Library Policies

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Mission Statement

The Burlington Public Library’s mission is to be the best small-town public library we can be through our exceptional service, relevant resources, as well as cultural, social and educational programming for the community.

Materials Selection Policy

The materials selection policy for the Burlington Public Library is stated as follows:

1) The responsibility of buying materials is a duty belonging to the librarian. Gifts shall be accepted with the stipulation that the librarian is free to decide whether all or part of the gift shall be integrated into the collection, discarded, exchanged, or sold.

2) Library materials shall be selected on the basis of 1) permanent literary value 2) authority 3) timeliness 4) community interest and need 5) relation to the permanent collection, and 6) recreation. Materials will not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

3) The library shall provide materials and information representative of all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials will not be removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

4) Weeding or re-selection of materials shall be done on a regular basis in order to keep the collection balanced and up-to-date.

Confidentiality of Library Records

It is the policy of the Burlington Public Library that personally identifiable information contained in the circulation records of the Burlington Public Library shall be confidential.

All librarians and staff are advised that such records shall not be made available to any agency of the state, federal, or local governments except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigative power.

All library staff should contact their legal counsel when served with documents that show good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Complaint Policy and Procedure

The choice of library materials by users is an individual matter. While a person may reject for himself or herself and for his or her children, he or she cannot exercise censorship to restrict access to the materials by others. The library respectfully considers complaints.

Procedure

Upon receiving a complaint by a patron, the library staff will offer the complainant a copy of the selection policy, the Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read/View statement.

If the patron still wishes to pursue the complaint, he or she must completely fill out and submit a “Complaint Form” to the library director.

Upon receiving the written complaint, the Board of Library Directors will be notified, taking action where necessary.

Library Sign Policy

It is the policy of the Burlington Public Library that the use of the hanging announcement board attached to the Library sign on the corner of Route 4 and Library Lane is limited to “library functions” only.

Broad community projects in concert with the library would be considered. Any conflicts would have to be presented to the Board of Directors for a final decision.