Policies

Patron Code of Conduct:

The staff and board of the Guilford Smith Memorial Library are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment in which it can carry out its mission to serve the informational, recreational, and inspirational needs of the Village of South Windham and residents of the surrounding area through books, computer and internet access, community resources, programming, and other library resources. In order to effectively do so and to assure the safety and general well-being of Guilford Smith Memorial Library staff, patrons, volunteers, and board members, the Library Board of Trustees has established these rules and regulations:

Any activity that violates federal, state, local, or other applicable law or Library policy is prohibited.
The library has a zero tolerance policy for drugs, smoking/vaping, violence, harassment, threats, weapons, or discriminatory language/actions both within the library and on its grounds.
Anyone using rude, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior or language will be asked to leave. Staff members have the right to call the police if they feel threatened or harassed.
According to Connecticut General Statutes, Sec. 53-21a, no child under age 12 may be left unaccompanied by an adult caregiver in the library or on library property at any time.
Appropriate clothing and shoes must be worn at all times while inside the library.
Any person causing damage to or loss of a library item is responsible for paying for the replacement of that item.
Theft or inappropriate removal or possession of Library/other employee/patron property may result in a call to the police.

Engaging in any of the above can result in being asked to leave the library premises, having the police called, and/or having borrower rights revoked temporarily or permanently at the sole discretion of the Library Director.

Volunteer Policy:

The Guilford Smith Memorial Library (GSML) shall use the services of volunteers to supplement the efforts of paid library staff and interns to provide quality library services.

Volunteers need to present a positive image to the public and are expected to follow library policies and procedures:

All individuals interested in volunteering for GSML must be approved by the Director.
A volunteer is a person who performs tasks for GSML without wages, benefits, or compensations of any kind. Volunteers provide work for the library and will adhere to the same behavior codes as employees.
Volunteers will come in contact with library patrons and serve as a representative of the library. Volunteers must present a professional, friendly demeanor at all times.
This policy does not create a contract between the volunteer and the library. Both the volunteer and the library can terminate their association at any time, for any reason, without cause being stated.
Volunteers under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The library will not accept volunteers under the age of 14 and the library may limit the amount of time that these volunteers can work.
Volunteers must follow all library policies and procedures, especially those relating to confidentiality of library records. Failure to maintain confidentiality will result in immediate termination of the volunteer.
Work performed by the volunteer will be supervised by library staff and the schedule of the volunteer is dependent upon the availability of staff to supervise.
Volunteers must adhere to their schedule and notify the library if they will be late or absent.
Should a volunteer have a grievance with a staff person, another volunteer, or library patron, the situation will be handled by the library director.
The library will provide orientation and training to prepare the volunteer to perform their duties.

View our Volunteer Application

View our Internet Policy

View our Collection Development Policy

Printing & Copying Policy:

Self-Serve Copies:

-Copies are 15 cents/page

-Copies are in black & white, one-sided only

-If you require help, please ask a staff member

-You are responsible for paying for ALL copies made

Printing:

-B&W prints are 15 cents/page

-Color prints are 25 cents/page