Mission

The Mamakating Library is the learning center of our community and the place people turn to for the discovery of ideas, the joy of reading and the power of information.

District

The library serves the Mamakating Library District, as defined by special legislation and chartered by New York State in 2004. The district is defined as the portions of the Town of Mamakating included in the Monticello, Minisink Valley, and Pine Bush school districts.

Card Eligibility and Application

All residents of the Mamakating Library district are eligible for a library card with no restrictions based on age or other parameters, as long as any prior library card account associated with a library in the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) contains a zero balance for fines and fees. Library cards for children will be issued when a child is accompanied by a parent or guardian meeting the above conditions.

Each cardholder is responsible for items checked out on his/her/their card. A signature is required on the application card, indicating assumption of responsibility for materials checked out. A parent or guardian must sign the application for a juvenile applicant.

To apply for a library card, you must have a valid photo identification with your current address (within the area served by the library). If you have a post office box you must show a valid photo identification along with another item indicating your physical address (such as a recent piece of cancelled mail or a utility or telephone bill that shows your name and current home address).

Remote Application

When applying remotely with the form available on the library’s website, the issued card will be good for (3) three months or until proof of identification and residency in the library district is brought in person to the library, at which time a full-use card will be issued.

Easy Access Card

An Easy Access Card provides visitors of any age with the opportunity to borrow one physical item at a time and have access to Overdrive’s digital media at no cost. Interlibrary borrows and hoopla are not available to Easy Access cardholders.  Easy Access Card approved by Mamakating Board of Trustees on June 5, 2019

One-Year Temporary Library Card

A Temporary Library Card is valid from one year of issue. Adult visitors (18+) who will be residing temporarily within the Mamakating Library’s service area and who do not permanently reside within any of the Ramapo Catskill Library System’s (RCLS) forty-seven chartered library districts, in either served or unserved communities, may apply for a temporary card.

Individuals must present photo identification and proof of permanent residency outside of RCLS in order to receive a temporary card.

The card will be issued in the name of the patron paying the registration fee of $50.00. Cash and checks are accepted; however, checks must clear prior to card issue. A refund of $30.00 will be available when the cardholder returns all materials in original condition and surrenders the temporary library card.

A temporary card entitles the cardholder to borrow up to a maximum of ten items at a time. Direct access to items will only be available in the Mamakating Library, but holds may be placed on one item at a time from other RCLS libraries, to be delivered to the Mamakating Library.

The cardholder must present his or her temporary library card to check out items.

Temporary Library Card Policy approved by Mamakating Board of Trustees on July 13, 2016

Amended May 3, 2017

Replacement Card, Expiration and Proxy

If a card is lost or stolen, report the issue to library staff as soon as possible. The card will be blocked to prevent anyone else from using it. The fee for the first replacement card is $2.00; the fee for the second replacement card is $5.00.

Cards must be renewed every two years. This may be done by phone if contact information has not changed, but must be in person if changes are to be made to the cardholder’s record. Borrowing privileges are unavailable on non-renewed, or expired, cards.

In order to protect patrons’ privacy, only the person whose name is on a card may use that card, except when a proxy form has been signed by the cardholder and filed with the library. The proxy form indicates the name of a selected individual the cardholder has designated to check out items and pick up holds.

Approved by Mamakating Board of Trustees on December 5, 2018, Update approved February 10, 2021

Revision approved on December 8, 2021

Mamakating Library patrons may request materials from other libraries.
Items will be sought within the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS). Items not found within RCLS will be sought through SEAL (Southeastern Access to Libraries). Items not available through either RCLS or SEAL will be sought through OCLC’s WorldCat Catalog.

There is no charge for items ordered through RCLS and for those items within SEAL that can be delivered by RCLS delivery vans to the Mamakating Library.

Library patrons will be charged a postage fee of $3.00 per item for SEAL and WorldCat items delivered/returned via the U.S Postal System or another non-RCLS delivery service.

Any and all fees and fines unrelated to postage are the responsibility of the borrower. The circulation policies of the lending libraries determine the loan period, renewals, fines, and fees.

There are two bulletin boards in the library for public use.

The bulletin board in the front foyer (Sullivan Street side of the building) is for business and
employment related announcements. Individuals are welcome to post such items without seeking
permission from library staff. Library staff members have the right to remove material deemed
unsuitable for viewing by children who enter the library and any items having been posted for more than 30 days.

The bulletin board in the rear foyer (Pine Street side of the building) is for cultural activities sponsored by non-profit organizations and public announcements of general interest to the community, subject to the following guidelines:

• Posters, notices and material for posting are subject to staff members’ determination of
eligibility based on status of sponsoring organization and suitability of viewing by children.
• Staff will date all posted material.
• Material will be posted until the date of the event, or for 30 days, whichever is applicable.
• Flyers will be discarded (recycled) upon removal.
• Posting of material does not imply endorsement by the Library.
• These guidelines shall be applied to the distribution of non-profit materials in the Library, as
well.
• Announcements of ongoing services will be retained longer than 30 days, as long as they
can be accommodated within the limited space of the bulletin boards.

Adopted 12/2/09 Mamakating Library Board of Trustees
Revised and adopted April 14, 2021

Freedom of Information Policy

In compliance with Public Offices Law, article 6, and NYS Executive Law, the Board of Trustees of Mamakating Library adopts this Freedom of Information Law Policy.

RECORDS ACCESS OFFICER

As Chief Executive Officer of the Mamakating Library, the Library Director is hereby designated to Records Access Officer of the Library and can be reached by email at mam@rcls.org or in person at 128 Sullivan Street, Wurtsboro, NY 12790.

The Records Access Officer shall comply with the responsibilities of this office as outlined in the NYS Committee on Open Government’s (COOG) Model Rules for Agencies, Section 2(2) a-g:

1. Maintain an up-to-date subject matter list.
2. Assist persons seeking records to identify the records sought, if necessary, and when appropriate, indicate the manner in which the records are filed, retrieved or generated to assist persons in reasonably describing records.
3. Contact persons seeking records when a request is voluminous or when locating the records involves substantial effort, so that personnel may ascertain the nature of records of primary interest and attempt to reasonably reduce the volume of records requested.
4. Upon locating the records, take one of the following actions:
   1. Make records available for inspection; or,
   2. Deny access to the records in whole or in part and explain in writing the reasons therefor.
5. Upon request for copies of records:
   1. Make a copy available upon payment or offer to pay established fees, if any, in accordance with Section 8; or,
   2. Permit the requester to copy those records.
6. Upon request, certify that a record is a true copy ; and
7. Upon failure to locate records, certify that;
   1. The Mamakating Library is not the custodian for such records, or
   2. The records of which The Mamakating Library is a custodian cannot be found after diligent search.

SUBJECT MATTER LIST

The Records Access Officer shall maintain and make available documents in accordance with the schedules published in the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1) issued by the University of the State of New York, The State Education Department, and New York State Archives.

FOIL REQUESTS

1. Shall be submitted to the Records Access Officer in writing. An “Application for Public Access to Records” is available at the Circulation Desk and on the library website or via email. Requests shall specify whether the petitioner wishes to inspect or receive a copy
2. Shall be sufficiently detailed to identify the specific document requested
3. Shall include sufficient contact information to notify the patron of access, denial, or questions regarding their request.
4. May require payment for copies
5. Shall be answered within five business days (Monday through Friday) of the date the request is received by:

1. informing a person requesting records that the request or portion of the request does not reasonably describe the records sought, including direction, to the extent possible, that would enable that person to request records reasonably described;
2. granting or denying access to records in whole or in part;
3. acknowledging the receipt of a request in writing, including an approximate date when the request will be granted or denied in whole or in part, which shall be reasonable under the circumstances of the request and shall not be more than twenty business days after the date of the acknowledgment, or if it is known that circumstances prevent disclosure within twenty business days from the date of such acknowledgment, providing a statement in writing indicating the reason for inability to grant the request within that time and a date certain, within a reasonable period under the circumstances of the request, when the request will be granted in whole or in part; or
4. if the receipt of request was acknowledged in writing and included an approximate date when the request would be granted in whole or in part within twenty business days of such acknowledgment, but circumstances prevent disclosure within that time, providing a statement in writing within twenty business days of such acknowledgment specifying the reason for the inability to do so and a date certain, within a reasonable period under the circumstances of the request, when the request will be granted in whole or in part. (NYS COOG, Model Rules for Agencies, Section 5(3) a-d)

INSPECTING AND/OR COPYING RECORDS
If access to inspect records is granted, records may be inspected by the public at the Library in the presence of the Records Access Officer or his/her designee during regular hours of Library operation. If the original of the record includes information, details and/or particulars requiring deletion, the individual requesting shall only be permitted to receive the redacted copy of the record.

Copying of the record will be performed by the Records Access Officer upon payment of the fees adopted by the Board of Trustees, in accordance with NYS Law.

No original record may be removed from the office where the record is kept.

DENIAL OF REQUESTS

Should the Records Access Officer deny access, said denial may be appealed to the Records Appeal Officer by the individual requesting the record within the 30 days allowable by law.

The Board of Trustees President shall serve as the Records Appeal Officer.

FEES

No fee may be charged for:

1. inspection of records;
2. search for records; or
3. any certification pursuant to this part.

The fee for a copy of a record which does not exceed either 9” in width or 14” in length shall be twenty-five cents (25¢) per page.

Fees charged for copies of records are based on the actual cost of reproduction and may include only the following:

1. an amount equal to the hourly salary attributed to the lowest paid employee who has the necessary skill required to prepare a copy of the requested record, but only when more than two hours of the employee’s time is necessary to do so; and
2. the actual cost of the storage devices or media provided to the person making the request in complying with such request; or
3. the actual cost to the agency of engaging an outside professional service to prepare a copy of a record, but only when an agency’s information technology equipment is inadequate to prepare a copy, and if such service is used to prepare the copy. (NYS COOG, Model Rules for Agencies, Section 8(4) a-c)

PUBLIC NOTICE
The Records Access Officer shall cause public notice to be posted near the Circulation Desk of the Library informing members of the public of:

1. The Records Access Officer’s business address and business telephone number
2. The time and place records will be made available for inspection and copying
3. The right to appeal by any person denied access to records
4. The name, business address, and business telephone number of the Records Appeals Officer

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW

Any details not specified in this policy should be located in the actual law, which may be found at https://opengovernment.ny.gov/freedom-information-law

Adopted 5/7/08
Amended 5/14/2024
Amended 8/14/2024
Amended 11/12/2024

Mamakating Library Community Room Policy and Application

The Mamakating Library Community Room is available to organizations when it is not scheduled to be used for library-sponsored programs. The Community Room seats a maximum of 45 people (without tables). Folding tables are available for use. In addition, the kitchen adjacent to the Community Room may be requested at certain times and library equipment for display and projection may be available for use with permission of the Library Director. Organizations seeking to use the Community Room must complete the application on the reverse and will be considered by the library director, according to the following criteria and rules.

Criteria for Use

The Community Room is accessible to non-profit groups regardless of their beliefs or affiliations of their members. The Community Room may be used during the hours which the library is open.
All activities for which this application covers shall be non-profit, non-commercial and educational or cultural in focus and open to the public. Fundraising activities are not permitted. Personal parties or gatherings are not considered eligible. Community Room users must adhere to the Library’s Patron Code of Conduct, which appears at the end of this policy. All organizations applying for use of the Community Room are required to submit a Certificate of Liability that lists the Mamakating Library as additional insured, for at least the standard insurance coverage determined by the Library’s insurance carrier: $1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate.
An application for each use must be submitted within a reasonable amount of time prior to the date requested (30 days is suggested). A final decision will be made within 14 days of the date of submission. Exceptions to this policy may be considered by the Library Director.

Room Usage Rules

• The Community Room must be left in the same condition in which it was found. All furniture
  must be returned to its original configuration. If the kitchen is used, it must be cleaned and all
  utensils, appliances, or dishes must be washed and returned to original locations. Users will
  incur a charge for cleaning services if the floor, tables, chairs and kitchen are not left at least as clean as they are found.
• Any items approved for usage may be used in the community room only and must be returned at the conclusion of the period covered by the agreement.
• Activities must end at least 15 minutes before library closing.
• Library personnel must have free access to the Community Room at all times.
• No animals are permitted with the exception of service animals.
• Smoking is prohibited on library premises.
• The library maintains the right to monitor all meetings conducted on the premises to insure compliance with the policies.

The contact person named on the application shall be responsible for the condition of the facility, for the conduct of members and guests when on library premises, and for the payment of any maintenance charges incurred by the library.
The signing of this application constitutes an agreement by the undersigned to adhere to the rules of the Mamakating Library Community Room and to ensure that no member of the group violates the rules set forth.

Please download the PDF for the application

Philosophy

The Mamakating Library provides open access to materials and information. Library patrons’ First Amendment right to guaranteed freedom of speech extends to a corresponding right to hear what is spoken and read what is written free from fear of intrusion, intimidation, or reprisal. New York Statute 45098 also insures this freedom. The Mamakating Library also ascribes to the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics which states, “We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed,  acquired or transmitted.” Only by strictly adhering to the following policy can the confidentiality of patron records, information, and behavior, be preserved to the fullest extent of the law.

This privacy policy explains your privacy and confidentiality rights, the steps this library takes to respect and protect your privacy when you use library resources, and how we deal with personally identifiable information that we may collect from our users.

Information Collected

Information we may gather about library users includes the following:

• User registration information
  • Retained on paper and in the library’s computer program and back-up server,
• Circulation information
  • Retained briefly in user’s account; may be fully retained upon request of patron
• Website user names and saved documents/images
  • Retained on public computers until they are restarted, generally the next day; user may request restart
• Email addresses
  • Retained upon consent for communication of library business
• An individual’s presence in the library
  • Not customarily recorded, but may be for special circumstances, such as viral contact tracing
• Program attendance
  • For future communication concerning similar programs

Protection of Patron Records

We will not disclose any personal data we collect from you to any other party, except where required by law or to fulfill an individual user’s service request, with the following exceptions:

• To the parent/guardian for overdue records of a youth under 18 years for which a parent/guardian is held financially responsible
• To a parent or guardian with identification seeking a record of current titles borrowed by a child under 13 years of age
• To an individual with identification and a signed proxy statement picking up reserve materials on hold for another individual.

Use of the Mamakating Library Website

On the library’s website, we automatically collect information about you:

• From automatically-collected network logs
• Through cookies

Network Logs

When you use our Library services, such as our website and mobile applications, our computer servers automatically capture and save information electronically about your usage of our library services. Examples of information that we may collect include:

• Your Internet Protocol (IP)  address
• Your location
• Type of web browser or electronic device that you use
• Date and time of your visit
• Website that you visited immediately before arriving at our website
• Pages that you viewed on our website
• Certain searches/queries that you conducted

If you are using our public Wi-Fi network, we collect the MAC address and name of your Wi-Fi device.

You should be aware that information collected about you through network logs may be de-identified and aggregated with information collected about other users or visitors.  This de-identified and aggregated information cannot be used to reasonably identify you.  This information helps us to administer services, analyze usage, provide security and identify new users of our library services.  In addition, it helps us to improve your user experience.

Cookies

Users of networked computers will need to enable cookies in order to access a number of resources available through the library. A cookie is a small file sent to the browser by a website each time that site is visited. Cookies are stored on the user’s computer. Cookies are often used to remember information about preferences and pages visited. You can refuse to accept cookies, can disable cookies, and remove cookies from your hard drive. Our library servers use cookies solely to verify that a person is an authorized user in order to allow access to licensed library resources and to customize web pages to that user’s specification. Cookies sent by our library servers will disappear when the user’s computer browser is closed. We will not share cookies information with external third parties.

Use of Information

We typically keep information only for as long as it is needed for the proper operation of the library and in order to better deliver library services to you.   We may retain some information in backup storage systems, hard copy form, or as required by law. We collect different types of information from you depending on your chosen level of engagement with our library services and the information needed in order to provide you with access to those services.

We permit only authorized library staff with assigned confidential passwords to access personal data stored in the library’s computer system for the purpose of performing library work. The library does not sell or lease users’ personal information.

Court Order for Release of Library Records

The library director will not make library records available to any agency of state, federal, or local government unless a subpoena, warrant, court order or other investigatory document is issued by a court of competent jurisdiction that shows good cause and is in proper form. Only the library director is authorized to receive or comply with requests from law enforcement officers; legal counsel may be consulted before determining the proper response.

Confidentiality of Children’s Information

Parents and guardians are responsible for monitoring their children’s use of the internet in the library, particularly concerning the protection of children’s personal information. Parents and guardians of children under the age of 13 may view their children’s library records. Parents and guardians of children between the ages of 13 and 17 (inclusive) may also view their children’s library records, but the library requires their children’s consent.  We may partner with third-party services to provide educational content for children. Parents and guardians should review those services’ privacy policies before permitting their children to use them. Parents and guardians may also need to sign additional consent forms for the collection of information about their children before they gain access to optional programs and services, such as our enrolled programs, as well as for library card registration.

Approved by the Mamakating Library Board of Trustees, February 10, 2021

For reasons of safety and the well-being of young children, the following rules will be abided by:

1. Caregivers of children under 18 years of age are responsible for the behavior of their children.
2. All children 7 years of age and younger must be attended to and supervised by an adult caregiver or a parent-approved caregiver, age 14 or older, at all times.
3. Children ages 8 and up, may remain in the library without adult supervision. If a child is not adhering to all library rules, he/she may be asked to leave by a library staff member.
4. Parents are expected to be aware of library hours of operation and to pick up their children prior to closing.

Further:

Neither library personnel nor the trustees of the library assume responsibility for unsupervised children in the library.

If it is determined that a parent is needed to pick up a child from the library for any reason, and the parent cannot be reached or located, library staff may use their discretion to contact emergency medical services, child protection services or police. A staff member will remain with the child until authorities arrive. Under no circumstances may a staff member drive a child home from the library.

Approved by the Mamakating Library Board of Trustees

March 6, 2019

Rules and Regulations for Public Behavior

The Mamakating Library Board of Trustees invites all patrons to enjoy the library, its materials and its programs. To insure that all our patrons are able to use the library in comfort and safety we post the following rules and regulations.

Users of the library must respect the rights and privileges of all users. Any behavior, which interferes with the use of the library by others, is prohibited.

For the comfort and safety of everyone, we ask your cooperation:

• Cell phones may only be used in the foyer and the community room. The Library’s phone is reserved for library business only and is not to be used by patrons.
• Children under 8 years old must be attended to and supervised by an adult caregiver or a parent-approved caregiver, age 14 or older.
• Voices should be kept to a moderate level; do not disturb others.
• Food and uncovered beverages are permitted only in the community room.
• Audio equipment volume should not be audible to others.
• Animals are not allowed in the library, with the exception of service animals or animals that are part of a library program.
• Patrons under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave the library.
• Shoes and shirts must be worn in the library.
• Soliciting, selling and petition signing are not allowed on library property (unless related to library business).

The following are not permitted on the library property:

• Obscene; abusive; offensive language
• Running; climbing on the furniture
• Bicycling; skateboarding; roller-skating
• Smoking; vaping
• Gambling
• Loitering
• Weapons of any kind

Vandalism or defacing library property will result in immediate eviction from the library, loss of privileges, suit for damages and/or criminal prosecution.

The library reserves the right to inspect the contents of any bag, backpack, briefcase, etc. if it has reason to believe that library property is being improperly removed.

Violation of these rules may result in exclusion from the library building and/or suspension of library privileges.

Approved by the Mamakating Library Board of Trustees on May 9, 2019
Revised July 1st, 2020
Revised April 12th, 2022

Smoking Policy

Because we recognize the hazards caused by exposure to smoke in the environment, it shall

be the policy of  Mamakating Library to provide a smoke-free environment for all

employees and visitors. Therefore, smoking or vaping of any substance is prohibited both in the Library building and on Library property. To help maintain a clean and safe landscape, cigarette butts should be properly disposed of before entering Library property.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on July 14, 2021

Public Notification of Meetings

The Board of Trustees of the Mamakating Library operates in accordance with Open Meetings Law (see Education Law §260-a; and Public Officers Law, Article 7). This law requires that board meetings must be properly posted and advertised and open to the public. In addition, working sessions of the board (even if they are not formal meetings) will, in accordance with the law, be advertised and open if a quorum of the board is expected to attend. Notice of all board meetings will be sent to the news media, noted on the Library’s website and posted in a public place such as the Library bulletin board. (Educational sessions in which the board does not conduct business are exempt from Open Meetings Law.)

As the requirements of the Open Meetings Law for special legislative district libraries also apply to all committees and sub-committees of the board of which two or more trustees are members, these committees will operate in the same fashion.

Provision of Documents

Also in accordance with Open Meetings Law, when a document is scheduled to be the subject of discussion during an open meeting, the document will be made available online prior to the meeting and copies will be available for the public at the meeting.

Executive Sessions

Executive sessions, from which the public and the news media may be excluded, will be convened during an open meeting for only the following specific purposes:

• Discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
• The medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
• The proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities held by the Board, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.

The board will vote to enter executive session and state the general nature of the session for its minutes.

Executive sessions may include advisors, such as the library director, system consultant or the library’s lawyer.

If formal action and vote are taken in executive session, the minutes will provide a record or summary of the final determination or action the board took in the session. Alternately, the Board may adjourn from executive session and return to the regular meeting to vote on any formal action or approve specific resolutions. The appropriation of public monies will not take place in executive session.

Adopted by the Mamakating Library Board of Trustees

March 6, 2019

Philosophy

The Mamakating Library believes that in order to fulfill our purpose in serving the community, we must be engaged in the an ongoing effort to put into place policies and practices that address the full realm of sustainability. Decisions and practices take into consideration the “triple bottom line” definition of sustainability: to be truly sustainable an organization must embody practices that are environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially equitable. (Refer to Collection Development, Programming and financial control policies and the Personnel Manual.)

Community Engagement

The Mamakating Library recognizes the important role libraries play in larger community conversations about resiliency and a sustainable future. We are committed to community engagement on issues related to sustainability through our facility, collections, programs and outreach activities.

Environmental Impact

As we seek to reduce our impact on the environment, we are committed to continually evaluating our processes, and taking actions to conserve energy and water, support renewable energy resources, minimize pollution and waste. These efforts are extended to contractors serving or otherwise acting on behalf of the organization.

Employees

Employee understanding and involvement are essential to the implementation of this policy. All employees will receive a copy of the policy upon hire and be educated about the library’s efforts to address the triple bottom line.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees pledges its commitment to support sustainable principles that follow the triple-bottom line methodology to ensure a resilient, sustainable community and library for all residents.

Approved by the Mamakating Library Board of Trustees on April 12, 2022

Library Mission

The Mamakating Library provides quality materials, services and programs which fulfill educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of the community we serve in an atmosphere that is welcoming and respectful.

Philosophy

The Mamakating Library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights* and as it pertains to collection development is guided by the first two principles:

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

Objectives

The collection is developed to:

• Meet the interests of a diverse public in the areas of personal development and recreation
• Represent diverse points of view
• Provide up-to-date information and facts in broad subject areas
• Highlight the cultural and natural history resources of our geographical area.

Materials Selection

The Director has the primary responsibility for materials selection in all formats. Staff members may assist in selection based on special knowledge in certain areas and formats.

The following criteria may be used when considering and selecting library materials:

• Reviews found in professional and popular media
• The literary value of the material
• Relation to existing collection materials on the subject
• Importance as a document of the times
• Respectful and accurate portrayal of characters and cultures
• Patron recommendations and overall demand for the material
• School reading lists
• Staff recommendations
• Suitability of physical format.

The library welcomes suggestions for the purchase of materials. Suggestions will be subject to the same standards of selection as other considered materials.

Local history materials relating to Mamakating and the region and books by local authors are sought for the collection.

Selection of Digital Items

Ebooks and digital audiobooks may be selected for the RCLS consortium by the Central Library, may be shared by other RCLS libraries, may be preselected by commercial arrangement (such as hoopla) and may be selected by the Mamakating Library director. When considered for in-house purchase, selections will follow the criteria used for print media.

Reconsideration

To question the selection of particular materials, a patron must submit a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form to the Director. The Library Director will then respond in writing to the patron making the objection.

Any remaining objections will be addressed by the Board of Library Trustees. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole and on its adherence to this policy.

Weeding

Weeding is the process of deaccessioning items from the collection. An up to date and useful collection is maintained through a process of continual withdrawal and addition. Items are selected for weeding based on condition, demand, accuracy and the availability of newer editions. Weeded items are offered for sale by the Friends of the Library.

Lost and Damaged Items

Lost and damaged items incur a replacement fee according to the price listed on the item record. Listed Item record prices are retail prices. Although the library may be able to purchase a replacement at less than the retail cost, the balance helps to defray the cost of shipping and staff time to purchase and process the item. Patrons are expected to pay the fee if an item is lost, or with permission of the director or principal clerk, provide the library with an identical replacement in new condition. The final determination of damage resulting in the necessity to replace an item will be made by the library director or principal clerk. The director reserves the option to replace lost items with more recent editions or similar publications.

Material Donations

The Mamakating Library welcomes donations of books and other materials in good condition. All items accepted by the library as gifts become the sole property of the library and may be used or disposed of in whatever manner the library deems appropriate. Items may be added to the collection based on selection criteria outlined above, donated to the Friends of the Library for sale, donated to other organizations such as Literacy Volunteers, or disposed of via the county’s recycling program.

Donations must be in acceptable condition, as determined by the library staff. Odor, discoloration, markings and spine damage may render items unacceptable. Additional criteria for book donations are attached. The library reserves the right to temporarily pause materials donation due to space constraints or other unforeseen circumstances.

Donations of local history materials are encouraged.

Receipts given by the Library to donors are limited to a general acknowledgment that a gift was received. Assignment of value for income tax and other purposes is the responsibility of the donor. The Library does not appraise materials nor endorse appraisals provided by donors.

* “Library Bill of Rights”, American Library Association, June 30, 2006.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill (Accessed November 8, 2021)

Approved by Board of Trustees November 9, 2021
Amended & Approved 3/8/2023

Programming supports the library’s mission to fulfill educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of the community by offering opportunities for exploration, lifelong education, community engagement and access to technology.

Director and staff are encouraged and expected to be creative and innovative to meet community needs. Programs incorporate a variety of interactions, such as one-on-one engagement, small group discussion, hands-on activities and large programs and events. Programs may be staff-led, presenter-led, or participant-led (i.e. self-directed) and either in-person or remote.

Programs should stimulate use of the library resources by new as well as established library users. They provide a unique opportunity to market and promote library services. The purpose of individual programs is determined as part of the planning process, i.e., the audience (age, demographics and size), community needs, content, learning objectives and outcomes.

Criteria

The following criteria are used in planning library-sponsored programs:

• Alignment with library mission and Long-Range Plan
• Promotion of library collections and resources
• Timeliness and relevance of topic to community needs and interests
• Availability of funding
• Availability of adequate space
• Promotional opportunities and constraints
• Presenter background/qualification in content area
• Treatment of content for the intended audience
• Connection to other community activities

Location

In-person programs may be held at the library or off-site, either indoors or outdoors. Remote
programs may be live (e.g. using Zoom or Facebook Live) or recorded and presented via a
platform such as the library’s website or social media.

Presenter Agreement

Agreement to lead the program or perform the event should be received in writing from the
leader/performer by the director either by email or on a Presenter Agreement form, with agreed upon payment for services when applicable.

Registration

Participant registration for programs is required for planning purposes to determine space and materials required. Staff are expected to contact registrants approximately one day prior to event to remind them of the date and time and provide any other required information. The reminder call is not required for very large events (fifty or more participants).

A minimum of three registrants or remote links (e.g., Zoom windows) are required for a
program to be carried out. If there are fewer registrants, the program may be rescheduled for
another date or cancelled due to lack of interest.

Evaluation

Surveys are distributed to participants after programs when there is a need for evaluation of
program content, leader and/or promotion.

Reconsideration

To suggest reconsideration of a program offering, a patron must submit a Request for Reconsideration form to the Library Director. The Library Director will then respond in writing to the patron making the objection. Any remaining objections will be addressed by the Board of Library Trustees. Program offerings, like library materials are judged on their adherence to this policy.

Approved by the Mamakating Library Board of Trustees, February 10, 2021
Amended 12/13/2022
Amended 2/12/2023

The Mamakating Library provides laptop computers for borrowing by patrons, to be used in the library or on the library patio. Use of the library’s laptops outdoors is confined to the patio. Patio use is weather permitting, to be decided by library staff.

Laptops may be reserved ahead of time. They may be used for a 2-hour period, once a day with no renewals allowed. The loan period can be extended at the discretion of library staff, if there is not a waiting list. Laptops are unable to connect to the library’s printers.

The staff will assist with basic computer usage questions, but are not available on a regular basis for extensive training of users. Users are expected to have working knowledge of the computer and programs. Please report all technical problems to library staff.

Laptop Use Rules

1. Users must have a Mamakating Library card in good standing.
2. Users must read and sign the Mamakating Library Laptop Loan Agreement.
3. Users must leave a driver’s license or other primary form of identification at the circulation desk for use of a laptop, to be returned to the user when the laptop is returned and passes inspection by a library staff member.
4. Mamakating Library cardholders under the age of 18 may borrow a library laptop for indoor use only and must remain in the library building while in possession of the laptop. A parent or other adult caretaker must comply with number 1 to 3 above.
5. No more than two people may use the same laptop at any one time. Both users must sign a Library Laptop Loan Agreement.
6. Laptops should not be left unattended at any time. Laptops found unattended will be returned to the circulation desk.
7. Laptops will be returned to the circulation desk a half an hour before closing, even if the two- hour loan period has not expired.
8. Do not save passwords or login names on the laptop. Any documents needed should be saved to a flash drive provided by the user or uploaded to an email or cloud account. All documents and files will be erased upon return of the laptop.

Patron Responsibility for Laptop

The patron to whom the laptop is checked out will be responsible for any loss or damage that occurs before it is returned to library staff. The patron will be liable for an amount up to full replacement cost ($850.00) if the laptop is damaged or stolen.

Violation of the Laptop Use Policy and Agreement may result in the loss of the laptop-use privilege, to be determined by the Library Director.

Internet Use

WiFi is publicly accessible with no password required. The Wifi signal is not encrypted, therefore
information sent over the internet on a library laptop is not protected or secure.

The library is not responsible for any loss or damages, direct or indirect, arising from its connections to the internet or from any other use of computing resources. The internet may contain material of a controversial nature; the library does not filter access to material nor protect users from offensive/objectionable information.

Users must abide by all federal and state laws with respect to copyright and transmission of materials over the internet. Violators are subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.

Approved by Mamakating Board of Trustees, April 14, 2021

Election

Elections will be conducted by the Board of Trustees of the Mamakating Library when required at a time to be determined by the Board.

Eligibility to Vote

Persons registered to vote in the town of Mamakating and residing in the Monticello, Pine Bush and Minisink Valley School Districts are eligible to vote in library elections.

Election to Board of Trustees

Candidates for the office of trustee must file a nominating petition signed by at least 25 qualified voters. These petitions will be available at the library at a date to be announced. Notices will be posted of the availability in a minimum of three public places in the library district. Each nominating petition must be filled out in its entirety. This includes heading; date; printed name as it appears on the election rolls; signature; street address (not PO Box) and school district. Any incomplete or illegible entries will cause that signature to be declared invalid. Determinations as to invalidating signatures will be made by the elections secretary. Such determinations are appealable to the full Board of Trustees. A person may sign petitions for more than one candidate; however, if any individual signs more petitions than there are open Board seats, the last dated signature will be invalidated.

Notice of Election

After all petitions are submitted and validated the notice of election, with the names of all the candidates will be posted locally in a minimum of three public places in the Library District and in the legal notices of a local newspaper.

Adopted by the Mamakating Library Board of Trustees
April 4, 2018

Mamakating Library Resolution Regarding ALA Library Bill of Rights

Whereas the American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

1. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
2. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
3. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.

Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Mamakating Library affirms our commitment  to adhere to and uphold the policies set forth by the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, cited in full above.

Adopted: 4/2024