On April 20, 1939, a group of Sodus Township residents met at the Mount Pleasant School to establish a library. Their efforts resulted in the first library in Sodus Township. The library was housed on the second floor of the Sodus Fruit Exchange. In January, 1943, a frame building was constructed across the street from the Exchange, and the library was moved to its own building. Around 1949 the library building was moved to a new location on the south side of Naomi Road just west of the New York Central railroad track. In 1962, the library moved into Sodus Township Hall, where it was given the stage area. By the late 1960’s the library had once again outgrown its current residence and had to be relocated. In September of 1969, construction for a new library was approved and in August of 1970 the library moved into its current home at 3776 Naomi Road. At the time of the move the library had a collection of 2,600 books. An addition with a space for an office, kitchen and community room was added to the building in 1991. Currently the library serves a population of approximately 2,000 people and maintains a collection of 13,000 items.

Mission Statement

The Library's mission is to provide access to informational, educational, recreational library materials and services that support and improve individual, family and community life.

Library Board

Sodus Township Library is an entity separate from the Township governing body; and, as such, its policies are determined by an elected Library Board with the input of the Library Director. Library Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month, in the Library Community Room, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., or when business is finished. Board meetings are open meetings with Community members always welcome.

In 2020, Library Board members are as follows:

Erica Santiago, President

Chris Peters, Vice-President

Victoria Chandler, Secretary

Carol French-Quattrin, Treasurer 

Gina Edwards, Trustee

Colleen Hurst, Trustee

Library Policies

Circulation Policy

Statement of purpose:

The purpose of the Sodus Township Library’s Circulation Policy is to facilitate the fullest community access to the library’s collections, while protecting these same collections.

Library Cards – Eligibility and Type

Residents

The Sodus Township Library issues a library card at no charge to any resident or property owner of Sodus Township upon proof of current residency or property ownership.  A driver's license is preferred; however, any other official ID or non-personal mail may be acceptable. Residents under 18 may receive a card if they are accompanied by a parent and the parent signs the application form to accept any obligation that his/her dependent might accrue.   Library cards are renewed every three years without additional fees, provided the library card holder continues to reside within Sodus Township and is a patron in good standing.

Guests

A library card may also be issued at no cost to any person working or attending school in Sodus Township upon proof of employment or enrollment and current residency.  A Guest Card must be renewed annually.

Michicard

The MICard Library Card program replaced the MichiCard Program in 2014.  The Library will issue a MI Card sticker only to patrons who reside in the Library’s service area and who have a valid Sodus Township Library Card with an established circulation record.  The MI Card may be used at all participating libraries subject to the circulation policies of each library. If a MI Card cardholder fails to abide by those policies, the patron’s Sodus Township Library Card may be suspended.

The Sodus Township Library will accept card with a MI Card sticker from other participating libraries subject to the circulation policies of the Sodus Township Library.  A MI Card cardholder whose home library is not Sodus must register on their first visit by completing the guest application form.

Presentation of Library Card

It is preferred that a library card be presented when a patron is checking out library materials.  The Library recognizes that there will be times when a patron does not have their library card with them.  A registered patron may check out material without a library card but will be limited to four items.

Lost Cards

There will be no charge for the first lost or damaged patron card. There will be a $3 charge for additional replacements. 

Gift Policy

The Library will encourage and accept gifts with the explicit understanding that all funds and materials donated to the Sodus Township Library become the property of the library without restrictions.

The Library makes the final decision on the use, display, housing, withdrawal and other disposition of all donated materials.  Materials may be added to the collection, donated to other nonprofits, or if necessary, discarded.

The Library does not assess the value of donations for tax purposes.  However, a form can be completed by the library staff verifying the donation.

Monetary gifts will be added to the Sodus Township Library Memorial Fund which is administered by the Library Board of Trustees for purchase of materials or programs not included in the normal operating budget.

Computer Use Policy

In support of its mission to meet the educational, informational, and recreational needs of the community, the Sodus Township Library provides access to computers for patrons.  Each computer runs games and word processing software and can be used to access the Internet.

Access

Before using the library’s computers, adults, 18 and older, must read the library’s Computer Use Policy and sign an agreement form.  A copy of the signed agreement form will remain on file as long as the patron’s card is active.

Children, 10 and under, may use the library’s public access computers only when accompanied by an adult who has an active card and a signed agreement form on file.  Children, 4 through 10, may use the library’s early literacy station independently and without written parental permission.

Children, 11-17, may use the library’s computers alone with written parental consent.  The child and their parent/guardian must read the library’s Computer Use Policy.  The parent must then sign an agreement and permission form.  Copies of the signed forms will remain on file in the library as long as the child’s card is active.

The library makes no guarantee, either expressed or implied, with respect to the quality or content of the information available on the Internet.  And the library assumes no responsibility for any direct or indirect damages arising from the use of its connection to the Internet.  Because the Internet is a dynamic environment with unregulated and ever-changing content, parents may wish to supervise their children’s Internet sessions.

User guidelines

Patrons must log in and out on the clipboard at the Circulation Desk each time they use a computer.

Computers are available on a first come/first serve basis.

Patrons may use a computer for 30 minutes per day.  If no one is waiting, a patron may use a computer up to 1 1/2 hours per day.  All computers will be shut down 10 minutes prior to closing

Computers hardware and software must be used as installed.  Patrons will be held financially liable for any permanent or temporary damage to library equipment or software.

Library computers must not to be used for purposes contrary to local, state, or federal laws, i.e. downloading copyright protected material, distributing unsolicited advertising, propogating computer viruses, and displaying material legally defined as obscene, etc. 

The library cannot guarantee that Internet-trained staff will always be available to assist patrons.

Failure to abide by these rules may result in the loss of computer privileges.

Smoking policy

In accordance with the Berrien County Clean Indoor Air Regulation, the Sodus Township Library is smoke free effective June 1, 2007.  A copy of the entire regulation is available at the circulation desk or online at www.berriencohlthdept.org or wwww.bctrc.org.

Smoking is strictly prohibited in all enclosed areas within this workplace, without exception. This includes common work areas, meeting rooms, private offices, hallways, kitchens, restrooms, and all other enclosed facilities.  Smoking is not allowed within 25 feet of the library entrance or ventilation systems. This policy applies to all employees, patrons, contractors and visitors.

ENFORCEMENT OF THE POLICY

All employees share in the responsibility for adhering to and abiding with this policy.

Complaints:

• Any person observing a violation of this policy will first bring it to the attention of the offending party and seek voluntary cooperation. If the offender is noncompliant, the person will notify the librarian or Board of Trustees of the violation

• Administrators receiving a complaint will investigate and take action to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

• If all internal steps fail to result in compliance, you may contact the Tobacco

Regulation Advisor at the Berrien County Health Department at 269-926-7121 for

assistance or to file a complaint

Violations:

• Violations of the Berrien County Indoor Air Regulation will be internally subject to disciplinary action in the same manner as violations to other company policies.

• Persons violating this regulation and investigated by the Berrien County Health

Department will be subject to fines as outlined in the regulation.

Patron Policies

Disruptive Behavior Policy (adopted 2-26-2009)

The Sodus Township Library seeks to provide a safe and respectful environment for all patrons to enjoy.  To that end, disruptive behavior that impinges upon the rights of others and interferes with the use and business of the library, will not be tolerated.  Patrons will be warned once about disruptive behavior and asked to leave if the behavior continues.  If a patron is not compliant or the staff feels threatened in any way, the police will be called.  For repeated incidences of noncompliance with library policy a patron’s library privileges may be suspended by Board of Trustees for an indeterminate amount of time. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:

            Excessive noise which disrupts others

            Abandonment of young children

            Abusive or foul language

            Physical threats

            Intoxication

            Smoking/chewing tobacco

            Illegal activities

Safety and Accidents (adopted 12-30-2010)

Employees and volunteers should be alert to any safety hazards and report them to the Director or personally correct the situation immediately.

If an accident does occur, immediate attention will be given to any patrons involved, and

outside medical and police aid requested, if needed. After the incident, an Incident/Injury report (Appendices A) will be submitted to the Board of Trustees.  This report should include all details necessary to adequately describe the circumstances of the accident.