Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 10 - AGENCY OF ADMINISTRATION › Sub-Agency 070 - DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES › Chapter 001 - MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR VERMONT PUBLIC LIBRARIES › Section 10 070 001 - MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR VERMONT PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Current through June, 2024
A RATIONALE
The following standards outline elements essential to the
				  provision of community-oriented public library service in Vermont. Librarians,
				  trustees, government officials and the public may use these standards as aids
				  in evaluating and improving library service.
Vermont and its libraries and library system are unique, and
				  its residents deserve responsive library service that is tailored to their
				  needs. In many Vermont public libraries of all sizes, careful, continuous
				  planning and self-evaluation have combined with the creativity, concern and
				  commitment of librarians, trustees and citizens to provide excellent
				  service.
Vermont's standards in their present form were developed in
				  1971. Subsequent visions have continued to emphasize four essentials: public
				  service, public access, interlibrary cooperation, and community involvement. In
				  order to be flexible and useful to the diverse libraries in the state, the
				  standards have stressed philosophical approaches to service.
Minimum standards offer criteria and direction for assessing
				  and upgrading local library service. The standards provide a base from which
				  libraries in even the smallest Vermont communities can proceed to improve
				  service. Over the years, many Vermont libraries of varied sizes have developed
				  innovative methods of meeting standards.
Meeting standards does not in itself guarantee adequacy of
				  service. Some Vermont libraries, regardless of size or location, will
				  consistently meet standards, yet will find that they need to do much more
				  self-assessment and planning to remain responsive to their communities.
Meeting standards is purely voluntary. The Department of
				  Libraries provides services to all public libraries, whether they meet
				  standards or not. It may, however, offer additional services to those public
				  libraries which meet standards. The Department is eager to assist libraries in
				  meeting standards and, once they are met, in continuing self-evaluation.
This document was developed by a committee of state library
				  board members, Department of Libraries staff, and representatives of the
				  Vermont Library Association and the Vermont Library Trustees Association. The
				  committee considered written recommendation from the Vermont library community
				  and held public hearings during its year-long revision process. State and
				  federal regulations were included where applicable.
The public should have access to library services.
The library:
1. is
				open for service to all ages throughout the year at least 14 hours a week,
				including at least 4 hours after 5 pm or on weekends.
2. has a sign with the library's name clearly
				visible from the street and has hours of service posted in a location
				accessible to the public at all times.
3. has a telephone listed under the library's
				name.
4. is willing to serve all
				Vermonters. Basic library services are provided free of charge to all residents
				of the town or designated service area. Nonresident support not to exceed local
				per capita tax support may be charged. (Fines or deposits may levied.
				Privileges may be denied irresponsible borrowers.)
5. serves the handicapped.
6. has cataloged its collection to allow
				public access.
A public library draws support from its community and should
				  spend its money responsibly.
The library:
7. receives and expends total local support
				of at least $3.00 per capita, of which at least some is local tax support.
				Documented in-kind contributions may be included.
8. has separately designated budget items for
				adult and children's library materials (books, periodicals, tapes, sound
				recordings, films, etc., not including supplies).
9. expends for library materials either (a)
				at least 15% of the total library operating expenditures or (b) at least $1.00
				per capita.
10. budgets funds to
				reimburse staff for attendance at workshops or professional meetings, as well
				as travel to the regional library to select supplementary collections.
Public libraries should cooperate with other libraries to
				  broaden their services.
The library:
11. contributes catalog cards at least
				annually to the Vermont Union Catalog.
12. supplies all statistical data required by
				the Department of Libraries.
13.
				communicates and cooperates with its local school library and other area
				libraries.
14. communicates and
				cooperates with its regional library, including sending a representative to the
				regional library, as needed, to select supplementary collections of
				books.
15. is willing to loan and
				borrow materials through the statewide interlibrary loan network according to
				the Vermont Interlibrary Loan Code.
A public library mst have a librarian responsible for its
				  overall operation.
The librarian:
16. is responsible for carrying out the
				policies of the board of trustees and takes an active role in policy
				development, planning and budgeting.
17. is not a trustee of the library, but
				attends board meetings.
18. and
				staff (except volunteers) receive at least the federal or state minimum hourly
				wage (whichever is higher) and are covered by Social Security, according to
				federal law. The library may be staffed entirely by volunteers.
19. possesses either a library science degree
				or a Vermont certificate of library training; or has actively worked toward one
				of these in the past twelve months.
20. is responsible for collection
				development, including materials selection and weeding.
The board of trustees represents the community and is
				  responsible for policymaking.
The board:
21. is responsible for assessing community
				needs, developing responsive plans of service, and evaluating library
				performance.
22. has adopted and
				annually reviews a written policy including:
a. a statement of purpose,
b. affirmation of principles of intellectual
				freedom,
c. confidentiality of
				library records,
d. collection
				development guidelines.
A copy of the current policy must be filed with the
				  Department of Libraries.