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BORROWER RULES AND REGISTRATION
BORROWER REGISTRATION
ADULT
Proof of East Hartford residency is required. We will accept the following: CT Driver's License; state and/or town I.D.; voter registration certificate; postal address, etc.
Borrowers must be 12 and over.
Temporary state residents may receive a card.
Library card is valid for three years.
Lost or stolen cards can be replaced for $1.00.
CHILDREN
A child may receive a card at any age, subject to the approval of a parent or guardian. In special circumstances, children may receive an adult card.
FINES and FEES LOAN PERIOD
BOOKS
ADULT 10 cents per day per item 4 weeks
Children 1 cent per day per item 4 weeks
BOOK CASSETTES 10 cents per item per day 2 weeks
CD'S 10 cents per item per day 2 weeks
CD-ROMS 10 cents per item per day 2 weeks
KITS 10 cents per item per day 2 weeks
VIDEOS 10 cents per item per day 1 week
DVD'S 10 cents per item per day 1 week
GIFTS / DONATIONS
All gifts and/or donations become library property, with all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereof. The library will not offer appraisals for tax purposes. Material added to the collection will be the final decision of the library administration.
EAST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY INTERNET POLICY
Effective: January 20, 2005
Welcome to the East Hartford Public Library and Internet Access! The Internet is an interesting and valuable tool that we hope you enjoy using. In order that we can continue to provide this service to as many patrons as possible, we require all patrons to understand and comply with the following guidelines:
 | Patrons must register at the Adult Reference Desk or at the Children's Circulation Desk prior to operating equipment. |
| Typically, a person will be allowed use of the workstations for one hour per day, including advanced bookings. Additional time beyond an hour may be granted if workstations are available. Additional sessions may be limited to 30 minutes each. Individuals who are more than 10 minutes late for advanced bookings may forfeit their appointment. The library reserves the right to limit usage. |
| Staff assistance is limited. Users must be able to use and/or learn to use the computers and workstations on their own. Basic computer skills are expected. |
| The library reserves the right to limit the use of paper. Please do not remove paper from printers at other workstations. Patrons may provide their own paper if it is approved by the library staff. Most standard grade (20 lb. weight) typing paper is acceptable. Future plans include a nominal charge for paper. |
| DISKS can be PURCHASED at the ADULT CIRCULATION DESK or at THE CHILDREN'S CIRCULATION DESK for 50 cents each. |
| Our equipment is to be used as provided. Personal hardware devices other than headphones provided by the library are not to be attached to our equipment. |
| A maximum of two individuals per workstation is allowed. |
| Downloading/viewing pornographic material is strictly prohibited. |
| No food or drink is allowed at our workstations. |
| Children under 14 are not allowed to use workstations in the adult area unless accompanied by an adult, or enrolled in high school. |
| Parents or guardians of children under the age of eighteen (18) years old are responsible for their child's use of the Internet. |
| Internet workstations in the Children's Room are intended for use by children or children accompanied by adults or guardians. |
| The Internet is a global network with few controls. While some of the information available on the Internet is of very high quality, much material may be less than accurate, authoritative, appropriate, or timely. THE EAST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY IS NOT ABLE TO MONITOR OR CONTROL ALL OF THE MATERIAL AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AND WILL BE HELD HARMLESS ACCORDINGLY. |
VIOLATION OF THESE GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF INTERNET PRIVILEGES.
EXCEPTIONS TO THESE GUIDELINES CAN BE MADE BY LIBRARY STAFF.
EAST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY PLAN
2004-2010
COMPONENTS OF THE PLAN
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Description of the organization |
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Long Range Plan |
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Work Plan |
The East Hartford Public Library consists of a total collection of approximately 200,000 items. The main branch of the system is Raymond Library. Wickham Memorial Library is a small neighborhood branch which primarily serves seniors and children.
ORGANIZATION
The library consists of four divisions: Adult Services; Children's Services; Technical Services; and Branch Services. The following departments function within the divisions: Reference Services, Circulation, Cataloguing, Children's Services, Branch Services, and Maintenance.
COMMITTEES
The library has the following committees: Publicity; Young Adults; Reference Services; Media; Safety; Children's Services; Adult Services; Technical Services; Technology; Outreach Services; Literacy; Museum Services; and Special Collections.
LIBRARY BOARD
A citizen's advisory group consisting of nine members of the community with a minimum of three individuals from the minority party. The Library Director is an ex-officio member.
BRANCH LIBRARY
The branch is designed to serve patrons in the outlying areas of the town. Our attempt is to provide materials emphasizing development in the following areas:
(1) Reference- provide a strong basic collection;
(2) Fiction- provide a representative classical fiction collection and current best sellers;
(3)Non-Fiction- provide the basic, but important, classical works, and current best sellers;
(4) Develop a strong children's collection and supporting activities;
(5) Provide a Literacy Learning Center.
EDWARD E KING MUSEUM
Located on the second floor of Raymond Library, the gift of Edward E. King, this museum contains a unique collection of aviation and tobacco memorabilia. There is no admission charge.
ART COLLECTIONS
Library Purchase Award Collection
The East Hartford Art League purchases an original work of art for the library each year from the award winners at the annual Spring Art Festival.
HENRY HAMMOND AHL COLLECTION
Ahl was an internationally prominent portrait, mural, and landscape painter born in East Hartford on December 20, 1869. The library owns numerous original Ahl works.
LONG RANGE PLAN
COMPONENTS
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MISSION STATEMENT |
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LONG RANGE GOALS |
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OVERVIEW |
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OVERVIEW OF SPECIFIC LONG RANGE GOALS |
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WORK PLAN (OBJECTIVES of the LONG RANGE PLAN) |
MISSION
Provide the most effective library service possible to our patrons as a provider of popular and scholarly reading materials, quality reference services, and a wide range of activities, materials, and services for children and adults.
The library strives to meet the needs of the community, gathering and selecting all types of material, representing all points of view. The library has an educational or civilizing aim of offering information and knowledge that will lead to an informed citizenry.
Overall Department Mission
Promote and support reading and learning for all ages and provide free and open access to information and ideas.
LONG RANGE GOALS
GENERAL
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Improve library services in all departments by defining and implementing specific goals and objectives; |
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Provide state of the art technology in all libraries; |
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Improve accessibility for the physically challenged at all libraries; comply with the American Disability Act requirements; |
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Develop and improve public relations/fund raising activities; |
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Define and implement capital improvements; |
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Complete a major addition at Raymond Library. |
OVERVIEW
The explosion of new technologies creates the challenge of training both the staff and the general public to become skilled users. The library department will continue the transition from traditional, non-technological methods of delivering library services towards automation. It is important that we maintain the ability to meet the needs of our patrons with the most sophisticated tools. The capital costs for these new services are generally high; not doing them will cost us more in many ways. We will attempt to get more revenues from non-budget sources through increased emphasis on grants and fund raising. A professional fundraiser should be part of any solution. An increasing reliance on volunteerism is necessary. This year particular emphasis will be placed on starting a Friends group.
The physical plants of our libraries have been upgraded to accomodate the increasing demand for a variety of services, but more needs to be done. A new phone system, repairing leaks in our roof, and planning for a future major addition to the building are just a few of the tasks ahead.
We have finished a major renovation of a portion of Raymond Library. The side entranceway is a good example of an improvement that helped postpone a much greater addition by redefining existing space and operational patterns.
A strong public relations/marketing program is essential to draw attention to the quality and diversity of our services.
Improvements in retention and salaries of temporary employees have been achieved. It will be important for us to increase the number of full time and temporary employees in any attempt at better servicing the public. Particular emphasis will be placed on Reference, and Children's services. In many instances, a minimum of two trained individuals per shift are needed in these departments.
0VERVIEW OF SPECIFIC LONG RANGE GOALS
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BUDGET The goal should be to reach the state standard for libraries of 1.5% of the town budget. We are currently funded at approximately half that amount. (Top Priority) |
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STAFFING The library staff has decreased from 21 full time employees in 1988 to 14 today. We are far below the minimum recommended staffing levels of any public library in Connecticut of similar size. Greater emphasis on training, particularly public relations courses, greater incentives for professional degrees, and continued movement towards a more competitive salary level with libraries in surrounding towns are important considerations. Additional professional level positions should be reinstated if we are to properly serve the community. Additional positions to be added would include: reference librarians and children's librarians. A minimum of two (2) full time professionals with the MLS and demonstrated experience are necessary. (Top Priority) |
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TEMPORARY SERVICES BUDGET This budget should be increased to $110,000. I t is currently $71,400. There is a need to hire professionally trained and experienced librarians for the Children's Department, the Reference Department, and the branch library. Minimum requirements should include an MLS and demonstrated experience and proficiency in this type of work. This is particularly important in any effort to give the public quality professional support with research requests in the Reference Department, as well as supporting the various creative activities in the Children's Room. A minimum of four (4) part-time professionals are needed in both areas. Additional staff will be necessary to properly supervise additional areas created by redefining meeting space. (Top Priority) |
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FUND RAISING The library does a limited amount of fund raising through book sales, and such programs as the memorial book fund. We need to have a committed plan with financial goals that have to be met within a reasonable time frame. An on-going relationship with a professional fund raiser could be beneficial. See Marketing/Promotion. (Top Priority) |
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CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN This plan reflects stated needs in budget, work plan, architectural plan, etc. The library's physical plant needs a formal plan which addresses short and long range needs. We have seen much improvement since working with the town's facilities manager. Such things as signage, electrical capacities, elevators, A.D.A. compliance, and fire/security systems should be included. This plan should include a study by a professional library architect. |
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RAYMOND LIBRARY ADDITION The last major addition addressing the needs of the library collection was completed in 1968. It was projected for a 20 year growth period. A long range architectural plan should be completed. This would help with planning as well as with fund raising. The Capital Improvement plan includes this project. The recent side entranceway project at Raymond Library has enabled us to redefine space to the extent that we should be able to postpone this project for a number of years. Without the side entranceway project, this would not have been true. Planning for the future should begin soon. |
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REDEFINE EXISTING MEETING ROOM SPACE The library board and the Library Administration are reviewing a number of options to redefine use of the existing meeting rooms. This will result in the best use of our existing limited space, affording reasonable time to plan for future expansion. (Top Priority) |
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A.D.A. COMPLIANCE The library currently follows the mandated plan to improve conditions; it should surpass minimum requirements whenever possible. Improvements such as automated doors, TTY machines, and ramps for the physically challenged have been added in recent years, but there is much more to be done. Our goal is to make the library completely accessible for the staff and the public, serving as a model for any agency. |
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FRIENDS There is no Friends of the Library group currently. There is tremendous potential for success with the right leadership. This year we will attempt to organize a viable group. |
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COLLECTION PRESERVATION The library has a rich collection which combines general works and some locally important and valuable material which should be preserved. Activities should include creating an archive, a plan for preserving old photos, and properly defining and housing the "East Hartford Collection." Many items should be converted to digital format, i.e., E. H. Gazettes, historically important town photos, town records, etc. This will also aid in maximizing limited space. |
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MARKETING / PROMOTION The library relies on the good will of local newspapers and cable television, as well as flyers and promotional pieces made by library staff. A marketing consultant should be hired to help develop a plan . |
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PROGRAMS / ACTIVITIES The library currently offers a wide range of activities and programs for both children and adults. We will continue to encourage ideas and suggestions from the public, the friends, the library board and other sources to keep these programs fresh and successful. |
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PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY The library has established many new partnerships with community groups. Involving all staff in the local community must continue to be an important part of our service strategy. A recent example is the partnership with Literacy Volunteers CT River East to establish a literacy center at Wickham Library. |
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SAFETY / SECURITY The library currently holds membership on the town's safety committee and provides a portion of the library staff with an annual CPR class. The library department will continue to explore and implement improved security for the buildings as well as the collections. |
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TECHNOLOGY A long range technology plan exists; it needs continued updating to keep our libraries modernized. |
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REOPEN HOCKANUM LIBRARY. |
WORK PLAN
The library submits an annual work plan containing the objectives of the Long Range Plan to the Mayor. The work plan is the working tool of the Long Range Plan. It is updated and implemented on a continuing basis, and is completely revised annually. The following is a sample of the items included in the work plan:
OBJECTIVES
DEPT. PLANNED PROJECT BY WHEN STATUS COMMENTS
Ray Lib Evaluate Emergency Lighting 7/05
Ray Lib Acquire coin -op fax machine for public use 9/05
Ray Lib Remodel Community Room Kitchen 12/05
Ray Lib Acquire Display Cases 6/05
Ray Lib Cable TV in Lobby 12/04
Ray Lib Paint Cataloger's Office 12/04
Ray Lib Acquire Digital Camera 12/05
Ray Lib Weekly Farmer's Market 7/04
Ray Lib Paint staff room 12/05
Ray Lib Acquire new Interior Signage 12/05
Ray Ref Establish Genealogy Collection 4/05
Ray Ref Digitize E. H. Photo Collection 9/05
Ray Ref Hire 2 professionally trained ASAP
Reference Librarians
Wick Lib Obtain Historic Building Plaque 12/05
Wick Lib Acquire New Sign 11/05
Ray Child New carpet for entire room ASAP
Ray Child Acquire New Shelving 9/05
Ray Lib Reorganize Meeting Room Space 12/05