This page outlines the most frequently accessed public policies of the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury. If you have questions about policies which are not addressed on this page, please email us or call us at 215-862-2330 during library operating hours.

Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Collection Management Policy

Selection

Policy Statement
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury recognizes that within our service area there are groups and individuals with diverse cultural, recreational, educational, and information needs. The Library strives to build and maintain a collection of patron-focused materials to meet this wide variety of needs and interests of residents of all ages in New Hope and Solebury.

Materials selected will meet the library’s vision to stimulate the imagination of all library patrons with programs and materials that provide pleasurable reading, viewing, and listening experiences, that satisfy their curiosity in areas from homework help to lifelong learning, and that enable young children to enter school ready to read, write and learn.

Community demographics and collection use data are reflected in management of the library collection, which is also governed by The library Code, Act of June 14, 1961, P. L. 324, as amended through July 7, 2006.
With this in mind, the library will provide a collection that upholds the following principles:
• We provide free and open access to collections and services to promote the communication of ideas and information
• We support the rights of library patrons to read, view, and listen to a wide-range of materials
• We protect library materials from censorship

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Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Collection Management Policy

Weeding, Preservation, and Replacement

Policy Statement
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury strives to provide an attractive, useful, and accurate collection of materials and does this through a continuous process of collection evaluation, weeding, and replacement. Because of lack of space and the high cost of preservation, the library does not seek to preserve most materials.

Regulations
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Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Collection Management Policy

Gifts

Policy Statement
In order to strengthen its collection and extend its budget, the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury encourages gifts of materials or funds with which to buy materials.

Regulations
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Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Collection Management Policy

Request for Reconsideration


Policy Statement
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury encourages free access to ideas and supports the right of the individual to secure information, even when the content may be controversial, unorthodox, or unacceptable to others. The Library upholds the principles found in the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights,” “Freedom to Read,” and “Freedom to View” statements (which appear as appendices to this policy).

The Library recognizes the right of library patrons to question both materials in the library’s collection and those excluded from it.


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Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Management Policy

Right to Know Policy

Policy Statement
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has enacted a Right to Know or Open records Law, Act 3 of 2008, as signed by Gov. Edward G. Rendell on February 14, 2008, effective January 1, 2009. The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury has been advised that any Community Public Library which has a Board of Trustees the majority of whom are not appointed by a municipality is not subject to this law. The majority of the Board of Trustees of the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury is not appointed by any municipality.

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Management Policy
Exhibits and Displays in the Library

Policy Statement
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury manages its space to ensure patrons the best possible library experience. This policy defines the exhibits and displays which may be created within the library, or by the library in other locations. Library space is very limited, and space is primarily used for the library collection and the book sale.

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Management Policy
Bulletin Boards

Policy Statement
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury has limited bulletin board and counter space. The purpose of this policy is to outline the ways in which the library manages bulletin board postings and other informational displays to maximize available space and ensure that the public has access to valuable information about events and services.

Regulations
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Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Customer Service Policy

UNATTENDED CHILD


Policy

The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury welcomes children of all ages to use its materials and services. However, because library staff members have many duties and cannot supervise children nor act as a substitute for daycare, the general responsibility for the care, safety, and behavior of children lies with parents, guardians or caregivers, both in library buildings and on library grounds. The library staff may not take responsibility for the care of any child, and the library is not responsible for any child left unattended.

Regulations
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Management Policy
Library Use for Meetings

Policy Statement
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury manages its space to ensure patrons the best possible library experience. This policy defines the groups which may use the library for meetings. The library is currently housed in a very small space with no private rooms, so use of any section of the library by a group impinges on the experience of other library users.

Regulations
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Free Library of New Hope and Solebury
Customer Service Policy

LIBRARY BEHAVIOR

Policy Statement
The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury values its patrons and strives to treat them with courtesy and respect. The Library has established rules of conduct so that library patrons are able to access materials and services in secure, pleasant, safe and comfortable environments.

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Management Policy
Privacy and Confidentiality

Policy Statement
Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association. Courts have upheld the right of privacy based on the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. Confidentiality of library records is a core value of library service nationwide. The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury endorses the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, which states: “We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted.”

The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury is governed by the Pennsylvania Library Code, Title 24, Chapter 16-Libraries. Article IV, Section 428 of the Code states: “Records related to the circulation of library materials which contain the names or other personally identifying details regarding users… shall be confidential and shall not be made available to anyone except by a court order in a criminal proceeding.”

Regulations
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