SCHOOL VISITS & STUDENT ACCESS POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to nurture literacy with young readers, support lifelong learning, and community engagement by welcoming scheduled visits from Sibley-Ocheyedan middle school students during the school year. These visits allow students to access a broader selection of materials and library services that may not be available through the school library alone, while ensuring a safe, respectful, and well-managed environment for all library users.

All visits must be scheduled in advance, appropriately supervised, and conducted in a manner consistent with the Sibley Public Library’s mission, policies, and daily operations.

SCHEDULING

  1. Visit Plan: At the start of the school year, the school must provide an estimated number of students, the expected time of the visit, and the names of students in each grade.
  2. Advance Notice: All school visits must be scheduled at least two (2) weeks in advance with library staff to ensure adequate staffing and space availability.
  3. Library Hours: School visits will take place during the library’s regular business hours. The library is not available for unscheduled classroom use unless prior arrangements have been made.

SUPERVISION & CONDUCT

  1. School Supervision: Teachers, designated school chaperones, and/or parents are responsible for supervising students at all times during the visit, including monitoring student behavior and activities. Library staff provide access to library services and materials but do not assume supervisory responsibility.
  2. Material Selection Responsibility: Responsibility for monitoring and approving the materials selected and checked out by students rests solely with the student’s teachers, designated school chaperones, and/or parents or guardians. In accordance with principles of intellectual freedom and the Library’s Collection Development Policy, library staff will not restrict, select, or deny materials to students based on age, grade level, or content during school visits.
  3. Behavior Expectations: Students are expected to follow the Library’s Conduct Policy and all other applicable library policies. Disruptive or unsafe behavior may result in a shortened visit or limitations on future visits.

ACCESS TO MATERIALS

  1. School-Issued Library Cards: Students participating in scheduled school visits may check out materials using a school-issued library card. Individual public library cards are not required for these visits.
  2. Checkout Limits: Students are limited to two (2) items per visit when using a school-issued library card. Items include books and magazines. Any other library materials should be checked out with personal cards. These limits apply only to school visit checkouts and may differ from standard borrowing limits.
  3. Use of School Card: School-issued library cards may only be used during scheduled school visits and are not valid for independent use outside of these visits.
  4. Digital Materials Access: Students may use their school library card number to access the library’s online catalog of eBooks and audiobooks. Digital access remains available until the student graduates from or leaves the school system, subject to applicable licensing agreements and Library policy.
  5. Intellectual Freedom: The library provides access to its collections in accordance with its Collection Development Policy and principles of intellectual freedom. Library staff do not restrict student access to materials based on age, grade level, or content.
  6. Lost or Damaged Materials: The Library will cover the cost of lost or damaged materials checked out on school-issued library cards up to a cumulative total agreed upon with the school per school year. Costs exceeding this amount will be the responsibility of the school and/or the student, as determined in coordination with the school and in accordance with Library policy.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Sibley Public Library provides equal access and library services without discrimination, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and library policy.

 

Adopted: February 3, 2026
Scheduled for Review: February 2029