Founded in 1907, GLAC includes eight neighborhood libraries including the Brand Library & Art Center, a regional visual arts and music library, galleries, and performance venue housed in the historic 1904 mansion of Glendale pioneer Leslie Brand; and the Central Library, a 93,000 square foot center of community where individuals convene, collaborate, and create. In addition to the galleries at Brand, GLAC also hosts the ReflectSpace Gallery at Central Library. As a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, ReflectSpace is an exhibition space designed to explore and reflect on genocides, and human and civil rights violations
GLAC also serves as the chief liaison to the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission, which works to continually transform Glendale into an ever-evolving arts destination. Because of this activity, GLAC manages the Urban Art Program and Fund, including citywide public art initiatives and arts programming. Through this work, GLAC seeks to promote a diverse and stimulating cultural environment to enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors.
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Arts and Culture Commission Website
The mission of the Arts and Culture Commission is to enrich the human experience, reinforce Glendale’s identity and civic pride through arts and culture, and to recognize the importance of arts to our quality of life and to the local economy. This is accomplished by consciously integrating arts and culture into the daily life of the people of Glendale through urban design, planning, economic development, and education.
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The City of Glendale purchases and contracts for a wide variety of supplies, services, equipment, and expert assistance to provide our community a full range of municipal services and programs/
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This plan provides a roadmap for ongoing development and implementation of efforts related to inclusion, diversity, equality, and anti-racism for the City of Glendale Library, Arts and Culture Department and Arts and Culture Commission.
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Want to know more about Glendale’s history? Need help with a local history research question? The Glendale History Room is here to help. Our collections include Glendale city directories from 1906-1977; historical photographs, maps and periodicals; local newspapers; and published books.
Finding aids for archival collections are on the Online Archive of California.
The Glendale History Room is currently open by appointment only. Please contact us at glendalehistoryroom@glendaleca.gov or 818-548-2037 for more information.
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INTERIOR RULES OF BEHAVIOR
The Interior Rules of Behavior are designed to: ensure the safety and respect of all people, maintain and protect Library property, and encourage patrons to use the Library for the purpose for which it was designed. The City of Glendale welcomes everyone to use Library facilities and resources for learning, reading, writing, studying, thinking, quiet contemplation, cultural and community activities, and obtaining information.
A patron whose activity, conduct, or behavior is incompatible and inconsistent with the Library’s proper use or safe operation will be required to leave the Library facility and grounds. Subsequent infractions may result in a 30-day, 90-day, and/or 1-year ban from all Glendale Library, Arts & Culture branches.
CONDUCT
The following conduct, behavior, and acts are prohibited:
Level 1 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Loud, boisterous, disruptive, or unsafe behavior that:
Disturbs, or can be reasonably expected to disturb, other patrons;
Interferes with or hinders patrons’ or Library staff’s safety, use, comfort, or quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the Library; or
Interferes with or hinders Library staff’s performance of their duties, or the operations of the Library.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Talking loudly, talking to another person, or talking in a monologue.
Singing, or playing a musical instrument, or both, except as part of an event or program authorized by the Library Administration.
Engaging Library staff in a conversation, unrelated to Library business or Library operations, which continues for 5 minutes or longer.
Operating or using a cell phone, audio equipment, headphones, personal electronic or entertainment equipment, or another device at a volume that other patrons can hear.
Running, climbing, pushing, shoving, or wrestling.
Throwing an object.
Discarding trash or debris in a place other than in a trash receptacle.
Spitting.
Consuming food, or an open beverage, or both. A non-alcoholic beverage in a covered container and small snack food may be consumed in the Library, except in a designated zone, with a posted sign, where food and beverage is prohibited.
Sleeping in excess of thirty (30) minutes.
Lying on the floor or furniture.
Placing feet on a table, chair, or against a wall.
“Overcrowding” in a seating area.
Bringing an animal into the Library building, except a service animal to aid a person with a disability or an animal for a Library-sponsored program.
Leaving or storing “excessive baggage” in the Library building.
Leaving a personal belonging (such as a bag, backpack, suitcase, box, or package) unattended― or storing it― in the Library building.
Preventing, impeding, or obstructing another patron or Library staff from entering or exiting the Library, or using Library material, equipment, or facilities.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Placing one or more personal belongings on a seat, carrel, or table not being used by the owner.
Reserving one or more carrels or tables.
Hiding or misfiling reading material.
Blocking a passageway, aisle, room, entrance, or exit.
Rearranging and moving furniture to a different part of the Library.
Using one or more electrical outlets in a way that creates a tripping hazard. Use of electrical outlets is restricted to Library-owned equipment and other patron-owned devices for the purpose of learning, reading, writing, studying, thinking, listening, viewing, and obtaining information.
Using recreational equipment, such as a roller blade, in-line skate, bicycle, scooter, wagon, or skateboard.
Entering the Library or remaining in the facility without wearing outer clothing, including:
A shirt or other covering of the upper body;
Pants, shorts, skirt or other covering of the lower body; and
Shoes or other footwear.
Selling or offering to sell a product, service, or merchandise, or any combination of those acts, except at a Library sponsored event.
Distributing material, taking a survey, or gathering signatures for a petition in violation of Library Policy 3-A-10, “Distribution of Flyers by Public,” or any successor policy.
Leaving a minor under the age of nine (9) years unattended at any time during a Library visit.
Filming or photographing without a City of Glendale permit or permission of the Library Administration.
Violating a Library rule, policy, or procedure regarding the use of the Library’s computers or the internet.
Refusing or failing to follow the reasonable direction of Library staff.
Level 2 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Behavior directed at another person, group, or Library staff that a reasonable Library user or a reasonable Library staff member would find to be harassing, annoying, threatening, or disrupting.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Staring at another person.
Following another person about the building.
Yelling at a patron or staff.
Eavesdropping on another person or invading that person’s privacy.
“Smoking” anywhere on the premises.
Misusing a restroom, including using it for laundering, bathing, shaving, or hair cutting or shampooing.
Using Children’s Room furniture or a Children’s Room bathroom by an adult who is not related to or supervising a child or children in the room.
Soliciting, asking, or begging in an aggressive manner.
Loitering.
Having bodily hygiene or emanating bodily odor that is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other patrons, or Library staff, or both.
Level 3 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Being in a state of intoxication or under the influence of: an alcoholic beverage, illegal drug, controlled substance, or another substance.
Knowingly entering a non-public area of the premises.
Level 4 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Throwing an object at another patron or Library staff.
Committing, or threatening to commit, an assault, battery, physical harm, or bodily injury against an individual or group of individuals.
Possessing, carrying, displaying, or using a weapon, firearm, or ammunition, except as allowed by law.
Selling, distributing, using, or possessing an illegal drug or controlled substance.
Selling, distributing, consuming, or possessing an alcoholic beverage, except as part of an event or program authorized by the Library Administration.
Committing theft of Library material, equipment, or property.
Destroying, damaging, defacing, or misusing Library material, equipment, furniture, facilities, or property.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Writing in, highlighting, or annotating Library material.
Defacing, cutting, tearing, and removing one or more pages, or parts of pages, from Library material.
Misusing, altering, or tampering with Library technological hardware, or software, or both.
Carving an initial, word, symbol, or picture into a surface or furniture covering.
Applying graffiti.
Stuffing or clogging a toilet, sink, or pipe.
Gambling.
Possessing, igniting, or using a substance, material, or device that is hazardous, combustible, flammable, or explosive.
Engaging in:
Exhibitionism;
Voyeurism; or
Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse of another patron or Library staff.
Loitering by an adult to engage anyone under eighteen (18) years of age in unlawful or illegal conduct.
Trespassing.
Depositing, by means of urination or defecation, “human waste material” in any area of the Library other than in a toilet or other receptacle designed for such waste.
Committing, or attempting to commit, an act that constitutes a misdemeanor or felony under federal, state, or local law.
EXTERIOR RULES OF BEHAVIOR
The Exterior Rules of Behavior are designed to: ensure the safety and respect of all people, ensure the ground’s maintenance, protect Library property, and create an environment that encourages use of the property for the purpose for which it was designed.
The City of Glendale welcomes everyone to use the grounds surrounding the libraries. A patron whose activity, conduct, or behavior is incompatible and inconsistent with the Library’s proper use or safe operation will be required to leave the Library facility and grounds.
The following conduct, behavior, and acts are prohibited:
Level 1 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
a. Loud, boisterous, disruptive, or unsafe behavior that:
(1) Disturbs, or can be reasonably expected to disturb, other patrons;
(2) Interferes with or hinders patrons’ or Library staff’s safety, use, comfort, or quiet and peaceful enjoyment of Library grounds; or
(3) Interferes with or hinders Library staff’s performance of their duties, or the operations of the Library. Examples include, but are not limited to:
(A) Obstructing an entrance, exit, ` passageway, or an access point to the Library.
(B) Preventing or impeding another patron or Library staff from entering, exiting, or using Library grounds.
(C) Running, climbing, pushing, shoving, or wrestling.
(D) Throwing an object.
(E) Discarding trash or debris in a place other than in a trash receptacle.
b. Locking or securing a bicycle to a tree or trash receptacle on Library grounds.
c. Bringing an animal onto Library grounds, except a dog on a leash or except a service animal to aid a person with a disability or an animal for a Library-sponsored program.
d. Failing to remove and properly dispose of dog defecation from Library grounds.
e. Leaving a personal belonging (such as a sleeping bag, bedroll, mat or blanket, luggage, camping or outdoors backpack, trash bag, container, box, package, or shopping cart) unattended or storing it on Library grounds, or within 20 feet of an entrance, exit, or door to the Library facility.
f. Nighttime camping.
g. Using recreational equipment, such as a roller blade, in-line skate, bicycle, scooter, wagon, or skateboard.
h. Selling or offering to sell a product, service, or merchandise, or any combination of those acts, except at a Library sponsored event.
i. Distributing material, taking a survey, or gathering signatures for a petition in violation of Library Policy 3-A-10, “Distribution of Flyers by Public,” or any successor policy.
j. Leaving a minor under the age of nine (9) years unattended at any time during a Library visit.
k. Filming or photographing without a City of Glendale permit or permission of the Library Administration.
l. Violating a Library rule, policy, or procedure regarding the use of the Library’s computers or the internet.
m. Refusing or failing to follow the reasonable direction of Library staff.
Level 2 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
a. Behavior directed at another person, group, or Library staff that a reasonable Library user or a reasonable Library staff member would find to be harassing, annoying, threatening, or disrupting.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
(1) Staring at another person.
(2) Following another person about the Library grounds.
(3) Yelling at a patron or staff.
(4) Eavesdropping on another person or invading that person’s privacy.
b. “Smoking” anywhere on the Library grounds.
c. Soliciting, asking, or begging in an aggressive manner.
d. Loitering.
e. Having bodily hygiene or emanating bodily odor that is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other patrons, or Library staff, or both.
Level 3 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
a. Being in a state of intoxication or under the influence of: an alcoholic beverage, illegal drug, controlled substance, or another substance.
b. Knowingly entering a non-public area of the premises.
Level 4 Offense
INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
a. Throwing an object at another patron or Library staff.
b. Committing, or threatening to commit, an assault, battery, physical harm, or bodily injury against an individual or group of individuals.
c. Possessing, carrying, displaying, or using a weapon, firearm, or ammunition, except as allowed by law.
d. Selling, distributing, using, or possessing an illegal drug or controlled substance.
e. Selling, distributing, consuming, or possessing an alcoholic beverage, except as part of an event or program authorized by the Library Administration.
f. Committing theft of Library material, equipment, or property.
g. Destroying, damaging, defacing, or misusing Library facilities or property.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
(1) Carving an initial, word, symbol, or picture into a surface.
(2) Applying graffiti.
h. Gambling.
i. Possessing, igniting, or using a substance, material, or device that is hazardous, combustible, flammable, or explosive.
j. Engaging in:
(1) Exhibitionism;
(2) Voyeurism; or
(3) Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse of another patron or Library staff.
k. Loitering by an adult to engage anyone under eighteen (18) years of age in unlawful or illegal conduct.
l. Trespassing.
m. Depositing, by means of urination or defecation, “human waste material” in any area of the Library other than in a toilet or other receptacle designed for such waste.
n. Committing, or attempting to commit, an act that constitutes a misdemeanor or felony under federal, state, or local law.
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Contents
8-A-5. BUDGET & ACQUISITIONS.. 5
8-A-6. MAINTENANCE, EVALUATION & DESELECTION.. 5
8-A-7. CONCERNS & CHALLENGES.. 5
8-A-1. INTRODUCTION
The Collection Development Policy (CDP) provides guidance for the stewardship of the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture’s (GLAC) digital and physical resources (“collections”) systemwide. The GLAC system includes Central Library, Brand Library & Art Center, the bookmobile, and six neighborhood libraries: Casa Verdugo Library, Chevy Chase Library, Grandview Library, Library Connection @ Adams Square, Montrose Library, and Pacific Park Library. The CDP is periodically evaluated and revised to reflect the evolving needs of the communities we serve and current best practices in public librarianship.
The CDP has been formulated in the service of the mission of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture (GLAC) as stated in Library Administration Policy 1-A. In pursuing our mission, we facilitate the realization of the city of Glendale, CA’s vision of an informed and engaged community enjoying rich cultural offerings.[1]
8-A-2. GUIDING PHILOSOPHY
GLAC’s collections exist to serve the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs our patrons. We are committed to providing easy and equitable access to collections that encourage reading and enrich quality of life, encompassing broad areas of knowledge and including materials of enduring value as well as current interest.
We affirm the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825)[2], including its requirements that the state’s public library collection development policies:
· “Acknowledge that the public library’s collection meets the broad and diverse interests of the community and respects both the library’s autonomy and their specific community needs.”
· “Establish that the public library serves as a center for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas.”
· “Acknowledge that library materials should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people, and should present diverse points of view in the collection as a whole.”
· “Acknowledge the right of the public to receive access to a range of social, political, aesthetic, moral, and other ideas and experiences.”
GLAC strives to meet the library material needs of our patrons with disabilities, regardless of format, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.[3] We affirm the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights,[4] Code of Ethics,[5] Freedom to Read Statement,[6] Freedom to View Statement,[7] and Access to Digital Resources and Services: An interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.[8]In sum, these documents present a unified vision of libraries as equitably accessible community hubs for the free flow of information—a valuable and necessary resource for healthy and happy communities and individuals.
GLAC collections highlight a wide range of human experience and expression and may contain language or images that some find offensive, harmful, or distressing. Visitors to our libraries might come across materials that are or have been the subject of controversy. GLAC includes this content because it is essential for understanding the diversity of human ideologies and behaviors. While we do not support offensive or harmful viewpoints, we believe in the importance of providing responsible and transparent access to historical evidence of social conditions and attitudes.
8-A-3. COLLECTION SCOPE
GLAC collections are diverse in nature (informational, educational, cultural, recreational); type (physical, digital); format (book, periodical, audio, visual, equipment); depth (introductory, intermediate, comprehensive); and lifespan (short-term and long-term interest). These categories and levels of emphasis are not meant to be precise or exclusive; they provide a general, summative description.
The majority of GLAC’s collections are in English. To meet the needs of Glendale’s diverse community GLAC also maintains collections in additional languages such as Armenian, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Spanish.
A small number of items are purchased or licensed for needs that are almost or entirely temporary, including print periodicals (magazines and newspapers), popular best-sellers, and so-called pay-per-use digital items. Due to storage constraints, limited calls for use, and easy access to digital back-catalogs, issues of periodicals are usually kept on hand for one year or less, after which they are removed from the collections. (See section 8-A-6. MAINTENANCE, EVALUATION, & DESELECTION, below.)
The Glendale Library, Arts & Culture cannot meet the demands of all school assignments or support all requests for specialized subject materials, such as medicine or law. When the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture collection cannot support a request, referrals will be made to appropriate libraries. It is the expectation of the public library that school, college and other libraries assume responsibility for the needs of their clientele.
8-A-4. SELECTION
Overall responsibility for the selection and maintenance of GLAC collections falls to the Collections Management Library Supervisor (CMLS) under the direction of the Library, Arts & Culture Director. Selection and maintenance of items in specific subject areas may be delegated to experienced librarians with appropriate expertise. In selecting library materials and formats, librarians weigh the following criteria:
· Request for purchase by library users or staff
· Quality of content
· Accurate and skillful presentation of information
· Creator’s artistic significance, credibility and reputation
· Publisher’s reputation and authority
· Critical reviews and professional recommendations
· Temporal value; relevance
· Insight into the human condition
· Timeliness of the subject and information; frequency of updates
· Recognition as a standard work in a field
· Current or potential demand and quantitative record of patron use
· Relevance to community needs
· Relationship to the existing collection and its presentation of diverse perspectives and viewpoints
· Availability of the same or similar materials at other libraries
· Suitability of subject, style, and level for the intended audience
· Suitability, availability, and durability of format
· Ease of use and quality of indexing
· Availability for purchase from vendors approved by the City of Glendale, CA
· Support for GLAC-supported events and reading clubs
· Interlibrary Loan borrowing requests
· Price
When selecting digital materials, librarians also take these additional criteria into account:
· Training required for installation and use
· Licensing requirements and flexibility of usage agreements
· Availability and quality of vendor support
· Impact of maintenance and updating
· Compatibility of hardware/software requirements with existing or anticipated operating systems and equipment
· Availability of full-text or unabridged material
· Relative value of digital versus print
· Discounts (multi-site, consortial, etc.)
Requests for the purchase of materials from the public and staff are given serious consideration by selecting librarians. Requests for the purchase of materials must be submitted online here: https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/library-arts-culture/suggest-a-title. Requested items are evaluated based on the Selection Criteria outlined in this policy.
The selection of any material or resource does not constitute an endorsement of the material or resource by the City of Glendale, GLAC, or its staff.
8-A-5. BUDGET & ACQUISITIONS
GLAC’s annual materials budget is set by the Glendale City Council, and materials are purchased according to the city’s Finance Department guidelines. GLAC is generally unable to accept donations of books, periodicals, and other materials due to limited storage space and resources required for processing. Requests for consideration in special cases may be submitted directly to the Collections Management Library Supervisor. Monetary gifts are accepted by the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Trust (GLACT) and the Brand Associates and directly benefit GLAC.
8-A-6. MAINTENANCE, EVALUATION & DESELECTION
Maintenance of GLAC physical collections include continual care of the materials, including accurate and efficient shelving, shelf-reading, shifting, and cleaning. Maintenance of GLAC digital collections include consideration of continued sufficient coverage of databases or other electronic reference sources, checking for dead or broken links and evaluating these links for accuracy, currency, and relevancy.
As noted above in section 8-A-2: GUIDING PHILOSOPHY, GLAC collections include “materials of enduring value as well as current interest.” These are two of the factors that are used to evaluate the lifecycle of a library item. Others include but are not limited to usage, currency, relevance, accuracy, and condition. When it is determined that items no longer meet current GLAC standards, they are deselected from the collections.
8-A-7. CONCERNS & CHALLENGES
In accordance with the California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825)[9], this Policy establishes the process by means of which community members may “share their concerns regarding library materials and request materials be reconsidered for inclusion in the library’s collection.” General concerns regarding the Collection Development Policy or library materials may be submitted by email to the Collections Management Library Supervisor (CMLS) at info@glendaleca.gov. Glendale, California residents wishing to recommend the removal of a particular item in the libraries’ collections must submit a “Request for reconsideration of library material” form (available upon request). The form will be reviewed by a staff panel convened by the CMLS, which will use the Collection Development Policy as a guide for deliberation. Within 30 days of receiving the formal request, the CMLS will submit the panel’s formal recommendation to the Library, Arts & Culture Director, with whom the final decision rests. The CMLS will inform the individual who submitted the request of the outcome in writing. Once the item has been considered, it will not be reviewed again for a period of two (2) years.
It is against GLAC policy to impose restrictions on, sequester, alter, or label any item based on challenges while deliberation on the challenge occurs. Items requested for reconsideration will either remain in the collections as accessioned or be removed, depending on the outcome of the reconsideration process. Responsibility for guiding the reading, listening, viewing, and Internet browsing choices of minor children lies solely with their parents and guardians.
[1]Mission & Vision Statements. City of Glendale, CA. https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/city-hall/mission-vision-statement
[2] A.B. 1825, (CA 2023). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1825
[3] Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended. 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. (1990). https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/
[4] American Library Association. (2019). https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
[5] Ibid. (2021). https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics
[6] Ibid. (2004). https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement
[7] Ibid. (1990). https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomviewstatement
[8] Ibid. (2019). https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/digital
[9] A.B. 1825, (CA 2023). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1825