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MISSION

The mission of the Kenai Community Library is to provide a comfortable and friendly environment in which the public may:

a. Have a reasonable expectation that they will leave the building with what they came for;

b. Relax and read current materials;

c. Receive knowledgeable assistance and answers to questions;

d. Pursue opportunities for lifelong learning;

e. Find professionally selected materials in all formats for personal enjoyment;

f. Enjoy programs or performances;

g. Have access to technological resources.

In support of this mission, the library provides individualized assistance, community outreach, professional expertise, and current technologies for equal access to facilities, quality services, and materials in a variety of formats.

The Kenai Community Library will endeavor to:

a. Provide service to every resident in the community;

b. Provide non-residents the same services:

c. Have the library open seven (7) days a week for at least a total of fifty-nine (59) hours.

The library supports the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association Freedom to Read statement. The Library’s mandate is to provide the public access to information on all sides of an issue. (Amended during 7-7-99 supplement, 12-1-00 supplement, 12-1-06 supplement)

MATERIALS

Books and other library materials will be added to the present collection to provide information, entertainment, intellectual development and enrichment to all the people of the community.

PERSONNEL

Salary schedule, holidays, vacation and sick leave shall conform to those rules outlined in the Personnel Regulations of the City of Kenai.

BUDGET, OPERATIONAL

The budget shall be presented to the City by the Library staff.

BUDGET, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

The initiation of a budget for Capital Improvements shall be done by the Library Commission and the Library Staff. (Amended during 7-7-99 supplement, 12-1-00 supplement, 12-1-06 supplement)

BOOK SELECTION

The Library Commission, recognizing the pluralistic nature of this community and the varied backgrounds and the needs of the citizens, declares as a matter of book selection policy that:

a. Books and/or other library material selection are and shall be vested in the librarian. Any book and/or library material so selected shall be held to be selected by the Commission.

b. Selection of books and/or other library material shall be made on the basis of their value of interest, information, and enlightenment of all the people of the community. No book and/or library material shall be excluded because of the race, nationality or the political or social views of the author.

c. This Commission believes that censorship is a purely individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject for himself books of which he does not approve, he cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom to read to others.

d. This Commission defends the principles of the freedom to read and declares that whenever censorship is involved no book and/or library material shall be removed from the library save under the orders of a court or competent jurisdiction.

e. This Commission adopts and declares that it will adhere to and support:

1. The Library Bill of Rights, and

2. The Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the American Library Association, both of which are made a part hereof.

Gifts will be accepted with provisions as to addition to the collection upon examination of materials. Non-usable gifts will be given the disposition that is of most value to the library. (Amended during 7-7-99 supplement, 12-1-00 supplement, 12-1-06 supplement)

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Cooperation will be given to other libraries to advance the usage of all libraries and to provide additional services to the readers of our community, and to publicize the value of library services to all. (Res. 91-26; Amended during 12-1-00 supplement, 12-1-06 supplement)

UNATTENDED CHILDREN

The library offers many programs and services that encourage children to develop a love of books, reading and learning. However:

Because the library is a place where children gather, it may attract people whose interest in children is not entirely wholesome.

The safety and well-being of children at the library is of serious concern.

Responsibility for children using the library rests at all times with the parent(s) or assigned caregiver(s), not with the library personnel.

The library staff has leeway to intervene if aware of disruptive behavior.

The staff cannot know if children are leaving the building with their parents or strangers.

For the protection and well-being of children who enjoy libraries, the following has been established:

Children under eight (8) years must be continually attended by a parent or a caregiver while in the library.

Parents and caregivers should be familiar with the library’s hours of operation and should not leave children before opening or after closing.

The library staff is not responsible for supervising children left alone when the library is closed, but will make attempts to reach a parent for immediate pick-up.

The police department will be notified of any child who has been left too long or repeatedly in this unsafe situation.

(Added during 3-6-08 supplement)

ELECTRONIC DEVICE CHECKOUT POLICY

Checking out a device

a. The Kenai Community Library offers electronic devices for checkout. A patron must have a valid Kenai Community Library card or Alaska Library Catalog member library card, and an Electronic Device Liability form must be on file. A library card is considered valid if the patron’s information is current and the account is in good standing.

b. Patrons must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to borrow an electronic device. Patrons thirteen (13) to seventeen (17) years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign a liability form in person before first check-out. The parent/legal guardian assumes responsibility for the electronic device.

Available Devices

a. In-library laptops are available for loan at the service desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Holds or advance bookings for laptops are not available. The loan period for laptops is two (2) hours, which may be extended subject to staff approval. Laptops must be returned at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to library closing. In-library laptops should never be left unattended. Removal of an in-library device from the library building constitutes theft.

b. Chromebooks are available for checkout for 21 days with one renewal if no other holds exist. Holds on Chromebooks can be placed by calling the Kenai Community Library during business hours. Chromebooks will be held for no more than two (2) days. Chromebooks must be picked up and dropped off at the Kenai Community Library only. Chromebooks should never be left unattended. Overdue Chromebooks will be remotely disabled at three (3) days overdue and replacement costs will be assessed at seven (7) days overdue.

Patron Responsibilities

a. Patrons must abide by the Internet Safety policy and all other applicable policies. Copies of these policies are available on the library’s website or upon request at the service desk. Patrons are responsible for any violation of this and all other applicable library policies.

b. Patrons may not tamper with, alter or delete any settings or configurations, or install software on the device.

c. Patrons will not engage in any illegal activity using an electronic device.

d. Patrons may borrow no more than one device at the same time.

e. All devices must be returned to a library staff member and will be checked for damage before check-in.

f. Documents should be saved to a USB drive or cloud storage. The Library does not provide these devices. All user files will be deleted when the device is turned off.

g. The Kenai Community Library is not responsible for any loss or damage to library user’s data or media due to viruses, hardware, software, electrical surge or failure, battery failure or any other cause while the library user is using library electronic devices.

h. The user agrees to assume any and all liability for the cost of repair or replacement in the event of loss due to theft, damage whether intentional or unintentional, negligence or misuse. A repair fee will be levied for damaged devices and/or accessories based on the cost of the repairs. Any equipment malfunctions or loss should be reported immediately to Library staff. Fees for the electronic device and/or accessories will be charged based on replacement cost.

(Added during 9-18-10 supplement; Res. 2021-01)