MISSION STATEMENT
The freedom to know is the foundation of democracy. The Seaside Public Library dedicates itself to collecting and distributing an array of information and ideas that is diverse in material, varied in formats and rich in viewpoint, reflecting the multi-cultural character of the community and world it serves. The Seaside Library offers equal access to its resources and encouragement in their use so that enlightenment, literacy, and life-long learning may flourish.
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION
The Seaside Public Library is a department of the City of Seaside, advised by a five-member appointed Board of Trustees. The library operates under the direction of the Library Director. The City Manager is responsible for all departments of the City of Seaside.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Seaside Public Library is advised by a Library Board appointed by the City Council.
New Board members shall be accorded a welcoming orientation program to introduce the new member to the staff, provide information about the library and to acquaint them of local, state and national programs.
The Board shall consist of five members.
The term of office shall be four years beginning on December 31st, and no member shall hold office for more than two full consecutive terms.
The Board shall meet at least once a month in the library at a designated time. Special sessions may be called by the chairman of the board should the chairman deem it necessary.
The Board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman at the beginning of each serving year, and in the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall assume the duties of the chairman.
The Board, should it so desire, may appoint the librarian as secretary to the board to take minutes and to keep a record of its actions.
Board members may receive no salary or compensation for services rendered, or shall have any financial interest either directly or indirectly in any contract to which the library is a party. Board members may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of duties.
Three Board members present shall meet the requirements of a quorum.
Failure of a Board member to attend three meetings within a twelve-month period without valid reason shall be grounds for dismissal. A twelve-month period is defined as beginning in January of each calendar year.
At each meeting, the board shall follow an agenda prepared by the librarian prior to the meeting with other pertinent information on which the board members will be required to make decisions.
Business meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
The Board believes that censorship is an individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject materials of which one does not approve, one cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom to read of others.
LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
The Seaside Public Library supports the American Library Association in affirming that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
- Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation
- Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval
- Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment
- Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free ideas
- A person's right to use the library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views
- Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of their beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use
CONFIDENTIALITY
Oregon State Law makes the following library records exempt from disclosure: The records of a library, including circulation records, showing use of specific library material by a named person or consisting of the name of a library patron together with the address or telephone number.
It is the policy of the Seaside Public Library not to release information that would reveal the identity of a library patron who checked out or used certain materials or requested an item of information from the Library. Information concerning the account of a patron will be released to that person only.
However, the Library will release information to the parent or guardian of a minor child for the purpose of recovering overdue material and settling accounts for lost, late or damaged material or charges incurred by minor children for which a parent or guardian may be considered liable. Information will not be provided to parents or guardians who are merely attempting for determine what library materials their minor children are using.
Other requests for the release of information of confidential patron records will be honored if submitted by an order from the court as outlined in the Oregon Revised Statutes.