Business Integrity Policy

Northland Public Library (“NPL”) staff will strive to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity when doing business with outside entities.

NPL staff agree to:

1. Abide by all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including laws relating to labor and employment and Northland’s Equal Opportunity Policy. (link to be inserted once that public facing policy is approved)
2. Ensure any entities contracted by NPL abide by all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including laws relating to labor and employment and Northland’s Equal Opportunity Policy. (link to be inserted once that public facing policy is approved).
3. Not accept, agree to give, offer, confer, agree to confer, or promise to confer, directly or indirectly, any gratuity or pecuniary benefit to any person, or to influence or attempt to influence any person in violation of any federal or state law, regulation, executive order, statement of policy, management directive, or bulletin applicable to the awarding of grants. NPL prohibits its employees and Board members from engaging in any activity, practice or act which conflicts with or appears to conflict with the interests of the Library, its patrons, or the community. An actual or potential conflict of interest occurs when an employee is in a position to influence a decision that may result in a personal gain for that employee or for a relative as a result of the organization’s business dealings.  A conflict can also arise when an employee takes actions or has interests that make it difficult for them to perform their work objectively or properly.
4. Disclose the nature and extent of a conflict of interest to the NPL Executive Director and not participate in the deliberations of the NPL concerning the Project or Project areas. Seek the express consent of the Commonwealth to proceed where there is an identified financial interest.
5. Abide by safeguards to prohibit staff from using their positions for a purpose that is or gives the appearance of being motivated by a desire for private gain for themselves or others, particularly those with whom they have family, business, or other ties.
6. Comply with the requirements of the Lobbying Disclosure Act (65 Pa.C.S. § 13A01 et seq).
7. Comply with the requirements of Section 1641 of the Pennsylvania Election Code (25 P.S.§ 3260a) if a grant is awarded pursuant to a Non-Solicitation Award Process.
8. Comply with the provisions of the Hatch Act, P.L. 85-554 (5 U.S.C 1501 et seq.) which limits the political activity of employees.
9. Disclose any financial interests they may have in a subgrantee, contractor, subcontractor, or supplier providing services, labor, or material.
10. Not knowingly hire individuals lacking employment authorization nor do business with entities who employ or contract individuals lacking employment authorization. NPL requires all employees to provide the requisite documents necessary to comply with the Department of Homeland Security’s US Citizenship Immigration Services’ Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.
11. Notify appropriate authorities if they become aware that an outside entity with whom NPL is doing business is violating any federal or state laws or violating any aspect of their agreement with NPL consistent with the Commonwealth reporting requirements.
12. Abide by the Municipal Authorities Act.

NPL Executive Director and Appropriate Director Level Staff further agree to:

1. Ensure any entities contracted by NPL have all necessary certifications, licenses, insurance, and permits.
2. Ensure that its performance and the performance of its subcontractors minimizes pollution and strictly complies with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
3. Ensure that NPL does not knowingly contract with any entities that lack a non-discrimination/sexual harassment policy.

NPL Authority Board Members agree to:

1. Abide by the terms listed above for staff as well as the following specific terms for board members:
2. Complete and comply with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s State Ethics Commission’s Statement of Financial Interests.
3. Disclose the nature and extent of a conflict of interest to the NPL Authority Board and not vote on any action of the Northland Public Library Authority (NPLA) concerning any Project or Project areas, nor participate in the deliberations of the NPLA concerning any Project or Project areas. Seek the express consent of the Commonwealth to proceed where there is an identified financial interest.
4. Abide by safeguards to prohibit authority board members from using their positions for a purpose that is or gives the appearance of being motivated by a desire for private gain for themselves or others, particularly those with whom they have family, business, or other ties.

Approved 2/25/2025