MISSION STATEMENT
In keeping with the tradition of the American library, the Bryant Library Board of Trustees affirms that an informed community values its intellectual freedoms and respects and tolerates diverse ideas and opinions.

The mission of the Bryant Library shall be to provide our community with access to ideas and to promote lifelong reading for pleasure and for knowledge by providing classic and popular literature in a variety of formats. The library is committed to providing materials and services sufficient to meet the personal, educational, and professional needs of community residents of all ages.

The Board of Trustees further recognizes the community's desire to maintain the special character of the Bryant Library. At the same time we seek to provide a setting suitable for the efficient use of the materials and services offered.

CELL PHONE POLICY

As a courtesy to all, please give yourself the gift of quiet time
that the library offers by using cell phones outside the building.
Thank you for your cooperation!

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GIFT POLICY

Gifts
Over the years the Library has welcomed many gifts.  Our services, collections, as well as buildings and grounds, have been greatly enriched by these donations.  Acceptance of all gifts is subject to the Board’s approval.  The Library will make use of the gift, if possible, but may hold it for later use, place it elsewhere, or otherwise dispose of it. 

Materials
The donor will be given a completed gift receipt when a gift of books, audiovisual or other library materials is accepted.
Books and Audiovisual Materials:
Gifts of books and audiovisual materials are accepted with the understanding that they will not necessarily be added to the collection. 
Periodicals:
Donations of back issues of magazines are accepted only when the magazines will extend or fill gaps in the Library’s existing periodicals collection.  Back issues of newspapers are not accepted.
Subscriptions:
Proposed gift subscriptions to magazines and newspapers should be referred to the Coordinator of Reference Services.

Monetary Donations
If a donor wishes to make a monetary contribution to the Library, the check should be made payable to The Bryant Library.  The Director will keep a record of the gift and send the donor a letter of acknowledgment.
Other Gifts
Any other proposed gift, including art, furnishings, and/or equipment, will be reviewed by the Director.  When such a gift is accepted, the Director will keep a record of the gift and send the donor a letter of acknowledgment.
Bequests and Endowments
The Director handles any offers of bequests and endowments. 
Appraisal
Any appraisal of a gift to the Library is the responsibility of the donor.  The acceptance of a gift which has been appraised by a third, disinterested party does not in any way imply an endorsement of the appraisal by the library.    

Adopted 5/15/06   

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MEETING ROOM POLICY

The Bryant Library’s meeting room is primarily used for Library-sponsored educational programs for adults and children.  When the room is not reserved for such Library activities, the Bryant Library Board of Trustees encourages its use by other groups for discussion of topics of current public interest, and for programs of educational and cultural values.

The room is available only to groups whose headquarters are in the Bryant Library district or who provide services to district residents. There is no fee for use of the room for groups of such civic nature during regularly scheduled library hours.  Approval will be granted only for a single meeting or for a brief series of meetings.  The room may not be used as a group’s regular meeting place.

A Meeting Room Use application form must be completed and submitted to the Library administration.  Approved applicants must agree to abide by the following regulations.

REGULATIONS
Conditions for Use:
All state and local regulations affecting the use of public buildings must be complied with at all times.

Local fire regulations limit occupancy of the Helen Glannon Room to 150.  It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure strict enforcement of this limit.

The applicant must assume full financial responsibility for any damage to the premises and equipment.  Misuse of the facility is grounds for denial of applications for future use.

Library administration approval is required for meetings extending past regular Library hours. In such case, there is an hourly charge for the period after the Library is closed to the public, in order to cover custodial time.

After Library closing hours, use is restricted to the meeting room and lobby on the upper level of the Library and to the lavatories on the main floor. Group members may leave by the elevator and stairwell to the fire door exit on the main floor which will be opened for them by a custodian.

Organizations, within the Library district, not of the civic nature described above may be permitted to use the meeting room if their applications are approved by the Library administration. These organizations are subject to an hourly fee for the time used and may not stay past normal hours.

Refreshments may be served by organizations using the meeting room provided the organizations bring them in. They may not be prepared on library premises.  Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the Library.

Prohibited Use
The meeting room may not be used for:
Meetings at which admission is charged except when a fee is necessary for special supplies.
Meetings of a partisan political nature.
Meetings conducted by an individual or corporation for profit.
Meetings which are solely commercial in purpose.
Meetings at which there is a likelihood of physical hazard to participants or audiences.

Disclaimer:
The Library Board of Trustees is not responsible for accidents, injuries or loss of individual property which may occur while the meeting room is being used by an applicant.  The Library Board of Trustees and administration reserves the right to change the rules and regulations of this policy.

Adopted 2/27/06

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PROCUREMENT POLICY

The Bryant Library, a free association library, adopts the following procurement procedures and controls with the intention of insuring prudent and economical use of public monies in purchasing goods and services of maximum quality and reliability at the lowest possible cost:

Capital Improvements
Capital improvements are considered to be those of a more permanent nature, for example, building renovations, major repairs, or a new telephone system.

Three written estimates are required for all items over $2,500.00 except in the case of an emergency.

Improvements carrying a cost greater than $2,500require approval by the Board of Trustees.

Vendors must supply the Library with proof of insurance.

OPERATING EXPENSES
This category includes service contracts (i.e. alarm system, elevator, landscape, snow removal, etc.), utilities, and insurance. These costs are expected to be reviewed annually and where practicable, three written estimates obtained.

MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND EOUIPMENT
Materials, supplies and equipment necessary for the day-to-day functioning of the library are purchased at the discretion of the Director within approved budget categories.

Major equipment items costing $5,000.00 or more will be identified at the time of budget preparation. Once the budget is approved, it is not necessary to bring the item before the Board again prior to purchase. Any major equipment not included in the budget requires Board approval.

PROFESSIONAL FEES
Fees for professional services are allocated by the budget. Additional fees or expenses require Board approval.

OTHER
No purchase of goods or services shall be made from any vendor in which any member of the Board of Trustees or the library administration holds a full or partial interest.

This Procurement Policy supersedes any previous policies and shall be reviewed periodically.

Adopted 9/12/2005

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