The Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion has updated their library card policy to increase access to Library resources and expand upon privacy protections guaranteed to library card holders of all ages. The full text of the policy is available at elizabethtaberlibrary.org/policies and was adopted by the Library Board of Trustees at their January 26 meeting.
Under the new policy, Massachusetts residents of all ages are eligible to register for a library card. The previous policy limited library card sign-up to residents over the age of five. An increase in preschool outreach by children’s librarian Macy Davis was one of the factors that inspired this change.
“As the Library visits area preschools, the kids are excited to visit us in return, but previously they were unable to sign up for their own library card,” Davis said. “Having a library card empowers kids to take responsibility for their own library use and engages them more deeply as they develop important early literacy skills.”
Families are invited to sign their child up for a library card on Take Your Child to the Library Day on Saturday, February 7. Between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, there will be book giveaways, crafts, and more.
When expanding access to youth, the Library has lowered the age to independently apply for a card from 16 to 14. The Library is a site for late-bus drop off from ORR, so youth this age may frequently be at the library without a parent/guardian and would previously have been unable to apply for a library card on their own.
The updated policy also expands upon visitor cards. Visitor cards are available for non-residents who may be temporary visitors to Marion. These cards are only valid for one year and limit the holder to 10 checkouts. Included in the new policy are considerations for Tabor Academy Students. Tabor students may apply for a visitor card using their student ID.
“These policy changes were designed to expand access to library cards for all students and families in Marion. We’re excited to welcome more teens from both Tabor Academy and ORR, who have both been underrepresented as library patrons in the past,” said Library Director Elizabeth Sherry.
The revised policy enumerates privacy practices that the Library has long followed, but wanted to make apparent to patrons as they apply for a Library card. Per the policy, “All Library Card holders, regardless of age, have a right to privacy regarding their library use and records. This extends to information sought or received, materials consulted or borrowed, search records, online resource use, questions asked to staff, circulation records, registration, and personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, programs, or services.”
With these changes to the policy, Library staff are excited to welcome new cardholders to our community of library users who have access to physical materials from across the SAILS network, e-books and audiobooks, games, toys, tools, and more.