Memorial Day • Sun, May 26 & Mon, May 27 — Closed
Beach Passes are on sale. Click here to learn more.
Memorial Day • Sun, May 26 & Mon, May 27 — Closed
Beach Passes are on sale. Click here to learn more.
Intended use of the Library’s 3D printer is primarily as an educational tool.
* Price - 5 cents per gram currently, but can change at any time.
DISCLAIMER – 3D Printing is a process that is complicated and often involves troubleshooting. We cannot guarantee we will be able to complete a print job. We will contact you ASAP if this is the case.
Library staff reserve the right to refuse to print items that are:
The Library is not responsible for the subsequent safety of any item made with the 3D printer.
Items not picked up after a month will become the property of the Warwick Public Library.
Approved by Board of Trustees 8/2018
The Warwick Public Library is dedicated to protecting the rights and safety of Library users, volunteers, and staff. Our goal is to enable all Library visitors to enjoy a welcoming, safe, clean, and secure environment. Each person is expected to respect the rights of others and comply with the following library use guidelines while on Library property. In order to achieve that goal, Library staff and Library users must act in partnership to ensure that everybody can experience a pleasant, and productive environment for study, research, information, and entertainment.
Enforcement of the Code of Conduct will be applied equitably. The Library reserves the right to make reasonable accommodations to this Code of Conduct.
In the event unacceptable conduct occurs, the Warwick Public Library staff may take the following actions as appropriate to the situation:
A person who has left the library or has been removed from the library due to noncompliance with this policy may be readmitted to the library if staff determines that the person’s unacceptable conduct has ceased.
Approved by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees 10/16/2013
Revised by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees on 12/18/2023
Please Do:
Please Do Not:
Anyone who fails to observe these guidelines may be asked to leave the premises.
Bicycles left in the Library will be moved to the bike rack.
Approved by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees 10/16/2013
Revised by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees on 12/18/2023
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the selection and evaluation of materials; to ensure that the collection is balanced and responsive to community needs; and to support the Warwick Public Library’s mission and commitment to intellectual freedom.
Library’s Mission Statement
Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Warwick through learning, personal discovery, and the free flow of information and ideas.
Collection Goals
Responsibility
The overall responsibility for the collection and library resources rests with the Library Director and the Manager of Collections. The responsibility for selecting and evaluating is delegated to qualified and knowledgeable staff who employ the criteria outlined in this policy.
Selection Criteria
Materials are selected to support the library’s mission. Factors considered include:
Selection aids may include:
The Library does not purchase or acquire textbooks.
Collection Arrangement & Classification
The Library of Congress Classification System is the primary organizational scheme at the Warwick Public Library. Separate collections, such as New Books, the Career Collection, Travel Guides, and Children’s Biographies are considered when the demand and use is high, and access is improved by a separate arrangement.
Ensuring that the collection is easy to access and browse is a priority.
The Library offers access to subscription databases and digital collections. The selection of digital collections will follow the same general criteria as that of our physical collections. The Library also provides access to digital collections that are offered through Ocean State Libraries and through AskRI.
Greene Collection
The Library maintains a historical collection containing materials of interest in state and local history. These materials are non-circulating, and considered part of the Reference Department. They are weeded based upon relevance and duplication. Additional titles are purchased for circulation if interest warrants.
Local Author Collection
The Library welcomes the growing opportunities new self-publishing technologies offer local writers for self-expression. The Library maintains a “Local Author Collection” for recent works, those published within the previous three years, written by authors living in Rhode Island. Authors wishing to contribute books to this section must meet the following criteria:
As with all materials submitted for consideration, the Library reserves the right to decide not to add an item to the Collection. Author donations are limited to 3 items with only one copy of each title.
See Local Author Donation Form below.
Scope of the Branch Libraries
Branch libraries serve the needs of the communities in which they are located. Collections of the branch libraries concentrate on materials of high interest and demand. They are weeded regularly to make room for new materials.
Limitations & Priorities
The Warwick Public Library recognizes that some materials may cover topics that are controversial or include mature content. Selection of such materials are made on criteria detailed in this policy without bias. Responsibility for the reading/viewing/listening of materials rests with their parents or legal guardians for those who are underage. Selection of materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come in to the possession of children.
Should you wish to have an item from the Library’s collection re-evaluated, please fill out a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form, and the item will be re-evaluated based on the criteria described in this policy.
See Appendix A for the Library Bill of Rights
Collection Maintenance
To ensure the collection continues to provide timely service to the public and support our mission, damaged and outdated materials will be removed from the collection regularly. Factors considered in removing materials from the collection include:
Collection management staff will coordinate collection maintenance activities with branch library staff supervising activities and making final decisions related to removal of items from their collections, or designate librarians to make these decisions. Discarded materials may be donated to local schools or city agencies, the Friends’ of the Library book sale, Discover Books or Books Are Wings.
Replacements
In the case that an item is withdrawn from the collection due to loss, damage, or wear, the title will be examined, and based on availability and the criteria in this policy, may or may not be replaced. The replacement of an item depends on both budget constraints and patron demand. As a result, the item might not be replaced.
Collection Evaluation
In order to maintain a strong, relevant, up to date collection, the Manager of Collections will work with staff to provide ongoing collection analysis. Through ongoing quantitative and qualitative methods, staff members will monitor the collection to see whether or not it continues to serve the needs and interests of the public. Evaluation techniques will include but not be limited to the following:
Interlibrary Loan
The Library is able to send requests to other libraries for materials not held within the Ocean State Libraries consortium. Not every item can be obtained through these means, though Library staff will make every effort to arrange for interlibrary loan. There may be a fee associated with such a loan due to shipping costs.
Gifts/Donated Materials
Gifts are evaluated according to the same selection criteria as purchased materials. The Library welcomes gifts in good condition with the understanding that any unneeded, duplicate, or damaged materials may be offered to another library, sold or disposed of. While appraisals of gift materials will not be made, the library will acknowledge their receipt in writing to the donor. Many donated items may be included in the Friends of the Library Book Sale to raise funds to support the Library. The Library does not accept donations of textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines, or videocassettes.
Monetary donations are accepted for the purchase of library materials. In the case of memorial gifts, the library makes every effort to acquire material on a subject specified by the donor. A special bookplate designates memorial gifts.
See Appendix D for Gift Policy
Reconsideration of Library Materials
Patrons may request the Library reconsider materials which they find to be objectionable with the “Request for Reconsideration” form, available at service desks. Users provide personal information, such as name, address, and telephone number, specific information about the material such as title, author and format, and what is found to be objectionable. Users are requested to be as specific as possible. Requests are sent to the Library Director. The Library Director will acknowledge receipt of the form within two weeks.
The Library Director, after reviewing the recommendation, will render a decision as to whether the library material remains on the shelf or is removed from the collection and will notify patron of said decision. A final appeal may be made to the Library Board of Trustees. During the process, the material in question will remain on the shelf and be available for circulation.
See Appendix for Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form.
In accord with our Mission Statement, the Warwick Public Library endeavors to develop resources and services to meet the informational needs of our community. Advances in technology have made possible many new library resources, some of which are used and accessed in ways different from print media. This statement is intended to outline library policies and user responsibilities regarding electronic resources and the Internet. Most electronic information resources, including the Internet, are accessed through public-access computer workstations at the Library. Use of any computer workstation shall constitute acceptance by the user of the Library's policies, and agreement to follow these policies. This acceptance is reaffirmed each time a workstation is used.
The Internet is a global electronic network that offers access to a nearly unlimited variety of materials and information. However, the quality of that information varies greatly. Not all resources on the Internet provide information that is accurate, complete, current, or legal. Some Internet sites contain material that you may find to be offensive, disturbing, and inappropriate for children. The Warwick Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the content of materials on the Internet, which often changes rapidly and unpredictably.
Users are responsible for the choice of Internet sites that they visit, and the Warwick Public Library cannot be held responsible for the contents of any site. Just as the Library does not vouch for or endorse the viewpoints of written materials, we do not do so for electronic information, including Internet sites.
Library staff can provide guidance to users, and suggest appropriate sites. Our home page offers easy and convenient access to valuable local, national, and international resources.
In no event shall the Warwick Public Library have any liability for lost profits or for any direct or indirect special, punitive, or consequential damages, or any liability to a third party, even if the Library is advised of the possibility of such damages, arising from the use of its connection to the Internet.
As with other library materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. The Warwick Public Library does not serve in loco parentis; the Library cannot usurp the right and responsibility of parents and guardians to supervise children's use of the Internet. Please read "My rules for Online Safety" and the pamphlet "Parents, Kids, and the Internet" for more information. Our Kids Page provides a great starting point for children's use of the Internet.
Guidelines
All users of computer workstations must agree to abide by the following rules:
Approved by Library Board of Trustees 6/28/02
In keeping with the mission of the Warwick Public Library, the Library serves as a distribution point for community information related to civic, cultural, and educational organizations, events, or services that are of general interest to the community. An information table may be reserved by local community organizations, governmental departments, or other non-profit groups providing services and resources to the community to disseminate information. Tabling requests must provide a community service that aligns with the Library’s mission. Preference will be given to organizations serving the City of Warwick and its residents.
Information tables may be used for the following types of information:
The Warwick Public Library is a member of the Ocean State Libraries (OSL) consortium and the Library of Rhode Island (LORI). This policy will defer to OSL and LORI rules should there be a conflict.
Anyone with a library card issued at an OSL library may freely borrow materials from the Warwick Public Library.
Interlibrary loan service is available to valid library card holders, except those holding local-use-only cards. Library holdings may be requested via the OSL electronic catalog. These include materials belonging to any public library in Rhode Island, as well as materials owned by college and university libraries that are members of LORI. Availability of these items is dependent on the owning library’s policies. Items not found in LORI libraries can be requested from out of state. A one-way shipping charge is required for out-of-state materials and requests are limited to five per month.
Warwick Public Library materials that can be reserved are available for interlibrary loan with the exception of items classified as equipment or ereader.
Approved by Trustees 11-19-15, Rev. 3-28-18
Guidelines for Borrowing and Use
Proper Care and Use
Loan Periods and Late Fees
Materials may be checked out for the following loan periods. Please note late fees. Any materials not returned within 30 days of the due date will be charged to the account.
Children's Books, CDs, Books on CD, Magazines | 21 days | No Late Fees |
Magazines | 7 days | No Late Fees |
Books | 21 days | No Late Fees |
7 Day Books | 7 days | $.50 per day |
Music CDs, Books on CD | 21 days | No Late Fees |
All DVDs | 1 day, 7 days & 21 days | No Late Fees |
Museum Passes | 1 day | $5.00 per day |
Hotspots, iPads and Chromebooks | 14 days | $2.00 per day |
Renewing Materials
Renew online at My Account or by calling 739-5440. We honor the loan periods and fine structures of the owning library's items sent through the State's delivery system.
Please see your receipt for due dates, or contact the library for more information: 739-5440. The cost of items not returned within 30 days of the due date will be charged to the patron's library account. The account will be blocked from usage until the replacement charges are paid or until the items are returned.
The Warwick Public Library makes its meeting rooms available for use by groups and organizations for cultural, informational, educational, and civic purposes. All meetings must be free and open to the public. Room availability is contingent on there being no conflict with library programs or meetings, which have first priority at all times.
Each organization requesting use of the meeting rooms must complete an application before scheduling a meeting at the Library. Applications must be completed by an adult (18+) who assumes responsibility for the group’s usage of the room. The fact that a group is permitted to meet at the Warwick Public Library does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group's policies and/or beliefs.
Approved by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees 3/27/2013
Revised by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees on 1/26/2022
Revised by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees on 9/21/2022
Revised by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees on 01/18/2023
The Library premises are available for the use of members of the public to meet their needs in accessing information and for quiet enjoyment of library materials and equipment. As part of its educational mission, the library permits tutoring on the premises in accordance with this policy.
The Library does not sponsor, recommend, or assume liability or responsibility for the work and/or activities of tutors who use library space. All arrangements must be made between the tutor, student, and parents.
Guidelines
Tutors are asked to observe the following guidelines when tutoring in the library.
Approved by the Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees 4/23/08
One of the primary missions of the Library is to provide a variety of services for children of all ages. The Library encourages visits by young children, and it is our desire to make these visits both memorable and enjoyable for the child.
The Library is, however, a public building, and as such, is not necessarily a safe place to leave a child unattended.
A child is considered unattended if they are in the Library without a parent or responsible caregiver over the age of 12. Said parent or caregiver must present with them in the same part of the Library if the child is going to be deemed attended. The Library will abide by the following policy and procedures for dealing with children left unattended in the library.
Approved by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees 8/27/20003
Revised by Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees on 1/18/2023