Policies

Children Safety Policy

• The library staff is not responsible for children in the library.
• Young children (age 10 or younger) must be accompanied and supervised by a designated caregiver (age 15 or older) at all times.
• Children may visit the library as part of a group if supervised by a designated guardian.
• Caregivers or designated guardians may not leave the library while young children are attending a library-sponsored program.
• If a caregiver cannot be located in the library, the police may be called.
• Library staff cannot prevent children from interacting with or leaving the premises with persons who are not their designated caregivers.
• All patrons over age 11 should be familiar with the library’s hours of service and all library policies, including the Patron Behavior Policy.
• Library staff members are not responsible for children after closing time. If unaccompanied children are left at closing, staff will attempt to contact a parent or guardian. If unsuccessful, the North Attleboro Police Department will be contacted.

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees, June 10, 2015

SAILS System

Richards Memorial Library (RML) is part of the SAILS library network. The 70+ libraries in the system all honor the SAILS card. If you are a registered member at one library, your card is good at all of the libraries. Most materials borrowed at one library can be returned to any of the other libraries except for museum passes and some special materials. There is a book drop box located at the front of the Library for after-hours returns.

Loan Periods and Policies

Each SAILS library sets its own loan periods. We participate in auto-renewal. If an item is eligible for renewal, the SAILS system will automatically renew the item one time.

• DVDs are usually 7 days. We set our series and longer programs to 14 days.
• New books, Wonderbooks, Nonfiction Videos, CDs and Magazines are 14 days.
• Older Fiction and Nonfiction for Adults and Children are 28 days.
• Video Games are 7 days.

No overdue fines are charged for any item checked out at RML.  Items checked out from other SAILS libraries may incur overdue fines.

RML will still charge for Lost or Damaged items.

All of the libraries in the system reserve the right to deny borrowing privileges to those who owe $10 or more on their account or have 7 or more overdue items.

The Richards Memorial Library informs the people it serves about resources and programs it offers. The Library's Community       bulletin board space is primarily for use by the Library to promote its programs and services. The Library also provides space to display information related to non-profit events and activities in our community as well as public notices.

The Library Director has sole discretion and may grant permission to other Town departments, non-profit and community organizations to share information.

Flyers related to commercial enterprise, personal ads or notices, lost and found, solicitations, political notices or petitions will not be posted within the Library.

Due to limited space, the Library reserves the right to restrict the size, number, and location of display materials on the Community bulletin board. No postings should be greater than 8.5" x 11".  Information will only be posted for North Attleborough and bordering towns. 

Any display materials (posters/handouts) must be given to the Library staff at the Circulation desk to be reviewed and posted. Display materials may be posted for a maximum of 30 days or after completion of the event, whichever comes first. Only Library staff may remove postings from the Community bulletin board. Once removed, the display material will be discarded; the Library cannot return display materials. Display materials posted without permission will be removed and discarded. 

Posting of materials does not imply Library endorsement or consent; nor does the Library accept responsibility for the accuracy of the statements made in such materials. 

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees May 9, 2024

The Richards Memorial Library provides computer and internet access to all for educational and recreational pursuits, regardless of where you live or your library card status.

What you should know:  

Public computers are available on a first-come, first serve basis. All users must have a library card, or users may check in with staff for a guest pass.

Users are prohibited from:

• Accessing or distributing pornographic, obscene, threatening, or harassing materials.
• Unplugging Library equipment or altering wiring or software.
• Plugging personal equipment into the Library's internet ports.
• Accessing unauthorized local or remote computer systems.
• Using the Internet for unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purposes. 

The computers shut down automatically 15 minutes before the Library closes. 

The Library does not block or filter internet sites. Parents and caregivers are responsible for what their children select, access, or distribute.

The Library reserves the right to end an internet session at any time if it creates a disturbance or restricts equitable use. 

Users are responsible for damage to computer equipment. When the user is a child, the caregiver is responsible.

The Library staff is available to provide computer assistance but not in-depth training or usage instruction.

The Library assumes no liability for any damage to user data or loss of user privacy. To that end, the Library recommends:

• Saving work frequently because all data is deleted when you log out of a computer session. Saved information is deleted each night.
• Evaluating the validity of information.
• Exercising caution when working with or printing personal or sensitive data (e.g. bank accounts, financial statements, tax returns, medical forms, etc. ).
• Logging out of any personal accounts (e.g. email, etc.). 

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees May 9, 2024

The Richards Memorial Library accepts donations and gifts of books and other materials that enhance the Library collection. The Library Director reserves the right to refuse any gift or donation that does not comply with the requirements set forth in the Collection Development Policy. All gifts and donations that have been accepted will become the property of the Library. 

Please be aware of the following Guidelines:

Materials: Gifts and donations of books and other materials become the property of Richards Memorial Library and are accepted with the understanding that items may be retained or disposed of at the discretion of the Library Director. Materials in poor condition will not be accepted. Donated materials added to the library cannot be guaranteed a permanent part of the collection and are subject to systematic collection evaluation as described in the Collection Development Policy. 

Exclusions: Unless approved by the Library Director, the following materials are not accepted for donation:

• Textbooks or workbooks
• Encyclopedias
• Magazines
• Abridged Condensed Books
• DVDs/VHS/Cassette Tapes
• Audiobooks
• Videogames
• Toys, including stuffed animals
• Used equipment
• Artwork or other decorative objects
• Furniture

Monetary Gifts: Monetary or financial donations are welcome and will be deposited into a gift account with the Town of North Attleborough. These funds can be spent under the direction of the Library Director for a variety of services, collections, supplies, or facility improvement. Please discuss major financial or restricted gifts with the Library Director before donating to the Library. 

Valuation: The Library does not determine the value of the materials being considered for donation. Should potential donors require valuation of their collection, they must do so prior to donating them. 

Any questions regarding the Gift/Donation Policy should be directed to the Library Director.

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees October 21, 2025

The Richards Memorial Library provides exam proctoring as a service to its patrons. This policy sets forth the following guidelines:

• The Reference Department (Adult Services) staff are responsible for proctoring exams. Proctoring will be offered based on the availability of personnel.
• Exams and instructions must be received directly from the testing institution.
• The student should make an appointment with the proctoring librarian to take the exam at least one week in advance and should call prior to the day of the exam to ascertain its arrival.
• Online/computer exams can be proctored but software cannot be downloaded to any Library computer. Due to demand, the Library reserves the right to limit the use of its computers for exam taking to specified times.
• Exams will be administered during regular operating hours and must be completed fifteen minutes before the Library's closing time.
• The proctor will enforce time limits placed on the exam and any other requirements that are set forth in the examination materials.
• The student should arrive ten minutes before the agreed-upon time with the items required for taking the exam (calculator, etc. ).
• The student must present a valid picture ID at the time of the examination.
• The proctor will check on the student periodically during an exam but will not monitor continuously.
• Cell phone use or conversations with others is not allowed during the exam.
• The Richards Memorial Library is not responsible for the completed exam once it has been mailed back to the educational institution. 

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees July 11, 2024

The Richards Memorial Library provides fee-based fax service. This services is located at the Reference desk on a restricted telephone line and, therefore, Library services and operations may limit the ability to provide timely service. 

Cost:

• The Library charges $1.00 for each page excluding the Library-provided cover sheet, which is sent free of charge. Sending only the cover sheet will incur a $1.00 charge.
• This is a cash-only transaction and all fees must be paid at the time the fax is sent.
• The Library charges for successful transmissions based upon the confirmation receipt from our machine. 

Guidelines and Restrictions:

• Patrons may fax up to 20 pages in one transaction. Jobs of more than 20 pages will be transmitted in multiple transactions and may require a considerable wait time.
• The Library provides only black and white fax copies.
• Sheets to be faxed should be of standard (8.5" x 11") size and in good condition. If they do not meet these conditions, , the patron will be responsible  for photocopy charges.
• Faxing can take up to one minute per page; therefore, no faxes will be sent 30 minutes prior to closing.
• Only outgoing faxes are permitted. The Library does not receive faxes on behalf of patrons.
• The Library does not fax to international numbers.
• As the Library's fax number is a Town operated and funded line, the Library fax number may not be given out for personal use without permission from Library staff.
• Library staff are not responsible for the quality of the fax sent including missing pages, bad transmissions, failure to transmit, or incomplete information. 

Patron Responsibilities:

• Operation of the fax machine is limited to Library staff.
• Patrons are expected to confirm receipt of the fax by the other party.
• Patrons must be present when the fax is sent. If transmission is unsuccessful after 3 attempts, the patron must try back at another time.
• Abuse of the fax service may lead to denial of future use. 

Fees are determined by the Town of North Attleborough and will be reviewed periodically.

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees August 19, 2025

While the SAILS system will usually have the materials you are looking for, sometimes you may want to borrow a material from outside the system. This service is called Interlibrary Loan. We can borrow through traditional ILL channels or the Commonwealth Catalog.  The first stop is the eCatalog, then the Commonwealth Catalog, and then have the Reference Librarian request something as Interlibrary Loan.

Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) is software that allows us to search the catalogs of Boston Public, MetroWest, CLAMS, Minuteman and several other Massachusetts library consortium at the same time.  The usual ILL restrictions apply, so read the General Information below.  Access is through the eCatalog so that you will search our system first. The link is near the bottom of the Home page of the eCatalog.

General Information on Interlibrary Loans

• The time it takes depends on the availability and location of the materials. Allow at least 2 weeks, but it can take longer.
• Photocopy requests of articles generally take a week, but can take longer. Not part of Commonwealth Catalog.
• Videos and sound recordings are more difficult to borrow than books.
• Copyright laws apply for magazine articles which will limit the number of articles from any particular journal.
• Some materials can only be used in the library (such as microfilm or rare books.)
• New books, multiple copies of a title, textbooks, tests, entire issues of magazines, and materials owned by our system are usually not available for interlibrary loan.
• There is a limit of 5 active requests any one patron may have at a time. Active includes pending, shipped and received.

How to order

Before you place a request, please check the SAILS catalog to see if it is in the system. Check the databases (or request that we do) before asking for a periodical article.  We need to know the following information in order to help you:

• Your name, phone number, email address and library card number
• The title of the item (or you can request a subject search of up to five books on the subject)
• If an article: title of article and volume/issue information
• Author
• Date no longer needed (so we can cancel if it doesn't come in right away)
• The maximum amount you would be willing to pay if the only lending libraries are ones that charge
• You may fill out the form at the Circulation Desk or email us the information

Your Responsibilities

• Return materials on time. Ill items cannot be renewed. Only the lending library can authorize extensions.
• If you fail to return materials on time, you will be jeopardizing your chances of using this service in the future.
• Materials must be returned to the SAILS library from which you borrowed the material.

The Richards Memorial Library has one meeting room, which seats approximately 30 people comfortably and is located on the lower level. Library programs and activities have first priority for Meeting Room use.  

The room is available to the residents of North Attleborough for use on the following basis:

• The Meeting Room may be reserved by non-profit, charitable, philanthropic, and other community-based organizations and is available on an equitable basis to all groups and organizations regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of the group, provided they meet all Meeting Room Policy criteria. All meetings must be free-of-charge and open to the public.
• The Meeting Room is not available for private meetings or appointments, tutoring, private social functions, political campaigns, religious services, or any activities in public spaces restricted by law.
• Meetings may be booked up to six months in advance; however, the Library cannot host the regular meetings of any single group or organization. Groups may be requested to modify their bookings to accommodate Library needs.
• All scheduled meetings must be contained within the Meeting Room. Use of lobbies, hallways, or Library space is not permitted unless specifically authorized by the Library Director. 

Use of the Meeting Room by a group or organization does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group or organization's policies or beliefs by the Richards Memorial Library.

Process/Procedure:

• A Meeting Room Application (available on the Services - Meeting Room page) must be submitted two weeks in advance and approved before use of the Meeting Room is granted. A signed Right of Entry and Release must be included with the application. Approval is at the discretion of the Library Director.
• The contact name on the application will serve as the designee/authorized representative of the group, who will assume responsibility for the group's adherence to the Library's policies.
• The Meeting Room is available for use during regular Library hours and all meetings must end 15 minutes prior to close of the building.
• Beverages with lids are allowed; Food is only allowed for Library sponsored events. No alcoholic beverages may be served at meetings.
• Meeting Room use must not interfere with or disrupt the programs, activities, and normal operations of the Library; must not cause a security risk or safety hazard to Library staff, property, or patrons; must not violate local, state, or federal laws.
• Set-up, take-down, and clean-up of the Meeting Room is the responsibility of the group using the room. 

Failure to observe this Meeting Room Policy will result in loss of Meeting Room booking privileges. 

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees February 13, 2025

Programs -- like schools -- occasionally have to be cancelled due to bad weather. For morning programs, the decision will be made early in the morning.

Children's Programs: There will be no programs if the North Attleboro Schools are cancelled. During vacation week or non-school days, call the Library, 508-699-0122 after 8 am to listen to our outgoing message.

Adult Programs: Call the library after 9:30 am. Either the message will tell you we are closed or someone will answer because we are open. Use your best judgment about the driving conditions and remember the limited parking.

The library’s public areas are open to all users. Tutors may also use most public areas while in session with their students. However, the Young Adult area in the Stack Room is reserved for independent use by young adults only after school, on weekends, and during vacations.

Tutors and students are to bring all of their own supplies such as paper pens, calculators, etc. Tutors and their students are free to use other library materials such as books, Wi-Fi, and computers, just as other patrons use them.

Library staff will not act as liaisons between tutors and their students.

Tutors may not advertise their service inside the library.

The library does not endorse or recommend tutors.

The library closes promptly at stated times and tutoring sessions must end ten minutes before the stated closing time to allow the library to close as scheduled. Thank you