Texas Public Library Standards

Administration Standards

Basic

To meet basic standards, each Texas public library will:

• Meet the definition of a public library as stated in the Texas Library Systems Act.
• Have a Library Board (Governing or Advisory), which meets at least quarterly and have written bylaws governing the conduct of the board and its relationship to the library and the staff or have another formal mechanism for community input.
• Have a written mission statement.
• Have a written long-range plan, including a technology plan.
• Adopt and periodically review policies and procedures responsive to the local community.
• Have written policies and procedures in place, covering:
  • ADA Compliance
  • Circulation
  • Collection Development/Materials Selection
  • Copyright Compliance
  • Emergencies and Safety
  • Gifts and Special Collections
  • Interlibrary Loan
  • Internet and other technology issues
  • Patron Complaints
  • Personnel
  • Privacy and Confidentiality
  • Public Relations
  • Public Service Hours
  • Rules of Conduct for Library Users
  • Records Retention Schedule consistent with the Local Government Records Act
  • Other policies and procedures should be adopted as appropriate to the library’s mission, goals, and facility.
• These may include Exhibits and Displays, Programming, or Use of Meeting Rooms and Equipment.
• Have a written and publicly posted copyright compliance procedure (17 USC 108) (United States Code).
• Cooperate with other non-library agencies to offer information, services, and programs to library users.
• Use a variety of indicators and outcome measures to determine the effectiveness of its service program to comply with reporting requirements of Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Enhanced

To meet enhanced standards, each Texas public library will in addition to meeting basic standards:

• Have a written long-range plan, including a technology plan.
• Provide orientation and continuing education for Library Board.
• Have Library Board members attend system meetings at least once a year.
• Conduct community studies and makes use of other needs assessment techniques to ensure community participation in the design and delivery of library service.
• Complete a community analysis at least every five years.
• Conduct a patron survey at least every three years.
• Have Friends of the Library Group and/or Library Foundation, at least one of which is organized as a 501 (c) (3) organization for the purpose of accepting tax-exempt donations in support of library programs.
• Library director is a current member in a professional library organization e.g. Texas Library Association and American Library Association.

Comprehensive

To meet Comprehensive standards, each Texas public library will in addition to meeting enhanced standards:

• Conduct an annual meeting for the purpose of planning and evaluating programs and services attended by Library Board and Library Director.
• Publish a report annually informing the community of the library’s activities and progress in meeting the library’s goals as identified in its long-range plan.
• Review all policies at least every other year.
• At least one library board member is a current member in a professional library organization e.g. Texas Library Association and American Library Association.

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