It is the individual user’s responsibility to demonstrate good judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using the Agawam Public Library and its computer resources, including use of Internet computers and wireless connections.

The Agawam Public Library cannot be held responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information found on the Internet. Library staff will provide guidance to assist library users in finding useful and accurate websites.

Although library staff is not available for extensive instruction, staff will be glad to assist users as time and knowledge permit. However, staff cannot guarantee expertise for every site, program or problem encountered online. Library patrons are responsible for learning the programs they wish to use.

Prohibited behavior includes the use of library computers and wireless connections for unauthorized access, including hacking, spamming or other unlawful activities. It is not acceptable to use the Agawam Public Library’s computer network for illegal or abusive purposes. Users are not permitted to invade the privacy of other people or intrude upon their rights. Transmission of threatening, obscene or harassing materials is prohibited. Illegal acts involving library computing resources may be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution does not protect all Internet content. No public access computer may be used to view or display obscenity, child pornography, or other illegal content. The legal status of any particular content can be determined only by a court of law with proper jurisdiction. The First Amendment does not protect acts that violate a criminal law.

Using library computers to copy and distribute copyright protected works may be an infringement of the copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

The Agawam Public Library employs safeguards to keep your personal information confidential, but the library cannot insure absolute security. If you use a computer at a public location, you are responsible for maintaining the security of your personal information. The library encourages patrons to carefully review privacy policies on individual websites before using their services.

Computer access may not be available due to technical problems beyond the library’s control. The Agawam Public Library will not be responsible for any material lost due to equipment problems.

By registering to use any of the Agawam Public Library’s computer resources, users agree to abide by the library’s Acceptable Use Policy for Computer Resources. Violators of this policy may lose computer privileges.

Full Computer And Internet Use policy available here.

The Agawam Public Library allows artists to display their artwork for a period of one month. Artwork should be displayed by the first day of the month and removed the last day of the month to allow incoming artists time to set up their own work.

Locations that are available for display are the glass cases and gallery walls on the main level, and the glass case and sidewall on the lower level.

Artists interested in displaying their artwork should contact the Adult Services Librarian, Cher Collins. Artists are chosen on a first-come, first-booked basis. All work must meet with the Agawam Public Library’s criteria for aesthetic quality (originality, excellence of workmanship, etc.) and suitable for hanging. An individual artist will be allowed to display artwork every other year in the library. Artists must notify the library two months in advance if they are cancelling their exhibit.

The artist is responsible for setting up his or her own artwork, arranging, and dismantling the exhibit. The artist must provide their own title cards. The library staff is not available to assist artists with setting up or taking down artwork.

On the day the exhibit is installed, the artist must sign a release statement obtained at the Reference Desk. A list of all artwork, with prices and contact information, is to be handed in at the Reference Desk. The list will be placed at the Information Desk for anyone who is interested in the artwork. Title cards may not include the prices of the artwork. Library Personnel will not be involved in the sale of artwork.

Submission of works to the Agawam Public Library will be understood to imply an agreement to consent to the stated conditions.

The Agawam Public Library collects materials across several formats to satisfy the cultural, educational, professional, and entertainment needs of a community with diverse interests, abilities and opinions. The library selects materials that represent all of its users containing a wide variety of material formats, including print, audio-visual, and electronic. In selecting materials and developing collections for adults, as well as for children and teens, library staff includes materials that represent the broad range of human experience, reflecting the ethnic, religious, racial, and socio-economic diversity not only of the region it serves but also the larger global perspective. We acknowledge the subjective range of interests and respect the users’ rights to access materials that may be unorthodox or even controversial to others. While the library attempts to provide a diverse collection, it is not the role of the library to make judgments on the appropriateness of the materials. Parents and guardians are the sole authority for their child(ren’s) access to library materials.

Fundamental to our philosophy statement regarding collections and services is the Library Bill of Rights, as put forth by the American Library Association. “This document states in part, that “In no case should any book be excluded because of the race or nationality or the political or religious view of the writer. There should be the fullest practicable provision of material presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times – international, national and local; and books or other reading material of sound factual authority should not be proscribed or removed from library shelves because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” The library does not promulgate particular beliefs or views, nor is the selection of any given book equivalent to endorsement of the viewpoint of the author expressed therein.

Click here for the full Collection Development & Materials Selection Policy

The Agawam Public Library welcomes gifts of library materials, money or real property with the understanding that the gift will be evaluated in accordance with the library’s criteria used in purchasing materials for the library.

Monetary contributions are added to the library’s Gift Fund, which is used for the purchase of materials too specialized or expensive for the operating budget.

Memorial gifts of money, books or other library materials may be donated in honor of a friend or relative and are marked with a special bookplate. The Library staff will be pleased to help select appropriate titles in memory of a relative or friend.

Used books, paperbacks and AV material can often be added to the library’s collection. Items not needed by the library are donated to the book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Agawam Public Library.

Generally, the library does not accept textbooks, or books in poor physical condition.

The library applies the same criteria for evaluating gift items as it applies to purchased materials. Gifts will be withdrawn in the same manner as purchased materials. The library does not accept responsibility for notifying donors of withdrawal or replacement of gift items.

All gifts are tax deductible and the library will furnish an acknowledgement of the gift, if asked, for tax purposes. The library will not place a financial value on items donated.

Click Here for Meeting Room Application Form.

The Agawam Public Library offers two rooms for use by community groups at no charge. They are the Community Room (seating capacity 150) and the Peirce Conference Room (seating capacity 20).

Groups using either room may also reserve the kitchen that is shared by both the Community Room and the Peirce Conference Room.

Library meeting rooms are primarily available to support library programs and functions that further the goals of the library. Library meeting rooms are also available for meetings and functions of the government of the Town of Agawam.

When not being used by the library or the Town of Agawam, the room is available to local groups under the following regulations.

Rooms may be booked by established not-for-profit groups, which are holding public meetings at which all are welcome to attend. A library staff member may be present at any time during the meeting.

Meeting rooms are not available to for-profit groups, businesses, commercial enterprises, or individual candidates seeking election. Rooms are not available for private social functions (birthday parties, showers, etc.), or for closed meetings. No regularly scheduled meetings are permitted. No admission fee may be charged for any meeting or program held in the meeting rooms. No selling, solicitation, or taking of orders may occur without written permission from the Library Director.

Reservations may be made in telephone or in person. Only the Library Director, the Assistant Library Director, or the Administrative Assistant may take reservations. A completed and signed application by an adult representative (eighteen years or older) of the group must be returned to the Library Director before the scheduled meeting. A copy of the meeting room policy will be provided with the application of meeting room use. A reservation will not be confirmed until the application form is received by the Library Director. Meeting rooms may be booked up to three months in advance of the meeting. The library cannot accept bookings beyond the three-month period to allow flexibility in the arrangement of library programs.

Seating capacities, limited by Massachusetts fire regulations, must be strictly adhered to. Groups using the meeting rooms are expected to arrange the furniture and equipment to suit their own purpose. Following the meeting, the furniture and equipment must be returned to their original arrangement. No mounting of materials is permitted on the walls or windows of the meeting rooms. An appropriate number of adults must accompany groups of minors seventeen and younger.

Only light refreshments may be served. Kitchen facilities, including refrigerator, sink, and coffee pot, are available. Groups need to bring in all other supplies. Groups serving refreshments must clean and wash all library appliances, and remove all left over food and drink. All food and drink must be consumed in the meeting rooms. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Groups are responsible for leaving the room and kitchen area (if used) in a neat and orderly condition. Before the meeting, an adult representative of the group will walk through the meeting room with the Supervising Librarian, and sign an agreement on the application form to the current conditions of the room. A fee will be assessed against any group that does not restore the room to its original clean condition.

All groups using the rooms assume full responsibility for any damages to library property incurred in the room during the meeting, or in connection with the meeting.

The library will attempt to supply standard meeting equipment such as an LCD/ multimedia projector, TV with DVD player, screen, microphone, and dry erase board if these items are requested when the reservation is made. However, availability of the equipment cannot be guaranteed, and meeting planners are encouraged to provide their own equipment. The library cannot provide consumable supplies (pens, pencils, paper, etc.)

The Agawam Public Library is not responsible for personal belongings or injuries in non-library meetings.

The meeting rooms are available during regular library hours: Monday-Thursday 9 AM – 9 PM, Fridays 9 AM – 5 PM, and Saturdays during the school year 10 AM – 5 PM. All programs must end fifteen minutes prior to closing.

Meeting rooms will not be available when the library building is closed due to emergency conditions or inclement weather.

In accordance with the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the library does not limit the use of the meeting rooms based on the subject matter or content of the meeting, or on the beliefs or affiliations of the meeting’s sponsors. Use of the meeting rooms does not imply endorsement, support, or co-sponsorship by Agawam Public Library of the activities that take place in the meeting room, or beliefs of the group using the meeting room. Groups using the meeting rooms may not imply that the event or program is sponsored, co-sponsored, or endorsed by the library in any advertising or publicity. Groups failing to comply with any part of this policy or the established procedures will be denied further use of the meeting rooms.

Who Can Borrow a Hotspot?
Any CW Mars card holder may borrow a hotspot. Hotspot borrowers must be at least 17 years old and in good standing with the library.

Only one hotspot is allowed per household. Each hotspot will support up to 10 devices.

Hotspots may be borrowed for 2 weeks with 1 renewal.Hotspots must be returned to the Agawam Public Library and may not be checked out again for at least a 24-hour period.

Reserving a Hotspot
Hotspots may be reserved – just like a book – through the library catalog, or by calling the library at: 413-
789-1550 x4 during normal business hours.

Reserved hotspots must be picked up within 7 days of notification.

For the full Agawam Hotspot Borrower Policy please click here.

To reserve a Hotspot (after reading the Borrower Policy) please click here.

It is the policy of the Agawam Public Library to protect the privacy of those who use the library. All information contained in your library record is strictly confidential and will be used only for the proper operation of the library. The general policy of the Library is to retain only the minimum information necessary for the library to establish a patron’s eligibility to borrow materials and to respond to patron requests. Your personal records, including items charged or requested will be disclosed only upon your request or with your consent ; or pursuant to a subpoena, court order or when required by law.

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 78 Section 7: “That part of the records of a public library which reveals the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using such library shall not be a public record . . .” Agawam Library considers circulation and registration records identifying the names, addresses and telephone number of library patrons, as well as the materials borrowed or accessed electronically, not to be part of the public record.

Although the Agawam Public Library supports the State law which protects this right to privacy and confidentiality, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-56) supersedes state law and expands the Federal government’s authority for access to library records and documents to protect against international terrorism and clandestine intelligence activities. It also expands Federal Law enforcement’s authorization to track telephone and electronic communication, including any dialing, routing, addressing, or signaling information and the actual content of the communication.

The Agawam Public Library staff will comply with law enforcement when supplied with legal subpoena or warrant. Upon receipt of a subpoena, the Library Director will contact the Town of Agawam legal department in order to determine if such process is in proper form and if there is evidence of good cause for its issuance. If the subpoena is not in proper form, or if good cause has not been shown, such defects must be corrected before the information is provided. The Library recognizes that a legal search warrant, issued and delivered by an FBI agent must be honored immediately. Some warrants issued under the USA PATRIOT ACT come with a “gag order” automatically attached, preventing staff from telling the patron or the public that information has been requested by the FBI.

Library departments will retain only as much information as required to efficiently provide services.

For the comfort and safety of all patrons, volunteers, and staff and for the protection of library property, the following actions are prohibited:

-Eating or drinking in the library. Bottled water & beverages including coffee with covers are permitted.

-Smoking, vaping, or consuming intoxicating substances in the library or on library grounds.

-Loitering near or obstruction of Library entrance / exit doors; obstruction of Library aisles or stairs; and loitering and/or soliciting in the Library or on Library grounds.

-Entering the library barefoot or without a shirt.

-Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers, or staff, including stalking, staring, and touching. Audible or excessive use of profanity is also prohibited.

-Use of audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others. Please silence your cell phones and electronic devices while in the library. Cell phones may only be used in the stairwell or lobby of the Library.

-Stealing, damaging, altering, or inappropriate use of Library property. Littering or improper disposal of personal trash.

-Disruptive behavior such as fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing things; causing disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards.

-Lying down on any floor, table, or study carrel in the Library. Seating at tables, workstations, and chairs is limited to the number of persons for whom the furniture was designed.

-Entering private or staff – designated areas.

-Leaving personal belongings unattended.

-Use of skateboards, roller blades, and other sporting equipment in the Library or on Library grounds.

Click here for the full Rules of Conduct