The mission of the Marengo-Union Library District is to provide educational, informational, cultural and recreational resources and services to people of all ages in the Marengo-Union Library District. The library will provide access to the universe of information, and especially that information which is of immediate relevance and interest to the community it serves.

The library seeks to accomplish its mission through prudent management and development of its resources, and by providing access to materials and services to meet the present and future needs of the community it serves. In this effort the Marengo-Union Library District cooperates with other libraries, and with other educational and governmental institutions. Special emphasis is placed on current popular materials. The library serves as a learning center and educational center for all residents of the community.

Adopted 4/24/06
Revised 3/18/25

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

The Marengo-Union Library District adopts the American Library Association Bill of Rights which says:

American Library Association Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit space and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affirmations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
7. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ETHICS STATEMENT FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES

The Marengo-Union Library District adopts the ALA Ethics Statement for Public Library Trustees as follows:

American Library Association Ethics Statement for Public Library Trustees

1. Trustees must promote a high level of library service while observing ethical standards.
2. Trustees must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the institution.
3. It is incumbent upon any trustee to disqualify himself or herself immediately whenever the appearance of conflict of interest exists.
4. Trustees must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of the institution, acknowledging the formal position of the board even if they personally disagree.
5. A trustee must respect the confidential nature of library business while being aware of and in compliance with applicable laws governing freedom of information.
6. Trustees must be prepared to support to the fullest the efforts of librarians in resisting censorship of library materials by groups or individuals.
7. Trustees are expected to perform all the functions of library trustees.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FREEDOM TO READ STATEMENT

The Marengo-Union Library District adopts the American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement as follows:

American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement

1. It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or unpopular with the majority.
2. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be published or circulated.
3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to bar access to writings on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.
4. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.
5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept the prejudgment of a label characterizing any expression or its author as subversive or dangerous.
6. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people’s freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large; and by the government whenever it seeks to reduce or deny public access to public information.
7. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a “bad” book is a good one, the answer to a “bad” idea is a good one.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FREEDOM TO VIEW STATEMENT

The Marengo-Union Library District adopts the American Library Association Freedom to View Statement as follows:

American Library Association Freedom to View Statement

The Freedom to View, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place of censorship in any medium of expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:

1. To provide the broadest possible access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
3. To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of content.
4. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video, and other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
5. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

The Marengo-Union Library District adopts the ALA Statement of Professional

Ethics which follows:

American Library Association Statement of Professional Ethics

1. Librarians must provide the highest level of service through appropriate and usefully organized collections, and equitable circulation and service policies, and skillful, accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests for assistance.
2. Librarians must resist all efforts by groups or individuals to censor library materials.
3. Librarians must protect each user’s right to privacy with respect to information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired.
4. Librarians must adhere to the principles of due process and equality of opportunity in peer relationships and personnel actions.
5. Librarians must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of an institution or professional body.
6. Librarians must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the employing institution.

Adopted 4/24/06
Revised 3/15/25

The Marengo-Union Library District maintains consistent, posted hours of service during which all services of the Marengo-Union Library District are available to patrons.

Those hours are:

• Monday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Tuesday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Wednesday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Thursday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (10 a.m. opening the first Friday of every month)
• Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m
• Sunday Noon to 3 p.m. (September-May)
• Sunday Closed (June-August)

The book drop is available for the return of all material during the hours the library is closed. The book drop is located on the east wall of the library. Materials deposited in the book drop will be processed on the next day the library is open.

Adopted 4/24/06
Revised 3/18/25

The Marengo-Union Library District circulates materials in a variety of print and digital formats. Loan periods are available for reference on the website.

Patrons cannot renew items that are already on hold for another patron.

Adopted 4/24/06
Revised 8/28/15
Revised 3/18/25

The Marengo-Union Library District recognizes that as a tax supported library, there is an obligation to provide the best services possible based on available funds. People residing within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Marengo-Union Library District pay taxes to support the library. Those people shall not pay any additional fee to be eligible to receive their first library card. Library cards are renewed every two years, without additional fees, to the library card holder in good standing who continues to reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Marengo-Union Library District. There is a fee to replace damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen library cards.

As a resident cardholder, the borrower identified on the valid borrower’s card may physically take his or her library card to another library to borrow materials. Those materials are the responsibility of the individual who borrows them, and are subject to all of the fines, rules, and regulations of the lending library. Often libraries limit the borrowing privileges of reciprocal borrowers, and it is best to review local rules and procedures before making your selections.

Individuals residing beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of the Marengo-Union Library District, and not within the boundaries of another public library, and owning no property within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Marengo-Union Library District, may purchase a non-resident fee card at the discretion of the Library Director. The fee is set annually by the Board and entitles the entire family to use the Marengo-Union Library.

If a patron resides beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of the Marengo-Union Library District, but owns property within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Marengo-Union Library District, upon presentation of a tax bill bearing their name, may have one library card for the exclusive use of the individual whose name appears on its face without additional payment, as is the case with people who reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Marengo-Union Library District.

Adults wishing to register for a borrower’s card, to renew an expired borrower’s card, or to replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed borrower’s card at the Marengo-Union Library District must bring with them two forms of identification, at least one of which bears their name and address. These forms of identification include, but are not limited to driver’s license, utility bills, mail, or voter’s registration card.

Children under the age of 18 must have a parent’s signature on any initial application for a library card. The application must be completed with both the child and adult present in the library. Children under the age of 16 may use the proof of residency provided by their parent. Children 16 and over may choose to provide their own proof of residency, or use that of their parent. In addition, a child must be at least four years of age to receive their own individual library card. Children under four years of age must use a parent’s or guardian’s library card.

Adopted 4/24/06
Revised 8/28/05 and 3/18/25

Materials borrowed are the responsibility of the library patron. In the case of children under the age of 18, it is the parents or guardian’s responsibility to pay for fines, and fees for lost or damaged items.

Individuals presenting valid borrower’s cards issued by the Marengo-Union Library District are eligible to borrow materials from the Marengo-Union Library District when the following conditions are met:

1. No materials are overdue on their card.
2. No outstanding fines have accrued to their card.
3. No materials borrowed from another library are overdue and no outstanding fines have accrued at another library.

The library staff may not waive these policies without the specific permission of the Library Director; however, the patron may request and receive a 24 hour hold on the item(s) they wish to check out to allow the patron to correct the situation which has resulted in loss of eligibility to borrow.

Individuals presenting a valid card from another public library in Illinois may borrow materials from the Marengo-Union Library District. The card must bear the name of the individual presenting it and a valid expiration date. The card must be a resident borrower’s card issued by an Illinois public library to be valid for reciprocal borrowing, and the bearer must also be a patron in good standing at the other library.

In the event that any person’s failure to return any book or library material, in an undamaged condition, is determined to be willful, the Director of the Library may report such violation to the State’s Attorney for prosecution pursuant to the applicable terms of the Illinois Criminal Code and shall exclude such person from further use of the library or any privileges attendant thereto until full restitution to the library has been made.

Adopted 4/24/06
Revised 3/18/25

Interlibrary Loan Information

Materials that are not available at the Marengo-Union Library District may be borrowed from other agencies through a process called interlibrary loan (ILL) for Marengo-Union Library District cardholders only. Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan have a circulation period, which is determined by the lending library, not the Marengo-Union Library District. It is the responsibility of the patron to return the materials by the due date, so that they may be returned to their home libraries. When the Marengo-Union Library District is lax in returning materials borrowed through interlibrary loan, the library can lose the privilege of borrowing materials in that way for any of its patrons. Therefore, it is crucial that materials borrowed through interlibrary loan be returned in a timely manner. A patron who consistently fails to return items on time may lose their ILL privileges in order to preserve the privilege for other library patrons.

The library does collect fees for overdue items obtained though the interlibrary loan system. The lending library’s fines and fees policies apply to materials obtained through interlibrary loan.

Consortium Information

The Marengo-Union Library District also participates in a consortium, called Prairie Cat. Materials may be obtained from libraries within the consortium. Lending periods for materials obtained though the consortium are subject to the lending periods of the Marengo-Union Library District, not the home library. The fines and fees policies of the lending library apply to materials obtained through the consortium.

Reciprocal Card Holders

Library card holders from reciprocal libraries (those outside the Prairie Cat consortium), may check out materials, in person, from the Marengo-Union Library District. All items must be returned to the Marengo-Union Library District, not the card holder’s home library. Marengo-Union Library District’s policies apply to all materials checked out my reciprocal card holders.

Adopted 4/24/06
Revise 5/18/25

The library is proud to be a fine free library. This means that the library does not charge overdue fines on most library materials. When overdue items are returned, they are checked in and no overdue charges are assessed. If items are not returned or are returned damaged, then a fee will be assessed.

Fine Free Timeline:

• Courtesy Notices: 3 days before items are due a notice will be emailed to remind patrons to return or renew items before the due date.
• Overdue Notices: 7 and 14 days after an item is due an overdue notice will be sent via email or automated phone call. When these notices are received the items need to be returned or renewed.
• Billed Items: 21 days after an item is due it will be billed to the library card account it was checked out on. When an item is billed, the account is blocked and can no longer be used to check out materials, access digital books, or log on to the library computers. A bill notice will be mailed to the address on file. If items are returned with no damage, the charges will be removed from the library card account and the block will be removed. Replacement or Damaged Charges will still be applied if an item is returned with damage or missing pieces.

Exception to the Fine Free Allowance

Hot Spots and items from the Library of Things accrue overdue fines of $1/Day.

Adopted 8/27/13
Revised 3/18/25