Please click on a policy to view more information about that policy.
Policies
Statement of Professional Ethics
- Librarians must provide the highest level of service through appropriate and
usefully organized collections, fair and equitable circulation and service
policies, and skillful, accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all
requests for assistance. - Librarians must resist all efforts by groups or individuals to censor library
materials. - Librarians must protect each user’s right to privacy with respect to
information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or
acquired. - Librarians must adhere to the principles of due process and equality of
opportunity in peer relationships and personnel actions. - Librarians must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served
or financial benefits gained at the expense of library user, colleagues, or the
employing institution.
Ethics Statement for Public Library Trustees
- Trustees must promote a high level of library service while observing ethical standards.
- Trustees must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial
benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the institution. - It is incumbent upon any trustee to disqualify himself or herself immediately whenever
the appearance of conflict of interest exists. - Trustees must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal
philosophies and attitudes and those of the institution, acknowledging the formal
position of the board even if they personally disagree. - A trustee must respect the confidential nature of library business while being aware of
and in compliance with applicable laws governing freedom of information. - Trustees must be prepared to support to the fullest the efforts of librarians in resisting
censorship of library materials by groups or individuals. - Trustees who accept appointment to a library board are expected to perform all of the
functions of library trustees.
Alcoholic Beverages Policy
The library does not allow the consumption or serving of alcoholic beverages anywhere on library property. The board may provide exceptions only for after-hours, library-hosted fundraising events with prior approval by the DHCLS Board of Trustees, with said approval provided during a regular board meeting prior to the event, using a licensed vendor and in compliance with applicable regulations.
Code of Conduct
Click Here to read the Library Card Eligibility policy.
Click Here to read the Code of Conduct policy.
Community Information & Bulletin Board Policy
Please click here to view the Community Information & Bulletin Board Policy.
Collection Development Policy
Click here to view the Materials Reconsideration Form.
Computer and Internet Use Policy
Please click here to view the Computer and Internet Use Policy.
Please click here to view the Temporary (Guest) Pass Policy.
Connect Pass Policy
Borrowers must be 19 years of age or older with an adult library card. The library card used to make the reservation must be brought to the library and used to borrow the pass/ticket.
Passes/tickets must be picked up at the Main Library in Downtown Dothan.
Multiple instances of passes/tickets being reserved and not picked up or canceled could result in a library card being blocked from using the pass reservation system.
An email confirmation of your reservation is NOT a pass or voucher to any location.
Patrons may reserve one pass/ticket per month.
All tickets, passes, and items are first come, first serve basis.
Patrons must pick up their reserved passes/tickets within the reservation month or they will be forfeited.
Pass/tickets are released monthly or as they come available. The Library reserves the right to modify this at any time.
The Library is not responsible for any glitches or malfunctions produced by the ticket reservation software. Patrons agree to adhere to the policies outlined regardless of examples of double reservations, etc.
Donation Policy
The library welcomes and encourages gifts of materials (including but not limited to books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, records, and other print and audiovisual media), with the following conditions:
- The Library retains unconditional ownership of all items donated to the library.
- The Library makes the final decision regarding the use or other disposition of any donation.
- The Library will not accept any materials whose state or condition would pose a threat to human health and safety (for example, books with mold or other dangerous pathogens).
Prospective donors may contact the Library to discuss donations and procedures before bringing them to the Library.
At the request of the donor, the Library will provide documentation acknowledging its receipt of donated materials. The Library will not provide an assessment of value for any gift of materials, whether for tax purposes or for any other reason.
Filming & Photography Policy
Library of Things Policy
Loan Policy Chart
A maximum of 40 items may be checked out on a single library card at one time. An item cannot be renewed if another patron has placed a hold on that same item.
Only patrons with an Adult card may borrow Subject-in-a-Box kits. Only patrons who have been in possession of a valid library card for 30 days may borrow items from the Library of Things.
Reference, Local History, and Microform materials cannot be checked out. They are for in-house use only; patrons may make photocopies of these materials for use outside of the library (printing charges apply). For Microfilms, a microfilm reader is available for use at the Main Library. Please inquire at the Main Library Circulation Desk for more information.
Type of Material | Loan Period | Checkout Limit | Daily Fine Per Item | Maximum Fine Per Item | Holds Allowed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Books | 21 Days (2 renewals) | 40 | 25¢ per day | $15.00 | 20 |
7-Day Books | 7 Days (2 renewals) | 5 | 25¢ per day | $25.00 | 20 |
Lucky Day Books | 7 Days (no renewals) | 5 | 25¢ per day | $25.00 | 0 |
Large Print Books | 21 Days (2 renewals) | 40 | 25¢ per day | $25.00 | 20 |
Paperbacks | 21 Days (2 renewals) | 40 | 25¢ per day | $10.00 | 20 |
Juvenile Books | 21 Days (2 renewals) | 40 | 10¢ per day | $10.00 | 20 |
DVDs | 7 Days (2 renewals) | 5 | $1.00 per day | $20.00 | 20 |
Audio Books | 21 Days (2 renewals) | 5 | $1.00 per day | $25.00 | 20 |
Videogames | 14 Days (2 renewals) | 1 | $1.00 per day | $70.00 | 1 |
Juvenile Kits | 21 Days (2 renewals) | 5 | $1.00 per day | $10.00 | 20 |
Subject in a Box | 21 Days (2 renewals) | 2 | $1.00 per day | Cost of Replacement | 20 |
Mobile Hotspots | 14 Days (no renewals) | 1 | $10.00 per day | Cost of Replacement | 1 |
Library of Things | 7 Days (no renewals) | 2 | $10.00 per day | Cost of Replacement | 2 |
Connect Pass | Monthly, or as available | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 Repeated offenses of unfulfilled reservations may lead to barring from program. | 1 |
Launchpad | 7 Days (no renewals) | 1 | $10.00 per day | Cost of Replacement | 1 |
Laptop | 2 Hours | 1 | $0.00 | Cost of Replacement | 0 |
Study Rooms | 1 Hour (renewals upon availability) | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0 |
eBooks (SEADL) | 14 Days | 5 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 5 |
Freegal Music | Yours To Keep | 5 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0 |
Meeting Room Policy
Please click here to view the Meeting Room Policy.
Privacy Policy
Protection of confidentiality does not extend to records of outstanding fines or fees; payments for the use of Library premises or equipment; or communications directed to the Library regarding Library services.
Public Comment Policy
Individuals interested in addressing the board during a regular meeting should submit a Public Comment Request Form.
Members of the public are welcome to provide comments at the Regular Meetings of the Board of Trustees within the limitations set out below. Due to time constraints, the maximum number of individuals allowed to comment at each Regular Meeting is five (5), and each speaker is limited to five minutes. Public comments are typically only allowed at Regular Meetings and not at specially called meetings of the Board.
Requests to Provide Public Comment
Requests to provide comment must be submitted in writing through the Request Form available on the library website no later than noon on the Wednesday prior to the meeting. To be approved, the following information must be provided on the Request Form: 1) Full Name; 2) Physical Address; 3) Topic of the Remarks; and 4) Name and Address of the Group if the person intends to speak on behalf of a group.
If more than five requests are submitted for a single meeting, the Executive Committee will determine the requests to be granted. The Board may limit the time or the number of speakers if it appears that multiple requests are the same or similar. Preference may be given to individuals who have not previously had an opportunity to speak. Individuals will be notified by the Director in writing prior to the meeting if their requests are approved.
Addressing the Board
When called upon by the Chair, the individual should give his or her name and address. If representing a group, the speaker should also identify the group before beginning his or her
remarks.
Each speaker is limited to five minutes. Occasionally, time may be extended or shortened at the discretion of the Chair. Speakers are not allowed to donate time to another speaker.
All remarks should be addressed to the Board as a whole, and not to any individual trustee, library employee, the media, or the public. The Board encourages speakers to be concise and move to the point quickly. If the speaker wishes the Board to consider any evidence or data, it
should be submitted at this time.
Public comment is welcomed as constructive input for the Board. It is not intended for debate or discussion. At the close of the comments, the Chair will acknowledge the speaker and thank the person for coming forward.
Decorum
At all meetings, order must be preserved. No person may delay or interrupt the meeting or otherwise disturb the Board or any person who has the floor. Persons making irrelevant or slanderous remarks, or who fail to confine their remarks to the identified subjects, or who become unruly or disorderly shall be cautioned by the Chair and given the opportunity to conclude remarks on the subject in a decorous manner within the designated time limit. Anyone failing to comply may be barred by the Chair from making additional comments at the meeting.
Any individual who fails to relinquish the podium when asked by the Chair to step down shall be subject to removal from the premises. Any person who becomes disruptive or interferes with the orderly business of the Board may also be removed from the premises for the remainder of the meeting. Disruptive individuals may be prohibited from addressing the Board in future meetings.
All persons present must follow the instructions of the Chair or the Board with respect to the conduct of the proceedings; however, a majority of the trustees present may overrule a decision of the Chair with regard to this policy.