(Moulton, AL), (September 20, 2024) – The Lawrence County Public Library (LCPL) is committed to serving the community with excellence and integrity. Considering recent updates to the Code of Alabama, the Library is announcing a significant change in policies to ensure compliance with state regulations and to maintain the highest standards of service for our patrons.
Effective 10/01/2024, the following changes will be implemented:
1. The Code of Alabama states: “Approve written guidelines that establish library cards for minors under the age of 18 must require parental approval before a minor's card is permitted to checkout materials from the library’s adult section.”
a. For children under 18, parents or legal guardians will have two options:
i. Supervised Check-Out: The parent or guardian accompanies the child for each visit and checks out materials on the parent's card.
ii. All-Access Card: With parental consent, the child receives a card that allows them to check out any item from the library.
2. Due to the change in the Code of Alabama, the LCPL will no longer be able to offer cards to children 16 to 17 years old without their parent having a library card and completing the authorization for their child(ren) to have an All-Access Card.
3. Children under the age of 14 must always be directly accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible childcare provider while in the Library. If a child under the age of 14 is attending a Library program or activity, the parent, guardian, or responsible childcare provider must remain inside the Library throughout the program.
4. The LCPL regrets these changes, but to maintain eligibility for State funding, the library must abide by the policies dictated by the Code of Alabama.
To facilitate these changes, the LCPL will expire library cards for all minor patrons under the age of 18 on September 30th, 2024.
The LCPL remains focused on creating a safe, inclusive, and informative environment for all patrons. The LCPL also recognizes the Library cannot act in the place of parents as only the parents or legal guardians have the right to determine what is and is not appropriate for their children to read. These policy adjustments reflect our dedication to legal compliance to the Code of Alabama. As guidance on the new code changes are still being issued by the Alabama Public Library Service, our updated policies are still under legal review and are subject to modification pending the advice of counsel.
Impact on Library Services
While these changes are being made to align with new state regulations, the LCPL will continue to provide access to a wide range of resources, services, and programs. We encourage patrons to familiarize themselves with these updates by visiting our website or speaking with a staff member.
Quote from Library Director or Board Chair
"At the Lawrence County Public Library, we strive to provide the best possible service to our patrons while adhering to the legal framework set by the state. These policy changes are essential for us to remain in full compliance and to continue offering high-quality resources for our community," said Rex Bain, Executive Director.
For more information on the policy changes or to speak with a library representative, please visit the LCPL or contact them at 256.974.0883.
About LCPL
The Lawrence County Public Library is a public library serving the residents of Lawrence County, Alabama. Established in 1961 as the Moulton Library, it became the county library in the early 70s. In 1974, the current library opened its doors to the public near historic downtown Moulton and has since been providing invaluable resources and services to a population of over 30,000 residents.
The library offers various services such as circulation services, print/fax services, publicly accessible computers, programming for children, teens, and adults, as well as digital resources.
Funding for the library is provided by the Lawrence County Commission, the City of Moulton, and the State of Alabama.
Come and explore all that the Lawrence County Public Library has to offer!
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