Purpose

1. Reserve Fund refers to the difference between assets and liabilities in governmental funds. The reserve fund serves as a measure of the financial resources available to a government agency. The Manitowoc Public Library Board of Trustees has approved a Reserve Fund Policy that establishes a range at which the General Reserve Fund balance should be maintained.
2. This policy is established to provide financial stability, cash flow for operations, and the assurance that the Library will be able to respond to emergencies with fiscal strength.

Definitions

The five categories of reserve fund, as established by Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 54, are as follows:

1. Nonspendable – amounts that cannot be spent because they are not in spendable form (e.g., principle portion of permanent fund, inventory).
2. Restricted – amounts not available for expenditure due to external restrictions, including grant restrictions, laws, or regulations.
3. Committed – amounts that are designated for specific purposes by formal action of the Library Board. (The Library Board may reverse this action if it is later determined the funds are needed for another purpose.)
4. Assigned – amounts management (i.e., Executive Director) intends to use for specific purposes.
5. Unassigned – refers to amounts available for any purpose.

Unrestricted reserve fund refers to the total amount of committed, assigned, and unassigned fund balances.

Note: The Library will spend the most restricted dollars before the less restricted, in the following order: restricted, committed, assigned, unassigned.

Level of Unrestricted Reserve Fund

It is the goal of the Manitowoc Public Library Board of Trustees to maintain no less than 10% and no more than 15% of operating expenses in the General Reserve Fund.

Should the General Reserve Fund fall below 10% of General Reserve Fund revenues a plan for regaining compliance with the policy shall be submitted to the Library Board of Trustees. In the event the General Reserve Fund Balance is above 15%, the difference must be used for property tax relief and/or one-time capital expenditures, which do not increase ongoing Library costs.

Restricted Fund Balances

Funds that are provided by a specific line item in the annual property tax levy are legally restricted to the purpose of that fund.

Monitoring Targets

The Executive Director in conjunction with the Manitowoc Public Library Board of Trustees will monitor revenue collections, expenditures, and availability of cash by reviewing monthly financial reports. The Executive Director shall advise the Board whenever revenue projections suggest that revenue will fall short of expectations, unexpected expenditures will exceed budget, or fund target(s) may not be met by the end of the fiscal year.

Reserve fund balances may fall occasionally outside of the target ranges because of special projects, construction, emergencies, other extenuating circumstances, and/or levy restrictions.

This Reserve Fund Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Manitowoc Public Library Board of Trustees.

Board Approved April 27, 2021

Policy:

The Manitowoc Public Library Board recognizes that a gift to the library is a gift to the community. Therefore, monetary and material gifts are both welcomed and encouraged.

According to the Wisconsin State Statues. 43.58 (Powers and Duties), the library board shall have exclusive control of the expenditure of all moneys collected, donated or appropriated for the library fund.

Implementation:

Monetary Gifts

Monies gifted to the library in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, etc. may be used for special projects, programs and services as the Board of Trustees may determine to enhance the Library’s ability to provide the best possible services to the community it serves.

Unrestricted bequests and gifts made to the Manitowoc Public Library may be assigned by the Manitowoc Public Library Board of Trustees to the Manitowoc Public Library Foundation and treated as if the bequest was made to the Foundation.

Other Donations

Donations of art objects, portraits, antiques and other museum objects are accepted or rejected on the basis of suitability to the library’s mission, décor and availability of space, as well as the understanding that the Library Board of Trustees has the authority to make whatever disposition is deemed advisable which may include the sale or transfer to another agency.

Requirement of special housing or special handling of any item proposed as a gift may render it unacceptable.

Materials

Materials gifted to the library in all formats are subject to the Manitowoc Public Library Collection Development Policy. Any items not added to the collection will be given to the Friends of Manitowoc Public Library. Friends of MPL will either make those items available for sale at its ongoing or special event sales, or dispose of the items, as they see fit.  The library staff with provide an acknowledgement of the material donation but this will not include a value of the material.

The following items are useful to the Friends of Manitowoc Public Library:

• Hardcover editions of works by popular authors
• New paperbacks (under a year old), particularly romances that are in great condition

The following items are not useful and can incur a recycling cost to the library:

• Encyclopedias
• Textbooks
• National Geographic magazines
• Other magazines

Memorial Donations

Manitowoc Public Library accepts and encourages donations to be made in memory of the deceased or for other significant life events, like the birth of a child or anniversaries.  Memorial donations for books will be acknowledged with a bookplate; In Memory of (Honoree’s Name) by (Donor’s Name (s).

To make a memorial donation please use the form on the library’s website www.manitowoclibrary.org or contact the Business Office 920-686-3041.

Board approved 4/8/10

Library Mission: The mission of Manitowoc Public Library (MPL) is to promote a culture of reading and to provide access to information. Through services, we strive to foster an environment that meets the educational, recreational and cultural needs of the community.

Purpose: Manitowoc Public Library's spaces are designed primarily in library-related activities. When they are not needed for programs sponsored by the Library, they will be available for use by other groups, subject to policies established by the Library Board.

Meeting Room Use: The Library welcomes use of its meeting rooms by persons or organizations for informational, educational, recreational, cultural, and civic meetings. Meeting rooms may be used free of charge for programs sponsored by governmental agencies, non-profit educational and cultural organizations, and community service agencies. Use of meeting rooms for social gatherings (parties, showers) and for-profit entities will be charged a fee (see page 3). Priority will be given to library-sponsored programs, followed by city, county, and state agencies; nonprofit, civic and community organizations; and then for-profit and private entities. In cases where a library or library-sponsored use conflicts with an earlier booking, the non-library booking may be cancelled or rescheduled. The Library will make every effort to avoid these conflicts; however, time-sensitive opportunities may present themselves and the Library is obligated to pursue them to fulfill its primary mission. Scheduling of a meeting in the Library does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group or organization by the Library.

Recurring Meetings

Outside of use for library and library-sponsored functions, meeting rooms should be made available to the widest possible use of the community so long as this outside use does not interfere with the normal functions of the Library.

• If the meeting room is needed by the Library for meetings or special programs, the group using the room on a recurring basis will be contacted and asked to meet in another location.
• The Library reserves the right to refuse meeting room bookings for groups whose recurring use of a room monopolizes that space and interferes with the ability of other groups to meet.

Room Use Guidelines

The Library reserves the right to restrict or revoke access to our meeting rooms for any entity, group, or person that fails to adhere to theses established guidelines. Compliance with these guidelines is essential to ensure the safety, functionality, and integrity of the facilities for all users. Non-compliance may result in the denial of future use privileges without prior notice and at the sole discretion of MPL.

General:

• All meeting room users and activity participants must follow the Library’s Code of Conduct.  
• Meetings or programs which would interfere with the functions of the Library or of patrons using the Library will not be permitted.  Meetings or programs which are approved, but which prove disruptive to Library operations, shall immediately cease those actions upon notification to do so by Library staff.
• No person's right to attend a public meeting will be denied or abridged because of origin, age, race, sex, background, views, sexual orientation, disability, membership or lack of membership in an organization or group, or for any other reason.  
• Non-library sponsored events taking place in meeting rooms may not involve sale of items (with exceptions approved by Library Management), admission charges, fundraising activities, or solicitation of donations.
• Non-library sponsored events must state this disclaimer in all public advertising: “This event is not sponsored by Manitowoc Public Library.”
• A group or individual may only reserve rooms for a maximum of three months in advance.
• Meeting rooms will not be booked for attendance of fewer than three people.
• Occupants may not exceed the stated occupancy for the room and must comply with the capacity for the designated room setup.
• Meetings of individuals under 18 years of age must have an adult sponsor present and remain present throughout the length of the program or activity.
• Repeated cancellation may result in suspension of meeting room privileges.
• Approval of events not included here will be determined by the Library Director, or designee, who is authorized to establish reasonable regulations governing use of the meeting rooms and related fees.

Facility Use and Safety:

• Clean-up is the responsibility of the organization and persons using the room. Waste that does not fit in the regular bins provided must be removed by the organization.
• Light refreshments may be served but cooking is prohibited.  
• The Library does not provide supplies for refreshments.
• Participants may not tape or attach anything to walls.
• Use of any flames is prohibited, including matches, candles, incense, sterno, etc.
• Use of balloons is prohibited due to sprinkler system safety.
• Library does not provide storage space.
• Groups are responsible for any loss or damage to Library property and will be assessed the cost of any necessary repairs or extensive cleanup.

Fee Structure:

Room use fees apply to profit-making organizations and social gatherings. Fees include use of media equipment but not supplies for refreshments. Payment for room use fees must be made prior to or at the time of the meeting.

Room Rates

Policy:

Freedom of access to information is a responsibility. The Internet enables the Library to provide access to a wealth of resources available outside of the physical collection to individuals of all ages. However, the Internet also enables access to some materials that may be considered offensive and/or illegal. The library does not support access to these types of materials and requires users to comply with the laws that govern internet use.
Guidelines for acceptable use of Internet resources include the following:

• Use resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only; and not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.
• Respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.
• Do not send, receive, or display text or graphics that may be construed as obscene or that may be harmful to minors, as defined by Federal and State statute.

Implementation:

Unacceptable use of the Library’s Internet access will result in discipline ranging from:

• A verbal warning up to denial of computer privileges, determined by the Library Director.
• Exposing a child to sexually explicit conduct is a violation of Wisconsin State Statute § 948.055 and is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 years, or both.
• When deemed appropriate by the Library Director, reports shall be forwarded to the Manitowoc Police Department or other appropriate law enforcement agency.

Board Approved 7/23/2012

The Manitowoc Public Library strives to provide through continuous evaluation, a program of reference and information services which accurately and efficiently meet the informational, educational, recreational and cultural needs of the community.

Policy Objectives

Manitowoc Public Library staff will strive to:

• Provide accurate, timely, up-to-date reference services whether questions are asked in person, over the telephone, by email, or through the various communication systems.
• Select and make readily available suitable and timely resources which meet the ongoing needs of patrons.
• Instruct patrons in the use of library materials, technology, equipment and facilities.
• Cooperate with other community agencies, organizations, libraries, the Manitowoc-Calumet Library System in their efforts to better serve the community.
• Periodically evaluate patron satisfaction and reference services by various methods.

Liability

The Manitowoc Public Library does not guarantee the accuracy of information contained in any materials owned or obtained by the Library; the Library is not liable for any consequences or damages the user of library materials may suffer based on actions taken or decisions made using information from the Library.

Ethics/Confidentiality

Service is made available to all patrons on an equal basis, regardless of age, gender, race, creed or status.  Each request is taken seriously and treated with respect.  All reference questions are confidential.

Priorities

Available resources, i.e. personnel, material, staff time, equipment, and facilities, may vary from time to time, and services will be adjusted accordingly.

Effective July 22, 1991

Library Mission: The mission of Manitowoc Public Library (MPL) is to promote a culture of reading and to provide access to information. Through services, we strive to foster an environment that meets the educational, recreational, and cultural needs of the community.

Purpose: This policy provides a step-by-step process for individuals to express an opinion on specific library services and ensures that concerns are handled respectfully and consistently.

The role of Manitowoc Public Library (MPL) is to provide opportunities that will allow individuals to freely examine and/or utilize resources in accordance with the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements. While individuals are free to reject for themselves what they do not approve of, they cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of access to others.

After reviewing MPL’s Collection Development Policy, Intellectual Freedom Policy, and Programming Policy, individuals are encouraged to contact the Library Executive Director to meet and discuss their concerns. Should that discussion prove unfeasible or fail to address the individual’s concerns, they may complete and submit a Request for Reconsideration of Library Services form.

Procedure: The Library will consider only one Request for Reconsideration at a time. Each Request may only address one item, resource, or concern. For example, one title, one author, one program, one display, etc. Once a Request has been reviewed and a decision made by the Executive Director, or the Board upon appeal, 12 months must pass before that particular item/concern will be eligible for review again. If the Executive Director concludes that a Request is redundant, they will notify the individual that the item/concern in question, having already undergone the review process, will not be reevaluated.

To request reconsideration

• Obtain a Request for Reconsideration of Library Services form from any Manitowoc Public Library service desk. (Reasonable accommodations to obtain the form will be made upon request.)
• Complete the form in its entirety and return it to the Library. The completed form will be given to the Executive Director for action.
• The Executive Director will inform the Library Board President (via email) and will contact the individual to acknowledge receipt of the form and estimated timeline for response.
• The Executive Director will review the resource or service in question in its entirety, conduct research, review applicable policies, and consider the patron statement.
  • During the review process, the material will remain accessible; the program, display, policy, or event will not be cancelled.
• The Executive Director will inform the individual of the decision in a written response, inform the Library Board President that the Request is complete, and inform the full Library Board with the decision at the next monthly Library Board meeting.

To appeal: If the individual is not satisfied with the Executive Director’s response and decision, they may appeal to the MPL Board of Trustees. An appeal may include any additional information provided by the individual and attached to the notice of appeal.

• Any notice of appeal and additional information must be received by the Executive Director in writing (email or letter) within 14 days of the date of the original decision. The Executive Director will notify the Library Board President (via email) and will inform the individual of the estimated timeline for response.
• The appeal will be made an actionable Agenda item at the next monthly Library Board meeting.
  • The MPL Board of Trustees will review the Executive Director’s decision to ensure that it is in accordance with this policy.
  • Discussion of the decision and appeal is allowed, followed by a vote to approve or reject the Executive Director’s decision.
• Please note this Board meeting will be conducted in Open Session. The Request for Reconsideration form, the Executive Director’s research and decision, and appeal notice communication will be made public.
• The decision of the MPL Board of Trustees is final.
• The Executive Director will respond to the individual in writing with the Board’s decision.

Definitions:

Library Materials: Includes books, periodicals, pamphlets, pictures, photographs, audio recordings, films, DVDs, software, databases, microforms, posters, displays, educational toys, and any other form or format in which information and ideas may be conveyed, either existing or as may be developed.

Program(ming): A facilitated or passive activity that takes place in person or virtually and includes, but is not limited to, speakers, instruction, events, presentations, films, concerts, exhibits, displays, artwork, or other formats that support the Library’s mission.

Board Approved 2/26/2024

Policy

Borrowing privileges are extended to any resident of the City of Manitowoc and other residents within the library system boundaries

Implementation:

• Library card holders are entitled to borrow any item in the library’s circulating collection and to use other services provided by the library. In the case of specialized borrower’s cards, some restrictions apply.
• If a library card is lost, it must be reported to library staff so that the lost card may be invalidated. The cardholder will be held responsible for any use of the card prior to it being reported lost. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for material checked out on their children’s card.
• If a cardholder has incurred fines above the given limit, the cardholder cannot use library services until the fines are paid.
• Patrons may also sign a library consent form, which authorizes others to do business on the cardholder’s behalf.
• The library cannot place limits on what children check out or on internet usage. Parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s library activities.
• Manitowoc Public Library card privileges must be renewed every two years. Cards can only be renewed when all fines and fees are paid.

Approved by Board of Trustees – October 28, 2013