Policy Library

Policies are the rules and the principles that guide the operation and the use of the library. They are required by Education Department Regulations (8 NYCRR) § 90.2 as part of the Minimum Standards for New York's Public and Association Libraries. Policies must be reviewed every five years, except for the library's Investment Policy, which must be reviewed annually. It is recommended that all financial policies of the library are reviewed annually. All policies must be posted on the library's website, unless the policy is for internal use only.

Below are sample policies libraries can edit and adopt locally. This page is offered as guidance. It is ultimately the responsibility of every library Board of Trustees to adopt appropriate policies for their institution.

A complete list of Recommended Policies can be found in the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State.

External Policy Samples

• Code of Conduct
• Confidentiality of Library Records
• Selection and Reconsideration of Materials Policy
• First Amendment Response Policy
• Guidelines for Animals in the Library
• Bulletin Boards & Posting Policy
• Incident Report Form
• Meeting Space Policy
• Programming Policy
• Tobacco Use Policy
• Internet Use Policy
• Social Media Policy (for patrons)
• Bed Bug Policy
• Volunteer Policy
• Volunteer Application

Internal Policy Samples

• Code of Ethics
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Credit Card Policy
• Open Meetings Policy
• Public Comment Policy
• Removal or Resignation of a Trustee Policy (if not in ByLaws)
• Emergency & Disaster Plan
• Emergency Closing Policy
• FOIL Policy (public libraries)
• FOIL Policy (association libraries)
• Petty Cash Policy
• Procurement Policy
• Records Retention Policy
• Social Media Policy (for staff)
• Sustainability Policy
• Volunteer Handbook and Policies
• Whistleblower Policy
• Working Remotely Policy

Other Recommended Policies

• Accessibility/ADA Statement
• Bylaws
• Business Continuity Plan
• Circulation & Borrowing Policy
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Financial Policies including:
  • Audit/Review
  • Banking
  • Credit Card
  • Disposition of Surplus Property
  • Fund Balance & Reserve Funds
  • Fundraising/Gifts/Donations
  • Investments
  • Petty Cash
  • Purchasing/Procurement
• Personnel Handbook
• Public Relations Policy
• Sexual Harassment Policy
• Continuing Education/Travel & Conference (if not in Personnel Handbook)

Additional Resources

• OWWL Library System Policies
• Geneva Public Library Policies
• Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State
• Handbook for New Public Library Directors in New York State
• Office of the NYS Comptroller: Investing and Protecting Public Funds
• ALA Library Bill of Rights