Library Policies

What is the library's Internet Policy?

Use of the Internet access computers requires a library card number. Those ineligible for a free library card – i.e., international, out-of-state residents – may be issued a free “Internet use only” (no borrowing privileges) card by presenting some personal identification.

The Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from varied points of view.  It is a global electronic network which enables the library to provide information to customers beyond the library’s collection.

The library does not monitor and has no control over the information on the Internet. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information.  You may need to question the validity of the information you find.

Materials obtained or copied on this computer network may be subject to copyright laws.  Illegal activities or any other activities that are intended to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment are prohibited.

In offering Internet access, the library cannot control access points which often change rapidly and unpredictably.  Library users access the Internet at their own discretion and the library is not responsible for any access points they reach.  As with other library materials, parents and guardians of children, not the library, are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet.  Parents are encouraged to read “Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet: Tips for Parents and Guardians”  at http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=3601 and view the resources for parents and guardians at http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents.

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees - November 11, 1996

Adopted - February 24, 1997

Amended & Reassigned – April 8, 2003

Amended & Reassigned – August 17, 2004

Amended & Reassigned – May 7, 2012

Formerly I-22

The Newport Beach Public Library encourages parents to bring children to the library whenever possible.  The library staff has been trained to help children enjoy the library and the materials it offers.  The City offers many programs designed to encourage children to use and enjoy the library.  However, the safety of young children and the rights of other patrons require parents to monitor the behavior of their children and correct behavior which is inappropriate.

For purposes of this policy the term disruptive behavior means the creation of loud and unreasonable noise, running or jumping, fighting or other behavior which could interfere with the rights of other patrons.

Library staff shall administer the following policies relative to the presence of children in the library:

A. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SEVEN

Children under seven may not be left unattended in the library.  Parents must be present in the immediate vicinity of any child under seven.  Parents are responsible for their child's behavior while in the library and staff will attempt to advise the parent if the child's behavior is disrupting staff or other patrons.  Parents who fail to correct their child's behavior in response to a request from staff may be asked to remove their child from the library.

B. CHILDREN BETWEEN SEVEN AND TWELVE

Parents shall be responsible for children between seven and twelve.  Staff may ask children of that age to behave and, if the disruptive behavior continues, staff shall notify the child's parents and may request the parent and child leave the library.  Any child below the age of twelve who remains in the library at closing time shall be placed in the custody of the Newport Beach Police Department who shall assume responsibility of the child.

C. CHILDREN TWELVE AND OLDER

Disruptive children over the age of twelve will be asked to leave the facility after receiving one warning from staff.  Staff will attempt to notify the responsible parent before or after the warning and may request parental assistance.

The City of Newport Beach Libraries have been designed and are operated for the purpose of meeting the educational, cultural and literary needs of Newport Beach residents. The library has received requests from the public to engage in Expressive Activity such as soliciting signatures for ballot initiatives, distributing leaflets or flyers, or providing information, on matters of community interest. The Board of Library Trustees recognizes the public’s interest in communicating with library customers in a manner that does not obstruct or interfere with the customers' desire to use the library facilities and grounds for quiet reading, research, and contemplation.

The Board of Library Trustees desires to adopt reasonable regulations:

1. To accommodate the public’s desire to engage in Expressive Activity outside City Libraries and on City Library grounds in a manner compatible with Library purposes;

2. To protect Library customers’ rights to access and use City Libraries and library grounds for their intended purposes;

3. To maintain City Libraries and library grounds in a manner that is without visual clutter, which may detract from or  be incompatible with the design of the Library, and use of library grounds;

4. To maintain safe and convenient circulation for customers with walkway access directly into City Libraries and Library grounds without obstruction or interference, and

5. To comply with the State and Federal Constitution and interpretive case law so as to allow for Expressive Activity in a manner which is compatible with the intended purpose of City Libraries without suppressing speech on the basis of content.

THEREFORE, the Board of Library Trustees adopts the following rules and regulations for Expressive Activity at City Libraries:

1. All persons desiring to use the Expressive Activity Area shall report to the Library Services Director or designee prior to use.

2. Expressive Activity inside City Libraries is prohibited. All Expressive Activity outside City Libraries, on library grounds shall be limited to the designated Expressive Activity Area shown in the attached Exhibits "A", "B", "C" and "D".

3. Only one (1) chair and one (1) small table, not to exceed three feet by three feet (3’ by 3’), are permitted. No other tables, chairs, umbrellas, or other furniture are permitted.

4. Posters not to exceed six square feet in size are permitted so long as posters are held by a person or placed on, leaned against or hung from the permitted table.

5. The benches, bike racks, public telephones and book drops located within the library grounds are intended for library customer use only. Access to the use of City Libraries and library grounds by customers shall not be obstructed in any manner.

6. Loud talking, shouting, or yelling in a manner that is unreasonably disruptive to use of City Libraries and Library grounds by customers and other person(s) is prohibited. Person(s) using the Expressive Activity Area shall not approach customers outside the designated area.

7. Commercial activity is prohibited. No peddlers or vending of any merchandise or services is permitted.

8. Banners may be hung on the Library façade to publicize Library and Library affiliated group events only. They must be hung by City personnel, cannot exceed eleven feet ten inches by four feet (11’ 10” by 4’) with nine (9) grommet holes in the top.  Banners can be hung no more than five (5) days before the event and must be removed the day after the event.  All banner designs must be submitted to the Library Services Director for approval at least six (6) weeks prior to the event.

Final Approval by the Board of Library Trustees on February 6, 2012

Adopted November 16, 1999

Revised 3-18-03

Revised 8-17-04

The purpose of this policy is to establish standards concerning the use of the areas officially designated as public “give-away” shelves at the Newport Beach Public Central Library and, to the extent established, any similar shelves in any Library branch.

The Newport Beach Public Library makes available “give-away” shelves for the purpose of making available to Library customers free materials provided by various governmental agencies.

The following are the guidelines established by the Library Trustees for the use of these shelves:

A. The materials to be given away must be in brochure, pamphlet, flyer and/or business card formats, and must not exceed 8.5” x 14” in size.

B. The materials must be provided by an agency of the City of Newport Beach, the County of Orange, the State of California or the United States government.   No materials provided by any non-governmental agency will be permitted on the “give-away” shelves.

C. The provider of the materials is responsible for placing the materials on the “give-away” shelves and removing all of its out-dated material. The provider may furnish any display holder it desires for its materials so long as the display holder is of an appropriate size, shape and material.

D. The Library is not responsible for the damage, theft or loss of any materials or display holders.

E. Other than materials provided by the City of Newport Beach or the Library, no materials intended to be given to or seen by the public may be placed by any person or entity in any lobby area, other shelves, desks or tables, or anywhere else in any of the Libraries.

F. Library staff has the right to remove and dispose of any materials that fail to meet these standards in any way.

Adopted - April 19th, 2005

Last Updated - April 25th, 2005

Newport Beach Public Library Mission Statement:

To meet the cultural, educational, and informational needs of the community with resources and services in a variety of platforms and popular formats that are conveniently available in a timely manner.

Overview of the Community

• The Mission of the City states:  Newport Beach is an exceptional community because of its nautical heritage, the natural beauty of the bay and ocean, and its outstanding enhancements.  As employees of the City of Newport Beach, we have been entrusted to be the stewards of the quality of life cherished by those who live, work and visit here.  In support of that trust, we commit to provide excellent service that respects the uniqueness and diversity of the community.
• The library sets standards of excellence in service and materials to fulfill this shared mission.

General Principles

• Staff follows City Council Policy I-3, Newport Beach Public Library Collection Development Policy, which incorporates the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association council on January 23, 1980.

Role of the Central Library and Branches

• The Central Library collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection in the library system.  This collection serves as a resource for all branches and for the Newport Beach community.  It constitutes the most permanent collection in the system.  It serves all age groups as well as customers with special needs.
• The library has three branches – Balboa; Corona del Mar; and Crean Mariners with KidScene, an after-school homework center.  Branch collections include general reference materials and popular materials that circulate.  Online databases are available at all branches.  The Balboa Branch houses the Nautical Collection described in “Special Collections.”

Selection

• Professional librarians select materials in quantities sufficient to meet current demand.
• Selection is based on knowledge and interpretation of the borrowing preferences and patterns of cardholders, expressed in circulation statistics and borrower profiles.
• Selection is also responsive to the following:  customer requests; advance notice of publicity and advertising campaigns; seasonal demands; special programming needs; local, national and international events; major prize awards; curriculum requirements for local schools; favorable reviews in professional reviewing media and in popular media.
• There is no attempt to present a comprehensive collection of subject matter, to fill alleged gaps in the range of classification numbers or genres, or to provide research materials for scholars.
• Reference and circulating materials, books, magazines, newspapers, are provided in a variety of popular formats – print, audiovisual, and electronic.  Archival holdings are largely limited to digitized resources.

Rejection

• With few exceptions, the library does not acquire materials with the following general attributes:
• Highly specialized or technical materials catering to a particular audience not well-represented in the local population
• Most academic press publications and textbooks
• Foreign language books, except for the Spanish language adult collection and children’s Spanish language books
• Formats unsuitable for library use, such as spiral bound or loose-leaf

De-Selection

• The selectors continuously de-select materials in order to ensure currency and to maintain a clean, appealing, fresh and new collection.
• Physical condition and subject matter are considered in making the decision to withdraw
• Timelines and accuracy of content are also considered, and replacements or updated editions are provided where appropriate.
• Low circulation activity in the general collection indicates lack of demand and a need to remove the material
• Materials are removed from the shelves, marked as discards, withdrawn from the catalog, and given to the Friends of the Library Bookstore, or disposed of according to City Policy.

Replacement and Mending

• Replacing circulating materials is warranted only when there are unfilled requests or in cases where there is a demonstrated demand
• Mending is limited to minor but effective repairs accomplished in-house

Gifts and Donations

• The library accepts donations of materials and/or funds for purchase of materials according to City Council Policy I-3
• Donated materials added to the collection must meet established selection criteria
• Donated materials not retained for the collection may be given to the Friends of the Library Bookstore or disposed of according to City Policy
• The library does not accept donations of special collections, private papers, or unpublished manuscripts
• Monetary donations are accepted along with general subject matter preference, and memorial or honorary bookplates are then attached to the acquired materials to acknowledge the donation.

Special Collections

• These collections represent the materials most characteristic of the City, its history, and its inhabitants.  The items in these collections are of enduring value and are not ordinarily de-selected unless superseded by new editions.
• Local History is located in the Central Library.  All books are non-circulating.  There are additional copies of many titles in the general, circulating collection.
• The Nautical Collection of reference (non-circulating) and general, circulating materials is located in the Balboa Branch.

Reconsideration of Library Materials

• Selections are not made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in accordance with Collection Development Policy and with due regard to serving the interests of library users.
• Customers who take exception to a particular item in the circulation are provided with a copy of the Collection Development Policy and are asked to complete the “Patron Request for Evaluation” form, an integral part of City Council Policy I-3, and submit it to the Library Administration for review
• Staff evaluates the material, based on the Collection Development Policy, and reports to the Library Administration
• The City Librarian or department head, or her/his designee, sends a written response to the customer, explaining the decision that has been reached.
• Unresolved challenges are referred to the Board of Library Trustees for final-decision.