Patron Policies

The WBPL is essentially maintained by public funding and is governed by the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts concerning libraries and of the Town of West Bridgewater concerning public property, monies, and the use of the premises, in accordance with Mass. General Laws Chapter 78 Section 33: "The board of trustees of a free public library....shall establish a written policy for the selection of library materials and the use of materials and facilities in accordance with standards adopted by the American Library Association."

Eligibility To Hold A Library Card

	Any resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is entitled to register for a library card at the WBPL. However, Patrons residing in decertified communities are not eligible to have a card or check out items from WBPL.
	A patron, parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian registering for a library card enters into a legal agreement with the Town of West Bridgewater to comply with the Library's rules and regulations.

Registration

	Two current identification forms are necessary; preferably a valid Mass. Driver's license and other current identification with name and address.
	The library requires the patron's current name, address, telephone number and birth date.
	A patron should immediately report the loss of a library card, change in name, address, telephone number, other identification and change of status from juvenile to adult.
	No provision is made for out-of-state residents.
	The first SAILS Network System card is issued free. Lost card replacements cost $1.00. (The fifth loss replacement is $5.00)
	The library card is not transferable.

Juvenile Library Cards

	Patrons under the age of eighteen are issued juvenile library cards.
	A child must be five years old to be eligible for a card. A child must be able to print his/her name on the library registration card.
	A juvenile patron must have a parent/legal guardian cosign the registration card as the responsible party.
	West Bridgewater Kindergartners may choose to receive their cards on the occasion of special class visits. Registration cards will be given to the teacher who will see that the card is sent home with the kindergartener. The card signed by the parent will be returned to the teacher. The teacher is responsible for bringing the signed cards to the library one week before the scheduled class visit.

Library Bill of Rights

The Library Bill of Rights, referred to in Mass. General Law C. 78 S.33, states, "A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, religion or views." The American Library Association interprets this right to mean the use of, and access to, all library materials and services. Practices which allow adults to use some services and materials which are denied to minors abridge use based on age. It is the parents, and only parents, who may restrict their children, and only their children, from access to library materials and services. Persons who would rather their children did not have access to certain materials should so advise their children. The Library and its staff are responsible for providing equal access to library materials and services for all library users and cannot legally act as a censor.

WBPL Behavior Policy

The West Bridgewater Public Library strives to provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources, equitable service policies, equitable access, and accurate, unbiased, and courteous response to all requests. The Public Library is committed to serving the community as a general center of reliable information and provides encouragement and opportunity for preschoolers, children, young adults, adults and senior citizens to educate themselves continuously. It also promotes, through guidance and stimulation, an enlightened citizenry and enriches personal lives. The library provides a safe, welcoming place for children and young adults to gather with friends to enjoy library resources or to be alone to pursue studies and personal interests.

In order for everyone to enjoy the use of the Public Library, the Library Board of Trustees has established the following rules to protect the premises and the interests of library users.

Library patrons are required to show identification to any member of the WBPL staff upon request.
Inappropriate and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Inappropriate behavior is defined as roughhousing and horseplay inside and outside the building. It is also defined as a rude, crude, disrespectful, and boisterous manner.
The first consequence of unacceptable behavior is a verbal request by the staff to correct the behavior.
Should the behavior continue, the library user will be asked to leave the premises. Should the library user be a minor, the parents/ legal guardians will be notified of the inappropriate behavior and an appropriate length of suspension of library privileges and exclusion from library premises will be imposed. Should the inappropriate behavior result in damage to library property, restitution is required.
Should inappropriate behavior continue, public library privileges may be revoked for an indefinite period of time and the offender will be excluded from library premises.
It is a violation of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to cause interruption or disturbance within a public library. In this respect, Sections 40 and 41, Chapter 272 of the General Laws provide that whoever willfully disturbs persons assembled in a public library, or a reading room is open to the public shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one month or by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
Children who are requested by their parents/legal guardians to use the Public Library as a waiting place for their ride home after school are expected to do so quietly and are invited to use the resources of the Library.
Children (under the age of nine) unsupervised at closing time will be referred to the Police Department for the safety of the child.
Proper attire including tops and footwear must be worn in the Public Library.
Smoking and consumption of food and drink are not permitted inside the building.

Adopted unanimously by the Library Board of Trustees at the special meeting of Dec. 29, 2003.

Effective date: January 5, 2004

POLICIES

Your Library Card

Through the statewide Massachusetts Library and Information Network's website http://www.mlin.org, any resident with a Massachusetts public or campus library card can access full-text magazine and newspaper articles from anywhere Internet access is available. MLIN is also your gateway to information about Massachusetts libraries.

For the benefit of other patrons, please refrain from using your cell phone in the library.