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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8595 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8595 May 4, 2004 Page 1 of 3 p � To the Mayor and Members of the City Council x '873 SUBJECT: Library's Policy on Materials that are Loaned to Children and sander what Conditions. The purpose of this Informal Report is to report to Council the status of their request "to examine the Library's policy on materials that are loaned to children and under what conditions." We reviewed current policies as they relate to issuing library cards to children and the borrowing privileges associated with the use of the card. As part of this process, we also compared our practices to those of other libraries in the country, had discussions at meetings of the Library Advisory Board and Friends of the FWPL, Inc., considered legal precedents for children's rights to library services, and gathered input from selected City of Fort Worth department directors. Our current policies have been in effect for a number of years with minor changes such as the definition of"teen"and "youth" card. At the present time: • Library cards for ages 14 and under are issued as juvenile cards and require parent or guardian signature on the application. One item may be checked out upon registration without a parent's signature. • Library cards for ages 15-19 are issued as teen cards and do not require parent or guardian signature on application. Five items may be checked out on an application. • Identification to verify residency is required for all library cards. • Library cards may be used to check out all library materials, including videos, books-on-tape, CDs and DVDs. • Parent or guardian may obtain card for child with proper identification. • Signed application states that parent or guardian is responsible for their children's choice of material. The survey conducted indicates that Fort Worth Public Library's policies and practices are consistent with those of other urban library systems and have evolved as the community has changed. Like most libraries, each branch and the Central Library have sections with material that are specially selected to meet the needs and interests of children and adolescents. Staff is available to help children and parents find age appropriate materials; however, they do not restrict young people's access to any of the library's collections. Responsibility for materials selected and read or viewed by children and adolescents rests with their parents or legal guardians. Since the late 1960s, the America Library Association (ALA) has supported policies granting minors equitable access to quality library services and materials. In 1972, new language was added to the Library Bill of Rights that reinforced the concept that only parents have the right and the responsibility to restrict rj ,the access oftheir children to library resources, including videotapes and other audiovisual materials. r ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8SCA.. May 4, 2004 40ATL14tdo To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 3 V-X &J" 1678 SUBJECT: Library's Policy on Materials that are Loaned to Children and under what Conditions. Input from the several focus groups we conducted varied. Several members of the Library Advisory Board were surprised to learn that there were no restrictions placed on a child's ability to check out videos; but these same individuals expressed an understanding of the library's policy on parental responsibility. Some members of the department heads' group also articulated similar concerns about access to videos; but were in agreement that parents should guide their children's selections One final component of our study was a review of the complaints we have received concerning children checking out "inappropriate" materials. In fact, there have been no formal written complaints filed and only two verbal expressions of concern made to the customer service staff at the checkout desk at the Central Library. There were no reports of negative comments from the branch libraries. Based on the considerations that are enumerated above, the Fort Worth Public Library's policies on borrowing privileges for children will continue unchanged. We recognize that parents have the ultimate right and responsibility to instill values and guide their children in accessing library resources, including videotapes and other audiovisual materials. We also acknowledge the Library's role in assisting parents within the basic principles of intellectual freedom and in support of our mission to provide materials in a non-judgmental environment. Acting upon the advice of the Library Advisory Board (August 4, 2003), the Library will explore the feasibility of a "limited access card" for youth. The "limited access card" gives parents the opportunity to choose limited or unlimited access for their children. This action will coincide with the implementation of the new Integrated Library System (FY 05) when it will be necessary to re-issue all library cards. Please direct questions to Gleniece A. Robinson, Library Director, at 817-871-7706 or via city email. J son City Manag r ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No- 8595 May 4, 2004 Page 3 of 3 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council rfXA SUBJECT: Library's Policy on Materials that are Loaned to Children and under what Conditions. POLICIES OF OTHER LIBRARIES City Parent Consent Total Access to Collection Special Restrictions Age (.Video/DVD) Denton 16 and under Yes Arlington 17 and under Limited Parent selects total or limited access card Irving 13 and under Yes Dallas 13 and under Yes Carrollton 17 and under Limited Parent signs special form for video use Piano 17 and under Yes Austin 17 and under Yes El Paso 13 and under Yes Houston 13 and under Yes San Antonio 13 and under Yes Atlanta 12 and under Yes San Diego 17 and under Limited Parent signs special form for video and cd use Tulsa 15 and under Yes Chicago 14 and under Yes New Orleans 11 and under Limited No videos until age 18 Tucson 11 and under Yes Seattle 12 and under Yes Charlotte 12 and under Limited No one under 12 may check out videos or DVDs. Ages 13-17 must have written permission from parent Fort Worth 14 and under Yes ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS