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Mission Statement

Our Vision

The Library is a forum for ideas and a source of information for the enrichment of the entire Nashua community.

Our Mission

The Library serves our community by providing access to resources for information, inspiration and enrichment.

Our Values

The Library - its Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers - is committed to the following values:

We value the library as a public forum: it is a community facility for open communication of ideas and information; its collection, displays, programs and services reflect an array of opinions and viewpoints.

We value the community by actively participating in it and endeavoring to enhance the quality of its life.

We value full and equal access to information, the building, its services and its programs.

We value the collection of and accessibility to information in up-to-date, existing, and emerging formats: print, electronic, audio and video.

We value our customers by responding to them with equal, respectful, accurate and friendly service in a safe environment.

We value the many contributions we receive each year from Friends, volunteers and donors and we endeavor to respect the wishes of all who leave bequests.

We value reading and learning and promote both for all ages.

We value the privacy of our users by keeping their transactions strictly confidential.

Code of Conduct

The United States Court of Appeals decision (Kreimer vs. Bureau of Police for the Town of Morristown, N.J., 1992) found that a library is a "limited public forum" created for the specific purpose of providing public access to materials. Further, the library may draft rules of behavior that assure that the library is used for the general purposes for which it is intended.

Rules

  1. The Nashua Public Library System will uphold all state laws and local ordinances in regard to public behavior.
  2. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building. Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, using library materials, or attending library programs, shall be required to leave the building.
  3. The following list of activities not associated with the use of a public library are specifically prohibited:
    • Smoking within 25 ft. of the building
    • Sleeping
    • Eating, drinking
    • Bringing food/ drink into the library
    • Bringing animals into the library (except disability aid dogs)
    • Abusing or vandalizing library facilities or equipment
    • Rearranging/ disarranging library furnishings or materials
    • Damaging/ mutilating/ cutting pages from library materials
    • Using restrooms for washing clothes, bathing, or shaving
    • Using the wrong restroom
    • Bringing a weapon into the library unless authorized by law (a person authorized to carry a weapon must notify library staff that he/she is carrying a weapon in the library)
  4. Patrons shall respect the rights of other patrons and staff and shall not harass or annoy others by:
    • Noisy or boisterous activities
    • Staring at another person
    • Following another person
    • Playing audio or electronic equipment so that others can hear it
    • Singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues
    • Behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other patrons or staff
    • Soliciting funds or offering any goods or services for sale (unless authorized by the library Director)
  5. Patrons shall not interfere with another person's use of the library or with the library personnel's performance of their duties.
  6. Patrons shall maintain bodily hygiene that is not so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons.
  7. Children under the age of seven shall not be left alone in the library.
    • Responsibility for all children using the library rests with the parent/guardian or assigned chaperone and not with library personnel.
    • - Adults unaccompanied by a child who do not require immediate materials from the Children's area shall be asked to relocate to other areas of the library.
  8. Any person violating any of these rules shall be required to leave the building and may be subject to legal action upon the discretion of the library Director.


Gift Policy

The Nashua Public Library welcomes gifts of library materials, money or real property. These gifts help enrich and improve public library resources.

Monetary contributions are added to the library's Trust Fund and are allocated by the Library Board for the purchase of materials or programs too expensive or specialized for the regular budget.

Memorial books or other library materials may be donated in honor of a friend or relative, and are marked with a special bookplate.

Used books and paperbacks can often be used in the library's collection. Items not needed by the library are sold at a book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Nashua Public Library.

Generally, the library does not accept textbooks or books in poor physical condition. Used magazines are given to the Friends.

The library may or may not accept donations of specialized collections. A decision will be made on an individual basis by the Library Board of Trustees, based on the recommendation of the Library Director.

The library applies the same criteria for evaluating gift items as it applies to purchased material. Gifts will be withdrawn in the same manner as purchased material. The library does not accept responsibility for notifying donors of withdrawal or replacement of gift items.

All gifts are tax deductible and the library will furnish a statement for tax purposes, but does not place a financial value on used items.

No gifts are accepted unless given to the library without restriction. All gifts may be utilized, sold or disposed of in the best interest of the library. All donations are accepted only if the Library Director feels they can be utilized by the Library.


Computer Use

Computer Use Policy

By using computers at the Nashua Public Library you acknowledge that you have read the Computer Use Policy below and agree to abide by it. Failure to follow the Policy may result in the suspension of library computer privileges. Willful and malicious damage to equipment will result in suspension of library services and/or may result in the prosecution of criminal charges [RSA 202-A:24].

Please report any infractions to library staff.

  1. Computer users must use their own valid Nashua Library card or Computer Card. Those that do not qualify for a Library card will be issued a Computer Card (a valid photo ID is required). Users may hold either a library card or computer card but not both. Use of other’s library cards/computer cards constitutes a violation of this policy and will result in suspension of library computer privileges. Teens ages 12 to 17 must have a library card, computer card, or valid ID with them to present to library staff if requested.
  2. Computer users must be considerate of others. Disruptive loud conversations and inappropriate language and behavior will not be tolerated.
  3. Food, drink, and cell phone conversations are not permitted in or around the computer areas. Personal items should not be left unattended. The library is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  4. No more than two persons are permitted per computer in the Winer Room, the Business area and the Teen Homework area. No more than one person at a time is permitted on a Teen Room computer.
  5. Winer Room, Teen Room, and Teen Homework Computer users are limited to 1 hour of computer use per day. If no one is waiting, the system may extend time up to an additional hour (in increments of 15 minutes).

    Users of Business computers are limited to 1 hour of computer use per day. If no one is waiting, the system may extend time up to four additional hours (in increments of 15 minutes).
  6. Prepaid printing is available at a cost of 10¢ per page for black and white prints and 25¢ per page for color prints. In order to set up a prepaid account, customers must add a minimum of one dollar at a time. Prices are subject to change. Printing of offensive or inappropriate material is prohibited.
  7. Users may not disrupt or interfere with other users, services, or equipment. Intentional disruption of computer systems and networks is a violation of NH state law and users will be held responsible.
  8. Users may not represent themselves as another person or use computer access to transmit obscene, threatening, or harassing materials. Users may not intentionally expose staff or others to offensive or inappropriate material.
  9. Users must respect the legal protections to data and software provided by copyright and license law.
  10. Users must accept responsibility for determining the suitability of content for themselves and their children.
  11. Teens ages 12 to 17 may use filtered Internet access in the Teen Room. Teens must have signed permission from a parent or legal guardian to use less restrictive Internet access in other areas of the library.

    Children ages 11 and under may use filtered Internet access in the Children’s Room.
  12. The Internet offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages. It is, however, an unregulated medium with a highly diverse user population. The Nashua Public Library provides a mechanism to restrict access to specific sources determined to be inconsistent with its mission. The library cannot control or monitor the vast amount of material accessible via the Internet. It ispossible that individuals might access information they personally find offensive or disturbing.

    CM 6_20_07


Póliza para Uso de Computadoras
  1. Los usuarios de computadoras deben usar su propia tarjeta válida de la Biblioteca Nashua o Tarjeta de Computadora. Los que no califican para una tarjeta de Biblioteca recibirán una Tarjeta de Computadora (se requiere un ID con foto válido). Los usuarios pueden poseer una tarjeta de biblioteca o una tarjeta de computadora, pero no ambas. El uso de la tarjeta de biblioteca o tarjeta de computadora de otra persona constituye una violación de esta póliza, y terminará en la suspensión del privilegio del uso de computadoras. Los adolescentes entre 12 y 17 años deben poseer una tarjeta de biblioteca, tarjeta de computadora o ID válido consigo para mostrar al personal si se le pida.
  2. Los usuarios de computadoras deben estar considerados de otros. No se permiten ni altas conversaciones trastornadas ni lenguaje inapropiado y comportamiento.
  3. No se permiten ni comida o bebidas ni conversaciones altas por teléfono celular en o cerca de las áreas de computadoras. No deben dejar desatendidos ítemes personales. La biblioteca no es responsable por ítemes personales perdidos o robados.
  4. No se permiten más de dos personas por computadora en el Cuarto Winer, el área de Negocios y el área de Tarea Adolescente. No se permite más de una persona en una computadora del Cuarto Adolescente.
  5. Se limitan los usuarios de computadora a una hora de uso de computadora al día en el Cuarto Winer, Cuarto Adolescente y área de Tarea Adolescente. Si nadie está esperando, el sistema puede extender el tiempo de uso hasta una hora adicional (en incrementos de 15 minutos). Los usuarios de las computadoras de Negocios se limitan a una hora de uso de computadora al día. Si nadie está esperando, el sistema puede extender el tiempo de uso hasta cuatro horas adicionales (en incrementos de 15 minutos).
  6. El imprimir pagado por adelantado es disponible a .10 la página por blanco y negro y .25 la página por colores. Para establecer una cuenta pagada en adelante, un cliente tiene que añadir por lo menos un dólar a la vez. Los precios pueden cambiarse. Se prohibe el imprimir de material ofensivo o inapropiado.
  7. No se puede ni trastornar ni estorbar a otros usuarios, servicios o equipaje. El trastornar intencional de sistemas y redes de computadoras es una violación de ley de NH, y los usuarios serán responsables.
  8. Los usuarios no pueden representarse como otra persona o usar la computadora para transmitir materiales obscenas, amenazadoras u hostigantes. Los usuarios no pueden exponer ni a personal ni a otras personas materiales ofensivos o inapropiados intencionalmente.
  9. Los usuarios deben respetar las protecciones legales a data y a software proveídas por las leyes de propriedad literia y licencia.
  10. Los usuarios deben aceptar la responsabilidad para determinar la propiedad de uso para sí y para sus niños.
  11. Los adolescentes entre 12 y 17 años pueden usar acceso del internet filtrado en el Cuarto Adolescente. Los adolescentes necesitan tener permiso firmado de un padre o guardián legal para usar el acceso internet menos restringido en otras áreas de la biblioteca. Los jóvenes de los años 11 y menores pueden usar el acceso internet filtrado en el Cuarto de Niños.
  12. El Internet ofrece una riqueza de materiales que enriquece personalmente, profesionalmente y culturalmente a personas de todas las edades. Sin embargo,es un mediano sin reglas con una población de usuarios sumamente diversa. La Biblioteca Pública Nashua provee un mecanismo para restringir acceso a fuentes específicas determinadas ser inconsistentes con su misión . La biblioteca no puede ni controlar ni supervisionar la cantidad vasta de materiales accesibles por el Internet. Es posible que unas personas puedan acceder alguna información que encuentren ofensiva o trastornada.



Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

  1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
  2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
  3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
  4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
  5. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
  6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948. Amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, inclusion of "age" reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.