The Library Board of Trustees for Frederick County Public Libraries (Board) regularly adopts, revises, and reaffirms library policy. These policies seek to reflect the Mission, Vision, and Values established by library staff and approved by the Board, and serve to assist staff in providing the best possible service to the citizens of Frederick County.
By facilitating the public’s freedom to explore, to invent, and to transform, FCPL connects people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth.
An informed, empowered, and vibrant community.
We are kind. We listen and connect. We create.
At the discretion of the Library Director, Frederick County Public Libraries reserves the right to host events where food and beverage, including alcoholic beverages, may be served and consumed on the premises.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 4/3/13.
Revised 9/6/17. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
Most Library materials can be borrowed for 21 days and renewed up to 5 times unless the material is reserved; see chart below.
| Most books and audiobooks | 21 days |
| Express Books | 7 days – no renewals |
| DVDs / Launchpads / Magazines / Hot Spots | 7 days |
| Express DVDs | 3 days – no renewals |
Extension of due dates may be possible at the discretion of library staff. Book drops are open at all times. Digital content borrowing terms are set by each resource provider and are not covered by this policy.
Frederick County Public Libraries does not charge fines for overdue items. Items that are more than 10 days overdue will block the customer account from checking out more materials. If an item is overdue for more than 21 days, it is assumed lost, and the customer account will be charged a replacement cost for the item.
At the patron’s request, and if found, the lowest price reflected on Amazon for a new copy of the item (matching ISBN) may be accepted as the replacement cost. The library will acquire all replacement copies. Once a lost item has been paid for, no refunds will be issued.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 9/6/17. Revised 9/7/22. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
| Frederick County Public Libraries is committed to serving everyone equitably regardless of origin, age, background, or views. These guidelines ensure that everyone may access the library’s resources, services, and opportunities. Visitors and staff alike have the right to a safe and respectful experience, free from discrimination, intimidation, threat of harm or invasion of privacy. The below applies to anyone sharing physical or virtual spaces offered by the library. Staff may make requests regarding behaviors not outlined in this document if actions are detracting from this vision. | |
BE SAFE The role of FCPL is to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all. Examples of requested behaviors include but are not limited to:
| RESPECT THE SPACE The role of FCPL is to maintain a clean and comfortable shared environment. Examples of requested behaviors include but are not limited to:
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RESPECT EACH OTHER The role of FCPL is to create a respectful environment where the diverse needs and expectations of all can be met. Examples of requested behaviors include but are not limited to:
| SUPERVISE THOSE IN YOUR CARE The role of FCPL is to support and empower parents, guardians, and caregivers who serve as responsible parties for the safety and behavior of individuals requiring care while visiting the library. Children must not be left alone. In Maryland, a child under the age of 8 years may not be left unattended. If a parent or guardian needs to leave a child who is younger than 8 years old, they must ensure that a reliable person, who is at least 13 years old, will stay to supervise the child. If unsupervised children and other patrons who require care are unable to provide necessary information or the guardian cannot be reached, the police will be notified. |
| ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY Please seek staff assistance if these guidelines are not being followed. Staff will respond in a timely, respectful, and direct manner that is consistent and fair. Our enforcement is designed to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for staff and customers while preserving access to library resources, services, and opportunities. Consideration will be given to age, ability, and other individual circumstances. Failure to comply with the Library’s Code of Conduct could result in being asked to leave, emergency services being contacted, and/or suspension from the library’s spaces. | |
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 10/2/2024. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
Frederick County Public Library (FCPL) employees are subject to the disciplinary and grievance procedures in the Frederick County Government (FCG) personnel rules, except as specifically provided herein or as provided in State law or regulations. Grievances shall follow Chapter IX, Section 2, of the FCG personnel rules, with the final decision being made by the FCPL Director. Appeals of disciplinary actions other than suspension or dismissal shall also follow Chapter IX, Section 2, with the final decision being made by the FCPL Director. Appeals of suspensions will follow the process in Chapter IX, Section 1, with the final decision being made by the Library Board of Trustees if the employee appeals the FCPL Director's decision. Appeals of dismissals will also follow the process in Chapter IX, Section 1, with the appeal going to the FCPL Director and then to the Library Board of Trustees. When the Board of Trustees' decision is not unanimous, the employee may appeal to the State Board of Education for a final decision.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 11/2/16. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
I. Purpose
This policy establishes recommendations for the naming of spaces and fixtures within the areas on the grounds of the Frederick County Public Libraries facilities. This policy does not address naming Library buildings.
II. Scope
The Library Board of Trustees (Board) will consider naming facilities of the Frederick County Public Libraries pursuant to the criteria and procedures established by this Policy.
III. Criteria
In order to recognize the generosity of an individual and/or corporation, foundation and/or other donor, the Library may choose to name a collection, facility, portion of a facility, etc. The Board has the sole right to name or rename a space and retains the authority to reject naming proposals at the recommendation of the Director of the Frederick County Public Libraries (Director).
In general, the contribution required for naming each library space or fixture should reflect at least 60% of the construction cost based on current market values (as a guideline only), to be approved of by the Board.
To inquire about naming opportunities within the Frederick County Public Libraries, please contact the Director.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 6/13/13. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
The Internet is an ungoverned and unregulated source of information. The library cannot control what others provide on the Internet. The library provides a choice to individual members of our community to access the Internet according to their personal values and beliefs.
Frederick County Public Libraries provides free access to the Internet and its resources for all library users. Library patrons are advised, as with all library materials, to exercise judgment and discrimination when evaluating the usefulness and reliability of material found on the Internet.
Access to obscene matter and child pornography is prohibited on all library computers. As with other library materials, restriction of minors' (children under 18) access to the Internet is the responsibility of parents/legal guardians. Parents/legal guardians are responsible for the information selected or accessed by their children. Staff will actively intervene when they observe inappropriate behavior or it is brought to their attention.
In compliance with Maryland State law, all public access Internet computers in FCPL branches are filtered with commercially purchased software to block objectionable material. Children’s Internet access computers are filtered at a more stringent level than Internet computers for adult use. Please be aware that no filtering software is 100% effective.
Users are responsible for compliance with all copyright notices and restrictions attached to web content, all state and federal laws, and the Library Rules of Conduct and Behavior.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 9/4/02 and amended on 6/6/12. Revised 9/6/17. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
Library cards are free to anyone who lives or works in Maryland and to anyone with a valid card from any of the following libraries: District of Columbia; Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church; and Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties in Virginia. Proof of name and address required.
Out of State residents may obtain a card for a one-time fee of $40.00.
To obtain a library card, registrants must produce photo identification and proof of their current address. Examples of acceptable proof of address include, but are not limited to, personal checks with name and address, bills that reflect name and address, or a signed lease agreement that shows name and address.
If no proof of address is available, a registrant may receive a card and check out 3 items. Upon their next visit or within 60 days, whichever comes first, the individual must present proof of address or the account will be removed from the system. Cards expire if not used in 2 years.
A person under the age of 12 is eligible for a children’s library card and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to obtain one. The parent or legal guardian must provide proper proof of address.
Library cardholders are responsible for lost or damaged materials, and parents/guardians are responsible for all materials borrowed on a children’s library card.
Revised policy approved by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 9/6/17. Revised 9/4/19, 9/6/23. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
FCPL strives to provide an environment that encourages all customers to use its facilities, services, and resources in a safe and respectful manner. When not reserved for Library use, Library facilities are available regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of groups or individuals requesting their use. Permission to use FCPL facilities does not constitute an endorsement of the beliefs, ideas, or policies expressed by groups or individuals using the space.
Facilities refers to all space occupied or used by FCPL including:
Availability of these facilities varies in shared-use buildings and in relation to our mobile service vehicles.
FCPL reserves the right to cancel usage of the facility due to construction, elections, or unforeseen conflicts. In the case of an emergency closure, the Library will notify the group’s contact person listed on the meeting room reservation.
FCPL reserves the right to refuse use of the rooms to individuals or groups who do not adhere to this policy, FCPL’s Code of Conduct, or other library policies.
The Branch Administrator, in coordination with FCPL Administration when required, shall have final authority regarding the use of Library spaces. The Branch Administrator will be the final arbiter of disagreements concerning the application of the policies and guidelines.
Use by outside groups or individuals must adhere to the Library’s Code of Conduct and any other relevant policies and may not interfere with regular library operations.
The group or individual is liable for any damage caused by them to the Library facility or equipment, and they will be billed accordingly. Future use of Library space will be denied until payment is received.
Each group shall be financially responsible for any injury to persons and damage, theft or loss of property (either personal or library-owned) resulting while using Library facilities. The Library cannot assume responsibility for private property used on Library premises. Private property can be used at the owner’s risk. Library facilities may not be used to store personal items.
Signage on or around any part of the facility can only be posted with permission from Library staff.
Activities on Library property occurring outside of normal operating hours are limited to FCPL- sponsored events and activities, with approval from the Director.
FCPL is unable to provide space in public areas for collection bins.
Because the Library is considered a limited public forum, federal and state laws allow individuals to use outdoor spaces on FCPL property to gather signatures, display hand-held signs, pass out fliers, and engage in other expressive activities protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, so long as the passage of Library customers to and from the facility is not impeded. Interactions related to petitions or demonstrations must be initiated by the customer, not the demonstrator.
If an expressive activity will take place on all or any portion of a public street, sidewalk, or neighboring park, and/or if it involves the assembly of more than 50 people, organizers may be required to obtain a special permit from the applicable City or County.
Voter registration must be conducted in a non-partisan manner. No endorsements may be made of any political party or candidate. Interactions related to voter registration must be initiated by the customer, not the organizers.
Library branches serving as early voting locations will enter a Memorandum of Understanding with the Frederick County Board of Elections and uphold the agreements within. Electioneering and campaign signs will be allowed at these locations during times and areas designated by the MOU.
Fundraising activities or the sale of goods and services on Library property are limited to FCPL-sponsored events and activities including those related to Library Friend’s groups.
Lobby use is restricted to non-partisan voter registration, Census education, blood drives, and FCPL-sponsored events and activities.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 9/3/25.
It is the function of the Frederick County Public Libraries to provide materials for all citizens of all ages. As many subject fields as possible are provided; limitations are those of budget and space. Our selection is based upon principles rather than personal opinion, reason rather than prejudice, and judgment rather than censorship. Materials will serve to meet the diverse needs and interests of the community, representing a variety of viewpoints, in accordance with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of Frederick County Public Libraries, the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association (see Addendum B), and ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement (see Addendum C).
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 7/30/57. Revised 7/30/72, 9/6/17. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
FCPL makes meeting rooms available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. Meeting rooms are defined as interior branch spaces designed for public group meetings, Library programming, and the presentation and exchange of information and opinions of all kinds. When not in use by the Library, meeting spaces may be reserved by customers on a first-come, first-served basis.
All meetings must be open to the public excluding meetings that pertain to Library/Government work-related activities. No event organizer is permitted to bar others from the room unless it is necessary to comply with fire code limits. By making a meeting space available, the Library does not endorse the views of any group using the space.
Meeting rooms may not be used for parties or personal events or for regular business operations. Sales and fundraising are allowed only in conjunction with a Library event.
Fees may not be charged to attendees by event organizers. The Library does not charge fees for use of its meeting rooms.
FCPL reserves the right to deny applications for use based on the availability of space, repeated no-shows, or failure to adhere to policies and guidelines.
Authorization to use FCPL’s facilities does not reflect sponsorship by the Library. Responsibility for appropriate promotion lies with the event organizer. Meeting room reservations do not appear on FCPL’s Calendar of Events. No implication can be made through written material or media relations that FCPL is sponsoring the event. The FCPL logo cannot be used without the library’s permission, and promotion or advertisements shall include the phrase, “Not a Library-sponsored event”.
Library staff will respond to any disturbances or complaints regarding the usage of meeting rooms but do not generally supervise the actions or activities of any person or group utilizing the space.
Frederick County Public Libraries' Code of Conduct and Facilities Use Policy must be adhered to at all times. Alcohol may not be served in the Library or on its grounds.
Open flames are prohibited including candles and incense. Items, such as essential oils, with a heavy perfume or fragrance are also prohibited.
Sign language interpretation is supplied for Library programs only. Interpreter needs for meeting room reservations are the responsibility of the event organizer.
Concerns about the application of the Meeting Room Policy should be referred to the Meeting Room Coordinator. The Branch Administrator will be the final arbiter of disagreements concerning the application of the policy and guidelines.
Revised policy approved by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries 11/4/15. Revised 9/7/2022, Revised 9/3/25.
Frederick County Public Libraries takes the security and confidentiality of personal data very seriously. The Library does not retain records of customer account activity and personal data beyond what is necessary to conduct account operations properly. Library staff do not release such information to individuals or to any private or public agency. The Library will comply with all proper judicial processes, such as a government order to produce documents or information, while preserving customer confidentiality to the extent allowed by law. Library staff may access personal data stored in the library’s computer system only for the purpose of performing their assigned library duties.
Credit card payments are processed in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard to ensure secure transactions.
Parents and/or legal guardians shall have complete access to the library records for all children’s card accounts.
The Library uses the web analytics tool Google Analytics to gather information about library-maintained website usage. This tool uses cookies to collect statistical data such as browser type and operating system to determine usage patterns. Google Analytics collects this information anonymously and does not identify individuals or information about specific users. Library users may opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics without affecting their use of library-maintained websites at https://support.google.com/analytics.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 6/6/12. Revised 9/6/17, 9/6/23. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
A maximum of 30 minutes will be reserved for public comments at all Library Board meetings, 15 minutes at the beginning of the meeting and an additional 15 minutes at the end of the meeting. If more people wish to speak than time allows, public comments shall continue at the discretion of the board.
The board will hear public comments prior to voting on each agenda item. Public comments will follow staff presentation and board comments.
Persons desiring to speak should register 10 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting start time indicating (1) name of speaker, (2) topic(s) to be discussed, and (3) whether the speaker is speaking as an individual or representing an organization. Additional public comments may be solicited by the Board from individuals who have not signed up prior to the meeting.
Speakers shall be allotted up to three (3) minutes each and may not yield all or part of their time to anyone else.
If individuals have specific concerns relating to actions of staff members, such concerns may be communicated to the Director at any time.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries 10/6/04. Revised 9/6/17. Reaffirmed 9/3/25.
Maryland public library system believe in the spirit of cooperation in providing public service to the residents of Maryland. This agreement is separate from the policies and procedures set forth in the Maryland Interlibrary Organization agreement. This agreement does not apply to MARINA loans, please see Resource Sharing/Interlibrary Loan Agreement.
Updated July 17, 2018
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.
Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices. See the documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/freedomreadstatement
The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label "controversial" views, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to counter threats to safety or national security, as well as to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as individuals devoted to reading and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating ideas, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read.
Most attempts at suppression rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary individual, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be "protected" against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression.
These efforts at suppression are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, art and images, films, broadcast media, and the Internet. The problem is not only one of actual censorship. The shadow of fear cast by these pressures leads, we suspect, to an even larger voluntary curtailment of expression by those who seek to avoid controversy or unwelcome scrutiny by government officials.
Such pressure toward conformity is perhaps natural to a time of accelerated change. And yet suppression is never more dangerous than in such a time of social tension. Freedom has given the United States the elasticity to endure strain. Freedom keeps open the path of novel and creative solutions, and enables change to come by choice. Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with controversy and difference.
Now as always in our history, reading is among our greatest freedoms. The freedom to read and write is almost the only means for making generally available ideas or manners of expression that can initially command only a small audience. The written word is the natural medium for the new idea and the untried voice from which come the original contributions to social growth. It is essential to the extended discussion that serious thought requires, and to the accumulation of knowledge and ideas into organized collections.
We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture. We believe that these pressures toward conformity present the danger of limiting the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. We believe that every American community must jealously guard the freedom to publish and to circulate, in order to preserve its own freedom to read. We believe that publishers and librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to that freedom to read by making it possible for the readers to choose freely from a variety of offerings.
The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in free people will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights and will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights.
We therefore affirm these propositions:
We state these propositions neither lightly nor as easy generalizations. We here stake out a lofty claim for the value of the written word. We do so because we believe that it is possessed of enormous variety and usefulness, worthy of cherishing and keeping free. We realize that the application of these propositions may mean the dissemination of ideas and manners of expression that are repugnant to many persons. We do not state these propositions in the comfortable belief that what people read is unimportant. We believe rather that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours.
This statement was originally issued in May of 1953 by the Westchester Conference of the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, which in 1970 consolidated with the American Educational Publishers Institute to become the Association of American Publishers. Adopted June 25, 1953, by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee; amended January 28, 1972; January 16, 1991; July 12, 2000; June 30, 2004. Last Updated 4/29/17.