POLICY ON LIBRARY SERVICES

The North Smithfield Public Library provides service to all within the context of library objectives regardless of age, race, creed, handicap, occupation or financial position. Our primary patrons are the residents of North Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The North Smithfield Public Library will offer on-site circulation to any CLAN (Cooperating Libraries Automated Network) card holder in good standing per CLAN policy and will register Rhode Island residents for a CLAN card upon presentation of proper identification. A card to use the resources of the North Smithfield Library only is available to out-of-state residents for a modest annual fee.

Any individual may make use of in-house of materials at the North Smithfield Public Library and will be provided with appropriate telephone and on-site reference service.

The North Smithfield Public Library will be a member of RHILINET and agrees to adhere to the interlibrary loan code as enumerated in the Rhode Island Interlibrary Network INTERLIBRARY LOAN CODE of 1997.

The North Smithfield Public Library will actively participate in the state-wide interlibrary loan system, will enter all of its holdings on the CLAN database for accessibility, will share new acquisitions through the CLAN Cluster Holds option and will provide CLAN card holders in good standing with the opportunity to request materials not locally held via CLAN system-wide holds or OCLC through the statewide Clearing House.

The North Smithfield Public Library will fax up to ten pages of material free for the assistance of other institutions.

North Smithfield materials restricted for local demand and conservation concerns may be requested by telephone or by fax or mail using the RHILINET form. Response to such requests will be at the discretion of the Library Director

Types and Scope of Services Available

The North Smithfield Public Library will offer services and materials including but not necessarily limited to the following:

Circulating Collections: General interest collections for all ages, large print books, periodicals & newspapers, audios book/cassette tape kits, videos.

Reference and Readers Advisory Services: Reference collections in print and electronic format Jackdaws Ready reference by telephone Programming Storyhours for toddlers, pre-schoolers After-school specials for elementary school youngsters Summer Reading Program for school-age children Occasional family, adult and children's programs Centennial Park Museum passes Display space for exhibits, collections and art work

Access to Technology: On-line databases and indexes CD-ROM reference products Internet/ World Wide Web stations Equipment for word-processing and computer skills practice Meeting Space for nonprofit organizations, community groups and literacy volunteers

Review and Evaluation

The Library Director will review this policy annually and will make recommendation for revision to the Board of Trustees as needed.

Reviewed by Carol Brouwer September 1999; no revisions needed.