Effective library policies are essential for setting clear expectations, defining responsibilities, and establishing boundaries for both patrons and staff. This session covers the ten most common patron-facing policies and offers guidance on selecting and tailoring them to meet your library and community needs for safe and effective operation. Using a Code of Conduct policy as an example, we discuss how to avoid policies driven by trauma or drama, ensuring they are clear, accessible, and enforceable. Additionally, we explore best practices for policy management, including the importance of regular reviews by directors, boards, and staff, to maintain accountability and relevance.

Presented by: Robin Newell, recently retired Executive Director, Emporia Public Library (KS), and past president of Kansas Library Association and Mountain Plains Library Association

Access recording

• View webinar recording (You will be prompted to login to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
  
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning. 

Related resources and links

• Emporia Public Library, Library Policies, including Code of Conduct (pdf)
  
• WebJunction webinars, Library Policies for Today’s Communities and Hooray for Freedom! Part Two: Developing Policies in Support of Ethical Practice
• Public Library Policy Collection, Colorado Library Consortium
• Washington State Public Library Policies
• Indiana State Public Library Policies
• Shared in chat:
• Today I Bent a Rule: Barrier Identification Staff Survey at Halifax Public Libraries
• Peabody Institute Library, Safe Child Policy (pdf), and Patron Rights and Responsibilities Policy (pdf)
  
• Salt Lake County Library, Library Use & Behavior Policy (pdf)
• Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Library Advisory information including on Policies
• Massachusetts Libary System, Library Policy Collection
• Hemingway editor app and Readability checker, good for determining reading grade level of copy used in policies.
  
• Central Skagit Library, Library Services Policy Manual, includes specific section on Children and Vulnerable Adults in the Library
• Forbush Memorial Library Policies provides a Child Safety and Behavior Policy which includes an unattended child policy within it.
  
• Somerset County Library, Unattended Children in the Library (pdf) outlines the ages with which children can begin to be alone.