FAQs

Libraries Unfurled

• What is the American Library Association?

  The ALA was officially founded in 1876 with the resolution, "to enable librarians to do their present work more easily and at less expense.". Over the last 150 years the organization has developed the paramount guiding principles of American librarianship, cultivated and sharpened by conferences, collaborations, legislation, lawsuits, and challenges to the fundamental mission of libraries to defend constitutional freedoms, and remain a neutral community centered haven for all people.

  The ALA is, in a nutshell, a professional support institution and library science archive for librarians. This is on par with the National Association of Police Organizations; American Nurses Association, National Society of Professional Engineers, Alaska Municipal League, etc. Libraries are free to utilize or ignore ALA resources.

  FALLACY 1 - Collections: Detractors say the ALA dictates what libraries must add to their collections. This is patently false. The ALA may post informational lists of challenged books, or new books by genre but there isn’t any requirement for libraries to view or choose from any list. The same types of lists are distributed by publishers, book vendors, news organizations, book clubs, etc.

  FALLACY 2 - CIPA: Detractors say the ALA challenged the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) because they want children to have access to pornography on computers in libraries. This is patently false. It is part of the ALA’s purpose to preserve and protect constitutional first amendment (1A) rights in libraries. When Congress, or state legislatures pass laws that may impinge on those rights, the ALA is compelled to ask the courts to evaluate the law’s constitutional relevance.

  In the case of CIPA, the core issue was whether or not installing internet filters on public computers violated citizens’ 1A rights. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that it did not violate 1A rights because there was a provision in the law that gives libraries the ability to control the filters. Additionally, the law only applies if the library receives federal funding to supplement internet costs when providing free internet access to patrons, which most libraries do.

  This case was actually a WIN for citizens, libraries, and the ALA! SCOTUS affirmed the constitutionality of the new law and provided a clear path forward on how & when the law applies, preventing more costly lawsuits.

  FALLACY 3 - Marxist Communists: Detractors insist the ALA is a Marxist Communist organization. Libraries are, by design, politically neutral public institutions with collections curated to represent their individual communities. Librarians reflect the entire political spectrum but strive to remain neutral in their work. This is why objective parameters are written into policies and procedures.

  The personal political views of some individuals within the ALA do not determine the views of librarians across the country any more than saying every person in the United States must change political parties to match the current U.S. President.

• Palmer Public Library & the ALA

  Palmer Public Library recognizes the value of the knowledge and experience of generations of librarians who came before us.

  The ALA was founded in 1876 as a professional organization of American librarians. Since its inception, it has compiled an extensive library science database of information and resources, fought unconstitutional censorship, and laid the foundation for standard best practices in libraries across the country.

  Palmer Public Library is guided by these well-established time tested statements: Library Bill of Rights (1938); Labels and Rating Systems statement (1951); Freedom to Read statement (1953); and the Freedom to View statement (1979).

  Palmer Public Library policies and procedures are designed to serve the public consistently, fairly, and objectively. We accomplish this through regular interaction with our community and our Collection Development policy. We are dedicated to the neutral unbiased acquisition of information and materials tailored to our demographic.

  Palmer Public Library is committed to protecting and advocating for the constitutional rights of our community to have free access to information and materials. We believe preserving this freedom is vital to our nation’s success and benefits all citizens, regardless of their utilization of library services.

  Our mission statement: Palmer Public Library’s mission is to provide residents of Palmer and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, impartial, and equitable access to all forms of information, library services, and social support contacts. Library staff strive to provide the highest quality customer service. Palmer Public Library is committed to being a life-long resource of information, education, leisure, and culture.

• Friends of Palmer Public Library, Inc & the ALA

  

  The Friends of the Palmer Public Library, Inc (FOPPL) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, operated entirely by community volunteers, dedicated solely to supporting the Palmer Public Library in Palmer, Alaska.

  FOPPL has no connection to the American Library Association, and is not affiliated with the City of Palmer.

• How does your donation get to the Palmer Public Library?

  

  How does your donation get to the Palmer Public Library?

  A Donation Journey!

  When individuals, groups, organizations, or businesses donate goods or money to Palmer Public Library it's essentially like making a deposit into a bank to hold until needed by the library.

  The Friends of the Palmer Public Library, Inc is a nonprofit organization of volunteers, with an IRS 501(c)(3) designation, that acts as a “bank” to support the Palmer Public Library.

  When the library needs to add or purchase materials for library programs, circulation, or other needs, library staff, in effect, makes a withdrawal from the bank.

  Just as a real bank doesn't govern people's deposits, the Friends don't control what or how much donors give. Nor do they dictate how the library uses donated goods or money.

  The Friends of the Palmer Public Library, Inc “bank” is simply a philanthropic repository for community members who wish to give of their time and resources to support the whole community through their partnership with Palmer Public Library.

• In Memory of a Lost Book

  

  In memory of a lost book...

  Has a library item gone missing? Don’t panic! Life happens and our friendly staff is happy to help manage the issue.

  When a book or other item has been checked out for 30 days or more it will have a maximum $5 late fee, and be designated as "lost". The system adds a lost item fee, which is determined by the cost of the item when it’s added to collection. And a $5 processing fee, to pay for the supplies (bar code, book cover, etc) used to prepare the book for circulation.

  If you find the item and return it, the lost item fee and processing fee will automatically be removed. There will still be a late fee that will need to be paid. Late fees are 25¢ per item, per day, which stop accruing at a maximum of $5. 

  If the item belongs to another library you’ll need to contact that library to ask about their policy, or you may simply pay the lost fees on the account.

  If the item belongs to Palmer Public Library these are the choices:

  1. Pay the fees as they appear on the account.
  2. Replace the item at your expense and we’ll waive all late fines and replacement fees.
     • Please speak to Palmer Library staff to get the information required to replace it.
     • You may choose to order it online, or shop locally. Many times this option is less costly than paying the replacement cost.
     • You may continue checking out for 30 days while the issue is being resolved.
     • When the replacement book is brought in staff will check the ISBN to make sure it matches.
     • Staff will also check to make sure it isn’t a sample copy. Sample copies are illegal to sell or circulate, though some unethical vendors will sell them to unsuspecting buyers anyway. The best way to deal with this is return the sample copy for a refund and report the seller to the company, usually Amazon.
• Public Library and School Library Differences

  

  Public libraries are open to every person regardless of age, economic status, beliefs, background, or interests. As such public libraries strive to offer well rounded collections that appeal to a wide audience, tailored to their community. These resources cover education, information, popular fiction, leisure reading, local, state, and regional interests, and various media formats. With the broad range of topics not all material may be appropriate for all stages of life. Freedom, in practice, means each person has the privilege of using the library, combined with taking personal responsibility for what they choose to read, watch, or engage with. Parents & guardians have the constitutional right and responsibility to teach, guide, and assist their children when navigating a public library in accordance with their family’s values. While Alaska law does not allow public libraries to release circulation records for any patron, regardless of their age, parents and guardians receive their child's library card number and PIN when they authorize the account, which could be used to supervise borrowed materials.

  Elementary, middle, and high school library resources are curated to meet the academic and personal development needs of students, and supplement the curriculum for teachers. School libraries cultivate intellectual curiosity, and a love for learning. Their mission and purposes are different than public libraries, therefore the collection development criteria is more stringent. School libraries are not open to the general public, but parents should still teach their children how to choose appropriate material that aligns with their family’s worldview. Alaska law allows parents to access their children’s school library accounts to monitor what they’re reading. Schools also maintain open lines of communication for parents to speak with school staff.

  University and college libraries serve faculty, staff, and older teen/adult students. These academic libraries primarily offer textbooks, reference materials, and resources to supplement coursework, in addition to general selections. Most university and college libraries are open to the public but  don’t generally include a juvenile collection.