Outreach and Extended Services Policy

The Library Board also approved revisions to the Extended Services Policy, which has been renamed the Outreach and Extended Services Policy, effective Thursday, July 23.

The revised policy adds information about bookmobile service, including the fact that loan periods for bookmobile materials may differ from loan periods at library branches.

Please review the updated policy, copied and pasted below, and ask if you have any questions.

Outreach and Extended Services Policy

 

Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) recognizes the importance of all community members having free and equitable access to library programs and services, but understands not everyone is able to regularly visit library branches. Therefore, to the extent allowed by staffing levels and budget considerations, FCPL will extend services to the community in ways that reach beyond the physical facilities. FCPL may offer outreach services in the community by:

• Maintaining a robust collection of digital resources and services that provide library cardholders with remote access at any time of day.
• Offering bookmobile service.
• Offering mobile library services, storytimes, classes, and other educational activities at off-site locations.
• Partnering with educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations whose missions emphasize education and literacy.
• Participating in events that provide opportunities for FCPL to provide off-site library services and promote library programs.
• Promoting the services of the Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS). This service promotes the use of assistive technology and provides accessible reading materials to those who, due to a disability, are unable to read standard print.
• Providing materials from the library collection by mail to patrons in Forsyth County who have difficulty visiting the library. Patrons must meet one or more of the following criteria to qualify for Mailbox Books service:
• Have a permanent or temporary disability or medical condition that prevents a person from visiting the library.
• Reside in a nursing care or assisted living facility, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.
• Other health conditions that make a person unable to visit the library. 

Bookmobile Service

FCPL welcomes visitors to access materials, attend programs, and utilize resources on the bookmobile.  In addition to providing a collection of materials that may be borrowed, the bookmobile also provides technology and programming as appropriate for its space and its expected users.

In order to borrow materials, a patron must have a Forsyth County Public Library card.  Materials may be returned to the bookmobile or to any FCPL location.  The loan period for bookmobile materials may differ from loan periods at library branches.

The library publishes a regular schedule of bookmobile stops within Forsyth County.  Multiple factors are taken into consideration when establishing, continuing, or discontinuing bookmobile stops, including distance from FCPL branches, safety, accessibility, and the ability to maneuver the bookmobile at the stop.

All efforts will be made to adhere to the published bookmobile schedule.  However, schedules may be adjusted at the discretion of library staff, who will provide as much advance notification as possible.  Fines that are accrued on materials checked out on the bookmobile due to schedule delays or cancellations will be waived. 

The Patron Behavior Policy, Library Cards and Borrowing Materials Policy, and other FCPL policies apply on the bookmobile.