Regulatory  Instructions  for  Shipboard Libraries The  Naval   Service   General   Library   Program, SECNAVINST  5070.3,  sets  basic  policies  and  assigns responsibilities  for  administration  and  support  of general  library  programs. The Naval  General  Library  Manual,  NAVEDTRA 38021, carries out the policies of SECNAVINST 5070.3 and defines the basis for library procedures. The library manual  provides  guidance  in  administration,  operation, and maintenance for the library system programs of the Navy and Marine Corps. Commanding  officers  issue  local  library  directives and require reports of library activities needed to ensure effective use of library facilities, materials, and services. The following topics should be covered in all library directives: Location of the library, the days and hours of operation,  and  telephone  numbers Personnel  authorized  to  use  the  library  and requirements   for   setting   up   borrower identification Rules for loan of library materials, including length  of  loan  periods,  number  of  books  loaned to individuals at one time, and interlibrary loan service Overdue notice procedures and actions to be taken  to  ensure  the  return  of  library  materials within the time period specified Reimbursement  procedures  for  library  materials lost, damaged, or destroyed Directions   on   the   use   of   music   rooms, audiovisual  materials,  and  equipment  in  a shipboard  library  compartment Other matters such as appropriate dress and behavior ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIPBOARD GENERAL LIBRARIES As an RP, you should keep in mind that by providing excellent library service, you are enhancing the morale of  your  shipmates  afloat.  Before  you  can  provide quality service, however, you must first understand how a general library afloat is staffed, organized, operated, and maintained. This means you must have a basic understanding of each of the following areas of library management: Staffing Controlling  materials Coordinating   and   maintaining   audiovisual equipment Preparing information displays and publicity materials Maintaining  periodical  literature Maintaining  a  reference  library Aiding customers in locating library materials Checking library materials in and out Repairing  printed  library  materials Library responsibilities should be designed so that no one person will have the responsibility for all the actions needed to develop and maintain an effective library system. As an RP, you may be responsible for many of these tasks. As you progress in the RP rating and in your expertise in organizing and maintaining a shipboard  library,  you  will  likely  beheld  responsible  for additional tasks within the Navy’s General Library Program. In the following paragraphs, let’s take a look at some of these responsibilities and the persons to whom they will likely be assigned. STAFFING Aboard  ship,  the  commanding  officer  is  responsible for maintenance and operation of the General Library Program.  In  most  instances,  commanding  officers  will delegate the functions of the library officer as a collateral duty. Library Officer The library officer is responsible for organizing, planning, and administering the shipboard library. Library officer duties can be performed by warrant officers,  commissioned  officers,  chief  petty  officers,  or by   highly   motivated   and   qualified   petty   officer personnel. For example, as an RP3 assigned aboard a deep-draft vessel, you will likely maintain the shipboard library. By virtue of experience and training, a senior RP may be assigned the duties of shipboard library officer. Basic  functions,  duties  and  responsibilities, authority, and organizational relationships of the library 5-4