Policies Rules Guidelines and procedures

Adopted by Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees on February 21, 2007; revised April 19, 2016

1. GENERAL

1.1 So that the library may provide the best service possible to the community that it serves, promote fair and harmonious relations in the workplace, and so that employees may better understand their employment relationship and the library’s expectations for workplace conduct, it is necessary to establish standard policies, rules, guidelines and procedures. All employees should review, understand, and follow the provisions of board adopted policies, and administrative rules, procedures and guidelines.

1.2 This document is divided into the following sections:

Section 1 – General
Section 2 – Statement of Policy
Section 3 – Responsibilities

2. STATEMENT OF POLICY

2.1 Library policies, rules, guidelines and procedures, are intended to allow the Library to provide the best service possible to the community that it serves, promote harmonious relations and to ensure consistent application and fair treatment for all employees. Policies delegate authority, assign responsibility, and outline the Spokane Public Library’s general philosophy regarding customer relations, employee relations, workplace conduct and the allocation of resources. Authority for management of the operations of the library is delegated to the Executive Director, including the authority to develop and implement policies, rules, procedures and guidelines that are consistent with Board adopted policy.

2.2 Library policies, rules, guidelines and procedures are subject to change, with or without prior notice, and are not intended to create a contract of employment, nor should they be construed as terms and conditions of a contract of employment with the Spokane Public Library. Any change affecting the wages, hours or working conditions of represented employees will be subject to negotiations with
the authorized representatives of the bargaining unit prior to implementation.

2.3 Library policies will be reviewed on a designated timeframe to be determined by the Executive Director. Policies may also be reviewed more frequently, as needs are identified. 

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 The Library Board of Trustees is responsible for reviewing, amending and adopting policies as specified by RCW 27.12.210

3.2 The Executive Director is responsible for designing and presenting policy recommendations to the Board. Once policy has been approved, the Executive Director is responsible for the implementation and may develop additional policies, rules, procedures and guidelines to clarify methods, practices, and expectations. The Executive Director has full authority to take action and to develop, amend and implement methods and practices.

The Executive Director may assign responsibility for development and/or implementation of policies, rules, procedures and guidelines to subordinate employees at his/her discretion.

3.3 Supervisors are expected to be familiar with the contents of policies, rules, procedures and guidelines so that they will be able to answer employee questions as they arise and apply the appropriate policies, rules, procedures or guidelines as the occasion requires. Supervisors are also responsible for ensuring that the employees who work for them are informed of policies, rules, procedures and guidelines, understand them, and abide by them.

3.4 All employees are expected to comply with the spirit, intent, and terms of policies, rules, procedures and guidelines. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment. However, an employee may refuse, without penalty, to comply with any policy, rule, procedure or guideline if such compliance would result in an illegal, unethical, or unsafe act. The employee will have the burden of proof that the act would be illegal, unethical, or unsafe