Library Policies

The Valley Park Community Library has published its established policies and other documents for the public to view. 

Accessibility Policy

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Valley Park Community Library provides a variety of accommodations and services for people with disabilities.  The library makes its best effort to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and to all visitors to the library.

Code of Conduct Policy

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

Valley Park Community Library strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all library users.  Patrons are expected to show respect for all persons in the library, including library employees, and should comply with all library instructions given by library employees.

By using the library’s facility and resources, patrons agree to the following:

  • Patrons may not engage in any activity or behavior that violates federal or state statutes or local ordinances.
  • The use of profane or threatening language, or disruptive or assaultive behavior toward library users or employees will not be permitted.
  • Weapons are prohibited on library property except as permitted under Missouri State Law.  Patron may be asked to leave the property if they knowingly carry a weapon on property.
  • Selling, soliciting, panhandling, or loitering on Library property is not permitted.
  • Only library activities are permitted on library property outside of business hours.
  • Entering library property while in possession of or under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited. The consumption of alcoholic beverages on premises is prohibited except as authorized by library director and Board of Trustees for specific events.
  • Children under 10 years of age, or persons of any age with special needs who require supervision, must be accompanied and adequately supervised at all times by a responsible guardian or caregiver aged 16 or older.
  • Entering the library without shoes or a shirt is not permitted.
  • Neglecting personal hygiene so that it is offensive and constitutes a nuisance to other patrons will not be allowed on library property.
  • Bathing, shaving, or washing clothes in public restrooms is not permitted.
  • Engaging in inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature, including indecent exposure, is not permitted.

Failure to observe this code may result in the revocation of library privilege, including suspension for a specified period of time.  The suspension of privileges may be appealed in writing to the library director within 10 days of receiving notice of the suspension.  The patron will then be given an opportunity to participate in a telephone conference with the library director in order to present the person’s case.

Suspensions of more than 6 months may be further appealed in writing to the Board of Trustees within 10 days of receiving notice from the Library Director’s decision.  The patron has the right to submit written relevant information to the President or their designee for consideration.  The President of the Board of Trustees, or their designee, will consider the appeal and make a determination within 30 days after receiving written notice of the appeal.

The patron may not enter or use the library during any appeal period.  Once notification of a suspension has been communicated to a patron, further visits to the library property by the patron will result in the suspension to be extended by a minimum of 30 days.

Confidentiality of Library Patron Records

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

The Valley Park Community Library honors every patron’s right to have his or her library records remain confidential.  Library records include patron registration data, circulation records, overdue and reserve records, participation in library sponsored programs, record of library visits, and/or any data which may contain information linking a specific patron to specific materials or services used.  Each patron has individual control over his or her borrower’s card and presentation of the card permits access to information about the borrower’s current circulation record.  Except during the actual period of transaction (circulation, maintenance of record on unpaid fines, reservation material, etc. The library will not maintain a record of transactions.  When no longer needed for library administration purposes, records will be expunged.

No information will be released to any person, agency or organization not authorized by the patron to receive such information, except in response to a valid court order or subpoena, properly presented to the library administrator or library Board of Trustees.

Library policies shall not prevent authorized personnel from using library records in the administration of their regular duties.  Reserved materials may be retrieved from the library by the patron who reserved the material, or by individuals known to the library as authorized by the patron to retrieve such materials.

De-Selection of Materials

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

Materials that no longer fit within the stated mission of the library will be withdrawn from the collection.  This may include materials that are damaged, include obsolete information, or are no longer used. Decisions will be based on accepted professional practices and the professional judgement of the library director, children’s librarian, or designated staff.

Items withdrawn from the collection will be disposed of in several ways. The preferred method will be to sell the items with the profit from the sale going to the library.  Items might also be given to patrons, local community groups or charities.  As a last resort they will be recycled.

Donations and Gifts

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

The Valley Park Community Library welcomes gifts of new and slightly used books, audio recordings, DVDs and similar materials the library collects in accordance with its selection policy.  Once donated the items become the property of the library and, if not added to the collection, may be given to other libraries and non-profit agencies, sold or discarded.  Donated items will not be returned to the donor, nor will the library accept any item that is not a gift (no lending).  There are currently no tax benefits available when donating to the library.

Endorsement of Candidates

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

It is against the policy of the Valley Park Community Library for the Library or its Board of Trustees to endorse any candidate for local, state or federal office.  Any member of the staff or officer of the Board of Trustees of the library is forbidden to endorse any candidate as a representative of the Library, although they may endorse candidates and actively support their campaigns as private citizens.  The library is further prohibited from expending library resources as monetary or in-kind contributions to support the campaign of any candidate.

Internet and Public Computer Access/Cyber Security Policy

Last Reviewed and Approved: February 26, 2025

The Valley Park Community Library provides access to internet-enabled computers and devices as well as wireless internet as part of its commitment to meeting the informational needs of the community.  Use of the Internet and public computer(s) is granted to all patrons.  For minors, this permission is granted when a parent signs the Informed Consent Form that is required for a juvenile to receive a library card. 

The Valley Park Community Library does not monitor computer usage and has no control over the information accessed through the internet.  The library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to use of information obtained through the electronic information system.  It is the responsibility of the library computer user to respect the rights of others and take care with use of the library’s equipment. Computer and internet settings may not be changed.  Computers and wireless internet may not be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, Missouri or local laws.  Violation of current Missouri Law (Missouri Revised Statues 573.010 and 573.060) in regards to accessing and displaying pornography and/or obscene materials will result in suspension of computer and library privileges.  Children 17 years of age and under must have an Informed Consent form on file at the library to access the internet.  All computer and wireless users must abide by the library’s internet service providers’ use agreements.  Library computer users must not attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, to damage or modify library owned devices or software or to intentionally download or save items to library owned devices. 

The Valley Park Community Library has established Computer Use  Guidelines that govern the amount of time an individual may use the computer, printing procedures, technology support available form library staff, as well as other technology related rules.  Users agree to and must abide by these guidelines.  Access to public computers may be revoked for failure to abide by the rules listed in the policy.  The library filters access to pornographic and sexually explicit websites from all computers as required by Missouri Revised Statue 182.827.  The library fully complies with the Child Internet Protection Act Pub. L. No. 106-554.  Filtering software is not guaranteed to protect a child from access to information that a parent/guardian finds inappropriate.  

The library protects patron privacy in every way possible, but cannot guarantee confidentiality on the internet.  Users should use best practices and caution regarding their private information as public computers are accessed by multiple patrons every day.  Patrons handling financial transactions or other confidential tasks do so at their own risk. The Valley Community Library is not responsible for the privacy practices or security of any websites accessed by users.  Library computer users are responsible for complying with copyright law and adhering to software licensing agreements, as well as all local, state and federal laws.  Use of the Library’s internet connection in an illegal, disruptive or destructive manner is not allowed and may result in suspension of internet and/or library privileges.

Request for Material Reconsideration Policy

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

There may be occasions when a patron is concerned about a particular title in the library’s collection, presentations or events at the library or displays found in the library.  If a patron wishes the library to reconsider the inclusion of a particular title, a Materials Reconsideration Form is available at the library.  This form must be completed in its entirety by a patron with a current Valley Park Community Library library card.  Challenges may not be filed on behalf of groups.  Challenges that specifically target children’s materials, presentations, events, and displays are limited to patrons of the Valley Park Community Library who are guardians of minor children. Either the parent/guardian or the minor child are required to have a library card.  This form must be completed and returned to a library staff member, who will forward it to the Library Director.  The Library Director will submit the form for discussion and review at the next appropriate Board of Trustees Meeting. The Board of Trustees will recommend action after consideration of the patron comments, reviews of the title, the criteria used in selecting the item, and reasons for including it in the collection.  A written response to the patron will be sent in a timely manner.  The names of any materials, presentations, events or displays that are the subject of a challenge along with the date of the challenge will be publicly disclosed.  Due to the fact that reconsideration requests/challenges are considered a “library record”, the disclosure of which is prohibited by RSMO 182.817, any identifying information will be redacted from published results.  Once a challenge is submitted on an item it is unable to have anymore challenges for 365 days from the date of the first challenge.

Selection of Materials

Last Reviewed and Approved: June 21, 2023

The Valley Park Community Library provides materials and services to support the mission of the library.  The intent of this selection process is to guide the development of the collection to meet the goals of the mission.

The responsibility of the selection and purchase of library materials rests with the library director, who may delegate responsibilities to other staff members.

The general criteria listed below apply to the selection of all materials for the library.  Materials are evaluated as complete works and not on the basis of a particular passage.  No materials that meet the selection criteria will be excluded because of origin, background, or views of those contributing to its creation.  Factors considered when adding specific material to the library collection include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Current and potential relevance to community needs
  • Local demand, interest, or significance
  • Suitability of subject and style for intended sources
  • Reviews in professionally recognized sources
  • Timelines and/or significance of the subject
  • Cost, availability and impact on materials budget
  • Contribution to diversity, depth or breadth of collection
  • Technical quality
  • Suitability of format for library circulation and use
  • Authority and competence of the author and/or reputation and standing of the publisher
  • Objectivity
  • Availability of information in other formats
  • Support of the Library’s mission

DVD, audio recordings, as well as other library materials will meet the same general selection criteria as books.

Books that are added to the collection of the Valley Park Community Library will be placed in a specific collection.  The library collections for patrons under 18 are spilt into the Board Book (BB), Early Fiction (EF), Beginning Reader (BR), Beginning Chapter (BC), Junior Fiction (JF) and Junior Nonfiction (JNF).  The age recommendations for each of those collections is listed below. 

  • Board Book (BB) – Birth to 2
  • Early Fiction (EF) – Birth and up
  • Beginning Reader(BR) – Preschool-2nd Grade
  • Beginning Chapter (BC) – 2nd -3rd Grades
  • Junior Fiction (JF) – 3rd -8th Grade
  • Junior Non-Fiction (JNF) – Kindergarten – 8th grade

Patrons are not limited by these age recommendations.  All Patrons are welcome to checkout any materials in our collections.  The responsibility for materials accessed and/or used by minors rests completely with their parents or legal guardians.  Materials selected for the adult collection are intended for mature readers.  Checkouts to minors from these collections are allowed with the signed Informed Consent Form that is required for all Juvenile Library Cards.  Separate collections are available for children and young people, but it is not the responsibility of the Library, its Board of Trustees, staff or volunteers to determine which collection they should use or what item is suitable for an individual.   Library Staff do not supervise children’s book selection.  Library Personnel will not determine the appropriateness of material selections for any patron.  Responsibility for a child’s selections rests fully with the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) of minors, not with the library personnel.