Arab Public Library

Internet and Computer Rules:

• Please sign in at the circulation desk every time you use the computers.
• Do not alter or change any configuration settings.
• Do not save any files onto the computer drive.
• No food or drinks in the computer lab. (That includes water & gum).
• If you use the community headphones, please take them back to the circulation desk to be sanitized
• Please be mindful about what you are researching on the computers. Nothing inappropriate.
• If you need to video chat with someone, please let the librarian know and we can get you set up with a web cam.

We strive to make the computer lab a family friendly and comfortable place to be for our patrons. Minors under 13 need to be monitored by an adult.

Book Circulation Policy:

• 1-4 Books can be checked out at one time.
• Books will need to be returned after 2 weeks
• If you need to extend your checkout time, please call the library.
• 1-4 DVDs can be checked out at one time
• DVD’s will need to be returned within 2 weeks.

Copies and Faxing

• Copies are 10 cents per page for black & white and color copies.
• Late fees will be 10 cents per day, per book. If books are 60 days past due, you will be billed for the price of the book.
• To fax, we charge $2 

 

(Approved by library board: November 14, 2024)

Policy for Minors:All persons, 17 and under, will have to have a parent or guardian’s name and state issued or military ID listed in the Evergreen system.  If the minor has a phone and/or email address, a parent or guardian’s information will have to be listed in Evergreen too. 

All minors can only check out age-appropriate books unless a parent or guardian gives permission.  Absolutely no Adult Fiction, New Adult, Audiobook, or R-rated movies & graphic novels can be checked out unless they have permission from a parent or guardian.  Non-fiction adult check-out will be at the discretion of the library director. 

 

Collection Development Policy

A. Purpose.  

We realize that our Newton Library is composed of individuals who have different interests, socioeconomic standings, educational backgrounds, cultural and theological beliefs, and native abilities.  In order to meet the variety of needs, including the recreational, informational, and cultural needs, of those persons, the Library must build a collection that contains books and materials suitable to such a diverse group, within the limitations of budget, space, and availability of materials. The Director, or such authorized person, will review & analyze these statistics annually to determine the needs in our Collection Development.

The Library and its Board uphold the belief that the right to read is an integral part of our intellectual freedom and is essential to an autonomous Library. In order to safeguard Children and Teens from inappropriate/harmful materials, all materials purchased or otherwise acquired for minors 18 and younger after July 15th, 2024, will be reviewed for obscene, sexually explicit and/or inappropriate content as defined in our policy before adding to the collection. Material deemed unsuitable for our children’s or teens’ collections will be given to the Book Sale Room.

B. Materials Selection.

1. Responsibility

a. Final responsibility and authority for collection development and materials selection for all ages rests with the Library Director, who operates within this framework of policies adopted by the Library Board.

b. The staff of the Library will be active in materials selection, using their knowledge of the collection and the needs of the community and their critical judgment of materials available.

c. The presence of materials in the Library must not be construed as a personal endorsement of their contents by any member of the staff, the Library Board, or City Council/County Commission.  The Library has a responsibility to collect materials expressing a variety of views and opinions, many of which the people responsible for maintaining the Library may find personally unacceptable.

d. The library upholds the right of every individual to access information while respecting parental and community standards for safeguarding minors. To this end, Newton Public Library has implemented the policy measures required by the relevant authority in Ala. Admin. Code r. 520-2-2-.03(2)(f), parts (6), (11), and (12), (i), (j), and (k), and Ala. Admin. Code r. 520-2-2-.03(4). However, while the Newton Public Library has adopted all required policy measures regarding minors, it cannot act in loco parentis and defers to each parent or guardian’s right and responsibility to supervise and guide their minor child’s library use. 

e. Selection will not be inhibited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of minors. Selections will be made on the merits of the material as a whole and in relation to the building of the collection and the interest of the community.

2. Criteria Applied to All Materials Purchased or Acquired

a. Basic principles of materials selection.

i. Contemporary significance or permanent value.

ii. Accuracy and objectivity of approach.

iii. Authority of the author in the field.

iv. Clear presentation and readability.

v. Social significance.

b. Works of imagination should possess qualities of—

i. Representation of important movements, genres, and trends of national culture.

ii. Vitality and originality.

iii. Artistic integrity.

iv. Effective characterization.

v. Authenticity of historical or social setting.

vi. Sustained interest.

c. Specifically, materials considered for inclusion in the Library’s collection must meet one or more of the following standards:

i. Importance of subject matter collection.

ii. Serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

iii. Permanence.

iv. Timely value.

v. Purpose or intent of the material.

vi. Accuracy of content.

vii. Authenticity of content.

viii. Historical value.

ix. Readability.

x. Scarcity of material on the subject.

xi. Reputation and significance of author, illustrator, editor,

artist, performer, etc.

xii. Popularity.

xiii. Local interest.

xiv. Reputation and professional standing of the publisher.

xv. Price.

xvi. Format

xvii. Availability of material.

e. Audiovisual materials will be evaluated according to the following:

i. General audience appeal.

ii. Must appeal to a multiple range of age levels.

iii. Maintain a balance between child-oriented and adult-oriented films.

iv. Maintain a balance between education and entertainment within the collection.

v. Quality of content.

vi. Price.

vii. Popularity.

viii. Availability.

ix. Usability.

x. Merit (winning recognized awards).

xi. Lasting appeal.

xii. Rating.

f. No material for any age shall be excluded from selection solely because of the race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or the political/social views of the author.

1. Library Card Policy

Note: Minors are not allowed in the New Adult or Adult fiction areas of the library unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.  These areas are clearly marked with “No one under 18 permitted” signage.  Access and use into the adult non-fiction area is at library director’s discretion.

1. Adults aged 18 and older residing in Newton Library’s service area may apply for a library card, presenting a photo ID and proof of residence. Minors must have a parent or guardian present when being issued a library card with that adult’s full information clearly in Evergreen cataloging system. Any current card holders that are minors will have their account modified or cancelled until that information is corrected.
2. Under 18 Material Usage: Recommendations made individually and in the form of reader advisory, must align with the borrowing privileges parents/guardians have consented to for their minor child. The Evergreen cataloging system is limited and does not have privilege consent.  Therefore, materials designated for adults may be recommended to minor patrons provided they have the requisite borrowing privileges, as indicated by their signed parental/guardian consent form. (Consent can be modified to verbal if the parent or guardian is disabled).  Consent must be given by parent or guardian on adult items borrowed from the library that are deemed “adult”. 
3. Newton Public Library staff can provide guidance to parents on how to monitor and guide their child’s library use effectively, including recommendations for age-appropriate materials. Any parent or legal guardian may inspect their minor child’s circulation or registration records under Ala. Code § 41-8-10.

4. Additional Criteria Applied to Children’s Materials (Birth - 13 years old)

a. Materials selected will further take into consideration the suitability of the subject matter and the appropriateness of the vocabulary to the reader’s age. Guidelines using #6 in this policy will be used to ensure that The Newton Public Library remains free of obscenity, sexually6 explicit, or other material deemed inappropriate for youths under 18 years old. 

b. Occasionally, a work of fiction or historical fiction that accurately portrays a way of life, period, or incident may be purchased or acquired despite the use of an occasional unpleasant word or incident, provided that the total impact of the book meets other criteria. This shall also be applied to works of nonfiction.

c. Multiple copies of titles are generally not purchased.

d. Materials advertised for minors that may be sexually explicit or inappropriate for minors, as defined by the Board of Trustees, are not added to the Library’s collection. Any donations received fitting this criteria are sent to the Library’s New Adult, Adult or Book Sale Areas.

i. The definitions for obscene, sexually explicit, and inappropriate/harmful for minors are located in the Appendix.

ii. Note, age-appropriate materials regarding religion, history, biology or human anatomy should not be construed to be against the rule.

4. Additional Criteria Applied to Teens’ Materials (14 - 18 years old)

a. Materials selected will further take into consideration the suitability of the subject matter, and the appropriateness of the vocabulary to the reader’s age.  Guidelines using #6 in this policy will be used to ensure that The Newton Public Library remains free of obscenity, sexually explicit, or other material deemed inappropriate for youths under 18 years old. 

b. Occasionally, a work of fiction or historical fiction that accurately portrays a way of life, period, or incident may be purchased or acquired despite the use of an occasional unpleasant word or incident, provided that the total impact of the book meets other criteria. This shall also be applied to works of nonfiction.

c. Multiple copies of titles are generally not purchased.

d. Materials advertised for minors that may be sexually explicit or inappropriate for minors, as defined by the Board of Trustees, will not be added to the Library’s collection. Any donations received fitting this criteria are relocated to the Library’s New Adult, Adult, or Book Sale Areas. 

i. The definitions for obscene, sexually explicit, and inappropriate/harmful for minors are located in the Appendix.

ii. Note, age-appropriate materials regarding religion, history, biology or human anatomy should not be construed to be against the rule.

e. All materials acquired are labeled with their recommended ages per the author and publisher. The ages are divided into “Ages 14-15” and “Ages 16-18”.

 

5. Items Not Suitable for Collection

a. Collectors’ items: The Library does not have the resources or staff necessary for this kind of collection. Local history and genealogy collection materials are considered on a case-by-case basis.

b. Philosophical and religious materials. While materials of philosophy and religion are necessary and welcome, works deemed to have as their primary purpose proselytizing converts, rather than informing the reader, will not be acquired.

c. Textbooks. The Library will not attempt to furnish materials or textbooks needed for formal courses of study offered by elementary and secondary schools or institutions of higher learning. Titles on the high school reading lists may be available but not in classroom quantities. Donated textbooks may be added to the collection depending on their condition, accuracy, datedness, and value to the collection.

d. Materials exhibiting discriminatory attitudes or with religious or political bias are not to be purchased or otherwise acquired.

e. Materials advertised for consumers under the age of 18-years-old that contain obscene, sexually explicit, or other material deemed inappropriate for minors as defined by the Board of Trustees. Definitions are located in the Appendix.

6. Use of Selection Aids. Ideally, every book added to the Library should be read before being purchased by a Librarian with trained judgment, knowledge of the Library’s present resources, and acquaintance with the requirements of local readers. Where circumstances make such reading impossible or unnecessary, the staff makes skilled use of selection aids, such as basic general lists, current general lists, special bibliographies for reference books and particular subject materials, bestseller lists, and book review journals. While book reviews are a major source of information about new books, they are not followed blindly. No one publication is relied upon exclusively; the critical opinions of reviewers are checked against each other where feasible.

a. The Library staff may use the following aids in the selection of materials:

i. Local schools’ and public libraries’ catalog

ii. Booklist

iii. Kirkus Review

iv. Horn Book

v. Book Review Digest

vi. Library Journal

vii. New York Times Book Review

viii. Newsweek

ix. Time

x. Amazon.com

xi. School Library Journal

xii. Publisher’s Weekly

xiii. Local and regional newspapers

xiv. Other review media deemed acceptable by the Director

7. Patron Requests. The Library welcomes patron interest in the collection and will seriously consider all requests that specific materials be acquired. However, the Library is under no obligation to fill any particular request if not deemed suitable to the collection. A patron who has a suggestion of a specific item to be purchased should complete a “New Materials Request Form”. See Appendix

8. Types of Material Available.

(a) Books

(c) DVDs

(c) Audiobooks on CD

9. Gifts to the Library. Gifts to the Library, in the form of materials, money, or memorials, are welcome. However, gifts will be retained based on the same criteria for selection as all other material.

B. The Materials Donation Policy is as follows:

a. Acceptable book and audiovisual donations include those that are in at least gently used condition AND published within the

previous 10 years.

b. The Library does not accept encyclopedias, textbooks, VHS

tapes, or cassette tapes.

c. Exceptions are made for local history and genealogy materials that are relevant to the Ozark, Dale, and Wiregrass Area communities and as approved by the Director.

 

C. Within the provisions of the state’s laws, the Board of Trustees adopts the following gifts policies:

1. Books and other materials will be accepted on the condition that the library director has the authority to make whatever disposition he/she deems advisable.

2. Gifts of money, real property, and/or stock will be accepted if the conditions attached thereto are acceptable to the Board of Trustees.

3. Personal property, art objects, portraits, antiques, and other museum objects will be accepted if the library board deems them appropriate.

D. Physical Location and Relocation Policy

Materials containing obscenity, sexually explicit, or content otherwise inappropriate for minors will not be placed in the children’s, middle reader or young adult section. Materials related to religion, history, biology, or human anatomy that are deemed age-appropriate and serve educational or informational purposes are not subject to this policy.

The Newton Library reserves the right to remove or relocate materials from the young adult sections if routine collection maintenance or if the Director determines that such materials have been classified/cataloged inappropriately.

Appendix of Definitions.

The following definition of obscene as defined by the Alabama Code Title 13A. Criminal Code 13A-12-200.1 Definitions.

Obscene is defined as:

a. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that

the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; and

b. The material depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct, actual or simulated, normal or perverted; and

c. A reasonable person would find that the material, taken as a whole, lacks seriousliterary, artistic, political or scientific value.

The following definition of inappropriate to minors is synonymous with harmful to minors as defined by the Alabama Code Title 13A. Criminal Code 13A-12-200.1.

Inappropriate for minors is defined as:

a. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors; AND

b. The material depicts or describes sexual conduct, breast nudity, or genital nudity, in a way which is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to

what is suitable for minors; AND

c. A reasonable person would find that the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.

The following definition of sexually explicit is procured from a combination of the Department of Justice’s definition found in 18 U.S.C. 2256: Definitions for Chapter for “sexually explicit

content” and the Alabama Code 13a-12-200.1 for “explicit content”.

Sexually Explicit is defined as actual or simulated –

a. Sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex:

b. Sexual excitement

c. Nudity

d. Bestiality

e. Masturbation

f. Sadistic or masochistic abuse; or

g. Lascivious exhibition of the anus, genital or pubic area of any person; and predominantly appeals to the prurient interest of minors 18 years and younger.

Furthermore, for the purpose of this Library policy, the above terms are defined below as derived from AL Code 1975, 13A-6-111.

Masturbation: manipulation, by hand or instrument, of human genitals, whether one’s own or another’s for the purpose of sexual stimulation. [13A-12-190(8)]

Material: any book, magazine, newspaper, printed or written matter, writing, description, picture, drawing, animation, photograph, pictorial representation, depiction, or image. [13A-12-200.1(15)]

Nudity: the lewd showing of the post-pubertal human female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola and/or of the genitals or pubic area. [13A-12-190(10) & (11) and 13A-12-200.1(4) & (10)]

Obscene: means that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; and the material depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct, actual or simulated, normal or perverted; and a reasonable person would find that the material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value [13A-12-200.2(17)]; (OR)

Obscene: means (a) when used to describe any matter that contains a visual reproduction of breast nudity, matter that applying contemporary local community standards, on the whole, appeals to the prurient interest; and is patently offensive; and on the whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value; (b) when used to describe matter that is a depiction of an actcof sado-masochistic abuse, sexual intercourse, sexual excitement, masturbation, genital nudity, or other sexual conduct, matter containing such a visual reproduction that itself lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. [13A-12-190(13)]

Sado-masochistic abuse: means flagellation or torture, in an act of sexual stimulation, by or upon a person who is nude or clad in undergarments or in a revealing or bizarre costume; or the binding or physical restraining of a person who is nude or clad in undergarments or in a revealing or bizarre costume in an act of sexual stimulation. [13A-12-200.1(21)]; (OR)

Sado-masochistic abuse: means flagellation or torture, for the purpose of sexual stimulation, by or upon a person who is nude or clad in undergarments or in a revealing or bizarre costume; or the condition of a person who is nude or clad in undergarments or in a revealing or bizarre costume being fettered, bound or otherwise physically restrained for the purpose of sexual stimulation. [13A-12-190(50]

Sexual acts include: sexual intercourse, sodomy, sexual performance, obscene sexual performance, or sexual conduct for his/her benefit. [13A-6-111(d)]

Sexual conduct: is any act of sexual intercourse, masturbation, urination, defecation, lewd exhibition of the genitals, sado-masochistic abuse, bestiality, or the fondling of the sex organs of animals; or any other physical contact with a person’s unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or the breast or breasts of a female, whether alone or between members of the same or opposite sex or between a human and an animal, in an act of sexual stimulation, gratification or perversion. [13A-12-200.1(22) and 13A-12-190(9)]

Sexual intercourse: means intercourse, real or simulated, whether genital-genital, genital-anal, oral-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex or between a human and an animal and has its ordinary meaning and occurs upon any penetration, however slight; emission is not required. [13A-6-60(1); 13A-12-190(7); and 13A-12-200.1(23)]

The term “prurient interest” appears in the definition of obscenity. According to Black’s Law Dictionary (2nd ed.) the term means "a morbid interest in sex, nudity and obscene or pornographic matters.”

Library Programs & Displays Policy

The Newton Library programs are events, displays, or exhibits that promote the use of library materials, services, and/or offer the community informational, entertaining, or cultural experiences. Programs are planned for the interest and enlightenment of the residents of our town and county as well as to increase and diversify the visibility of the library within the community.  Programs are intended to serve groups of people, not individuals.

The Library strives to offer a variety of programs that reflect the interests of our growing and diverse population and as such, programs will not be canceled because of the ideas or topics of the program, or the views expressed by the participants or speakers. Library programs shall generally be voluntary, free, and open to the public. However, nominal materials fees may be charged for certain types of library-initiated programs.

The Library’s philosophy of open access to information extends to programming. The Library does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or any other characteristics protected by local, state, and federal law. However, some library programs may be restricted by age to ensure the content is age-appropriate and appealing to the intended audience.

Library programs must be non-commercial in nature. Although a professional expert may present a program, the information should always be generic in nature. Library programs must have a special entertainment, informational, or cultural value to the community.

Library programs may address religious themes to educate or inform, not to promote or observe a religion. No individual or organization shall use a library-initiated program at the Library to advertise or recruit members or customers. Programs are not used for commercial, religious, or partisan purposes or for the solicitation of business.

Programs put on by paying renters of the library meeting rooms are not considered public or library-initiated programs and are not subject to the library programming policy. Library programs are primarily funded through the Library’s budget. Staff members in charge of programming are designated a budget by the Library Director. Additional program funding may come from unsolicited donations, or from sponsorships. Sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program, or the views expressed by participants. Sponsorship is defined as the Library working with another agency, presenter, or business to provide a program as defined above for Library patrons. Priority sponsorship is given to local government agencies. Agencies, businesses, or organizations that participate in sponsoring a program receive acknowledgement on the library website, in local publications, and on social media.

Staff members in charge of programming reserve the right to accept or deny potential program collaborations based on the needs of the Library. Program presenters are chosen for their expertise and performance experience. While due diligence is practiced when booking programs, the Library and its employees will not be liable for the content of any program presented by a third party. Timely and adequate public announcement shall be made of all programs. Organizations or individuals partnering with the Library must coordinate marketing efforts with the Library. Press releases, public notifications, and marketing publicity must be approved by the Library Director.

Registration may be required for planning purposes and when space is limited. When registration is required it must be handled by the Library unless other arrangements are made with the staff members in charge of programming. Program participants’ personal information is  confidential and will not be shared with program presenters who are not library staff members.

The Library will endeavor to offer an equitable number of programs throughout the community.  However, factors such as staffing levels, program space, budget concerns, and other demands upon the staff will influence the number and types of programs able to be offered. Library staff who present programs do so as part of their regular job and are not hired as outside contractors for programming.

Library staff will make every effort to prevent disruptive intrusions; however, the Library is not responsible for actions of others which are outside of its control. Library programs are recorded only with the permission of the presenters. Participants will be notified if a program is to be recorded and given the opportunity to opt out of participation. Photos may be taken by staff during programs for promotional use. Individuals in images will not be identified by name or with identifying information without written approval from the subject or their parent or legal guardian.  Ultimate responsibility for programming at the Library rests with the Library Director, who administers under the authority of the Board of Trustees and town.  The Library welcomes expressions of opinion from any library patron concerning programming. 

If a patron questions a library program, they should first address the concern with library staff. Patrons who wish to continue their request for review of Library programs must fill out our Reconsideration Form for Library-Initiated Programs.  This form is found at the front desk.