WEST SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
MEDIA RELATIONS POLICY
The Library Director shall serve as the spokesperson for the Library. Only the Library Director is authorized to make comments or statements to the press (electronic, print, or other) regarding Library issues. On occasion, Library staff may speak directly to members of the media for a story on their specific area provided they first notify the Library Director. All press releases, notices, or letters to the editor must be approved by the Library Director prior to submission.
In the event of critical breaking news at the Library, no one is authorized to speak to the media except the Library Director. The Library Director will inform the Mayor of the issues before releasing a statement to the media. In times of crisis, it is imperative that all information comes from one source (the Library Director). The news media will be looking for “reaction” as well as eyewitness accounts of the incident. Library staff should be aware that any comment made, even to another staff member, could be picked up as a direct quote in a news report or article, and staff should defer any request for comments to the Library Director.
Board of Library Trustees Approved 07/25/2023
WEST SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY COMPUTER USE AND INTERNET POLICY
The West Springfield Public Library (WSPL) is committed to free and open access to information. Materials are provided in a variety of formats and services to help people obtain information that meets their personal, education, cultural, and professional needs. The WSPL computer system provides an opportunity to integrate electronic sources with other information networks that are local, national, and international in scope.
Internet Usage:
The Internet is an unregulated medium, hence, WSPL cannot verify accuracy, timeliness, usefulness, validity of information, availability of sites, or content of information found on the Internet. Users are urged to carefully evaluate information gathered from the Internet.
The WSPL is not responsible for damage or any liability arising from access to or use of information obtained through our Internet computers. The WSPL neither censors access to materials nor protects users from information they may find offensive. Internet computers can only be used for legal, ethical purposes. The library reserves the right to terminate a computer session at any time.
Statement of Parental/Guardian Responsibility:
Parents or legal guardians are responsible for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their minor children. As with other library resources, supervision or restriction of a child’s access to the Internet remains the responsibility of a parent or guardian.
Wireless Internet Access:
The West Springfield Public Library also offers wireless access to the internet for laptops and mobile devices. In order to gain access through the Library's hotspot, you must choose the LibraryPublicHotspot from the list of connections and accept the Library's Computer Use and Internet Policy.
There is no password for the Library hotspot, however, it will not connect to the internet unless the Policy has been agreed to by the wireless user.
The Library’s network is neither secure nor encrypted. Use of the West Springfield Public Library wireless network is at the user’s own risk. It is recommended that personal information such as Social Security account numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other such information, not be transmitted using the wireless network.
Staff Assistance:
Staff will be glad to assist users as time and knowledge permit. However, staff is not available for extensive instruction. Library staff cannot guarantee expertise for every site, program, or problem encountered online. Because of the many applications available, staff may not always be familiar with specific programs users wish to use. In these cases, the users are responsible for learning the program. Circulating and reference books and manuals for self-instruction are available. Please ask a librarian.
Unacceptable Uses of the WSPL Computers:
The following are not allowed:
- Viewing legally obscene materials.
- Violating state or federal laws regarding unauthorized use of computing resources or networks.
- Interfering with the intended use of the information resources.
- Attempting to alter, reconfigure, or damage computer software or hardware, including installing personal software on a library computer.
Approved by the Board of Trustees 11/24/98 Amended 5/25/99; 12/17/02; 07/26/22
WEST SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
HISTORY/GENEALOGY COLLECTION POLICY
Mission
The purpose of the local history collection is to preserve and make accessible materials that document the history of the West Springfield Public Library and the town of West Springfield. The West Springfield Public Library will preserve and maintain these materials for future generations by using accepted preservation methods, and by providing access to the materials under safe and secure conditions.
Materials may be reviewed in the Local History Room when open. Otherwise, patrons may view materials under the guidance of Adult Services.
Local History Room
Scope
The focus of the collection will include materials about the history of the West Springfield Public Library and of the town of West Springfield, Massachusetts, and, to a lesser extent, materials about the surrounding geographical area that establishes West Springfield within its historical context. Emphasis is also given to the acquisition of those materials which will contribute to a knowledge of the region’s social, civic, religious, economic and cultural life, past and present. Some examples include town records and directories. Genealogical records and family histories pertaining to founding families of West Springfield may be collected. The Library Director and Board of Trustees will be responsible for determining which items will be included in the collection.
Acquisition Policy
The collection emphasizes material of significant local and historical value as determined by the Library Director and Board of Library Trustees. The local history collection includes materials by and about the people of West Springfield, founding families, West Springfield High School yearbooks, cemetery maps, maps, personal papers, manuscripts, deeds, books, historically significant scrapbooks, genealogical information, ephemera, etc. Final decision for inclusion of materials is at the discretion of the Library Director and Board of Library Trustees.
The Library welcomes donations to its Local History collection that meet the conditions below. All donated materials must be free of dirt, mold, moisture, and pests and should be in good condition. When the library receives a donation, a letter of receipt will be sent to the donor. The Library is not responsible for appraising donated materials.
- Acceptance of additions to the permanent collection shall be made on the following conditions:
- Consistency with the library’s mission and the purpose of the Local History Room
- Educational, interpretive and or/exhibit value
- Intrinsic value possessing rarity, uniqueness or association with important events or individuals and must be in acceptable condition
- Any available documentation regarding the donation should be included with the item
In accepting donations, the library shall be cognizant of the space limitations inherent in the Local History Room, the Library’s ability to properly preserve the item, the potential usefulness of the item, and the suitability of the materials in the library as opposed to other area collections. The library, in accepting donated materials for placement in the Local History Room, does so with the understanding that the donated materials will be an asset to the Library’s collections. The library reserves the right to decline gift offers. Gifts which are out of the scope of the Local History Room or which require more resources to preserve and make available than the library can provide will not be accepted. All acquisitions become the unrestricted property of the West Springfield Public Library.
Discarding Materials
The West Springfield Public Library reserves the right to withdraw materials that do not fit within the scope of the Local History Room collection. Withdrawn items may be returned to donors, offered to other depositories, offered to the Historical Commission, or discarded. The Library Director and Board of Trustees will be responsible for decisions regarding the disposition of these materials.
Preservation of Materials
The Local History Room’s prime preservation responsibility is to its collections. A goal of the Local History Room is to maintain and preserve items consistent with their use and significance to the collection. Considering user needs and the Library’s investment in its collections, the Library will use preservation measures such as appropriate storage, security, and handling.
Adopted October 22, 2019 by the Board of Library Trustees
West Springfield
Board of Library Trustees
Thank you for expressing interest in serving as a trustee of the library. A seat opens when a trustee's term expires or there is a resignation. When either occurs, all applicants will be given consideration by the Mayor who brings names to the attention of the City Council. Following a vote, the mayor appoints new trustees who are sworn into office by the town clerk.
The Town of West Springfield now has a convenient Google Form for those who wish to serve on various boards, including the Library Board of Trustees. Interested parties can click on this link: Request for Appointment for Volunteer Boards/Committees and select "Library Board of Trustees" from the drop down menu.
DESCRIPTION:
Members of the West Springfield Board of Library Trustees:
- Are appointed by the mayor and approved by the Town Council to serve a 3 year term
- Attend monthly Board meetings; reviewing, minutes, agenda, and prepared materials in advance
- Act in cooperation with the Director of the library and understand general library operation
- Serve on subcommittees; participate in conferences and library legislative events
- Establish, review and update Trustee bylaws and library policies annually or as needed
- Is informed about, advocates for, and represents the library and its services in the community
Participates in ongoing strategic planning - Adheres to the Massachusetts Public Meetings Laws
- Supports basic library tenets such as: Intellectual Freedom, Freedom to Read, Confidentiality of Patron Records, Library Bill of Rights, and the Public's Right to Information
- Actively participates in library related workshops and activities by Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and other library professional organizations
- Becomes aware of local, state and federal library laws and issues, taking action when appropriate, and contacts local and state elected officials as needed
- Abides by majority decisions reached by the Board and publicly supports these decisions
- Keeps up with current library trends and practices through:
- Reading the literature
- Attending professional meetings
- Visiting other libraries
- Talking to trustees from other libraries
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Commitment to provide the best possible library service for the community
- An abiding interest in the library and the community
- Support for local, state, and national library organizations, joining those deemed most appropriate
- Readiness to devote time and effort to the duties of trusteeship
- Ability to work with people, lead meetings, and communicate effectively