POLICIES

  • The William Fogg Public Library provides access to knowledge and information through reading, providing patrons with the right to use materials and services without being disturbed or impeded, and providing patrons & employees a secure and comfortable environment.

    To ensure that all patrons may have considerate use of the library, appropriate behavior is expected. Violation of any of the following rules may result in a warning and/or expulsion from the property.

    All employees of the William Fogg Public Library have the authority to carry out all powers of this policy.

    While in the library or on library grounds, no person shall:

    • Consume alcoholic beverages, smoke, vape or eat. Beverages may be consumed from securely capped containers.

    • Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or engage in any substance abuse.

    • Engage in disruptive communication on a cell phone or similar device.

    • Damage, deface or misuse library materials or facilities.

    • Engage in loud, boisterous, unsafe, disruptive, abusive, or sexual harassment or misconduct.

    • Bring animals into the library, except for assistance animals.

    • Engage in conduct that disrupts library programs.

    • Violate any local, state, or federal laws.

    • Fail to comply with a reasonable staff request to cease behavior that interferes with library patrons and staff.

    Library policy does not prohibit quiet conversations required to carry on library programs and business.

    Adopted by the Trustees 6-2002, Amended 7-2023

  • The William Fogg Public Library strives to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all our patrons. We welcome and encourage children of all ages to visit. Sharing our environment requires that everyone follow our Patron Conduct Policy.

    The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the library (or on library grounds) rests with the parent/caregiver and not with the library staff.

    To create an environment of safety, and maintain an atmosphere where reading can be encouraged, the following should be adhered to:

    1. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied and directly supervised by a parent/caregiver.

    2. Children 11 or older may use the library unsupervised but must be able to reach a parent/caregiver immediately if necessary.

    3. During library programs, a parent/caregiver must be aware of the beginning and ending times of the program.

    4. If library staff are unable to locate a parent/caregiver because of a behavior issue, the police will be notified.

    At closing time:

    1. A parent/caregiver must pick up their child prior to closing time.

    2. It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to know the library’s hours of operation.

    3. Library staff will not transport children under any circumstances.

    4. If a child, 11 or older, is not accompanied by a parent/caregiver at closing time, the library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver. If the library staff cannot locate the parent/caregiver, the police will be notified.

    When a parent/caregiver or the police need to be contacted, library staff will submit a Library Incident Report.

    Adopted by the Trustees 6-2002, Amended 7-2023

  • A non-resident family card is $52.00. In the Kent Room, a limit of twenty books per card may be borrowed. There will be no limit in the adult section.

  • According to Maine law, all information regarding patron records is confidential, and staff shall not knowingly release any information regarding patrons or their activities.

    “Title 27: Chapter 4-A: LIBRARY RECORDS – §121. Confidentiality of library records

    Records maintained by any public municipal library, the Maine State Library, the Law and Legislative Reference Library and libraries of the University of Maine System, Maine Community College System and the Maine Maritime Academy that contain information relating to the identity of a library patron relative to the patron’s use of books or other materials at the library are confidential. Those records may only be released with the express written permission of the patron involved or as the result of a court order.”

  • It is the policy of the William Fogg Public Library to use technology protection measures to:

    1. Prevent access to or transmission of inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of electronic communication;

    2. Prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity;

    3. Prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use or dissemination of personal identification of minors; and

    The Children’s Internet Protection Act requires recipients of federal technology funds to comply with certain Internet filtering and policy requirements.

    Access to Inappropriate Material

    To the extent practical, technology protection measures shall be used to block or filter Internet content. Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors, as defined in the CIPA.

    Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled, during use by an adult, only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

    Inappropriate Network Use

    To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the William Fogg Public Library’s online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications. Specifically, inappropriate network usage includes:

    1. Unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities; and

    2. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors. A minor is defined as an individual who has not attained the age of 17 years.

    Supervision and Monitoring

    It shall be the responsibility of the Library staff to supervise and monitor usage of the Technology Protection Measure in use on the computer network, and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the CIPA. Patrons are responsible for what they access on the internet, and parents or guardians are responsible for their children’s use of the internet. It is not the responsibility of library staff to monitor all content accessed. Procedures for disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Library Director or designated representatives.

    The Library acknowledges that no filtering technology is available that will block out all illegal content while allowing all constitutionally protected material.

    Terms:

    Technology Protection Measure – a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet content Obscene – as defined in section 1460 of title 18 United States Code

    Child Pornography – as defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code

    Harmful to Minors – any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

    Adopted Trustees 4-2016, Amended 10-2023