The Kansas Public Library Handbook
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The Kansas Public Library Handbook Edited, Updated, and Published by: Central Kansas Library System Harry Willems North Central Kansas Libraries System Linda Knupp Northeast Kansas Library System Jim Minges/Laura DeBaun Northwest Kansas Library System George Seamon South Central Kansas Library System Paul Hawkins Southeast Kansas Library System Roger Carswell Southwest Kansas Library System Emily Sitz State Library of Kansas Jo Budler Topeka, Kansas 2017 1 PREFACE TO THE 2017 EDITION The Kansas Public Library Handbook has been updated to include grammar and structural edits missed in the 2015 Edition, statute changes, and changes based on Kansas Attorney General Opinions. Thank you and enjoy! Regional Library System Administrators and the State Librarian of Kansas 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 BY 6: READY TO READ .........................................................................................................4 A .................................................................................................................................................5 B ...............................................................................................................................................10 C ...............................................................................................................................................16 D ...............................................................................................................................................24 E ...............................................................................................................................................26 F ...............................................................................................................................................32 G ...............................................................................................................................................37 H ...............................................................................................................................................38 I ................................................................................................................................................40 K ...............................................................................................................................................45 L ...............................................................................................................................................50 M...............................................................................................................................................64 N ...............................................................................................................................................67 O ...............................................................................................................................................68 P ...............................................................................................................................................71 R ...............................................................................................................................................78 S ...............................................................................................................................................83 T ...............................................................................................................................................90 V ...............................................................................................................................................91 W ..............................................................................................................................................92 APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................93 APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................95 APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................96 APPENDIX D ............................................................................................................................98 APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................................99 APPENDIX F .......................................................................................................................... 100 APPENDIX G .......................................................................................................................... 102 APPENDIX H .......................................................................................................................... 103 APPENDIX I ........................................................................................................................... 105 INDEX ..................................................................................................................................... 106 3 6 BY 6: READY TO READ 6 by 6: Ready to Read is an early literacy initiative that public libraries across Kansas have been using to educate parents and child caregivers in their communities. 6 by 6 stands for six skills by six years, the idea that there are six skills that every child should experience before age six to be ready to learn to read. 6 by 6 is sponsored by the State Library of Kansas, is research based, and is adapted from a national library program. 4 A ACCESS, FREE (See FREE ACCESS vs. FEE ACCESS) ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES OF BUILDINGS (See AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT) ADA (See AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT) ADMINISTRATOR (See LIBRARY BOARD—Library Director) ADVOCACY It is essential for board members and Friends of the Library groups to have a knowledge of the political process. Board members are public officials who accept responsibility for public institutions and funds. It is important for board members to understand the levels of governance with which the board must work. In Kansas, these levels include municipal, city, township, county, and state officials who have certain powers through which public libraries gain financial support. Board members need to cultivate relationships with these officials, working with them to produce the best possible climate for libraries. Visibility The process of actively presenting opinions to decision-makers is called advocacy. Effective advocacy can be accomplished in various ways. First, it is important that officials know who the advocates are. Visibility, good public relations, and well-planned on-going publicity campaigns are essential parts of this recognition. Some guidelines follow: Initiate frequent informal visits with elected officials. This allows them to discuss situations face-to-face with the library’s supporters. Supply officials with written communications which clearly relate facts about library issues. Attend party precinct caucuses and provide information on library services. Attend candidate forums. Invite elected representatives and local officials to a question-and answer session with the local board. Give encouragement to candidates who are supportive about library programs. Write letters, which are complete, clear, concise, correct, and courteous; use the official designation for a bill and refer to its title or content to identify it. Never use form letters. Never forget to say thank you. When the goal is achieved, remember to say thank you to the officials who supported the legislation. 5 A board member or Friend of the Library should see advocacy as a continuous information process for elected officials, as well as a right of every citizen to be heard and express an opinion. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Affirmative Action is the process through which equal employment opportunity is realized. It is any activity or activities initiated by an employer, which attempts to overcome underutilization of protected groups (minorities, females, disabled). AGENDA (See LIBRARY BOARD—Board Meetings) ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR FUND (See BUDGET—Sources of Tax Funds) AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION The American Library Association (ALA) is the world’s oldest and largest library association founded by Melvil Dewey in 1876 in Philadelphia. Its 40,000 members include not only libraries but also trustees, authors, illustrators, members of the book trade, businesses, and Friends of the Library. The purposes of ALA are: to promote quality library services for all to improve all types of libraries to coordinate resources for research to improve professional library standards to encourage freedom of access to information without fear of censorship ALA membership represents all types of libraries-state, public, school, academic, and special libraries-serving persons in government, commerce, the armed services, hospitals, corrections facilities, and other institutions. ALA has eleven divisions based on the type of library and the type of activity. They are as follows: American Association of School Librarians Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) Association for Library Service to Children Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies Library Leadership and Management Association Library and Information