The Library is free and open to the public. It provides library services to all members of the community regardless of age, gender, national origin, color, creed, sexual persuasion or physical condition.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 10/19/1994

1. Selection of Materials

   In keeping with the Library Mission Statement the Library celebrates lifelong learning, fosters community connections, and promotes personal enrichment through engaging resources and experiences. In practice this mission has been partially served by exhibits for the public. These materials may be organized and presented by the Library, members of the community or appropriate non-profit groups within the guidelines of the Library Bill of Rights, Town of Hampden ordinances and this Exhibits and Notices Policy. The selection of materials for exhibit is the responsibility of the Library Director. All staff members may be involved in this process.

2. Guidelines for Selection

   Materials are selected on the basis of the interest, education and recreation they offer the library patrons. Exhibit space is offered on an equitable basis regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of the exhibitor(s).

   A. Public Notices

   Timely notices of public interest to the community are posted in the Library, space allowing. These notices are limited by the following exclusions:

   • politically partisan matter
   • outdated materials
   • for-profit advertisements

   B. Exhibits

   Exhibits of public interest occasionally are displayed in the Library, space permitting. Preference is given to materials that promote the Library and the Library collection. Also, given preference are exhibits of local and educational interest. The Library cannot be held liable for any lost, stolen or damaged exhibits or exhibit items. Any exhibitor must sign a, “Release of Liability” form (see below).

3. Responsibility for Maintenance and Removal

   It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to set up, maintain and remove any exhibit or posting.

4. Request for Withdrawal/Objection procedure

   Whenever a patron objects to the presence or absence of an exhibit, that complaint will be given hearing. All complaints to staff members are referred to the Library Director who will discuss the matter with the complainant. If the patron wishes, they will be supplied with a, “Request for Reconsideration of Library Exhibit” form (see below). If the patron completes and signs this form, the Library Director will examine the exhibit and make a determination concerning the complaint. Exhibits subject to such a review are not removed before the decision is made. If the complainant is not satisfied with the Library Director’s decision, they may appeal to the Board of Trustees. A determination by the Board is final.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 11/16/1994; revised 5/11/2011; revised 1/11/17

As part of the consideration for the use of a space in which to display wares, Exhibitor hereby agrees that they are solely responsible for the risk of loss due to theft, damage, breakage, fire of other casualty of any items displayed by Exhibitor. Exhibitor agrees not to hold the owners, agents or employees of the premises on which this exhibit is held, responsible for any risk of loss of wares and Exhibitor hereby waives the right to so hold the above parties liable. The Library reserves the right to refuse to display any items at its discretion.

Dated:                                                                                                           Exhibitor:

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 11/16/1994; reviewed 11/10/2010; reviewed 5/11/2011; reviewed 1/19/2016.

The Edythe Dyer Community Library (EDL) provides resources that allow people to pursue educational objectives, intellectual and emotional growth, the enjoyment of leisure time and practical solutions to daily problems.

The library keeps the collection vital and useful by retaining or replacing essential materials, and by removing, on a systematic and continuous basis, those works that are worn, outdated, of little historical significance, or no longer in demand. Materials that are removed from the library collection may or may not be made available for public purchase at book sales.

The EDL strives to build a collection representing varying points of view. The choice of library materials by users is an individual matter. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the reading materials of their own children. While a person may reject materials for themselves and their children, they cannot exercise censorship to restrict access of library materials for others. The library supports intellectual freedom and has adopted the following statements as policy: American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read Statement, ALA Library Bill of Rights, and the “Freedom to View” statement of the American Film and Video Association.

To request reconsideration of library resources, registered patrons should fill out the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form below and return it to the library director for a written response.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 3/11/2021; approved by Town Council 4/5/21

Form to submit for reconsideration of library materials.

The Board of Trustees recognizes and supports the Friends of the Edythe L. Dyer Community Library. The Friends organization is a voluntary group with membership open to all. Its purposes include fundraising, advocacy, hospitality and promotion of the Library. The Friends group has its own bylaws, meetings and activities. It is a support group and does not set policy for the Library.

Trustees may belong to the Friends.

The Library Director shall serve the Friends in an advisory capacity.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 11/15/1995; reviewed 12/18/1996; revised 5/11/11; revised 5/8/2013; reviewed 5/13/2021.

Internet Acceptable Use Policy PDF

The Edythe L. Dyer Library is primarily supported by Hampden property taxes and because these resources are limited borrowing privileges have the following restrictions.

Library cards are free to residents of the Town of Hampden. A resident is defined as someone who owns property in Hampden or has a rental address in Hampden.

Resident and non-resident library cards may be issued to individual adults, individual children (age 6 years old and older) and institutions as defined below.

Library cards are free to Hampden town employees regardless of residency. Additionally, non-resident volunteers or program facilitators are eligible to hold a card free for one year.

Non-resident cards are available for an annual fee that entitles the non-resident to full borrowing privileges at the Library. The fee must be paid in full each year when the borrower’s card is renewed. This fee is non-refundable.

All applicants for individual adult cards must complete an application card stating that they agree to obey all rules and regulations. The cardholder signing the application is responsible for all fines and replacement costs.

To obtain a Library resident card, applicants must present proof of residence or property ownership in Hampden. One or more items from the following list are required:

• valid driver’s license or state I.D. card
• property tax receipt from Town Office
• utility bill with current address
• rent agreement with imprinted address
• car registration

Beginning at age 6 years, children may hold a card in their own name. The child, along with their parent or guardian, must complete the application card. The parent or guardian must sign the application card indicating that they are responsible for all fees, fines, and replacement costs. Children under the age of 6 years should use their parent’s library card. To provide proof of parent or guardian residence or property ownership, one or more of the items listed above must be presented.

Institutional cards may be issued to such institutions as:

• licensed day care facilities
• group homes
• schools

Institutional cards are subject to the same resident and non-resident requirements as individual cards. To provide proof of residence or property ownership one or more of the items listed above must be presented.

To obtain an institutional card the person responsible for the card must complete an application card and provide a letter on company letterhead (Appendix B) listing their title and stating that they understand that all fines charged due to lateness, damage, or loss of materials will be the responsibility of the title holder.

The holder of a current Library card may check out circulating materials and is responsible for returning them on time in good condition. Any card holder with outstanding fines of $10.00 or more will be denied the privilege of checking out any type of material.

Patron Confidentiality

The Library safeguards the confidentiality and privacy of all records pertaining to the use of books and materials, including those juveniles as defined by State and Federal Laws.

Maine State Law, Title 27, Chapter 4-A, Section 121 states:

“Records maintained by any public municipal library…that contain
information relating to the identity of a library patron relative to the
patron’s use of books or other materials at the library are confidential.
Those records may only be released with the express written permission
of the patron involved or as the result of a court order.”

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 5/9/2012; Amended 3/12/2014; Reviewed 11/6/2016; Amended 3/21/2018; Accepted by Hampden Town Council 4/2/2018

Overview
The library may accept non-monetary gifts within the guidelines of the town ordinance and library mission statement. Briefly, the Town of Hampden Ordinance, Section 2.2(b) states in part that the Board of Trustees shall be authorized to accept gifts on behalf of the Library. The mission statement expresses the purpose of the Library, and as such, helps to guide the trustees and library director on the appropriateness of donations of books, compact discs, digital videodiscs and other materials for the collection.

Materials donated for the collection
Materials donated for inclusion in the collection shall be considered under the same basis as materials purchased for the library. If the gifts are judged appropriate for the collection, they will be processed as normal acquisitions. A bookplate acknowledging the donor will only be attached to each gift if the donor expressly wishes it. A library staff member will ask donors if they would mind if their gift is donated to the Friends of the Edythe Dyer Library bookshop or book sale. Proceeds from the Friends bookshop and sale are used for the library. Materials accepted for the bookshop and book sale do not include periodicals, Readers Digest Condensed Books, encyclopedias, books on tape or VHS tapes.

Other Material Donations
The Library Director and the Trustees will accept other donations to the library as they judge appropriate.

Acknowledgment of Donations
The Trustees or the library director may acknowledge any gifts accepted for the library. Determination of the value of a gift is the responsibility of the donor.

Revised by the Board of Trustees 5/11/2011. Reviewed and revised by the Board of Trustees 11/9/2016.

1. Any group or organization seeking to use the facilities of the Edythe L. Dyer Community Library will coordinate dates and times with a member of the library staff, based on the following priorities:
   1. 1. Library programs
      2. Hampden based non-profit organizations
      3. External non-profit organizations
      4. For-profit entities
2. Fee structure:
   1. 1. Non-profit organizations during regular business hours–no charge (donations accepted)
      2. For-profit entities–$50.00 for up to 3 hours during regular business hours
      3. Any use outside regular business hours–$50.00 per hour
3.  All groups and organizations shall be responsible for setting up and cleaning up.
4.  No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 10/1/1993; revised 12/1/1994; revised 11/10/2010; reviewed 11/9/2016; revised 9/18/2018

Overview
The Library shall accept monetary gifts, contributions and bequests within the guidelines of the Town Ordinance, Library Mission Statement and the Hampden Ordinance, Sections 2.2(b) states that:

“The Board of Trustees may also accept gifts and donations to the Library either in trust or outright, and may act as trustee of any donations or gifts in trust. In the event the Board accepts any gifts or donations in trust it shall at all times be consistent with the terms of the trust or gift. The responsibility of the Board for gifts or donations in trust may not be delegated to a lesser committee of the Board.”

All contributions to the Library are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Acknowledgement of Donations
The Library Director or the Chairman of the Board of Trustees shall promptly acknowledge, in writing, all monetary gifts made to the Library.

Any single donation of $1,000.00 or greater to the Endowment Fund shall be acknowledge by adding the donor to the plaque of contributors. This plaque shall be maintained in a public place in the Library. Books and other materials purchased with contributions shall carry a bookplate or label with the donor’s name unless the donor requests otherwise.

The Board may recognize any gift in such additional manner as it may deem appropriate under the circumstances.

Management of Donations
The Library Director shall maintain accurate records of monetary gifts, their investment and/or their expenditure. These records shall be available for inspection by the Board of Trustees, the Town of Hampden and the Town auditors.

Investment and expenditure of monetary gifts shall be managed by the Library Director. Funds shall be organized as follows:

1. Donors may choose the terms of their donation with the guidelines of the Ordinance and Mission Statement.
2. The Trustees shall maintain in perpetuity an endowment fund. The endowment fund shall be the collective contributions of donors. The Trustees shall establish the necessary mechanisms to maintain this fund.
3. Single monetary donations of $10,000.00 or more may be maintained as separate funds, if the donor so wishes.
4. Funds shall be deposited with a financial institution in a manner which will achieve a reasonable rate of income while still preserving principal and having the assets reasonably available.

Expenditure of Donated Funds

1. No part of restricted principal or restricted income of any monetary donation shall be used for any purpose other than the purpose specifically stated by the donor.
2. Unrestricted income and principal may be used for any unbudgeted purpose deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 11/15/1995; revised 5/11/2011; reviewed 5/13/2021.

In keeping with the Library mission to make available current and high interest materials for the public, the Library presents both regular and special programs. These programs are intended to highlight and supplement the collection for patrons.

Unless limited by space constraints or material availability, all Library programs will be open to the public. Attendance, except where noted above, shall be on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees 10/19/1994.