Cranston Public Library 3-D Printer Use Policy
The library maintains 3-D Printers for use by the public in the Central library C-Lab. Patrons must sign a copy of this agreement. Copies are available at the Reference Desk.
Policy:
For more detailed information on 3D printing at the library please see our 3D printing page.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 11/12/2014.
Revised on September 10, 2020
The Cranston Public Library does not accept donations of artwork. The library does not have the capacity to display or provide storage for potential donations of artwork. The library also does not have the capacity to keep potential donations of artwork as part of our collection indefinitely. Given the above considerations, The Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees has decided to no longer accept donations of artwork. For donations of other materials please see the Cranston Public Library Donations Policy.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees on September 11, 2019.
INTRODUCTION
In an effort to meet the reading and information needs of the public and to ensure the safety of library patrons and staff, the Cranston Public Library has adopted the following list of behavior guidelines. To maintain an atmosphere conducive to library use, we ask that library patrons abide by these guidelines, and all state and local laws, while in the library and on library premises.
This list of guidelines is by no means exhaustive or all-inclusive and may be amended from time to time. Patrons violating any one or more of these guidelines will be asked to cease and desist from engaging in such violations and may be asked to leave the premises and/or be barred from all branches of the Cranston Public Library.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 4/12/2017.
The Collection Development Policy offers guidance to Library staff in the selection and retention of materials for the Cranston Public Library and serves to inform the public of the Library’s philosophy for selection and collection maintenance.
The Collection Development Policy is based on the Library’s Mission and the long-established principles of the Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, Freedom to View Statement and Access to Library Resources and Services to Minors, as adopted by the American Library Association.
Collection Objectives
The Cranston Public Library provides a contemporary, relevant collection of resources in a wide range of formats to meet the informational, educational and recreational needs of its community. The Library strives to meet these needs within the limitations of space, staffing and budget. The Library endeavors to make use of new technologies and formats to offer library users the greatest access to information and ideas.
The Library maintains a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction materials with added depth in the area of local Rhode Island history. Materials and formats are not maintained past their relevance. This ensures a collection of current interest to our patrons. Textbooks and materials of a highly technical or specialized nature more appropriate for research or special libraries are generally excluded from the collection.
The Library recognizes that there are ideas, opinions, viewpoints and philosophies which are subject for discussion and debate and that any community will be made up of citizens with divergent viewpoints. The Library endeavors to provide equal access to all points of view within the limits of financial resources and physical space. When judging the merit of materials for purchase, Library staff refer to professional review publications, news media, recommended lists by professional organizations, patron requests, literary awards, and the popularity of similar items. Cultural diversity will be considered in the selection of materials.
Guidelines for Materials Selection
Collection development is based on these specific criteria:
Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for materials selection rests with the Library Director, who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Library Board of Trustees. The Library Director delegates the responsibility for materials selection to library staff.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 1/13/2016
The Cranston Public Library provides our patrons with free use of computers, free access to the Internet, and free wireless access. By using a public computer at the Cranston Public Library the patron agrees to abide by the following policies and terms, as well as the Public Code of Conduct. Violation of these rules may result in the loss of computer access, library privileges or expulsion from the library. Library staff has full authority to enforce these policies and procedures as well as policies related to general behavior in the library.
Rules Governing computer and Internet and wireless access & use
Computer users may not:
Disclaimers
Privacy and Security
Children’s & Teen Computers
Computer Use Information
Assistance
Printing
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 6/10/2015
Revised 7/11/2018
GUIDELINES FOR BORROWING AND USE
PROPER CARE AND USE
I. PURPOSE
The Distribution of Free Publications Policy sets forth criteria for distribution of free publications by area organizations and publishers within the confines of Cranston Public Library buildings.
II. POLICY STATEMENT
In its role as a center of community information, the Cranston Public Library supports the free flow of information and exchange of ideas. The Library, therefore, serves as a point of distribution for certain free publications, within the limitations of space and according to the following criteria. Publications accepted for distribution will:
a) be of general interest, contain significant editorial content, and provide information of wide appeal.
b) focus on local interest/events in Cranston and Providence County
Publications that meet these criteria will be added as space permits on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Distributors must:
a) deliver publications regularly
b) place publications in approved locations
c) discard out-of-date issues by removing them from library premise. Out-of-date issues must be removed by delivery operative. They cannot be discarded in interior or outdoor library trash cans.
d) Receive written permission for each publication to be delivered and complete library free publications application
e) Deliver publications during library business hours
f) Placement of unapproved publications will result in the rescinding of ALL publications previously approved for the offending publisher or distributor.
Failure to meet the criteria will result in loss of privilege of distribution at Cranston Public Library
facilities.
III. APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to distribution of publications throughout the library system.
IV. RESPONSIBILITY
The Library Director is the final authority concerning the acceptance or rejection of publications.
Publications and distributors that disagree with the Director’s decision may appeal that decision to the
Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees.
Download the Application for Free Publication Distribution here.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees September 10, 2014
The Cranston Public Library has limited capacity to accept donations. We will only accept donations of material published in the previous 10 years, in good condition. We will only accept up to 2 boxes of materials per patron per visit.
All donations become the property of the library and cannot be returned. Donations may be added or removed from our collection following the criteria of the library collection development policy. Donations may also be sold in the library book sale.
We will accept the following materials in good condition only:
We will not accept the following:
If you need a receipt for tax purposes, the library will provide one. Federal regulations prohibit the library from giving estimates of value for donated materials.
The library cannot pick up donations. Donations are accepted at library locations during normal business hours. Do not leave donations in the library book drop.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 9/13/2017
Revised by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 11/13/1019
Cranston Public Library deeply values equity of access to information and resources and the pursuit of intellectual freedom for all patrons. In support of these principles, we welcome all members of the community and seek to provide a safe and inclusive space for all visitors, regardless of race or color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, actual or perceived gender identity or expression, disability, age, national or ethnic origin, or socio-economic status.
As such, Cranston Public Library upholds the rights of all individuals to use its facilities without fear of harassment or intimidation, and supports an individual’s right to use the public restroom that corresponds with their gender identity or expression.
Approved by Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees on May 9, 2018
INFORMATIONAL DISPLAYS
The Cranston Public Library permits the distribution and posting of free, printed materials by nonprofit and community groups, educational institutions, and government agencies as display and bulletin board space allows. The library provides this space to meet the community’s recreational, cultural, civic and educational needs.
Such information may be in the form of brochures, flyers, posters, and similar items. The library does not endorse the content of posted materials.
Library postings take precedence over other materials.
Materials for posting must be approved by the director, assistant director or the branch librarians prior to display.
EXHIBITS
Cranston Public Library’s exhibit areas at the Central Library and William Hall Library are available for use by individuals or organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual or charitable activities.
Art exhibitors must meet the “Cranston Public Library Guidelines for Exhibits & Displays” requirements. An Exhibit & Display Release Form must be completed prior to the exhibiting of materials.
The library will take reasonable care to ensure the safety and security of any items but assumes no responsibility in the event of loss or damage of displayed items.
Displaying or exhibiting materials in Cranston Public Library facilities does not indicate endorsement of the content of displayed collections.
Library displays and exhibits take precedence over other exhibits.
The library director may reject any exhibit or display that does not meet with the mission of the library.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 7/8/2015
The Cranston Public Library’s mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and strengthen the community. Programming and displays are an integral component of library service that:
Ultimate responsibility for programming and displays at the Library rests with the Library Director, under the designated authority of the Board of Trustees.
The Library’s staff use the following criteria in making decisions about program and display topics, speakers, and accompanying resources:
The Cranston Public Library believes that socially excluded, marginalized and underrepresented people should be able to see themselves reflected in the resources and programs that the library offers. The Library is a safe space for all members of our community and all programs will reflect that.
In addition, the Library draws upon other resources in developing programs and actively partners with other community agencies, organizations, educational and cultural institutions, or individuals to develop and present co-sponsored public programs. Professional performers and presenters that reflect specialized or unique expertise may be hired for Library programs; performers and presenters will not be excluded from consideration because of their national or ethnic origin, background, or views. Library staff who present programs do so as part of their regular job duties and are not hired as outside contractors for programming.
All Library programs are free and open to the public. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or the views expressed by participants.
Registration may be required for planning purposes or when space is limited. Programs may be held on site at any Library location, off site, or virtually. Some programs may only be offered for specific ages or at specific times or places. However, library staff strive to make programs accessible to all and welcome requests for reasonable accommodations.
Any sales of products at Library programs must be approved by the Library Director. Programs and displays are not used for commercial, religious, or partisan purposes.
The Library reserves the right to cancel a program for any reason at any time. Programs may be cancelled for a number of reasons beyond the Library’s control such as severe weather, building emergencies, absence of the presenter, or low registration. Every effort will be made to contact individuals who have pre-registered. Cancelled programs are not automatically rescheduled.
External organizations or individuals partnering with the Library on programs must coordinate marketing efforts with the Library’s Communications Department.
The Cranston Public Library also rents space to outside groups for programs and meetings. These are outside room rentals with no implicit or explicit collaboration between the group and Cranston Public Library. See our Meeting Room policy for more details.
If a patron has a question about a particular library program; they should first address the concern with a library staff member. Patrons may request a review of a library program and should submit the Request for Reconsideration form. Requests for review of programs will be considered in the same manner as requests for reconsideration of library materials as outlined in the library policy “Reconsideration of Library Materials.”
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 9/10/2020
*This Policy uses information and language from The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Library Programs Policy and the American Library Association Library-Initiated Programs and Displays as a Resource: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.
Please update the Lost and Found Policy on the policy page on the website to:
The Cranston Public Library is not responsible for the security of personal items brought into any library facility. The library is not responsible for theft or damage to vehicles, bicycles or personal property while on the premises. Unclaimed items are managed in accordance with the following guidelines:
• If the owner of a lost and found item satisfactorily identifies the lost item, the item will be returned.
• Perishable items such as food, baby bottles, beverage containers and personal care items will be disposed of immediately.
• Lost and Found items will be dated and stored for a period of fourteen (14) days. Reasonable attempts will be made to contact the owners (to the extent ownership is known) to reclaim their lost items. Items not claimed within fourteen (14) days become Library property. Unclaimed items will then be donated to charity or discarded.
• Certain types of property including unclaimed identification documents, driver’s licenses, credit cards, wallets, laptops and cell phones will be forwarded to the Cranston Police.
• Flash drives left in the library will be held for 14 days. Due to patron privacy library staff will not access data saved on flash drives to determine ownership. After 14 days, flash drives will be wiped and discarded.
• Documents left in library copy machines and scanners will be kept for 7 days then shredded.
• After fourteen (14) days unclaimed books will be given to the Cranston Public Library Association for use in the annual book sale.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 10/12/2016
Revised June 12, 2019
MEETING ROOM POLICY
Central Library Criteria
William Hall Library Criteria
Updated by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 1/10/2018
PARKING POLICY
Parking at all Cranston Public Library locations is for library use only. The Cranston Public Library reserves the right to have vehicles removed from library parking lots for non-compliance. The library is not responsible for theft or damage to vehicles, bicycles or personal property while on the premises. Parking at Cranston Public Library locations is regulated by the City of Cranston Code of Ordinances as follows:
10.28.210 Cranston Public Library Parking Lots
• It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle overnight in any of the parking areas associated with all Cranston Public Library locations.
• It shall be unlawful to use any of the parking areas associated with all Cranston Public Library locations for residential parking at any time.
• Any vehicle violating this section will be subject to towing.
• Temporary parking at a library may be granted by the Library Director.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees on June 12, 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY & RECORDING POLICY
Attendance at Cranston Public Library programs, events and facilities constitutes consent to be photographed and/or recorded for use in print and/or electronic publicity for Cranston Public Library (the Library). Such outlets include, but are not limited to, publications, productions, presentations, displays and the Internet, including Library-sponsored social media websites. Once published, content may be shared or repurposed with or without the consent of the Library. The Library takes no responsibility for the sharing and/or republishing of photograph(s), video(s) and/or recording(s) by third parties, or for the management of content beyond its own publications and websites.
Photograph(s), video(s) and/or recording(s) will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the subject, parent or legal guardian.
If you wish to withhold your consent, please notify library staff.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees January 14, 2015
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST GUIDELINES
The Cranston Public Library adheres to the Access to Public Records Act, R.I. Gen. Laws §38-2-1, et. seq., and has instituted the following procedures for the public to obtain public records.
1. In order to document compliance with the Access to Public Records Act, we request that you complete the Public Records Access Request Form. Completed forms may be mailed to:
Cranston Public Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920 Attn: Library Administration/Public Records Request
or hand-delivered to the Library Administration Office, Cranston Public Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920 during regular business hours.
Regular business hours of the library administration office are Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm.
2. Please be advised that the Access to Public Records Act allows a public body ten (10) business days to respond, which can be extended an additional twenty (20) business days for “good cause.” We appreciate your understanding and patience.
3. Pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 38-2-4, the Cranston Public Library may charge a fee of fifteen cents ($.15) per page and an hourly rate of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour of time spent searching, retrieving and copying documents; however, no fee will be charged for the first sixty minutes of such time. Copies on paper larger than standard legal size, or made available on media different than that on which the information is stored, will be charged at the actual production and/or reproduction cost.
4. You are not required to provide identification or the reason you seek the information, and your right to access public records will not depend upon providing identification or reasons.
5. These guidelines are not exhaustive and the Library reserves any and all other rights that may apply to it under the Access to Public Records Act.
REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
The choice of library materials by patrons is an individual matter. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for the materials that their children borrow. While a person may reject materials for himself or for his children, he cannot exercise censorship to restrict access to library materials by others.
The Cranston Public Library supports freedom and endorses the American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read Statement, Freedom to View Statement, the Library Bill of Rights and all relevant Library Bill of Rights Interpretations. Patrons wishing reconsideration of library materials must complete the Cranston Public Library Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources Form (below) in its entirety. Only signed forms will be considered. The Library Director will acknowledge receipt of the form within two weeks.
The relevant Library Staff will review the library material to ascertain whether it meets the standards set forth in the library’s Collection Development Policy, and will make a written recommendation to the Library Director as to the validity of the request.
The Library Director, after reviewing the recommendation, will decide whether the library material remains on the shelf or is removed and will notify the patron of said decision. A final appeal may be made to the Library Board of Trustees.
Download the Request for Reconsideration of Materials Form here
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 9/9/2015
SAFE CHILD POLICY
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees on 4/10/14
The Cranston Public Library is a member of the Ocean State Libraries consortium which means a library card issued from any OSL library will allow you to borrow materials from any OSL member library. In compliance with state law, the Cranston Public Library extends full access and borrowing privileges without charge to all Rhode Island residents. Information about library services, including hours and locations, are available on the library’s website.
Rhode Island library users are able to borrow materials from non-OSL Rhode Island libraries and out of state libraries using the Interlibrary Loan service. The Interlibrary Loan service (ILL) is governed by the Library of Rhode Island standards. You can request materials through ILL at any Cranston Public Library location by contacting a library staff member. There is no guarantee that the materials requested will be available from another institution. There is no charge for placing an ILL request but the patron is required to pay one-way shipping costs and is subject to normal fines and fees for overdue and lost materials. Interlibrary loan requests are limited to 5 items per week per patron.
The Cranston Public Library participates in complete resource sharing of all circulating materials with the exception of those materials classified as equipment and those materials classified as special loan.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees 7/8/2015
Revised 5/11/2016
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Cranston Public Library (the Library) welcomes interaction with members of the community on various social networking websites, platforms and media. Social media is broadly defined as any web application, site or account created and maintained by the library which allows users to share or obtain information. The intended audience for the Library’s social media accounts is the general public, including residents of communities that are members of the Ocean State Libraries Consortium, visitors to the library, and other interested parties.
The Library invites comments, posts and messages, while recognizing and respecting differences of opinion and upholding the standards of ethics and conduct delineated in the Cranston Public Library Code of Conduct. Comments expressed on the Library’s social media accounts do not reflect the views or positions of the library, its officers, or its employees. Social media users should exercise their own judgement about the quality and accuracy of any information presented through social media. Cranston Public Library will not be held responsible or liable for the content posted to any Library-affiliated websites. The Library further reserves the right to reproduce comments, posts and messages in other public venues, without further permission from subscribers.
The Library seeks to provide social media users with environments free from discrimination and obscenities. Therefore, all comments, posts and messages are subject to review by the Library. The Library reserves the right to remove any comment, post or message that it deems, in its sole discretion, to be abusive, defamatory, in violation of intellectual property rights, or otherwise inappropriate. Content containing the following will be removed:
Disrespectful, inflammatory or off-topic comments
Obscene, racist or otherwise threatening comments
Personal attacks, insults, or harassment
Plagiarized material (quotations without credit lines)
Information that is likely to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
Private or personal information published without consent
Commercial promotions, spam or organized political activity
Hyperlinks and images which meet any of the above criteria
If it happens that any individual repeatedly and/or habitually provides content to Library-sponsored websites that meets the criteria above, the Library may block them from posting any further information to the library’s social media sites, but only after said person has received one warning that they are violating the policies contained herein. Any social media user who has been banned or had a message/content deleted may appeal this decision, in writing or email, to the Library Director.
Email reconsideration requests should be sent to: director@cranstonlibrary.org
Mailed reconsideration requests should be addressed to:
Cranston Public Library
Library Director
140 Sockanosset Cross Rd.
Cranston, RI 02920
Upon receipt, the Library Director will respond to the reconsideration request within ten business days. A final appeal may be made to the Library Board of Trustees.
The Library will not collect, sell, or knowingly transfer to any third parties any personally identifiable information related to social media engagement with the library. Users must understand that social media is permanent, retrievable, and public. Messages can potentially be read by anyone once posted, regardless of status on friends, follower, or subscriber lists. The Library recommends that users do not post their personal information or contact information on social media sites.
Interaction (posting, commenting, or messaging) with any Library-affiliated page, constitutes the indemnification of Cranston Public Library, its employees, its affiliates and the City of Cranston from and against any and all liabilities, judgments, damages and costs incurred by any of them which arise out of or are related to content you post. The Library assumes no liability regarding any event or interaction that takes place by any participant on any Library-affiliated social networking website.
SOLICITATION POLICY
The Cranston Public Library has an obligation to both protect the safety of library users and to ensure that all users can freely access and quietly enjoy the library’s services. Free and unimpeded access to the library building is a necessary precondition for meeting this obligation.
Active solicitation within the library building and the areas of egress to the library and the library parking lot is not permitted unless it is a library function or an activity related to fund raising for the library and under the general supervision of the library staff. Active solicitation refers to any person-to-person communication for the purposes of (1) obtaining contributions and donations, (2) selling merchandise, coupons, or tickets, (3) collecting signatures, (4) distributing educational or promotional materials, (5) recruiting members or clients and (6) financial solicitations/transactions.
The passive solicitation and collection of donations by community-based, non-profit organizations is permitted. Notices may be posted to a public bulletin board and bins placed in approved areas to collect items for this purpose. Use of these resources is subject to the approval of the library director or branch manager. The library assumes no responsibility for contents collected or donated. The library does not permit any exchange of monies or funds for this purpose.
Signs and banners, including lawn signs are prohibited on library property unless it is for a library function or an activity related to fund raising for the library and are approved by the Library Director.
Handbills, flyers, leaflets, pamphlets, or other written material that advertises, promotes, or informs persons about a person, business, company, or food service establishment are prohibited from being distributed on library property or being placed on vehicles in library parking lots.
Candidates with nomination papers may solicit signatures outside of the library building as long as it is done in a reasonable and unobtrusive manner.
Nothing in this policy shall be construed as preventing the sale of publications, artwork, or recordings by writers, artists or performers who have been engaged by the library for a presentation or performance.
The library director shall make the final determination as to whether a solicitation is active or passive, and if the activity is permitted under this policy.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees June 11, 2014
Updated by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees September 13 , 2017
Pursuant to RI General Laws § 11-18-32, § 11-49.3, and § 38-2-2 sub-§ 4(U), and as part of our commitment to intellectual freedom, it is the policy of Cranston Public Library to protect the confidentiality of patron records and the privacy of patron interest and inquiry. Privacy is essential to free speech, free thought, and free association. Confidentiality extends to all records with identifying information about patrons, including their borrowing records, requests for information, materials, and their loan transactions. It also includes their use of library computers, all electronic and print resources they access, all items printed on library 3D printers, and items related to library programs and services. Cranston Public Library will keep patron records confidential and will not disclose this information except as necessary to library staff and vendors for the proper operation of the library, upon consent of the user, pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or as otherwise required by law.
The only exception to this policy is for minors. Parents or legal guardians of children under age 13 may have access to information on their child's library card. Parents or guardians of 13 to 17 year olds may have access to their child’s library record only as necessary to settle their child’s financial obligation to the library.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees May 13, 2015
Approved by the members of Ocean State Libraries May 4, 2017
Revised by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees September 12, 2018
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees May 13, 2015
The Cranston Public Library employs video surveillance camera systems at the Central Library, Arlington Branch Library, Auburn Branch Library, Oaklawn Branch Library, and William Hall Library. These cameras are in use to enhance the physical security of the library, its property, staff and patrons.
We strive to protect the privacy of our patrons and therefore use this equipment in accordance with state laws and retention policies. Images on this system are removed in the shortest amount of time allowed by law. We reserve the right to disclose surveillance camera images to law enforcement personnel voluntarily or upon request.
Approved by the Cranston Public Library Board of Trustees March 14, 2018