Policies
Inclement Weather Policy
Monday through Friday
In the event that Gateway Regional School District is closed due to inclement weather, Porter Memorial Library will also be closed.
If there is a 2 hour delay at Gateway Regional School District, Porter Memorial Library will open as usual at 2 PM.
If there is an early release at Gateway Regional School District due to weather Porter Memorial Library will be closed.
Saturday hours will be evaluated by the Director and Trustees based on the safety of road conditions and the parking lot accessibility. Announcements will be posted on the website and Facebook.
Please feel free to call us at (413) 848-2853 to confirm that we are open if you are questioning.
Behavior Policy
I. Introduction
- The Porter Memorial Library Board of Trustees to insure the safety of all library staff and patrons, protect the usefulness of the materials collection, and maintain order in the library establishes this policy.
- The Board of Trustees is committed to providing an atmosphere where people of all ages may come to read, browse, do research, or study. This policy does not prohibit quiet conversation between patrons and/or staff members or conversations required to carry on library programs or business. It is designed to preserve a reasonably quiet atmosphere where library patrons may use library services and materials without disturbance.
- Inappropriate behavior includes any activity that disturbs others, interferes with library operations, damages the building or its furnishings, as well as rudeness, profanity, or any other behavior generally considered unacceptable in a public place.
- This policy has been established for all patrons. If a patron is not responsive to the needs of other library users or disregards the policies protecting patrons, staff, and library property, the patron will be asked to leave the library.
II. Specific Guidelines
- The rights of individuals to use the library should not be abridged or denied. To guarantee these rights for all persons, no library patron shall engage in the following prohibited behaviors:
- Smoke. The library is a smoke-free zone. Smoking is prohibited throughout the facility.
- Annoy, intimidate or bully another person. Damage or deface public property. Engage in loud, boisterous or obscene behavior.
- Utter profane, obscene, or offensive language.
- Be in a state of intoxication that causes a public disturbance.
- Enter or remain in the Library without a shirt or shoes.
- Loiter on the premises under circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety or health of any person or property in the vicinity.
- Remain in the building after its regular closing hours.
- Only persons on library business will be allowed to solicit for the sale of goods and services in the library. Salespersons may meet with authorized library personnel only. Exceptions may be made for library-sponsored activities and organizations affiliated with the library.
- Surveying of groups or individuals may only be done in conjunction with output measures or other similar surveys designed to quantify library use or satisfaction with library services.
- It is a charge of the library staff to see that the rights of individuals to use of the Library are upheld. The staff is obligated to enforce these guidelines so that the facility can be used to the fullest by all persons. Questions regarding the interpretation of these guidelines will be referred to the Library Director or other staff member in charge.
III. General Guidelines for Handling Problem Patrons
- It is patron's responsibility to maintain necessary and proper behavior standards in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons.
- Occasionally, staff members may have to deal with patrons who violate the rights of others or who create a disturbance in the library. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be asked to leave the library. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave within a reasonable amount of time, after being directed to do so by staff, will be subject to the law.
- A brief written report of any incident involving theft, vandalism, illegal activity, or major disruptive behavior will be filed with the Director as soon as possible after its occurrence.
IV. Unattended Children
- One of the primary missions of the Library is to provide a variety of services for children of all ages. The library encourages visits by young children, and it is our desire to make these visits both memorable and enjoyable for the child.
- "Unattended" means that the parent or designated person is not in close proximity to the child. Library staff cannot be expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library. Parents are responsible for their children's behavior while in the library.
- Therefore, it is the policy of the Library that all children six years of age and under must be in the company of a parent/responsible person while in the library. Even if the young person is attending a program, it is required that the parent/responsible person remain in the library throughout the program.
V. Disruptive Children
- Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, pleasure reading, and attending programs. The staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion.
- Examples of disruptive behavior include running up and down the book stack aisles, unsupervised use of library equipment, pulling books from the shelves, encroachment into staff areas -- any behavior that interferes with other people's use of the library or that may damage library property.
- Whether they are with their parents or not, children who are continually disruptive will be dealt with firmly. The child will be given a warning that he/she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library. If after a second warning the child continues to be disruptive, he/she will be asked to leave the library. If the child needs to contact a parent, he/she may do so and then wait until the parent arrives.
Internet Policy
Introduction to the Internet: While traditional print collections provide stability and the opportunity to compare and verify authenticity, the Internet is characterized by constant change and unpredictability. Its great strength is wealth of information. It offers a wide variety of materials on all topics, from many points of view. While its resources may be useful and enriching, they also may be outdated, inaccurate, illegal, and even offensive and disturbing to some individuals. With the Internet, the library opens a gateway to information far broader than that found in our library’s collections that have been carefully selected and developed with our users’ needs in mind.
Use of the Internet: The Porter Memorial Library does not monitor or exert control over information accessed through the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Parents or legal guardians must assume the responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet through the library’s connection. Restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Parents are encouraged to discuss Internet use with their children and make clear their expectations. Patrons may not use library terminals to access the Internet for illegal purposes, to transmit threatening or harassing materials or to deliberately display obscene* images. Patrons may be asked to limit their time on the Internet when others are waiting to use the equipment. The penalty for violating the library’s Internet Policy will result in loss of access to the library computer for 3 months for first offense.
Everyone must register for Internet use by providing their name, address, library card number, and telephone number.
Assistance: Library staff is available to assist you in your use of Internet resources, but may not be familiar with every application you might wish to use. Because of the many different Internet applications and plug-ins available, the library is unable to provide complete technical support.
(*MGL, Chapter 272, Section 29; Crimes Against Morality, Good Order-Dissemination or Possession of Obscene Matter; and Chapter 272, Section 31: Crimes Against Morality, Good Order – Definitions.)
Gift Policy
The Trustees of the Porter Memorial Library, in accordance with MGL Ch 78, Sec. 10, have a designated Treasurer who manages funds donated to the library for particular purposes or to be used at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees may accept any and all funds for the specific use of the library for the following:
- Building, expansion, and any costs accorded to that; including but not limited to architectural services, renderings, survey, consultant, etc.
- For any and all library materials including but not limited to books, compact discs, videos, audio books, etc.
- Trustees will see that all such gifts are acknowledged and handled in accordance with the donor’s wishes.
- The Trustees can accept gifts of memorials (financial or otherwise); historical materials and writing, property, paintings, equipment or monetary contributions with or without designations to endowment, plant fund, book fund, building fund.