EAST LONGMEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY

RECIPROCAL BORROWING PRIVILEGES POLICY

In accordance with the State’s Minimum Standard for Public Library Service (Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 78, Section 19B 1 & 6), the East Longmeadow Public Library extends reciprocal borrowing privileges to the residents of the Commonwealth who reside in towns who also meet the standards.

Such reciprocity is not possible when a library ceases to provide services or reduces its hours below a reasonable level for the size of the community it serves.

The only exception to this policy shall be that residents of a community whose public library has been de-certified, who submit written proof that they are East Longmeadow taxpayers, shall retain full borrowing privileges at the East Longmeadow Public Library.

It is, therefore, the policy of the East Longmeadow Public Library to discontinue borrowing privileges to residents of communities who terminate library service or reduce hours of opening to below a reasonable level for the size of that community as determined by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

The Library Board of Trustees, Library Director, and the municipal executives of the affected community will be notified in writing by the East Longmeadow Board of Library Trustees when reciprocal borrowing privileges have been terminated.

The East Longmeadow Public Library Board of Trustees agrees to provide reinstatement of borrowing privileges to all affected borrowers once a library is re-certified.

The “Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges” Policy is subject to review and change by the Board of Library Trustees

Approved by Board of Library Trustees, September 21, 2004
Amended by Board of Library Trustees, June 23, 2005