The Open Hearth Foundation Community Library is an accessible and open source for learning about Pagan communities, traditions, practices, and beliefs for the local Pagan community, teachers, students, and researchers studying various aspects of Paganism. Through its collections, and its outreach to the local Pagan community and academic scholars, the Library strives to reflect the diversity of the Pagan community and its various traditions, and encourage thoughtful research and dialogue among members of its communities.

The OHF Community Library collection contains titles related to modern Paganism, its communities, traditions, practices and beliefs; the cultures, philosophies, and religious teachings that inspire or influence Pagan traditions; the occult, magic/magick, and parapsychology; eco-spirituality; holistic living and healing; and fiction touching on any of the above themes.

The OHF Community Library is maintained and operated by the Library Trustee, in conjunction with the Library Committee, which is composed of at least three OHF Governors and the Library Trustee. The Library Trustee is responsible for the continued maintenance of the collections, according to the policies set forth below, including but not limited to:

• cataloguing the collections in an accessible and appropriate manner,
• providing an appropriate storage and operating facility for the Library,
• insuring the physical safety of the collection,
• keeping full and accurate records,
• promoting and oversees community and scholarly use of the Library,
• planning the Library's annual budget, and
• overseeing any and all volunteers working for the Library.

The Library Committee reviews and makes decisions regarding recommendations set forth by the Library Trustee, such as:

• Titles for purchase prior to the annual Board meeting in July,
• The classification of non-circulating, reference books, and
• Titles to be withdrawn from or not accessioned into the collection.

Donations
Most titles in the collection are acquired through community donations. The Library Trustee is responsible for recording and acknowledging donations in a timely and correct manner.

Calculating the Value of Donations
When a book donation is made to the Library, the Library Trustee will calculate and record the value of the donation in a receipt given to the donor. A copy is kept in the Library's files. Book value is calculated as follows:

• Used titles are valued at one-half their cover price.
• New titles, bought specifically for donation, are valued at their cover price.
• Rare titles should be professionally appraised prior to donation to be valued according to their appraisal.

Acknowledging Donations
Donors' names will be recorded in the catalogue file for each book donated. The donor will also be acknowledged on the inside front cover of each book, unless he/she specifically requests to donate anonymously.

Purchase
A limited number of books may be purchased using the Library budget as approved by the OHF Board of Governors. The Library Trustee recommends books to the Library Committee prior to the annual meeting held in July.

Searching The Collection
Currently the Library's collection is being catalogued. Our goal is to have the entire collection in a fully searchable, on-line catalogue available by the January 2009 annual meeting. Anyone visiting the OHF web site will be able to access the catalogue.

Borrowing Privileges
The privilege to borrow circulating books from the OHF Community Library is extended to individuals who are active and current members of the Open Hearth Foundation.

Library borrowers may check out no more than five (5) books for a period of one (1) month. This period may be extended for up to one (1) additional month by contacting the Library Trustee prior to the date the books are due. If a book has been placed on hold by another borrower, it must be returned by the next date it is due with no extension.

Late Fees Late fees will be charged on each book not returned by its due date at a rate of 10¢ per day. Late fees must be remitted to the Library Trustee prior to the individual or family checking out any more books.

Lost Books Lost books must be reported by the borrower and replaced through a donation of the same title or a financial donation to purchase a new book. Individual, family and organizational borrowing privileges will be suspended until remuneration is made.

Reference Books
Certain titles, assessed to be rare or in delicate condition, are classified as non-circulating books at the discretion of the Library Trustee and the Library Committee. These titles are available for community and scholarly use at the Library only, and cannot be removed except by the Library Trustee for reproduction or repair.

Periodicals
Due to their more fragile state and difficulty in acquiring replacement copies, all periodicals are classified as non-circulating. They are available for use at the Library only. Black and white photocopies of articles may be requested through the Library Trustee at a rate of 10¢ per page.

Withdrawing a Title from the Collection

Specific titles donated to the OHF Community Library may be withdrawn from or not accessioned into the collections due to:

• The subject matter of the title falling outside the scope of the Library's collection, or
• The Library currently owning two copies of the title.

As donations to the collections are accepted and catalogued, the Library Trustee makes a preliminary determination of the suitability of the title for the OHF Community Library. If the Trustee questions the title's fit within the scope of the collection, the title is brought before the Library Committee for evaluation of the title's subject matter. The committee makes the determination regarding whether the title is accessioned into the collection.

In the case that the collection already owns at least two copies of the title, the third copy is not accessioned into the collection.

Book donations that are accepted but not accessioned will be sold at the discretion of the Library Trustee and the proceeds will only be used to purchase titles that benefit the Library's collection.