East Central Reporter

To develop a standard bereavement policy for all library personnel, St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library’s policy and planning committee met Jan. 21 at 201 N. Third St. in St. Joseph Township.

As a branch of the library’s board of trustees, the committee met to determine the best course of action regarding leaves of absence in the event of death within staffers’ families. Secretary Geni Roark presented a choice of solutions based on web research.

Following group discussion and careful clarification of language, the policy and planning committee agreed to a proposed amendment worded as follows:

“All employees are entitled to bereavement leave: 1. In case of spouse, child, parent, five days in a consecutive seven-day period. 2. In case of immediate family, three days in a consecutive five-day period. All other time off must be approved by the librarian or the library board president using vacation, sick leave or as unpaid leave.”

A motion to accept the policy revision and present to the full board was seconded and carried prior to adjournment.

The objective of the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library is to provide for the informational, cultural and educational needs of the residents of St. Joseph Township through as wide a range of materials as possible.