Policies

Appropriate Library Use Policy
The Bossier Parish Library System is supported by the taxes of Bossier Parish residents who expect each of our facilities to be clean, comfortable, and safe places for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, and attending Library programs and meetings. To this end, the Library Board of Control is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers, and staff, and for preserving and protecting the Library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.

Art Display Policy
In keeping with its vision and mission to meet the educational and recreational needs of the community, the Bossier Parish Library offers display space at various branches for local and regional artists to display their original works of art. The purpose of the art exhibits is to enrich the library experience for patrons and to provide a venue for artists to display their creations to the public. The presence of any particular display does not indicate endorsement by the Library or its Board of Control.

Banning Policy
The purpose of banning is to address inappropriate behavior of a patron and to remove the problem individual from the library environment where the public and staff are affected. The expectations in this policy also apply to children as outlined in the Child Safety Policy. All bans are system-wide and will be enforced at all Bossier Parish Library locations.  Anyone who has been banned has the right to appeal the decision (Ban Appeal Form).

BPL Delivers Policy
BPL Delivers helps fulfill the library's mission by offering services to Bossier Parish residents who are homebound due to illness, disability, age, or are otherwise physically unable to visit the library.  Residents are considered homebound if they have a condition that restricts their ability to leave their place of residence without assistance.  In most circumstances, if a resident drives, the individual would not be considered homebound.

Borrowing Materials Policy
See Lending Policy.

Child Safety Policy
Bossier Parish Library is dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming, and friendly environment for patrons of all ages.

Donation Policy
The library welcomes donations of books and other library materials. Materials are particularly welcome which fall within the scope of the library's Collection Development Policy and which are not already held within the library's collections.

Electronic Access Policy
In conjunction with its mission to open doors to ideas and information by providing access to an array of materials, programs, and technologies that inform, educate, and entertain, the Bossier Parish Library offers the privilege of Internet access for educational, research and information purposes. This privilege, however, carries with it personal responsibilities.

Hiring Policy
Bossier Parish Libraries believe that hiring qualified individuals to fill positions contributes to the overall success of the library.  Each employee is hired to make significant contributions to the library.  This policy establishes guidelines for the selection process to assure it is consistent and identifies the best-qualified applicants, based on merit, qualifications, and abilities.

Fines and Fees Policy
See Lending Policy.

Lending Policy
This policy outlines lending periods, renewals, holds, limits, and replacement costs by material type; which also includes fees for value-added services and lost and damaged materials.  This policy supersedes the Borrowing Materials and Fines & Fees Policies as of January 23, 2020.

Meeting Room Policy
In keeping with its vision to be Bossier Parish’s leading source of information and learning to enable the community to imagine, explore, and discover the world, the library provides meeting rooms at no charge for public meetings of a civic, cultural or educational nature, when not needed for library purposes. These rooms may be used by members of the community for the presentation and exchange of information and opinions of all kinds. The library makes these rooms available on equal terms to all persons and groups, regardless of opinion or affiliation. The use of meeting rooms does not imply the library’s endorsement of any ideas expressed in the meeting nor of the goals, objectives, or ideals of the person or organization using library facilities. No advertisements or announcements implying such endorsement will be permitted.

Photo Release Policy
Bossier Parish Libraries prides itself on providing a safe and enjoyable experience to all users.  The library also recognizes that there are times when the need to capture a permanent image of an event is important.  Attendance at programs and events sponsored by the library may be recorded through photography and/or video.  The library frequently uses photos of patrons in its publications and social media to promote the value, and use of, library products and services, and to advance the mission of the library.  Library buildings are public spaces and entrance into the library constitutes permission to be photographed.

Proctoring Policy
In support of its mission to open doors to ideas and information by providing access to an array of materials, programs, and technologies that inform, educate, and entertain, Bossier Parish Libraries staff will proctor exams for students upon request and availability of personnel, facilities, and technology.
(Application for Proctoring Service)

Reference Services Policy
Bossier Parish Library offers reference services in support of its mission to open doors to ideas and information by providing access to an array of materials, programs, and technologies that inform, educate, and entertain.

Registration Policy
The Bossier Parish Library System issues library cards free of charge to all residents of Bossier Parish. Persons who live, attend school, own property, or employed in Bossier Parish are eligible for a library card. A valid library card entitles the owner to borrow any materials from Bossier Parish Library which are available for loan. All library cards are subject to the rules governing the borrowing of library materials from the Bossier Parish Library System as outlined in the Borrowing Library Materials Policy.

Social Media Policy
Bossier Parish Libraries recognize that social media is regularly used as a form of communication.  In an effort to better serve the education, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of its patrons, the library uses social media to increase awareness of and accessibility to its programs, resources, and services.  The library wishes to encourage dialogue and new learning opportunities with the communities it serves and is committed to providing an online environment that is engaging, enlightening, and entertaining.

Sex Offenders Policy
In accordance with its by-laws, the Bossier Parish Library Board of Control has adopted on this 27th day of September, 2012 the following policy for the purpose of:
1. Compliance with the statutory mandates set forth in La. R.S. 14.91.2.
2. Protecting children from contact with persons who have been convicted of sex offenses where the victim was under 13 years of age.  

Volunteer Policy
The Bossier Parish Library Volunteer Program is designed to expand and enhance public service to the community. Volunteers contribute in every department and are a valuable resource for the library. They bring the library enthusiasm, energy, added talent, and a fresh perspective. Volunteers are liaisons to the community and by their contribution are advocates for quality library service.