Check Out Procedures & Freedom to Read Statements
Check Out Times
- 1 week – DVDs, Magazines, Museum Passes, American Girl Dolls, and Board Games
- 3 weeks – all other items
Overdue Fees
- $1.00 per day for Museum Passes, Video Games, Board Games, and American Girl Dolls
- $0.25 per day for all other items
Check Out Limits
- Each cardholder may check out up to 50 items at a time
- There is a limit of 6 DVDs per card
- There is a limit of 1 Museum Pass, 1 Activity Bag, 1 Board Game, and 1 American Girl Doll per family
- Temporary Cardholders and Setoff Patrons are limited to 5 items at a time
We are happy to provide, free of charge, the service of holding items that patrons request. Due to increased volume of items being placed on hold, starting Friday, October 30, 2009 we will limit the number of holds per account to 10 at a time. Hold requests will be fulfilled the following business day. Telephone requests to be fulfilled the same day will be limited to no more than three items.
Collection Development Statements
Material Selection Statement
- APL embraces the First Amendment Right to Free Speech in that censorship is in violation of the United States Constitution, and also embraces the American Library Association’s Free Speech Protection Act of 2008. Under the First Amendment, children and teens have the same rights as adults to select the materials they wish to use.
- Libraries are public institutions charged with making a broad selection of materials available for everyone, including children and teenagers. While library collections, therefore, have items families want, like and need, they also will have materials that some parents may find offensive or inappropriate for their child(ren).
- Because a librarian selects an item for the shelf does not mean that s/he endorses it. S/he is simply helping the library fulfill its mission of providing information from all points of view.
- It is the right and responsibility of parents, not librarians, to guide only their family’s library use.
- If you feel an item is inappropriate for you child(ren), use this as an opportunity to express to your child(ren) your views and provide guidance. Discuss your family rules regarding library use with your child(ren). If you are concerned they will not respect your wishes, it is your responsibility to visit the library with them.
Movie/Video Collection Statement
- APL embraces the First Amendment Right to Free Speech in that censorship is in violation of the United States Constitution, and also embraces the American Library Association’s Free Speech Protection Act of 2008. Under the First Amendment, children and teens have the same rights as adults to select the materials they wish to use.
- Libraries differ from movie theaters, book or video stores. As public institutions, libraries cannot discriminate based on age, sex, race or any other characteristic. Movie theaters and video stores are privately owned businesses that can choose what they want to show or carry in stock. They can also “rate” movies. Because libraries are funded by taxes from ALL people, a library must meet the diverse needs of everyone in their communities and may not subjectively “rate” materials.
- Libraries cannot overrule the rights of individuals by deciding who does and doesn’t have access to library materials. It is the right and responsibility of parents, not librarians, to guide only their own family’s library use.
We would love to address all of your questions. If you have questions or concerns, or if you disagree with the choice of materials on our shelves, please request a complaint form from the front desk so that our director can respond to your concerns in writing in more detail.
Thank you!
~Staff and Board of the Andover Public Library ~