Sutton Free Library

DEFINITIONS.
RESIDENT: Any individual whose primary residence is in Sutton, New Hampshire. 
PATRON: Any visitor to SFL regardless of borrowing privileges.

4.1. IN-HOUSE USAGE. The use of SFL’s collection is free to all, within the library building, regardless of place of residency. 

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4.2. RESIDENT USAGE. Borrowing privileges are free to all residents of Sutton, New Hampshire. 

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4.4. NO COST NON-RESIDENT USAGE. The following non-residents are granted full library privileges at no cost: 
- Sutton, NH property owners who reside elsewhere. 
- Minors who are eligible for enrollment in the Kearsarge Regional School District. 
- Employees of the Kearsarge Regional School District.
- Employees of the Town of Sutton, NH. 
- Employees of the Sutton Free Library
- Employees who work for a school or business located in Sutton, NH. 

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4.5. OTHER NON-RESIDENT USAGE. Persons other than those described in the paragraphs above may purchase borrowing privileges for $20 per year. Upon completion of application and payment of annual fee, one library card will be issued in the name of the applicant, which may be used by all members of that person’s household. Annual renewal and payment is required to maintain borrowing privileges.

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4.6. REGISTRATION. Sutton Free Library provides two types of library cards for residents of Sutton and non-residents who are eligible for no-cost usage, as defined in 4.4. 

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ADULT: Adults (age 18+) are eligible for an Adult library card. Adult library cards are free of charge after completing an application form and providing proof of residency or eligibility. Adult library cards must be renewed every three years. 
YOUTH: Children aged five through seventeen are eligible for a Youth library card after completing an application bearing a parent/legal guardian’s signature, signifying that any materials checked out on this card will be the financial responsibility of the parent/legal guardian and that material selection is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Youth cards are for use only by the child. A parent/legal guardian may not use the child’s card in place of their own.

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4.7. UNACCOMPANIED MINORS. SFL welcomes children to use its facilities for customary library activities. 

Responsibility for children using the library facilities rests with the parent/legal guardian. Parents/Legal guardians need to be aware that the public library, as an institution, does not have legal “provision of care” responsibilities. For the protection and well-being of children enjoying the library, the following policy shall apply: 

- A responsible party must remain in the building while a child younger than five (5) is utilizing the library or attending a program. 
- Children eight (8) years and older with parental permission may use the SFL unattended. They are subject to all rules and regulations in effect at the SFL concerning behavior and conduct.
- Children younger than eight (8) must be in the immediate presence of an attending adult or designated caregiver (10 years or older). 
- In special situations, the library director may allow children five (5) to eight (8)  years of age to attend a program unaccompanied, after the parent or guardian checks in with library staff. Special situations may include library sponsored programs in which the child is pre-registered, for example. 
- Unaccompanied disruptive minors may be asked to leave the library. 
- Library staff cannot provide food (outside of library programs), transportation, or money to minors. 
- Library staff cannot take legal responsibility for a minor in a medical emergency. 
- If an unaccompanied minor is in the library at closing time, the police may be contacted, if deemed necessary.
- These policies will apply to any off-site programs sponsored by SFL in addition to programs held in the library building itself. 

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4.8 PATRON USE PRIVACY. Patron privacy rights are articulated in SFL Policy 5: PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY.
 

Adopted by the Sutton Free Library Trustees October 18, 2012.

Revised by the Sutton Free Library Trustees August 20, 2025.