Click here for links to library director's memo and copies of approved library policies

05/22/08

New library circulation policy approved by Town Council

As if there weren't enough reasons to be excited about turning 5 - the Thomas Memorial Library has added another.

Five-year-olds residents of  Cape Elizabeth are now eligible to hold public library cards.

The Town Council on May 12 approved a new circulation policy, drafted by the library Board of Trustees, which, among other changes, lowers the age at which a patron may register for his or her own card from age 6 to age 5.

"We are proposing registering children at 5 rather than 6 to coordinate our policy with 'Raising Readers', a state-wide literacy initiative," said Library Director Jay Scherma, in a memo to the Town Council.

The trustees have been working on this and other revisions to the circulation policy for about a year, said Town Manager Michael McGovern.

In his memo, Scherma said the changes have been guided by the goal of making the library as user-friendly as possible, "while considering our ethical and legal responsibilities to provide patrons with privacy and the tax-payers with sound business practices."

Other changes to the policy address the use of the library by non-residents. A yearly "membership" for a non-resident to use of the library will cost the same as what a resident pays for library privileges, calculated by dividing the library budget by the number of Cape Elizabeth residents. Non-resident owners of businesses in Cape Elizabeth will be exempt from the non-resident fee; and, summer residents will be able to purchase a 3-month library membership if they leave a $50 refundable security deposit.

The new policy also includes a new section addressing the use of library cards. "We are clearly defining what documents are required for registration for both adults and children, specifying that the card or valid ID must be used to borrow materials or access records; and, requiring patrons to sign a statement agreeing to the rules of use," Scherma's memo says.

In addition to clarifying policies on overdue charges, a provision that exempts senior citizens from paying late fines has been eliminated. "The proposed change to eliminate the fine-free status of Seniors was initiated by the Board of Trustees as being 'Agist', " Scherma's memo says.

Other changes to the policy attempt to make it more clear and readable, and to address new media and on-line library services, including inter-library loan.

Missing from the new policy are a number of sections that are slated to be moved to other library policy documents. "These include: the Cape Elizabeth Historical Society, Photocopiers and City Directory which will be removed to a revised Service Policy; and, the sub-section dealing with MINERVA’s (Maine Info Net Electronic Resources Via Automation) privacy protocols, which will be addressed in a revised Confidentiality Policy," Scherma's memo says.

The council May 12 also approved a new building policy for the library, bringing it in line with the "Cape Elizabeth Town & School Use of Facilities Guidelines & Policies” document.