Holiday Schedule:
December 24: 10am-2pm
December 25 and 26: the Library is closed
December 31: 10am-2pm
January 1: the Library is closed
Regular Library Hours:
Monday: 10am - 5pm
Tuesday: 10am - 5pm
Wednesday: 10am - 5pm
Thursday: 10am - 8pm
Friday: 10am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 1pm
Winter Weather Policy:
If the East Haddam Schools are closed, the Library is closed. In the event of an early closing, we will post the alert on our website, blog and telephone message center. We suggest you call ahead if unsure.
Holiday Closings:
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day,
Thanksgiving Day (and day after), Christmas (and day after) unless the holiday falls on a weekend; then the following Monday will be included.
The History of the Rathbun
The Rathbun Free Memorial Library was opened in 1935 through the generosity of Norris W.
Rathbun, and his wife Frances Lavina Rathbun, who deeded their property and the funds to build the Library upon their decease.
Although
originally funded solely through the Trust, over the years the increasing costs of maintaining the property and the library resources
have outpaced the Trust's ability to be its' sole support. In recent years, the Town of East Haddam has assisted financially, as well
as the Friends of Rathbun and the Library Council's Joint Annual Drive.
Today, the Rathbun offers both print and electronic resources for the community: a dynamic
Fiction collection (bestsellers, mysteries, romance, science fiction, paperbacks and large-print), a Non-Fiction collection,
movies and books-on-CD, a quarterly rotating Foreign Film collection, Magazines, a substantial
Children's and Young Adult department, a public Meeting Room and a Local History & Genealogy Room. The Library is a member of the south-central library
consortium, Libraries Online, Inc. (LION), which provides a 24/7 Online Catalog, as well as downloadable audiobooks.
Circulation
Circulation policies are instituted to ensure that library materials are available
to all patrons on an equal basis. To guarantee the availability of these materials, the Library sets limits of
length of borrowing, renewals, reserves, and fees. The Library determines who is eligible to borrow materials and
who will provide for the return or replacement of such materials.
The Library
will issue a borrower's card, without charge, to all members of the East Haddam community with proof of residence.
Young people under the age of 18 must have the accompanying signature of a parent or guardian before a card will
be issued, and both the child and the parent/guardian must reside in East Haddam.
A patron is responsible for all materials checked out under their card, and parents/guardians
are responsible for all materials checked out under a child's card even if they are not present at the time of
check-out. The patron is also liable for any damages which may occur to library materials while in their possession.
A borrowing card may be issued to "temporary" residents, such as the
members of the Goodspeed Opera House, but this decision rests with the Library Director. The borrowing period will
be determined on a case-by-case basis. Temporary residents will be charged a $10 non-refundable fee at the
time the card is issued.
A borrower's card will not be issued or renewed for a patron who has outstanding
fees. There is a $2.00 fee to replace a missing or lost library card.
Selection Policies
Selection of collection materials is based upon the recommendations of respected
review sources and takes into consideration the wide range of maturity and interests of the community. The Library
does not exclude a work because of objectionable language or vivid descriptions of sex or violence if the material
otherwise meets the general selection criteria.
The Library supports the American Library Association's
Library
Bill of Rights, the Freedom to
Read Statement, and theFree Access
to Libraries for Minors. Therefore, selections for the collections should
not be inhibited by the possibility that items may come into the possession of a minor.
The Library strives to maintain a healthy, dynamic collection of materials in
a variety of formats, both print and non-print, which serve the needs of its patrons. Materials are selected by
the Library Director. The materials selected for purchase should serve a broad spectrum of needs: informational,
educational, and recreational. In general the selection criteria include:
broad popular appeal;
subject matter and quality;
authoritativeness and accuracy;
of current as well as of traditional interest;
literary and/or artistic merit;
local interest or local author/illustrator;
format (print, non-print, electronic) and ease of use for patrons and staff;
a work on local history or genealogy and of local significance;
cost;
availability of material;
general contribution to the balance of the collections as a whole.
Internet & Electronic Resources
The Library's commitment to public service extends beyond the traditional collections
and resources of a public library. In its mission to provide opportunities for lifelong learning, the Library is
continually responsive to the changing needs of the community. The Internet offers global access to information.
However, the Library is unable to monitor or control the content of material available through this electronic
resource. Parents and guardians of young people under the age of 18 are responsible for their children's use of
the Internet, and it is expected that the parent or guardian will educate their child to the proper use of the Internet.
If any patron abuses the privilege of Internet use by downloading software applications or by tampering with the
Library's system, the patron will be denied Internet access.
Historical & Genealogical Collections
Access to these collections for research is limited because of the delicate nature of many of
these items. Therefore, we urge patrons and visitors to call ahead for access and to adhere to certain guidelines, such as the use of pencils, not pens; of
registering before accessing these collections and more. Guidelines are clearly posted in the Historical Room.
Martha Monte Public Meeting Room
The Library welcomes the use of the meeting room for activities of a civic, cultural, or educational
nature. The room is not available for purely social, religious or commercial purposes or where, in the judgement of the Library Director, disorder may be likely
to occur. The meeting room can accommodate 12-15 people, and limited kitchen use for coffee, tea and light refreshments
is available to groups, with the understanding that theyare responsible for clean up afterwards. If you are interested in reserving the Meeting Room, please
call the Library to make your reservations. The Meeting Room is also available for nights when the Library closes early, but arrangements must be made at least 48 HOURS
beforehand with the Library Director.
