Broad Valleys FederationPam Henley & Suzanne ReymerMontana State Library February 28, 2015

LIBRARY POLICIES

What is a Policy?• Merriam-Webster:

• Prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs• A high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and

acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body

• Dictionary.com• A definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency

• BusinessDictionary.com• Principles, rules and guidelines formulated or adopted by an

organization to reach its long-term goals and published in a booklet or other form that is widely accessible

Why have policies?

• Translate service priorities into actions• Allow staff to perform jobs effectively• Ensure equal treatment for all• Educate public• Provide legal support

Good policies…

• Reflect library priorities• Are current, comprehensive and consistent

• User-friendly, easy to access• Comply with local, state and federal regulations

4 Tests

• Legality• Reasonableness• Nondiscriminatory• Measurability

Name Your Policies

Policy Development

• Determine priority• Identify current practice and best practice• Involve staff• Consult groups affected

• Write procedures based on staff input and best practice information

• Review and ask Why?

Personnel

• Often developed by city/county HR• Hiring/termination• Benefits• Grievance procedures

If library develops their own, align with city/county for consistency

Create a Policy

Policy Assessment

• Brief statement of WHY• Regulations define, WHAT is done to support policy

• Procedures outline HOW staff supports policy and regulation

• Guidelines describe best practice

4 Tests

• Legality• Reasonableness• Nondiscriminatory• Measurability

Implementation

• Communicate• Internal• External

• Monitor• Update and revise

Examples• Great Falls Public Library http://greatfallslibrary.org/?

p=about&n=about• Missoula Public Library http://

www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/about/missoula-public-library-policies• ImagineIF: http://imagineiflibraries.org/about-us/policies/• Bitterroot Public Library: http://www.bitterrootpubliclibrary.org/policies

• More resources: http://mslconsulting.pbworks.com/w/page/55864309/Sample%20Library%20Policies (list of possible policies)

• http://libraries.msl.mt.gov/Home/library_development/consulting/library_admiistration (links to other resources)

Bibliography and Resources

• Larsen, Jeanette and Herman L. Totten. Model Policies for Small and Medium Public Libraries. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1998.

• Nelson, Sandra S., and June Garcia. Creating Policies for Results: From Chaos to Clarity. Chicago: American Library Association, 2003.

• Reed, Sally Garner. The Complete Library Trustee Handbook. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2010.

Questions?

• Pam Henley: phenley2@mt.gov

• Suzanne Reymer: sreymer2@mt.gov