Home Delivery Policy
The Fountaindale Public Library District provides Home Delivery service to residents of the Library District to serve the needs of the Library and the Fountaindale community. Use of the Home Delivery service is governed by the policy established by the Library Board of Trustees and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the Library. The Executive Director as the executor of the policy for the Board of Trustees has discretion in determining what use is “in the best interest of the Library” and is authorized to act accordingly, including limiting the use of the Home Delivery service by individuals whose activities interfere with Library operations, adversely affect public safety, or cause public disturbances. The Board of Trustees may modify, amend or supplement this policy, as it deems necessary and appropriate.
Limits for Use
Home Delivery service is available to residents of the Fountaindale Public Library District who are unable to visit the Library or Bookmobile. Patrons of all ages are eligible for Home Delivery service if they are confined to their residences either temporarily due to illness or accident, or permanently due to illness, disability, or other mobility issues.
Guidelines
Patrons applying for Home Delivery service must have a library card in good standing. If a patron does not have a library card, the staff member making the first contact will require the patron to fill out a library card application and issue the library card to the patron during the first delivery. Patrons may apply to receive Home Delivery services by submitting an application on the Library’s website or request a copy of the form from Outreach Services staff. After submission of the form, the Outreach Services Manager shall review the application, and determine whether or not the applicant qualifies for Home Delivery service. If the patron qualifies for Home Delivery service, Library staff will set up an intake appointment to discuss the service and its policies. Dates for temporary Home Delivery service must be provided in writing by the patron and approved by the Outreach Services Manager.
Patrons registered for Home Delivery service may request material by using the library’s online catalog or by calling or emailing the Outreach Services Department. There is no fee for Home Delivery service. Deliveries will be scheduled depending on the availability of staff and preference of the patron.
Replacement costs of borrowed items that are lost or damaged are the responsibility of the home delivery patron.
Home Delivery patrons must provide a safe and appropriate environment for Library staff who make deliveries to their residences. Library staff will not provide assistance with activities of daily living or advice on financial or personal matters.
Regulations
Library staff may choose to not enter a home, to leave a home immediately, and/or to recommend suspension of Home Delivery service if any of the following conditions exist:
- Any person in the home presents threatening, obscene, or abusive behavior, language, gestures, or images.
- Any person in the home is not dressed properly or is in revealing attire.
- Any person in the home harasses Library staff.
- Any person in the home is engaging in illegal activity.
- Any person in the home exhibits signs of illness that may endanger the health of the Library staff.
- Pets are not confined, with the exception of service animals trained to assist a disabled person, as long as the service animals are behaving in a safe manner.
- Pets behave aggressively to or bite Library staff.
- There is no clear and safe pathway to the home (e.g., snow must be shoveled and ice removed)
- The conditions of the home and/or property are unsafe or unsanitary.
- Home Delivery service will not be provided during inclement weather, as determined by the Outreach Services Manager.
- Other conditions or circumstances in which the Library staff are not being treated with dignity or respect or feel that their safety is in jeopardy.
If Library staff must leave the patron’s home sooner than planned, or if Library staff deny service or recommend suspension of service due to the occurrence of any of the above, the Library staff shall provide the Manager of Outreach Services, the Deputy Director, and Executive Director of the Library with notice of why such action occurred. Failure to comply with Library policies, rules and regulations (including this policy) will be grounds for suspension of Home Delivery service for the patron.
Appeal and Review
A person who feels his or her Home Delivery privileges have been wrongly limited or suspended may appeal the decision in writing to the Executive Director within 30 days of receiving notification. The decision of the Executive Director will be final.
The Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library District will review the Home Delivery service policy and regulations periodically and reserve the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Executive Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Executive Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding the use of Home Delivery services. The Executive Director has delegated the authority to approve Home Delivery service requests to the Outreach Services Department staff.
Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of the Home Delivery policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Executive Director in writing. The Executive Director will respond in writing.
APPROVED FEBRUARY 20, 2020
