Policies

A. Gunter Library Patron Conduct Policy

This Patron Conduct Policy explains how the Gunter Library intends to protect the rights and safety of library sta􏰀 members, volunteers, and guests, and to safeguard the library’s materials, facilities, and property.

1. DefinitionandScope

All library staff members, volunteers, guests, and patrons are expected to adhere to this Policy. The Library Director and every volunteer on duty at the time shall have the responsibility for enforcing this Policy and determining whether behavior in the library is appropriate. Any guest exhibiting or causing disruptive behavior may be asked to leave the premises.

2. Rules and Regulations

An accompanying adult is responsible for any minor in his or her care. If a minor behaves in an inappropriate manner, the accompanying adult will be given a warning by staff. If inappropriate behavior continues, the group may be asked to leave the library.

Personal items are not permitted to be stored on library property and must be kept with the library guest at all times.

Solicitations, petitions, flyers, and marketing surveys are not permitted without the signed approval of the Library Director.

The Library permits service animals and animals as part of a library sponsored program or event. No other animals are permitted on the premises.

Library guests should act in a manner that does not interfere with others in their use and enjoyment of the library, or the library sta􏰀’s ability to provide services.

3. Examples of DisruptiveBehavior

The Library Director and every volunteer on duty at the time shall have the responsibility for enforcing this Policy and determining whether behavior in the library is appropriate. The following examples are not exhaustive.

• Violating any local, state, or federal law
• Endangering the safety or health of others
• Vandalizing or deliberately destroying library materials
• Stealing library materials or the personal property of other patrons or staff
• Using abusive or intimidating language or gestures
• Annoying, harassing, or threatening any other person
• Asking for signatures on petitions or solicitation of any other kind
• Monopolizing library resources or staff time
• Eating or drinking beverages in the computer areas
• Using Library facilities for any unauthorized purpose
• Using or consuming alcohol, marijuana, tobacco products, vapes, electronic cigarettes, or illegal substances
• Presenting in inappropriate dress, including bathing suits, wet clothes, bare feet, or nudity of any kind.
• Presenting with poor hygiene4. Reservation of RightsThe Gunter Library staff and volunteers reserve the right to ask a patron or guest to leave the library for any disruptive or unsuitable behavior.

  The Gunter Library staff and volunteers reserve the right to contact local authorities if the patron or guest refuses to leave or if the volunteer on duty feels threatened.

Gunter Library Computer Use and Internet Policy

1. Computer Use and Internet Use

The Gunter Library provides computer use, including internet access, as a free community resource available to all. Utilization of the computers and network connections (including wireless connectivity) for any purpose constitutes acceptance of the terms of this Computer Use and Internet Policy.

2. Accessibility and Responsibility

The Gunter Library recognizes that the internet is open to a diverse population of users and is not subject to any regulation or control of its content. Some internet sites may display material that is offensive, disturbing and/or illegal. Library staff cannot act in the place of parents and/or legal guardians in supervising children’s use of the internet or take responsibility for the material they may encounter.

The Gunter Library encourages parents and/or guardians to work closely with their children in selecting materials consistent with personal and family values, and in learning to evaluate internet resources for their accuracy and reliability.

The Gunter Library provides full unfiltered access to the internet and is not responsible for computer/internet content. Patrons accept responsibility for all internet/computer usage. Parents or guardians accept responsibility for all internet/computer usage and all information acquired by minors.

3. Privacy and Confidentiality

The Gunter Library seeks to protect the First Amendment rights of its patrons and their individual rights to privacy. However, limited space means that images on the screen are visible to others in the area. There should be no expectation of privacy. Communications should not be considered private or secure.

Patrons should never give personal identification information to unknown or unverified sources on the internet. This includes public internet computer usage, connecting to the public Wi-fi, or sending documents to be printed.

Users are cautioned that because security cannot be guaranteed, all transactions, files and communications on Library computers are vulnerable to unauthorized access and use and should be considered public.

4. Acceptable Use

The computers at the Gunter Library may not be used by anyone to access inappropriate or illegal materials including but not limited to materials of violence, obscene nature, or pornography. Library computer users are expected to follow all federal, state, and local laws.

Materials obtained or copied from the internet may be subject to laws protecting those works from unauthorized reproduction. Unless the proposed use falls within the definition of “Fair Use,” a work protected by copyright may not be copied without the permission of the copyright holder. Internet users are responsible for compliance with all international, national and state laws governing copyrighted materials.

No person shall install or operate any equipment, software, or service which has the e􏰀ect of redirecting or proxying any network traffic to or from any other network or disguising the source of any network transmission.

Additional Guidelines for Public Computer Use

• Computers use may be limited to 30 minutes at a time if others are waiting.
• The computer cannot be used for unlawful purposes or inappropriate network usage.
• Patrons may not consume food and drinks when using the Library computers.
• Computer and internet settings may not be altered.
• Users may not disrupt or interfere with network services.
• There should be no expectation of privacy; communications should not be considered private or secure.
• Patrons may not add programs or apps to Library equipment.
• Users may not engage in hacking, unauthorized access, or attempts to bypass computer security.
• Users may not damage, alter, or attempt to disable Library equipment or networks.
• Users may not use Library computers to harass, threaten, intimidate, or defraud others.
• Users may not use another person’s account or identity without permission.

Any violation of this policy may result in access privileges being temporarily or permanently revoked. Privileges may be revoked by any Library staff member. In addition, appropriate legal action may be taken.

6. Changes to This Policy

Updates to this Policy may be made from time to time. If material changes are made, we will notify members by posting a notice on our website.

7. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy, please contact us at: Gunter Library
110 S Hwy 289, Suite 4, Gunter, TX 75058 librarian@gunterlibrary.com

Effective Date 7/9/2026

Gunter Library Collection Development Policy

The Collection Development Policy of the Gunter Library is intended to provide a basis for the development of Library information resources that will serve all persons in the community. This policy will provide staff with guidelines for selection.

1. Scope and Statement of Intellectual Freedom and Censorship

The Gunter Library recognizes that it was established to serve everyone within the Library’s service area and that individuals and groups within the community have diverse interests, backgrounds and needs.

The Gunter Library strives to provide a collection that meets the educational, recreational, informational, and cultural needs of the community. Selection decisions are based on professional standards, rather than partisan, ideological, or personal preferences. The presence of materials in the Library’s collection should not be construed as endorsement of the material’s content, viewpoint, implications, or means of expression. The Library upholds the right of the individual to access information, even though the content may be controversial or unacceptable to others. The Library recognizes that reasonable people may disagree regarding the content or suitability of particular materials. Materials will not be excluded solely because they express political, religious, cultural, or social viewpoints that some individuals find objectionable.

The Gunter Library respects the rights of parents and guardians to guide their own children’s reading choices.

2. Selection Responsibility

Final responsibility and authority for information resource selection rests with the Gunter Library Director, under the authority of the Library Board. The Gunter Library Director is authorized to develop such selection and access procedures as may be necessary to carry out Collection Development policies. The Library Director may utilize staff or volunteers to assist in the selection process.

3. Selection Guidelines

Staff involved in the Library’s collection development use their training, knowledge, and expertise along with the general criteria listed below to select materials. An item need not meet all of these standards to be added to the collection. As budgetary and space constraints limit the procurement of material to a small portion of what is available, selections will be made to maintain diversity, quality, and interest patterns.

• Popular interest or demand

•  Relation of the work to the existing collection

• Importance and accuracy of the subject matter

• Timeliness of the material

• Quality of art/illustrations

• Critical assessments in professionally recognized review sources

• Circulation statistics and trends

• Local significance of the author or subject

• Reputation and/or significance of the author, producer, performer, or publisher

• Price, availability, and Library materials budget

• Sustainability of format to Library circulation and use

  4. Patron Recommendations

  Patron recommendations and requests for the purchase of information resources will be evaluated considering the above Selection Guidelines. The Gunter Library recognizes that recommendations from individuals are a vital component in the information resources selection process. Such participation is taken into consideration during the selection of new information resources and/or retention of information resources. Recommendations from children under the age of eighteen must be accompanied by a statement of approval from a parent or legal guardian.

  5. Gifts and Donations

  The Gunter Library may accept donated materials with the understanding that they become the property of the Library. Gifts and unsolicited information resources will be evaluated considering Selection Guidelines. The Library reserves the right to decline, sell, donate, recycle, or otherwise dispose of donated materials.

  6. Collection Maintenance

  In order to maintain a vital, current collection that meets the needs of the community, examination of materials is an ongoing process. Every effort will be made to replace high- circulation items withdrawn due to damage.

Gifts, including memorial items, are also subject to these withdrawal and replacement policies. Discarded Library materials may not be reserved for specific individuals. Discarded items may be sold and proceeds returned to the Library. Discarded items may also be donated, at the discretion of the Director, to neighboring libraries, educational institutions, or charitable organizations or for other public distribution.

7. Request for Reconsideration of Materials

The Gunter Library recognizes that citizens will often be as familiar with the content of certain library materials as the Gunter Library staff. For that reason, the Gunter Library welcomes comments and suggestions regarding materials in the collection. These types of suggestions and recommendations by citizens will be utilized by the Gunter Library in an on-going process of collection management. The Gunter Library also recognizes that individuals may take issue with certain Library materials because such books, DVDs, and other items may not support their tastes and views. The staff is always available to discuss concerns with the individual and to explain the Gunter Library’s policies regarding the collection. If the individual’s concern is not satisfied through discussion with the Gunter Library Director, they may complete and submit a formal, written request for reconsideration of Library materials.

8. Response to Request for Reconsideration of Materials

Only patrons with a valid Gunter Library card may request reconsideration of Library materials. Prior to requesting reconsideration, the requester must have read the work in its entirety. The request should be submitted to the Library Director, who is responsible for this review and the final decision. The Library Director will provide a written response to the requester.

If deemed necessary, the patron can present the issue to the Gunter Library Board for further discussion. The Gunter Library Board and Library Director will discuss outcomes. However, the final decision regarding the material rests with the Library Board.

After a decision is made, the Library will not review the same material for a period of 3 years.

9. Changes to this Policy

Updates to this Policy may be made from time to time. If material changes are made, we will notify members by posting a notice on our website.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy, please contact us at: Gunter Library
110 S Hwy 289, Suite 4, Gunter, TX 75058 librarian@gunterlibrary.com

Effective Date: 7/9/2026

Gunter Library Circulation Policy

1. Registration and Library Cards

Library cards are free for residents with a Gunter mailing address and employees of The City of Gunter, GISD and Gunter businesses. Memberships are also extended to residents of cities or towns contiguous to the border of Gunter. This includes Celina, Dorchester, Howe, Pilot Point, Tioga and Van Alstyne. There will be a unique number for each applicant, but cards are virtual. There is no physical card.

• Every patron needs their own Library card to access Gunter Library services.

• Each card application assumes responsibility for using the card and constitutes an agreement to abide by the rules set forth. Patrons or their legal guardians are responsible for all materials borrowed on their card.

• Individuals 18 years of age and older may register for a Library card by completing a Library card application form and by presenting identification and proof of current address. Some valid forms of identification include the following: 

•   A parent or legal guardian may apply for a card for individuals 17 years of age and younger. The parent or legal guardian’s identification will be used. The parent/legal guardian is responsible for any materials checked out by the individual 17 years of age or younger.

2. Loan Periods

Gunter Library Ethics Policy

The Gunter Library is dependent on the trust of its community to successfully achieve its mission: therefore, it is crucial that all Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers conduct business on behalf of the Gunter Library with the highest level of integrity avoiding any impropriety or the appearance of impropriety.

1. Guiding Principles

1. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should uphold the integrity of the Gunter Library and must perform their duties impartially and diligently.

2. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should not engage in discrimination of any kind including that based on race, class, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or belief system.

3. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should protect and uphold library patrons’ right to privacy in their use of the library’s resources. No library data, including patron information, can be accessed or used for personal gain.

4. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should provide the highest level of service to all Patrons through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.

5. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers respect intellectual property rights.

6. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should not use their position with the Gunter Library to obtain unwarranted privileges for themselves or others.

7. The Friends of the Gunter Library and Museum Bylaws state that a conflict of interest arises when a person may derive personal, professional, or any other benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should inform the Board of a potential conflict of interest.

8. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should not denigrate the organization or fellow Board Trustees, employees, or volunteers in any public arena. Board Trustees, employees, and volunteers should acknowledge the formal position of the Board even if they personally disagree.

2. Signing Conflict of Interest and Ethics Statements

Board Trustees, employees and volunteers are expected to comply with the Gunter Library Ethics Policy. In signing the Volunteer Agreement, volunteers are agreeing to abide by the Ethics Policy.

3. Compliance

a. If an individual Board Trustee or the Library Director appears to be in conflict with the Guiding Principles above, he or she will be asked to meet with the President of the Gunter Library Board of Trustees to discuss the issue. The President, at the conclusion of that meeting, would make an assessment. If further corrective action or termination is warranted, such action would be voted on by the full Board of Trustees.

b. If any employee or volunteer appears to be in conflict with the Guiding Principles above, he or she will be asked to meet with the Gunter Library Director to discuss the issues. The Director may take action up to and including termination from the position.