutes. The library staff is available for general
assistance in using or operating the computer. The staff is not expected to train patrons in the use
of application programs. Tutorial manuals will be provided, if available.

A printer is available. Printer paper will cost $ .05 per sheet and must be paid for at the
conclusion of the session. Students completing school assignments may use reasonable printing
services at no cost.

A photocopy machine is available to patrons who wish to copy materials at the rate of
$.05 per page. Students may access copier for school assignments at no cost.

Copy machine users are advised that there are restrictions on copyrighted materials.
Any violation of copyright is the responsibility of the copy machine user.

VII. Internet Use Policy

The Sully Area Library is providing access to the Internet as a means to enhance the information
and learning opportunities for all citizens of the library's service area. The Board of Trustees has
established the Internet use policy to ensure appropriate and effective use of this resource.

Access to the Internet is available to all patrons; however, this service may be restricted at any
time for use not consistent with the guidelines. Parents of minor children must assume
responsibility for their children's use of the library's Internet service; prior to being granted access
to the Internet, anyone under 18 years of age, along with a parent or guardian, must sign the
Internet Use Agreement. All users must sign the log-in chart prior to beginning their session.

Expectations:

Users should be aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a
violation of local, state, and federal laws and can lead to prosecution. The user will be held
responsible for his/her actions using the Internet. Users are expected to abide by the policies
below which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Unacceptable uses of the
service will result in the suspension or revocation of Internet use privileges.

Warnings:

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The Internet is a decentralized, unmoderated global network; the Sully Area Library has no
control over the content found there. The library cannot entirely censor access to material nor
protect users from offensive information, and it is not responsible for the availability and accuracy
of information found on the Internet.

The library cannot assure that data or files downloaded by users are virus-free. The library is not
responsible for damages to equipment or data on a user's personal computer from the use of
data downloaded from the library's Internet service.

The use of the Internet and e-mail is not guaranteed to be private. Messages relating to or in
support of illegal activities will be reported to the proper authorities.

Guidelines:

 Users may use the Internet for research and the acquisition of information to address
their educational, vocational, cultural, and recreational needs
 Users may use the Internet for the receipt and transmission of electronic mail (e-mail) as
long as they use a free e-mail service which will establish and maintain an account for
them; the library is unable to manage e-mail accounts for any organizations or individuals
 Internet use is offered in thirty (30) minute sessions on a first-come, first-served basis;
each user is allowed one session--if there is no patron waiting for the service at the end
of a session, the user can have another session, but once having had the service for 30
minutes the user must abandon use of the Internet if another patron requests use of the
service
 Users will respect and uphold copyright laws and all other applicable laws and
regulations; they will not use it for illegal purposes
 Users will respect the rights and privacy of others by not accessing private files
 Users agree not to incur any costs for the library through their use of the Internet service
 Users shall not create and/or distribute computer viruses over the Internet
 Users shall not deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer equipment, programs,
or parameters

VIII. Revision of Library Policies

The preceding statements of Sully Area Library's policies shall be subject to review and needed
revision at least every five years by the Library Board. Individual policies will be reviewed,
revised, or added as needed.

Adopted: March 27, 2024

Form: Statement of Concern About Library Resources

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 Sully Area Library
STATEMENT OF CONCERN ABOUT LIBRARY RESOURCES

Name________________________ Date_____________

Address______________________ Phone___________

City_________________________ State______ ZIP_______

Resource on which you are commenting:

_____Book _____Audio-visual Resource

_____Magazine _____Content of Library Program
_____Newspaper _____Other

Title:_________________________________________

Author/Publisher or Producer/Date:___________________

1. What brought this resource to your attention?

2. To what do you object? Please be as specific as possible.

3. Have you read or listened or viewed the entire content? If not, what parts?

4. What do you feel the effect of the material might be?

5. For what age group would you recommend this material?

6. In its place, what material of equal or better quality would you recommend?

7. What do you want the library to do with this material?

8. Additional comments:

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 Sully Area Library
INTERNET USE AGREEMENT

I understand and will abide by the Sully Area Library's Internet Use Policy. I further
understand that any violation of the regulations is unethical and may constitute a criminal
offense. Should I commit any violation, my access privileges will be revoked and
appropriate legal action may be taken.

User's Name: ___________________________________

User's Signature: ________________________________

Date: _____________________________

As the parent or guardian of this individual, I accept full responsibility for my child's use
of the Sully Area Library's Internet service and agree to oversee my child's use of this
service. I have read the attached Internet Use Policy, and I understand that the library's
access to the Internet is intended and designed for eduactional and informational
purposes. I will not hold the library responsible for materials or information acquired by
my child through the use of the library's Internet service. I hereby give permission for my
child to use the library's network for Internet access and certify that the information
contained on this form is correct.

Parent's/Guardian's Name: ____________________________

Parent's/Guardian's Signature: _________________________

Date: ____________________________