Books and magazines shall circulate for a period of 21 days (3 weeks).

DVDs, Play-a-Ways, and BCDs shall circulate for 7 days (1 week).

All other audiovisual equipment and machines shall circulate overnight.

Reference material does not circulate outside of the libraries except by the following situation:

• The librarian or Administrative Librarian allows the patron to check out the item overnight.

There is a limit of 33 items per library card as the maximum that can be checked out.

Patrons shall be limited to 4 DVDs per library card.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library selects materials for its collection on the basis of literary, educational, informational and recreational value. The responsibility of selection rests with the Library Director or designee, who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Board of Library Trustees. The Library makes all decisions as to the retention, location, cataloging treatment, and other considerations relating to the selection, use, and disposition of the collection.

The Library offers free access to ideas and information encompassing all areas of knowledge and opinion to all citizens in an open, non-judgmental atmosphere. The Library reflects within its collection differing points of view. The Library does not promulgate particular beliefs or views, nor does the selection of a resource express or imply endorsement of the viewpoint of the author or publisher or vendor. No title is excluded on the basis of moral, racial, religious, or political belief. Library materials will not be marked to show approval or disapproval of the contents, nor will items be sequestered or access denied, except for the purpose of protecting resources from damage or theft.

Titles are selected, within the limitations of the budget, in various formats. Among the criteria considered when selecting are critical consensus among recognized subject authorities, literary merit, enduring value, accuracy, authoritativeness, social significance, importance of subject matter to the collection, timeliness, popular demand, cost, scarcity of material on the subject and availability elsewhere, quality and suitability of the format. Customers’ suggestions are encouraged and will be given due consideration.

The Library provides to the citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish free access to books, magazines, the Internet, electronic databases, videos, DVDs and BCDs, downloadable e books and audio books. As formats continue to evolve the primary formats collected may change.

The resources of the Internet are provided free to library patrons. The Library provides this access as an adjunct to the educational and informational materials of the Library. 

In order to provide an equality of access within the bound of limited resources, it is necessary for the library to institute restrictions on the use of individual terminals. Such restrictions are:

• One-hour time slots
• Institution of sign-in processes: sign-in reservation
• Prohibition of recreational use during peak research time, such as after-school; afternoons and evenings
• Limits to maximum time allowed each day, at the discretion of the supervising staff

Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian when using the workstation and electronic resources. 

All workstations should be used for:

• Research and educational information
• Printing from full text and journal databases
• Downloading of public domain software on flash drives
• Working using Microsoft Office products
• General surfing of the internet to locate sites of interest, when workstations are not limited to research uses
• Checking e-mails are allowed when workstations are not being used for researching or educational purposes

The Administration Librarian is authorized to accept gifts, donations, and endowments to the Library.

No one on the staff may accept a gift except for small food items for immediate consumption by the staff member.

When a gift, donation, or endowment is made to the library, a receipt will be given that states the gift is accepted with no conditions and will not be returned on any date in the future.

Circulation records and other records identifying the names of users and materials used are confidential, regardless of the source.

The Library complies with all Louisiana Revised Statutes regarding parent’s rights to information and records of minor children.

Records will not be made available to any agency of federal, state or local government, or to any group or individual, for whatever purpose except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized by law.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library provides an array of services to children from preschool age to middle school age. The library offers story times, internet access, tours, homework help, and advice on books to read, along with other educational and entertaining programs. The children's collections at all four library locations hold a wide assortment of fiction, folktale, picture books, nonfiction, audiovisual materials, reference materials, and public computers. Library children's rooms are reserved for children, their parents, guardians, teachers, and caregivers, and people researching children's literature.

The library encourages frequent visits by children and their families. However, library staff cannot provide childcare or assume responsibility for children's safety. Parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior and safety of children visiting the library. Staff cannot be placed in the position of supervising unattended children.

Children are expected to behave in a manner conducive to maintaining an appropriate atmosphere in the building for all patrons. Children must know how to reach an adult in case of an emergency, and both children and adults need to be aware of library hours.

An unattended child is a child of any age who is apparently unaccompanied by a responsible adult. Parent, guardians, teachers and caregivers may not leave children alone or in the care of other children who are unable or unwilling to provide adequate care. Supervising adults must be close at hand.

As in all public places, “stranger danger” is a real concern. Library staff cannot prevent children from interacting with or leaving with persons who are not the appropriate chaperone.

If the Library is closing, at a regular time or in an emergency situation, and a parent or guardian of a child cannot be located in the building, the St, John the Baptist Parish police Department will be called to take the child.

The Library is not responsible for any consequences of parents forfeiting their responsibilities.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library strives to provide a safe and welcome environment for everyone. Therefore, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are allowed to accompany their handlers anywhere individuals with disabilities are allowed to enter. Service animals are defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act as being trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. Pets, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA.

Only service animals are allowed in the library.

• Service animals are only dogs and miniature horses (see below). Therefore, any other type of animal is not allowed in the library.
• Pets, therapy animals, and comfort animals are not allowed in the library.
• Animals in carriers are not allowed in the library.
• Animals in bags or purses are not allowed in the library.

Also, animals brought into the library for an authorized program is allowed for a limited time.