Access Policy
Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") offers its resources equitably for our customers' interest, information, education, and enjoyment. Our Library values open access and centers policy on constitutional, legal, and professional principles that have informed a century of library service.
Our Library's Commitment
The Library welcomes everyone.
We will offer our community exceptional care supporting their freedom and self-determination. We will inform customer choice impartially, without interference or improper influence.
Our commitment to welcoming requires that our decisions and practices are free from discrimination and individual content preferences. We will not discriminate on the basis of:
- Identity: Age, race, gender, sexual orientation, color, religion, national origin, military status, disability, or genetic history.
- Beliefs or Associations: Politics, social stances, faith positions, and more.
- Background or Personal Histories: Poverty, wealth, marital status, education, and more.
Our commitment to welcoming and nondiscrimination applies to all facets of our work.
- Talent: Staff and contractor selection, including authors, performers, speakers, and more.
- Facilities: Access to spaces, services, and amenities.
- Content: Selection of print works, digital sources, displays, events, and activities.
Customer Code of Conduct
Our Library will maintain a
Code of Conduct describing behavior boundaries for working with staff, using facilities, or participating in Library events.
Censorship
The Library affirms every customer's right to make choices and interact with the Library in a way that aligns with their values and beliefs. Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that individuals, groups, or government officials find objectionable or dangerous. Censors use the power of the state to impose their view of what is truthful and appropriate, or offensive and objectionable, on everyone else. As a tax-supported agent of the State of Colorado, the Library will not suppress or limit customer access beyond legal requirements.
Customer Privacy
The Library is committed to customer privacy. The Library will comply with Colorado Revised Statutes 24-90-119 mandating the protection of customer privacy in the use of Library resources. In keeping with CRS 24-90-119, the Library maintains customer confidentiality with specific distinctions.
- The Library will use customer information for business operations and improvement.
- The Library will release customer information only with the customer's written consent.
- The Library will release to parents account information for their minor children upon the presentation of the minor's library card or account number.
- The Library will release customer information pursuant to subpoena, upon court order, or where otherwise required by law.
The Library uses surveillance equipment for specific monitoring purposes:
- The safety and security of staff and customers.
- Facility operations.
- Information on property damage from vandalism, theft, or other illegal activities.
Surveillance information is for internal use only. The Library will not release surveillance information to any third party. The Executive Library Director or their designee will manage exceptions.
- In the case that the Library is compelled to release the information by law, or
- If Library management believes that timely release of the information is necessary for the health or safety of a customer at grave risk.
Alcohol (Social Use) Policy
General
Serving or consuming alcoholic beverages by any person or entity outside of Douglas County Libraries is prohibited on District property and within or around District buildings without the execution of and compliance with the District's event and hospitality services contract. Serving or consuming alcoholic beverages for a Douglas County Libraries activity or event is allowed when approved by the Executive Library Director, or Director of Community Engagement, and in compliance of all legal requirements.
Conditions to Prior Written Permission to Serve Alcohol
Written permission to serve and consume wine, beer, liquor, spirits, mixed drinks, or cocktails (hereinafter "alcohol") may be granted to individuals or entities only under the following conditions:
- A written agreement shall be signed by the appropriate individual or legally authorized entity representative in the form provided by the Library. The form will require the individual or entity to provide specified general liability and other relevant insurance coverages and to indemnify the Library and its officers and employees from any and all liability for use of the Library's property, including but not limited to alcohol-related liability. Please request a written agreement from the Library for review of all applicable terms.
- The Library's Director of Community Engagement, as applicable, must be satisfied that the alcohol service and consumption requested meets all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
- No Library tax revenue may be used to purchase alcohol served at Library events.
- During the event at which alcohol is proposed to be served and consumed, any and all service and consumption of alcohol must take place within the event space contracted.
- The event at which alcohol is proposed to be served and consumed must be a closed event such that only those individuals or groups receiving written or electronic invitations are eligible to attend. The event shall not be open to the general public or large classes of the general public but must be a special event of special relevance only to a discrete group of defined attendees (e.g., the event must not be one wherein attendance is induced by advertisements, leaflets, or other materials aimed at unspecified individuals).
Violations of Library Policy
Should the Library or its staff become aware that any individual or entity is violating the Library's Alcohol (Social Use) Policy during any event held on Library property, the Library will immediately terminate the event and all event attendees will be asked to leave the Library's property forthwith. Additional consequences may be imposed on the event's organizer(s) via the written agreement specified above.
Updated on June 28, 2023.
Children and Parents Policy
The foundation of Douglas County Libraries' (the "Library's") relationship with children is that parents and guardians are the arbiters of their children's use of the Library. As arbiters, parents and guardians manage what is appropriate for their children and family. In legal parlance, the Library does not act In Loco Parentis.
- The Library supports parents and guardians as they manage their children's use of the Library by offering controls, account information, relevant descriptions of events and services, and consultation services to align Library opportunities with a family's values and needs. Parents of children 14 years of age or younger approve or validate their children's use of a library card and account. The Library will maintain options that parents can use to manage library content for children 14 years of age or younger. The Library will inform parents and guardians about these options annually as well as when they register their children for a Library card.
- The Library demonstrates our commitment to children by curating content and environments specifically designed for them.
- Our commitment to children exists inside a foundational mission to present a world of ideas and serve our entire community. The Library will not limit every customer's choices merely because a child might access content.
- The Library expects that parents and guardians are responsible for their children's behavior and well-being in the Library. If Library staff believe that a child is unattended or vulnerable, they will make a good-faith attempt to contact the child's parent or guardian before referring the matter to law enforcement.
Citizen Review Request Policy
Douglas County Libraries' ("the "Library's")
Access and
Curating Library Collections and Content Policies are the basis for review decisions. Our Library recognizes the importance of a process that customers can use to voice opinions, ask for changes, and request redress of grievances to Library decisions. The Citizen Review Request Policy covers all facets of Library services—content creation, inventories, facilities, Library-sponsored events, displays, and limitations placed on customer access. The Citizen Review Request process will determine if staff decisions were made competently and aligned with policy and the law.
The Library was formed and is supported by Douglas County citizen taxpayers. Public policy requests advocating for substantive changes to Library services are the prerogative of Douglas County citizens alone. While the Library will consider feedback to learn and grow from anyone, this Citizen Review Request process is available to Douglas County citizens alone. Citizens may begin the review process through a conversation with staff. If the interaction doesn't achieve satisfaction, they may pursue the matter with Library Managers, the Executive Library Director, and then the Library's Board of Trustees. After the initial conversation, review requests must be made in writing using established processes to continue with a review request.
Citizen Review requests to the Board of Trustees may be made in person at a public meeting or submitted in writing. The Board makes the final decision on appeals by following their voting processes outlined in the Board Bylaws.
Colorado Open Records Policy
Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") responds and complies with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) quickly and efficiently as required by Colorado law – C.R.S 24-72-201.
How to Make a Request
Customers are required to make requests using only the Library's
official CORA request form. CORA requests cannot be made anonymously.
CORA Request Costs and Deposit
Colorado Law Section 24-72-205 (6) (b) allows tax-supported institutions to assign reasonable charges for requests. The Library assesses a nominal charge of $33.58 per hour for research and records retrieval. The Library also charges $0.25 for each page copied for a request. The Library also charges for any postage or shipping costs associated with a request. Before acting on a request estimated to take more than one hour, the Library requires a deposit equal to the total estimated hours of the request in addition to any copy and shipping charges.
Request Turnaround Expectation
The Library has three working days to respond to a request once received. The Library will communicate to the customer any extenuating circumstances that prevent a response within three working days. The extension of time can be up to an additional seven working days.
The Library will alter its policies and practices in keeping with any changes to Colorado law, and any such changes will supersede any conflicting provisions in this policy or procedures.
Contributions and Gifts Policy
Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") encourages contributions to the Library and/or to the Douglas County Libraries Foundation (the "Foundation") that are consistent with the Library vision and Foundation mission. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and operates exclusively for the benefit of the Library.
The Library or the Foundation may accept gifts, and the conditions thereto, or take similar action to reject such gifts based upon the conditions of such gifts or grants. All gifts, when accepted, become the property of the Library or the Foundation, and may not be reclaimed by the donor.
The Executive Library Director or designee will manage all development and fundraising activities with the Foundation.
Curating Library Collections and Content Policy
Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") will purchase and develop digital and physical content inventories that answer customer demand. Customer demand is our priority in making content decisions. The Library's
Access Policy is foundational to content curation.
- Curation refers to the decision to add, retain, remove, shelve, or display materials in Library inventories. The Library offers content in a variety of physical and digital formats to meet the needs and preferences of our community. The Library will make every effort to correlate our inventory choices with community demand and interests. Letting the marketplace of ideas guide us is the best way to mitigate staff or customer pre-conceived philosophies or biases.
- Douglas County Libraries' Archives & Local History collects and preserves historic photos and the documentary history of Douglas County, Colorado.
- The Library will also employ additional, customary criteria in content decision-making:
- Specific community needs and interests
- Contemporary significance
- Attention from critics, reviewers, and the public
- Popular interest, customer requests, and market data
- Author reputation and expertise in the field
- Comprehensiveness and depth of treatment
- Relationship to the existing inventory
- Availability of content from sources other than purchase
- Durability of the format and whether the item can meet the rigors of public use
- Price and availability from our approved vendors
Managing collections and content curation are Library operational duties. Library staff perform these duties under the direction of the Executive Library Director. The Library's
Citizen Review Request Policy describes how customers can advocate for change in regard to Library collections and content.
Internet Access Policy
Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") applies its
Access Policy commitments to internet use (Wi-Fi and technology devices), but with distinctions relevant to both legal boundaries and the digital world.
- Both federal and Colorado law require internet filtering and circumstances under which the Library may remove filters. The Library will fully comply with these legal mandates (Colorado Revised Statute 24-90-601; Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Pub.L.No. 106-554).
- The Library does not permit illegal activities conducted through any library technology system. The Library will pursue appropriate legal action, including prosecution of suspects. Illegal activities, as defined by law, include and are not limited to accessing or trafficking in obscene content, child pornography, violations of copyright, and a variety of activities generally described as "criminal." In general, the Library expects customers will be both law-abiding and civil. As appropriate, the Library will monitor customer use of internet resources to validate system security and policy compliance.
Library Facilities and Spaces Policy
Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") facilities are a community resource and are offered in keeping with our citizens' constitutional rights for free speech and to assemble. The Library's
Access Policy is the basis for use of Library facilities—resources made available in an equitable and impartial manner. Limitations on the use of Library facilities must reflect the
Customer Code of Conduct or be due to practical business needs and availability.
Displays
The Library will make exhibit, displays, and bulletin board space available to citizens engaged in cultural, intellectual, recreational, civic, educational, or charitable activities.
The Library will apply guidelines equitably to the manner, method and timing of bulletin boards, exhibits and displays. These guidelines may also prohibit items that are in violation of any laws—content that is obscene or deemed to be derogatory or offensive to civil standards.
Use of the Library's facilities for displays, exhibits or notices does not constitute agreement or endorsement of the views presented by the Library, its Board of Trustees, or staff.
Event and Meeting Spaces
The Library will make event and meeting spaces available to citizens engaged in business, cultural, intellectual, recreational, civic, educational, or charitable activities.
The Library may charge for services tied to value-added services for event and meeting spaces.
A group's use of Library event and meeting spaces does not imply any endorsement of that group's opinions or views by the Library, its Board, or staff.
Petitions and Free Speech Activities
The Library recognizes and values free speech and is cognizant of our role as a respected, impartial provider of information and services. The Library is a welcoming community space. The Library endeavors to ensure that customers can enter and exit facilities safely, unimpeded, and without being unduly hindered. Members of the public may use designated exterior areas for free speech activity, subject to time, manner and place limitations. These time, manner and place limitations apply to everyone at all Library locations.
Programs Policy
Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") will purchase, craft, produce, and deliver programs—educational, arts, and event/entertainment offerings—that respond to community demand. The Library's
Access Policy is foundational to this work.
Oversight and Curation
Managing programs is a function of Library operational duties. Library staff perform these duties under the direction of the Executive Library Director.
The Library will exercise professional oversight in the selection and production of programs. The Library will curate opportunities that align with organizational and community priorities:
- Library Vision
- Brand
- Business Strategy
- Budget
- Community Partnerships
The Library's
Citizen Review Request Policy is an opportunity for customers to advocate for substantive policy and operational changes around all Library service, including programs. The Board of Trustees exercises oversight through budget stewardship, direction of the Library's business plan, and performance evaluation of the Executive Library Director.
Communication
To maximize the value of offerings and assist customers in choosing programs that are a fit for them and their family, the Library will market and communicate program availability and relevant details. The Library will provide recommended age ranges for children's offerings.
Talent and Endorsements
The Library will routinely engage and employ authors, speakers, musicians, and similar talents in support of programs. Library engagement of talent does not imply endorsement of any of their constitutionally protected views, speech, or associations.
Volunteer Policy
Volunteer time on behalf of Douglas County Libraries (the "Library") is one of the most important ingredients to the success of a free public library system. While generally categorized as "in-kind" services contributed to the Library, the Board of Trustees gratefully accepts volunteer efforts on behalf of the Library. Volunteers are recognized for their support.
The Executive Library Director shall document volunteer activities at least annually for the Board.
Volunteers are responsible for following the guidelines outlined in the DCL Volunteer Handbook.
Adopted by the Library Board on March 29, 2023.
