Daily operations

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Adaptive technology stations and the ADA (search station management)

These guidelines are intended to help staff manage the use of adaptive technology stations (ATS) effectively

Library services

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Plan of Service

Plan for serving patrons with disabilities

Facilities

Animals in County Buildings - FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Facilities

Animals on Library Premises

Guidelines for animals in the library and definition of a service animal

Facilities

Assistive Listening Systems (ALS)

Information about ALS systems

Library services

Badge Audits

Information about badge audit processes for Multnomah County Library

Facilities

Branch emergency checklist

Evaluation Considerations - Building and Surrounding Area Use these guidelines to help you and others to make a decision

Facilities
Safety and security

Building survival

Information and supplies necessary to operate in an efficient and timely manner.

Facilities
Safety and security

Bulletin Board Regulations

Policy for public use of bulletin board spaces. It details procedures for posting materials and maintaining bulletin boards at all locations.

Facilities
Library services

Cellular phones

Cell phone use is permitted by the public within Multnomah County Library buildings and should be regulated by MCL Behavior Rule #22

Facilities
Safety and security

Chestfeeding and breastfeeding in the Library

Information on chestfeeding and breastfeeding at library locations, includes rules and guidance for lactation rooms for use by patrons.

Facilities

Children at work

Policy regarding employees' children at work

Facilities

Children left alone in the library after closing

Policy and procedures for staff to assist a child left alone at closing time. It includes guidelines for contacting parents, police, and security.

Facilities
Library services
Safety and security

Closures: community emergencies and short-term library closures

How staff can help patrons during short-term closures and when there are community emergencies, like inclement weather. keywords - fire, weather, emergency, closure

Circulation
Library services

Comments and complaints from patrons

Information on the process for handling patron feedback, including policies and procedures. It details steps for handling paper comment cards and online submissions via Knowledge Tracker.

Collections
Facilities
Library services

Community rooms policy

Policy and procedural information for use of the community rooms (previously referred to as meeting rooms and study rooms).

Facilities
Library services

Complaints about library materials

Information and guidelines for responding to concerns from patrons about library materials, including statement of concern forms. The entry also provides information on the library's commitment to intellectual freedom.

Collections
Library services

Computer Lab Policy

Computer Lab Policy

Library services

Computer System Emergencies

PolicyStaff will promptly report emergency problems with the ILS or the network to appropriate personnel to prevent or mitigate damage to the system.ApplicationEmergency...

Safety and security

Computers: guidelines for extending public computer tme

Link to guidelines for Extending Public Computer Time

Library services

Critical incident response procedures

Critical Incident Response Procedures for Location Leader and PIC, EMT PIC and Post-Incident Response Team.

Safety and security

Customer use of own equipment in library

PolicyCustomers may use their own equipment in the library only when the use of this equipment does not interfere with other customers' use of the library.Application...

Safety and security

Defective Materials, New

New items which are defective to the vendor within these specified guidelines

Collections

Defining Library Premises

Explanations of boundaries of "library premises" for use in enforcing library rules.

Facilities

Delivery

Multnomah County Library provides an interlibrary delivery service that facilitates the movement of materials throughout the library system.

Facilities

Display cases/exhibits

Procedure for using library display cases and exhibit areas. Includes guidelines for the Central Library's Collins Gallery and branch libraries, covering scheduling, installation, and publicity.

Library services

Distribution of Free Community Materials

Procedures and guidelines for distributing brochures, newspapers, and other printed materials.

Facilities
Library services

Donations and gifts of materials and money

What do to with donations and gifts of materials and money

Circulation

Early learning and play pieces

Care and maintenance procedures for the Early Learning Play pieces

Facilities

Emergency Closure/Change in Library Hours

Policy and Procedure for closing or delaying the opening of a library due to inclement weather. It details how staff are notified (Telephone Tree) and the actions they should take to ensure the safety of both staff and patrons.

Facilities
Safety and security

Emergency opening cash for branch libraries

Emergency opening cash policy and procedure for branches

Facilities

Evacuation waiting area

Information about helping patrons in mobility devices during an emergency

Library services

Facilities and building management

PolicyThe Facilities and Property Management Division of Multnomah County is responsible for building and grounds maintenance throughout the library system.Procedures...

Facilities

Guidelines for patrons charging personal devices

Use these factors to help patrons charge personal devices safely and successfully

Facilities

Guidelines for public announcement system use in library locations

These guidelines provide more information about what PA systems should and should not be used for.

Facilities

Headphones: loaning, disposal and free earbuds

This policy clarifies when libraries should loan headphones or give away earbuds; how libraries should ensure that headphones are returned; how patrons should be charged for lost or damaged.

Library services

Hostage situation

PolicyTake immediate steps to provide for the safety of customers and staff in case of a hostage situation.ProcedureIf you are taken hostage:...

Facilities
Safety and security

Infested materials

PolicyWe recognize our obligation to provide library materials that are in good condition and free of pests. Infested library materials should not be returned to circulation until they’re...

Circulation
Collections
Facilities

Intellectual Freedom

Multnomah County Library upholds the principles of intellectual freedom and the public's right to know by providing people of all ages with access and guidance to information

Collections
Library services

Internet guest pass

Link to Internet guest pass procedure in the Circulation Manual

Circulation
Library services

Interoffice Mail

This page describes how to send interoffice mail to other branches in the library system and also other departments within the county.

Circulation

Library Administration at Albina (ADM): guidelines and procedures

Library Administration at Albina is located on the first floor of the Albina Library on the Russell Street side. It houses the following workgroups: Business Services, the Director’s Office, Equity and Inclusion, Human Resources, the Office of Project Management and Evaluation, and Volunteer Services.

Facilities

Library Safety Liaison Redeployment Process

Procedure for finding coverage for LSL absences.

Facilities
Safety and security

Location Standards of Excellence

Standards for library spaces, including service desks, facilities, collections & merchandising, furnishings & computer equipment, wayfinding & service signage, promotional signage, and spaces designed for youth.

Marcom

Location Standards of Excellence

Guidelines for maintaining the appearance and function of branch public, meeting, and staff areas

Facilities

Lost articles

PolicyLost articles found in library premises are held for thirty days....

Circulation
Facilities

Lost Children

How how to help any child lost in the library

Facilities
Safety and security

Mail room

How thee Ops Center mail room operates, where materials go from there.

Circulation
Collections
Library services

Marijuana – response guidelines

Information about handling Marijuana in library locations

Safety and security

Media policies & procedures

Policies and procedures for interacting with the media. It designates official spokespeople and provides guidance for staff on how to handle media inquiries.

Marcom

Media Tips for Multnomah County Library Employees

Guidance for what to do when a reporter or media outlet calls or enters the library and requests information.

Marcom

Midland Library Premises

Map showing shape of Midland Library property

Facilities

Minimum Staffing

Minimum Staffing Procedure flow charg

Safety and security

Offsite Service Safety Guidelines

Staff who work in an outreach setting have increased vulnerabilities, here are some guidelines to help keep you safe. Last updated: 8/2/23

Safety and security

Operations Center (OPS): guidelines and procedures

General information about working in the Library Operations Center building

Facilities

Patron exclusions and privacy

Multnomah County Library will share limited information about excluded customers with public and private agencies that have a demonstrated need to access this material.

Facilities
Safety and security

Patron responsibility for use of multimedia discs in personal equipment

The library offers multimedia disc items, including Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs, for use at patrons' discretion and does not assume any responsibility for damages

Circulation

Patron use of library phone

The policy for patrons using library phones.

Safety and security

Person in Charge

Person in Charge (PIC) policy

Facilities

Petitioning, soliciting and hand-distributing of written materials at the library

Policy for petitioning, soliciting, and hand-distributing written materials at approved Multnomah County Library locations.

Library services

Photography and Video in the Library

Explains when permission is required and provides contact information for the Public Communications Manager. The document also emphasizes patron privacy and restricted filming locations.

Facilities
Library services
Marcom

PIC phone numbers

These numbers are to be used only for PIC related situations....

Safety and security

PIC phone procedures

Procedures for using the PIC phones

Safety and security

Prayer

Policy on prayer in public spaces and gives guidance to staff on handling patron inquiries and requests related to prayer.

Library services

Printing & copying

Procedures for printing and copying

Library services

Problems with Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers at library locations

How to respond to reports of problems with our EV chargers

Facilities

Public location reopening manual

This document has been created by the MPAP Safety + Security subteam to assist locations opening for modified service with identifying how to address a variety of safety and security related scenarios

Facilities

Reasonable accommodations for patrons with disabilities

Policy for providing reasonable accommodations to patrons with disabilities, per the Americans with Disabilities Act. It details procedures for handling accommodation requests, including interim accommodations and exceptions to library rules. The document also includes guidelines for requesting sign language interpreters.

Circulation
Library services

Reasonable accommodations for patrons with disabilities FAQ

Answers for: What a reasonable accommodation is and why we offer it, when to submit a request for reasonable accommodation, how to submit an accommodation request, what to expect in the process, how to support an accommodation, and who to contact with questions.

Circulation
Library services

Reassigning staff during closures

Link to reassigning staff during closures document (pdf)

Facilities
Safety and security

Recycling

The library practices extensive recycling for a large number of materials and objects.

Facilities

Repairs and mending

Information on mending and recasing.

Circulation
Collections

Reporting stolen loaner laptops and other devices

Policy and procedure for reporting stolen devices

Safety and security

Request for Information

Follow this procedure if you are asked for library records by a law enforcement officer.

Safety and security

Responding to Requests for Legal Verification and Declaration

...

Collections

Security Camera Use in the Library

Policy and guidelines for the use of security cameras in Multnomah County Library locations. It covers Security Camera Locations, Access to Digital Images, Use and Disclosure, and Retention of Digital Images. Also details authorized staff and procedures for handling requests for video footage, including those for security incident report purposes.

Facilities
Library services
Safety and security

Sensory rooms at the library policy

Information about sensory rooms for patron use, including a link to the policy and additional guidance for staff on monitoring, managing use and access, and cleaning of the rooms.

Library services

Sensory tools for youth

Information about Sensory Accommodation Kits in children's areas and items available in teen spaces, including cleaning information and requesting replacements 

Library services

Social Software Policy

Multnomah County Library's policy on social software use by staff. It covers content creation, both on and off the job, staff responsibilities, and moderating public content. It defines social software, addresses employee free speech, and provides guidelines for professional online conduct.

Employee resources
Marcom

Staff identification badge policy

Policy for wearing ID badges while on duty.

Facilities

Staff Parking at Library Locations

PolicyMultnomah County Library requires that employees who park their cars in a branch library parking lot use those spaces that are farthest from the public entrance to the building....

Facilities

Staff use of personal library accounts

How library staff should use their personal library cards to comply with ethics laws and standards.

Circulation
Facilities
Library services

Staff Use of Personal Library Cards

Link to Staff Use of Personal Library Cards in the Circulation Manual.

Circulation
Facilities

Statistics

PolicyThe Multnomah County Library collects and records statistics in order to measure library usage.RationaleStatistics are used to monitor library activity for the...

Employee resources

Sterling Room for Writers

...

Facilities

Suspected illegal material (child sexual abuse material)

Procedures for dealing with suspected illegal material (child sexual abuse material).

Safety and security

Suspected illicit drugs/use other than marijuana

Response guidelines for suspected illicit drugs/use - other than marijuana.

Facilities
Safety and security

Talking Books and Braille Library

The Oregon State Library provides talking books for people with visual impairments and other disabilities throughout Oregon, by way of the...

Library services

Tax Forms

PolicyThe Multnomah County Library is a distribution center for federal and Oregon State tax forms.RationaleDistributing tax forms is a community service that customers...

Library services

Telephone interpretation and sign language interpreter services

Information on the available interpreter services, including telephone, in-person and sign language at Multnomah County Library.

Library services

Unblock or block sites with the library’s commercial internet filter, requests to

How to request blocking or unblocking of filtered web pages.

Library services

Use of discarded materials for library programs and services

Procedures for use of discarded materials for library programs and services. Keywords: discard, retired

Facilities

Visitors to staff only areas of Central Library

RationaleTo ensure that staff can easily identify authorized visitors in “Staff Only” areas of the Central Library.  Library staff members should question unknown persons who do not...

Facilities

Voter Registration Forms

PolicyThe Multnomah County Library provides voter registration forms at all library locations.RationaleMaking voter registration forms available in libraries assists...

Library services

Weeding at your location

The library is conducting routine weeding for condition, content, and circulation as capacity allows. The goal of weeding is to maintain the collection size by removing outdated, damaged, and unpopular items to make room for new materials.

Collections

Wireless Internet Access

Wi-fi Policies for Multnomah County Library

Library services