Library Policies

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Art Exhibit Policy


The Library encourages exhibitions and displays of paintings, photographs, sculpture and other art works and crafts. Exhibit and display space is made available on an equitable basis to qualified individuals or groups meeting certain standards for acceptance

Bulletin Board Policy


Display space is available for community organizations to disseminate information.  

Children's Room Policy


The staff of the Children's Department at the Ashland Public Library strives to create a warm, inviting, fun environment for children of all ages. The library offers many programs and services that encourage children to develop a love of books, reading and learning. The library attempts to provide a safe environment for children to select books and other materials and to participate in library programs.

CODE OF CONDUCT


The staff and Trustees of the Ashland Public Library encourage persons of all ages to use its facility, materials and services. To ensure a safe, comfortable environment for library patrons and staff, policies and procedures have been established.

Collection Development Policy


This document provides the public with an understanding of the purpose and nature of the library's collection. It outlines the criteria used when making decisions to add or withdraw items in the collection. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Statement


Ashland Public Library affirms that equity, diversity, inclusion, and access are central to the promotion and practice of intellectual freedom. Libraries are essential to democracy and self-government, to personal development and social progress, and to every individual’s inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To that end, libraries and library workers should embrace equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in everything that they do.

Gifts Policy


The Ashland Public Library welcomes gifts of new and used books, audio recordings, DVDs and similar materials as well as monetary donations which help support the many services the library provides to the community.

Internet Use Policy


The library has a responsibility to provide accurate materials and information presenting all points of view, and supports access to all formats of material to meet the user’s informational needs, regardless of the user’s age or the content of the material.

Meeting Room Policy


Library meeting rooms are primarily for the use of the library, library related organizations, and library sponsored programs. When not in use by the library staff or library related organizations, the rooms may be used for meetings of local groups and organizations. 

Privacy Policy


The staff of Ashland Library respects every patron's right to privacy and supports patron confidentiality as stated in the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 78, Section 7. As free and democratic institutions, libraries must protect the individual's right to have their reading patterns or reference questions remain a private matter. 

Programming Policy


The staff of the Ashland Public Library offers programs intended to further the Library’s mission. The library functions as an information, recreational, and cultural resource for the community. Programs are a means through which the public can share experiences, explore ideas, appreciate special interests, exchange information, connect with each other and with the APL.  

Security Camera Policy


The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the placement and use of digital security cameras, as well as the access and retrieval of recorded images at the Ashland Library.

Smoking and E-Cigarette Policy


No smoking or vaping is allowed inside the Ashland Public Library and we request that, if patrons smoke, they stay at least 25 feet from the entrances of the building.

Social Media Policy


The Town of Ashland has created social media accounts for various departments to effectively engage residents with accurate, transparent, and insightful dialogue bridging communication between administration and residents.  The Town has created these social media accounts as a customer service tool for the dissemination of unbiased, factual information to the public and community stakeholders.

Study Room Policy


Ashland Library is happy to offer study rooms for use by members of the public. These rooms are available for quiet study or small group work. Ashland Library has two study rooms with a capacity of 2-3 people each. Patrons may use a study room for two hour per person/group per day. 

Teen Room Policy


The Ashland Public Library’s Teen Room is intended for use by students in grades 6-12.  Other individuals are welcome to visit the Teen Room briefly to retrieve books and other library materials or to request assistance from staff working in that space. Parents, guardians, and younger siblings are welcome in the Teen Room when accompanied by their teen.

Use of Volunteers Policy


The Ashland Public Library welcomes and encourages members of the community to volunteer their time and talents to enrich and expand library services. Volunteers are selected and retained for as long as the library needs their services and are expected to conform to all policies of the Ashland Public Library.