Bulletin Boards or Community Info Areas

The library welcomes community information and resources from cultural, educational, and not-for-profit groups that will benefit and
inform our patrons.

Bulletin Board Policy

Circulation Policy

The purpose of the Circulation Policy is to balance the Library's service of supplying information with the need to monitor and retrieve library materials so they are available for others.

Circulation Policy

Community and Conference Rooms (aka Meeting Rooms)

The Meeting Room policy details rules and guidelines for using meeting rooms.

Rooms Policy

Code of Conduct

As a public place open to all who would visit and make use of it, it is necessary that it establish rules also known as the Code of Conduct Policy that govern proper and reasonable use and behavior, and to balance the rights of the users against those of the individual user. Spanish version

Code of Conduct Policy

Collection Development

The Collection Development Policy is established by the Library Board of Control.
It helps users understand the purpose and nature of the library’s collection. It provides guidance and direction to the library staff for the development and maintenance of the library’s collection. The policy includes a link to the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form. Learn more about donations and memorials.

Collection Development Policy

Create & Make

The library offers the community access to tools for creating and learning. These bookable spaces provide patrons with creative software and equipment to support their creative endeavors.

Create & Make Policy

Gifts - Donations and Memorials

Memorials and Honor of

Patrons may donate funds to purchase library materials in memory of someone or in honor of someone. They may make general suggestions regarding the subject. Materials are selected and bought by the Collection Development Coordinator.
A bookplate is placed in the material, and when it is sent to the library branch, the donor and the honoree’s family are notified. Direct donation of actual materials is discouraged as these are often not in compliance with collection selection rules regarding currency, authority, etc.

Monetary donations

Gifts of money are always welcome and appreciated. Specific recommendations from the donor are honored as far as the suggestions enhance subject areas of need within the collection and follow the Collection Development Policy selection guidelines. 
Collection Development Policy Selection Guidelines

Donations & Memorials Form

Print and complete the donation/memorial form then bring it to your local branch. 
Donations & Memorial form

Where to donate my books?

UPDATE: Donations are only being accepted by the Friends of the Library at the Central Branch and the Westlake Branch.

Central Branch (301 W. Claude St., Lake Charles) - Tuesdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and Sundays from 2 pm - 4 pm during their regularly scheduled book sale hours. The contact number is 337-721-7116.

Westlake Branch (937 Mulberry Street, Westlake) - Thursdays between 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm during their regularly scheduled book sale. If book sale staff is limited on that day, donations will not be accepted. Contact the Westlake Branch ahead of time. The number is 337-721-7113.

The library accepts unrestricted, irrevocable gifts of books and other library materials. 

What happens to my gift?

Your donations are accepted with the understanding that they’ll be added to the collection following the Material Selection Plan. The library reserves the right to sell or otherwise dispose of gifts and donated materials through branch book sales, the Friends of the Library book sales, recycling, or disposal services. Calcasieu Parish Public Library will not assign a value to donated gift materials. However, the library will stamp or sign the patron’s list of items for X number of books, boxes of books, books-on-tapes, etc., which you can use for tax purposes.

Internet and PC Use

This Internet and PC Use Policy is agreed to by each patron who uses the CPPL internet and PCs, at the initial use, as well as each subsequent use. Each patron should read the Policy carefully in order to understand proper use of library technology.

“Internet use” refers to a patron’s accessing online content while on the Library’s network, including wireless access. “PC use” includes all provided software and equipment used to access content and perform tasks while on a Library device. (The Spanish version coming soon.)

Internet and PC Use Policy

Privacy

The Privacy Policy addresses patrons’ concerns about privacy on the Internet, and information contained in library records, photos, and video footage.

Privacy Policy

Programming

The Calcasieu Parish Public Library offers programs that align with our mission and strategic plan. Programs are planned in advance, to meet staffing requirements and publicity needs. Programming can be for the general audience or specific to an audience such as early literacy, children, tweens, young adults, or adults.

Programming Policy

Public Comments at Board Meetings

It is the policy of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library Board of Control to provide a public comment period at all Board meetings in accordance with the Louisiana Open Meetings Law.

Public Comments Policy

Sex Offenders

This policy is to comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 14:91.2 (amended by Act 693), which became effective January 1, 2013, and bans sex offenders who have been convicted of sex offenses against persons under 13 from visiting or loitering within 1,000 feet of any public library in Louisiana, including all branches of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library (CPPL).

Sex offenders may ONLY be on library property on Tuesdays and Fridays during the first hour of library operation. Sex offenders are NOT allowed in any children’s area or teen area of any branch of Calcasieu Parish Public Library. Violations of this policy will be reported immediately to law enforcement, and violators will lose all library privileges.
Adopted November 15, 2012, by the Calcasieu Parish Public Library Board of Control.

Smoking at the library

Pursuant to CPPL Policy 4.9 Smoking, for the safety, health and comfort of all employees and visitors, smoking, the use of vapor products or smokeless tobacco products in or on the grounds of any Library facility will not be permitted.

Social Software

Library social software is intended to create a welcoming and inviting online space. It provides library users useful and entertaining information. It provides an interactive space for library staff and other library users. Posting guidelines are detailed in the Social Software Policy for CPPL Users.

Social Software Policy

Unattended Child Policy

NOTE: The Unattended Child policy is included in the Code of Conduct policy. (Revised 9. 16.21) Spanish version

Unattended Child Policy