WELCOME TO THE FRANKLIN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY!

The Franklin Public Library is located at
310 Central Street, Franklin, NH 03235

(603) 934-2911 phone  (603) 934-7413 fax

If you do not find the information you are looking for on this page, please feel free to contact our office at 603-934-2911.  You can fax us at 603-934-7413.  E-mail us by clicking below.

Robert Sargent, Director   Rachel Stolworthy, Children's Librarian

Join us for Story time!

In the Children's Room of the Franklin Public Library
Tuesday at 9:30am & Thursday at 10:30am

Free and open to children of all ages and from any town with no sign-up needed.  The librarian will read some picture books and we will do a craft project.

			Our Mission

Mission Statement

The Franklin Public Library provides free and equal access to information and ideas through books, programs and other resources to all members of the community in their enjoyment of reading and pursuit of lifelong learning. 

			Book Selection

The Franklin Public Library affirms its obligation to provide, on equal terms, free service to all residents of Franklin without question or user purpose.  Within the limits of its budget, the Library provides the widest diversity of resources for information making, educational purpose, repository of the recorded past and cultural and recreational requirements of the community.

The Franklin Public Library's book selection policy is intended to implement the objectives of the library.  The authority for the determination of policy in the selection of materials is vested in the Board of Trustees.  The responsibility for selection belongs to the Library Director and to the Book Selection Committee appointed by the Director.  The privilege of selection of materials is shared, ideally, by all staff members since no one person, nor few persons, can know enough about all subjects nor the reading tastes of all people.  Prompt attention and consideration are given to readers' requests and suggestions.  An integral part of this library's policy of book selection is the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read resolution adopted by the American Library Association, copies of which are attached.

The general criteria for the Franklin Public Library's book selection policy include scholarship, literary value, social significance, style, demand, price, balance in the collection as a whole, format and available space.

Periodicals, pamphlets, compact discs, audiocassettes and all other non-book materials are selected to meet the same criteria as books.

The library accepts gifts without commitment as to their final disposition.  The same standards apply to the selection of gift books to be added to the collection as to the selection of the items for purchase.

If a book is not chosen for the collection, it has been excluded because it does not measure up to the library's standards; the library already has adequate coverage of the subject; budget limitations; it is too technical, scientific or specialized for a general library.

			Bulletin Board

The bulletin boards and exhibit cases have as their primary purpose the display of materials and notices of activities to the library and the community.  Items may be posted which:           

            1.)  are not commercial in nature
            2.)  fulfill an educational or community interest function
            3.)  are neatly and clearly prepared 

No tickets shall be sold on library property except for library related events.  Hobby, craft and art exhibits shall be displayed at owner's risk. 

No materials may be displayed or placed on any bulletin board without the approval of the library director or staff member in charge. 

No materials, leaflets, or posters which advocate the election of a candidate, political or otherwise, shall be displayed in the library.

			Computers

The Franklin Public Library provides free and equal access to information and ideas through books, programs and other resources (including computers) to all members of the community. 

OUR COMPUTERS OFFER FILTERED ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.  UPON REQUEST, FILTERS MAY BE DISENGAGED FOR ANYONE THE AGE OF 18 OR OVER. 

ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST HAVE A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP FROM A PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO USE A FILTERED COMPUTER.

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO USE THE COMPUTER RESPONSIBLY.  Due to a lack of private space for adult viewing only, you must not have images on your screen that could be inappropriate for children.  The Board of Trustees leaves it up to the discretion of the library staff to oversee this aspect of computer use.  Staff may find it necessary to ask that objectionable use of the computer be curtailed and, if the problem is ongoing with a particular patron, the Director has the authority to take away that patron's computer privileges.

You must register for computer use at the circulation desk.  You may sign up for one 60-minute period per day.  You may continue to use the computer if the next period is unreserved.  You may reserve time in advance and we will honor a 10-minute grace period.  Unreserved periods may be used on a walk-in basis.  Please log off the computer at the end of your period.

Printing is permitted at $.10 per page.

Interference with another customer's use of the computer is prohibited.  Illegal use of the Internet is prohibited.  Computer use may be denied to anyone who violates the terms of this policy.

			Library Hall

The use of the library hall is reserved for the meetings of non-profit community or cultural organizations and is further subject to the approval of the Library Director and the Board of Trustees.

One week's notice to the Library Director is required in order to reserve the hall for a specific date.

Use of the library hall for meetings shall be subject to the hall's availability of the library and the availability of the library staff to open and close the building after hours.

The fee for use of the library hall after regularly scheduled library hours is $18.00 an hour.  This fee shall be paid in advance to the person designated to open and close the library after hours.

Those using the hall are expected to leave it in the same condition in which they found it.

Proper decorum and respect for the premises by those using the hall are expected at all times.

There will be no smoking or use of alcoholic beverages or drugs on the premises.

No activity shall be conducted in the hall which shall be contrary to the fire regulations for the building.

The maximum number of persons using the hall at one time shall be 150.

A copy of these regulations must be read and signed by the authorized person representing the organization using the hall.