On One Summer Day at the Library ...

847 patrons come through our doors between 9:30 am and 9:00 pm.

Early in the morning we receive 14 bins from other libraries:  bins filled with materials that our own patrons requested from other libraries, and our own materials that are being returned to us.   We send out 9 bins of items that were requested by other libraries.

Staff members retrieve 216 items from the shelves to fulfill requests from our own patrons and from other libraries.

739 items are on hold shelves waiting to be picked up by patrons who requested them.

CIRCULATION:

Adults and teens check out 931 books, 143 DVDs, 58 books on CD and 7 Playaways.

466 children's hard cover books, 43 children's books on CD, 1 children's Playaway and 87 children's DVDs are checked out.

We circulate 26 electronic games in the adult department and 9 in the Children's Department.

21 magazines go home with our patrons. --- 4 patrons apply for a new Library card.

1 patron registers with OverDrive. --- 4 patrons check out e-books or e-audio books from Overdrive.

9 museum passes are checked out.

REFERENCE:

139 patrons ask reference questions in person and on the phone.

An out-of-town patron emails the Library with a genealogy inquiry.

106 searches are run using online databases.

A grandmother books an appointment with one of our librarians to learn how to join Facebook.

ACTIVITIES:

50 little ones and their caregivers are enjoying "Pattycake Place" in the Children's Room.

850 children from age three to students entering fifth grade signed up for our summer reading program, and about 75 of them play "spin the wheel for checking out Library books" every day.

38 job seekers attend a workshop on interview tips in the Large Meeting Room.

6 patrons come to a knitting group in our Small Meeting Room.

In the evening, 18 ‘tweens and teens are playing Wii games in the Large Meeting Room.

ONLINE:

164 patrons use our Internet PCs.

26 patrons use our wifi access.

22 patrons reserve museum passes online through our website.

Mission Statement of the Winchester Public Library

The Winchester Public Library is a dynamic community resource that endeavors to improve the quality of life for its Library patrons by providing

• General Information to meet the need for information on a broad array of
  topics related to work, school and personal life.
• Current Topics and Titles to enlarge and improve the opportunities for
  relaxation, recreation, and restorative reflection.
• Lifelong Learning opportunities for both adults and children that begin
  by fostering a loveof reading and an awareness of the resources
  available in the public library.

To accomplish these endeavors, the Library relies upon a professional staff, a broad collection of current materials in a variety of formats, suitable information technology, and a well-maintained facility for patrons.

The Library Board of Trustees has adopted the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights.

(March 30, 1999.)

Free Access to Libraries for Minors

An Interpretation of the Library Bill Of Rights

Some library procedures and practices effectively deny minors access to certain services and materials available to adults. Such procedures and practices are not in accord with the Library Bill Of Rights and are opposed by the American Library Association.

Restrictions take a variety of forms, including, among others, restricted reading rooms for adult use only, library cards limiting circulation of some materials to adults only, closed collections for adult use only, collections limited to teacher use, or restricted according to a student's grade level, and interlibrary loan service for adult use only.

Article 5 of the Library Bill Of Rights states that, "A person's tight to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views." All limitations on minors' access to library materials and services violate that Article. The "right to use a library" includes use of, and access to, all library materials and services. Thus, practices which allow adults to use some services and materials which are denied to minors abridge the use of libraries based on age.

Material selection decisions are often made and restrictions are often initiated under the assumption that certain materials may be "harmful" to minors, or in an effort to avoid controversy with parents. Libraries or library boards who would restrict the access of minors to materials and services because of actual or suspected parental objections should bear in mind that they do not serve in loco parentis. Varied levels of intellectual development among young people and differing family background and child-rearing philosophies are significant factors not accommodated by a uniform policy based upon age.

In today's world, children are exposed to adult life much earlier than in the past. They read materials and view a variety of media on the adult level at home and elsewhere. Current emphasis upon early childhood education has also increased opportunities for young people to learn and to have access to materials, and has decreased the validity of using chronological age as an index to the use of libraries. The period of time during which children are interested in reading materials specifically designed for them grows steadily shorter, and librarians must recognize and adjust to this change if they wish to serve young people effectively. Librarians have a responsibility to ensure that young people have access to a wide range of informational and recreational materials and services that reflects sufficient diversity to meet the young person's needs.

The American Library Association opposes libraries restricting access to library materials and services for minors and holds that it is the parents -- and only parents -- who may restrict their children -- and only their children -- from access to library materials and services. Parents who would rather their children did not have access to certain materials should so advise their children. The library and its staff are responsible for providing equal access to library materials and services for all library users.

The word "age" was incorporated into Article 5 of the Library Bill Of Rights because young people are entitled to the same access to libraries and to the materials in libraries as are adults. Materials selection should not be diluted on that account.

(Adopted June 30, 1972; amended July 1, 1981, by the ALA Council.)

Statement on Professional Ethics, 1981

Introduction
Since 1939, the American Library Association has recognized the importance of codifying and making known to the public and the profession the principles which guide librarians in action. This latest revision of the Code Of Ethics reflects changes in the nature of the profession and in its social and institutional environment. It should be revised and augmented as necessary.

Librarians significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, librarians are members of a profession explicitly committed-d to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.

Librarians are dependent upon one another for the bibliographical resources that enable us to provide information services, and have obligations for maintaining the highest level of personal integrity and competence.

Code of Ethics
I. Librarians must provide the highest level of service through appropriate and usefully organized collections, fair and equitable circulation and service policies, and skillful, accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests for assistance.
II. Librarians must resist all efforts by groups or individuals to censor library materials.
III. Librarians must protect each user's right to privacy with respect to information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired.
IV. Librarians must adhere to the principles of due process and equality of' opportunity in peer relationships and personnel actions.
V. Librarians must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of an institution or professional body.
VI. Librarians must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the employing institution.

(Approved by ALA Council, 1981 Annual Conference)