The Hagaman Memorial Library strives to provide all residents with authoritative and timely information to support daily living, occupational interests, educational pursuits, and intellectual curiosity as well as the materials for pleasurable reading. It is also committed to instilling or rekindling a love of books and a lifelong habit of reading for all citizens.
The goals of books selection evolve from the goals and purposes of the Library itself. The Library endorses the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statements adopted by the American Library Association.
Selection and Acquisition is based on three controlling factors:
1. The individual merit of each book. The qualities that determine merit must include some or all of the following:
a. Literary quality
b. Originality
c. General interest
d. Accuracy
e. Permanent value and/or timeliness
2. The Library--its existing collections, budget and services.
3. The needs of the community.
1. The library staff member receiving the request to examine or obtain information relating to circulation or other records identifying names of library users, will immediately refer the person making the request to the responsible officer of the institution, who shall explain the confidentiality policy.
2. The director, upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena, shall consult with the appropriate legal officer assigned to the institution to determine if such process, order or subpoena is in good form and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance.
3. If the process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form or if good cause has not been shown, insistence shall be made that such defects be cured before any records are released. (The legal process requiring the production of circulation or other library records shall ordinarily be in the form of subpoena duces tecum (bring your records) requiring the responsible officer to attend court or the taking of his/her disposition and may require him/her to bring along certain designated circulation or other specified records.
4. Any threats or unauthorized demands (i.e., those not supported by a process, order, or subpoena) concerning circulation and other records identifying the names of library users shall be reported to the appropriate legal officer of the institution.
5. Any problems relating to the privacy of circulation and other records identifying the names of library users which are not provided for above shall be referred to the responsible officer.
Title 11, Libraries, Section 11-25 of the Connecticut General Statutes reads: "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-19, personally identifiable information contained in the circulation records of all public libraries shall be confidential."
It is the policy of the Hagaman Memorial Library that cross-reference directory assistance shall be for verification only and "nearby" information shall not be given. Furthermore, this information will not be given over the telephone. This is to prevent any case of liability for misinformation and to maintain citizens' privacy.
Introduction: The need for a policy on "Unattended Children" in the library arise.
2.A child under nine must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult.
3. THE LIBRARY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE AND SUPERVISION OF UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN. Parents and guardians should be aware of library opening and closing times and make suitable arrangements to meet and/or transport their children.
4. If a child is unattended in the library 15 minutes before closing time, staff may assist the child in calling home to arrange for transportation. Another call may be made at closing time. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will the staff member offer to drive the child home or to any other destination. STAFF WILL REMAIN INSIDE THE BUILDING WITH THE CHILD FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER CLOSING. If the child is not picked up within 15 minutes of closing, staff may call for police assistance. If the police are called when a parent or guardian fails to pick up the child, that failure may be considered 'risk of injury to a minor' which is a criminal offense.
5. The library is not responsible for children outside the building who await transportation or who are socializing.
6. Children, like all other library users, are required to respect library property and to act in a manner appropriate to the use and function of the library.
a. Inappropriate language, and behavior such as hitting, running, spitting and yelling will not be tolerated.
b. Older children and young adults will be asked to leave the library if their conduct is disruptive an/or inappropriate. Police assistance will be requested if necessary, and parents may be notified. In the case of younger children, an attempt will be made to resolve the problem with the child's parent or guardian. Staff may request that the parent or guardian remove the child from the library until the behavior problem is resolved.
7. Early Closing. The potential always exists that the library may close early due to inclement weather. Early closings are announced on radio station WELI, 960 AM. Staff will assist children in contacting parent or guardian to arrange for transportation. If staff is unable to contact the parent or guardian within 30 minutes after closing, or if the child is not picked up within 30 minutes of the time the parent or guardian has been contacted, staff may call the police for assistance.
8. Emergency Closing. The potential always exists that the library may be evacuated at any given time due to an unforeseen emergency. In this event, Town emergency personnel will be contacted to provide any necessary assistance.
Opening Statement: The purpose of the Hagaman Memorial Library of the Town of East Haven is to provide full library service for all the people of East Haven. The library staff has the responsibility of protecting the rights of all library users and to maintain order
These rules are posted for the comfort and protection of all who use the facilities of this building. They will be firmly but courteously enforced by library staff. Charges will be made for serious and grievous cause, with the knowledge and consent of the Director, or in the Director's absence, the person-in-charge.
We ask your cooperation in maintaining an environment conducive to study and enjoyable use of the library.
Conduct of Patrons (Users): A patron will conduct himself/herself in such a manner as to make quiet study possible for all users. Offensive behavior or language will not be tolerated.
Physical abuse, assault on another person, or the use of abusive , insulting, or threatening language to a person in and around the library premises shall be cause for the removal of the offending party or parties.
Individuals who are drunk and/or disorderly shall be banned from admission.
Acts which are subject to prosecution under criminal or civil codes of law are prohibited.
Solicitation: Solicitation and/or distribution of unauthorized materials is prohibited by the library.
Food: Food and beverages are not to be consumed in the library. There is no public area for eating or drinking in this building except for approved special functions in the Community Room.
Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in any area of the library.
Animals: Animals are not permitted in the library with the exception of guide-dogs for the handicapped.
Children: Parents are expected to look after their children when visiting the library with them. Children are expected to follow the same rules of behavior as other library patrons.
Loitering: Blocking the entry ways, vestibules, or staircases is prohibited. Disruptive groups congregating outside the building may be asked to disperse.
In addition: Roller skates and skateboards are not permitted in the library.
No bicycles are allowed in the rear entryway of the building or among the shrubs. A bike rack is available at the front of the building for securing bicycles.
Habitual sleeping is not permitted in the building.
Defacing town property or littering is a violation of the local law. (Town ordinance Sec. 10-57, Sec. 10-58 and Sec. 10-59.)
Violators of the above rules may be excluded from the library as a matter of administrative policy.
Patrons confronted with the violation of any of the above rules should immediately inform the nearest library staff member.
A habitual offender may be barred permanently from the library.
Authorized library staff will call peace officers, if necessary, to enforce the following sections of the Connecticut General Statutes:
I. Enabling legislation for library rules and regulations:
A. Local Libraries C.G.S. Sec. 11-20
C.G.S. Sec. 11-32
B. State Library C.G.S. Sec. 11-1b
II. Selected Criminal Statutes
A. Public Indecency C.G.S. Sec. 53a-186
B. Breach of Peace C.G.S. Sec. 53a-181
C. Disorderly Conduct C.G.S. Sec. 53a-182
D. Threatening C.G.S. Sec. 53a-62
E. Harassment C.G.S. Sec. 53a-183
Through
the generosity of Betsy and Adam Reed, the Hagaman Memorial Library has received
a baby grand piano that once belonged to Bernice Norton.
It has been placed on the stage in the Community Room for use during
programs and other community activities. Because there have been requests from
area musicians to use the piano at times when the Community Room is otherwise
unoccupied, those requests may be granted under the following conditions:
1.
The user presents
a valid library card or driver’s license at the adult circulation desk to be
kept there for the duration of the piano’s use.
2. No community group meeting or library program is scheduled in the Community Room for that time.
Be considerate to other patrons. Please use cell phones in the lower level of the library.
