Boaz Public Library Policies
Circulation Policy
General:
Patrons will be asked to complete a membership application form. Proof of identification and residency will be required.
Each patron is responsible for materials checked out on their library card. If a card is lost or stolen, it must be reported immediately.
Three (3) items may be checked out for the first time on a new membership card. After that, a limit of 20 items may be checked out on a card.
In order to check out items, no member of your household can have overdue materials or owe fines.
Patrons having lost or damaged books and/or library materials will be charged the current retail replacement price plus overdue charges, if any. Parents are responsible for damage or loss charges for borrowers under the age of 16.
Reference and Genealogy materials are for in-library use only.
The Library Director and/or Staff may deny service to any person for failure to return borrowed items, or refusal to pay fines, for destruction of property, or objectionable conduct in the library.
Books, Audio Books, and Periodicals:
Items are checked out for a two-week period and may be renewed if no reserves or requests are placed on the item.
May be renewed by phone up to two (2) times.
Items may be placed in the book drop located behind the library at any time.
Overdue charges are $0.05 per day per item with overdue fines not to exceed $1.00 per item.
Videos and DVD’s:
Patrons must be 16 years old or older to check out videos and/or DVD’s.
Only four (4) videos and/or DVD’s may be checked out per household.
Videos and/or DVD’s are checked out for three (3) nights.
Videos and/or DVD’s may be placed in the media drop located behind the library at any time.
Videos and/or DVD’s may be renewed up to 2 times consecutively and must be renewed in person each time. No telephone renewals.
Overdue charges are $1.00 per day per item with overdue fines not to exceed $20.00.
Reserves:
Reserves may be made for books, cassette tapes, and CD’s. Reserves may not be placed on video tapes or DVD’s.
Patrons will be contacted when the reserve is available. It will be held on the reserve shelf for 2 days. If not picked up, it will be placed back in circulation.
There are no limits on the number of reserves a patron may request at a time.
Approved: November 2008
Boaz Public Library Board of Trustees
Loan Periods & Fine Chart
|
Material Typeat |
Circulation Periodiod |
Fine Per Day |
Max Fine Per Item |
|
Book |
14 days* |
$.05 |
$1.00 |
|
Audio tapes/CD's |
14 days* |
$.05 |
$1.00 |
|
VHS/DVD's |
3 days |
$1.00 |
$20.00 |
|
Magazine |
14 days* |
$.05 |
$1.00 |
*Books may be renewed for another 14 days unless the title is reserved on the waiting list.
The borrower is responsible for paying for any items lost or damaged.
A book and media drop is available behind the library.
Ordinance No. 97-669
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BOAZ,
SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully detain or fail to return any book, periodical, of any property of the Boaz Public Library for thirty (30) days after notice is given to return the same, and any violator shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. The
Library Board of the City of
SECTION 3. Any person violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall upon conviction be fines not less than ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) nor more than FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) or may be sentenced to serve time in the city jail of the City of Boaz for a term not exceeding six (6) months, either or both, at the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.
SECTION 4. Each and every provision of this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an independent provision and the holding of any provision hereto to be unconstitutional or invalid, shall not affect any other provisions of the Ordinance which would have been enacted regardless of any provision which might be held invalid so long as such holding does not destroy the essence of the Ordinance as it remains.
SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its publication and approval as required by law.
Internet Use Policy
In order to use the Internet Access computers available to the public at the Boaz Public Library you must agree to the following guidelines:
Responsibility of Users
Use of the internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of this privilege. All users of electronic information resources such as the internet are expected to use these items in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow these policies and regulations.
The library and various legal statues expressly forbid use of the Internet for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes. Internet computers will not be used by anyone, including minors, for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access any materials that by local community standards would be obscene (See Alabama State Code Article 5 13A-8-102). Users should not at any time enter sites that advertise, solicit or encourage the viewing of pornographic material, obscene messages and/or material that would be considered an adult subject which should be viewed in a private setting.
Sources on the internet may not always provide complete, accurate, or current information. As with any other material provided at the library, the user is responsible for judging the validity of the information.
Library employees can assist patrons with internet use as time permits. The level of personal computer use and internet experience will vary from person to person. Because of library scheduling, there may not be an internet/computer trained librarian on duty at all times. Staff may assist a patron, but cannot provide in-depth training.
Users
Anyone wishing to use a computer for internet or word processing must have a library card in good standing, i.e. no fines or overdue items. If you do not have a library card, you may get a GUEST card at the Circulation desk. Unless you are truly a guest, apply for a library card. Do NOT use someone else’s number. The person signed onto the computer is the only one that is allowed to use that computer.
Patrons fifteen (15) and under must have the signature of the parent/legal guardian on file for authorization to use the internet. The legal guardian must come to the library in person with proper ID to read the Internet Policy and sign for their child. After the first visit by the parent/legal guardian, the child may use the internet any time they come into the library without supervision.
Patrons twelve (12) and under must be accompanied by an adult when wishing to use the internet. The adult must sit with their child at the computer terminal while they are using the computer. The adult may not use an adjacent terminal while their child is accessing the internet.
Any patron, regardless of age, may use the computer to access the library’s word processing software.
In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the library subscribes to a filtering service, which is found on all workstations throughout the library. The use of filtering technology is an important component of the library’s efforts to limit minors’ access and exposure to inappropriate, harmful, and illegal matter on the internet. This filtering service prevents access to pornographic or obscene materials available on the internet, but you should be aware that no filtering service is completely effective.
The Library upholds and affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children’s use of all library materials and resources. Library users, whether children or adults, are the final selectors in using the internet and are responsible for their individual choices and decisions.
Procedure for Use
Persons wishing to use a computer must type their library card number into the computer at the front desk. This will assign a computer if one is available. If all the computers are taken, it will place you on the waiting list. When others log off, it will assign a computer to the next person. When your name is in the pending list, you have 6 minutes to log in or your computer will be lost and you must sign in again.
When you log in, a 60 minute timer begins. You will be given a 5 minute warning when your time is about to expire. You may extend your time if no one is waiting.
Guidelines for Accessing the Internet
Users will respect the privacy of others using the Internet access terminal by not interfering with their use.
By mutual agreement, two persons may share one computer terminal as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or library staff.
Use low volume on headphones.
Put cell phones on vibrate/silent and conduct conversations outside.
Users must end their session and leave the terminal when asked to do so by authorized library staff, even if they have not completed their session.
Users may save or download information to a disk, CD or zip drive. Diskettes may be purchased at the front desk for .50 cents each. CD’s may be purchased for $1.00 each. Please be aware that library staff may not be available to help with downloading or saving information.
Users are prohibited from accessing chat rooms or discussion groups.
Users will not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.
Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
The Boaz Public Library is not responsible for any damage which may occur as a result from the use of our systems. This includes but is not limited to loss of data from delays or service interruptions due to mechanical failures.
Printing Costs
The library charges a fee of .10 cents per page for printing. Please be aware of the number of times you hit the print button as you will need to pay for all pages printed during your session.
Computer Use Termination
Misuse of the computer, of established guidelines and/or internet use policies will result in the loss of a patron’s computer privileges.
When a library employee observes that a user has failed to comply with the Library Internet Use Policy, they are authorized to terminate that users access session or to prohibit that user from future sessions.
Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.
Approved August 8, 2006
Revised April 24, 2007
Boaz Public Library
Board of Trustees
Interlibrary Loan Policy
Scope
This policy is for the responsibilities and liabilities incurred by library patrons wishing to use the interlibrary loan process.
Policy
The library will provide access for its patrons and staff to library materials known to be available at remote sites.
Patrons wishing to request an interlibrary loan or article reprint must have a valid Boaz Public Library Patron Card. The card must be on file for a two week period prior to an interlibrary loan and be in good standing.
An interlibrary loan or article request is initiated at the patron’s request. Interlibrary loan or article reprint requests resulting in payment of fees to outside sources are initiated by the patron’s willingness to complete the appropriate request forms and service agreements.
Library patrons will reimburse the library for all fees and costs the library incurs in obtaining each interlibrary loan item or article reprint, including but not limited to, lending fees, photo or electronic copying fees, and copyright license fees.
If the interlibrary loan item or article reprint is received by the library and meets the patron’s criteria for timeliness (deadline) and accuracy, as stated on the request form, the requester is required to pick up the material. If the material is not picked up within the time indicated by the library, the patron will be responsible for a no-show fee of $1.00 in addition of all other expenses (as above) incurred by the library on their behalf.
If the library is unable to meet the patron’s agreed-upon deadline for the material, or if the interlibrary loan or article reprint request is cancelled by the library, there will be no charge to the patron.
Patrons may not renew an interlibrary loan.
Patrons will be liable for lost or damaged interlibrary loan materials. The amount owed will be assessed by the lending library, and may include charges above item replacement costs.
Patron Behavior Policy
1. Food and /or beverages are not allowed in the library, except at designated times or in designated rooms.
2. The following activities are not allowed in the library:
Smoking (City Ordinance #95-645)
Creating a disturbance by making noise, talking loudly, or engaging in other disruptive conduct
Interfering with another person’s rights to use the library or with the staff’s performance of their duties
Threatening behavior, including, but not limited to, violence, threats of violence, and possession of weapons
Bringing animals into the library except those needed to assist in a disabled person or used in library programs
Playing audio equipment so that others can hear it
Misusing the rest rooms (i.e. using them as a laundry or washing facility)
Soliciting or canvassing of any kind
Entering areas posted “Staff Only” without permission
Leaving a child under the age of 9 unattended in the library
Running
Sleeping
3. Those who damage or deface library materials or property may be prosecuted. Parents can be liable for damage
done by a child under 18.
4. Theft of library materials or use of false identification to obtain a library card are against state law and may be
prosecuted.
5. Parents are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their young children under the age 9.
Unattended Children Policy
The safety and well-being of young children left unattended at the library is of serious concern. Young pre-school children left on their own often become frightened or anxious. Older school-age children may be able to occupy their time for a short while, but being children, soon become bored and disruptive. Other patrons are disturbed and the children require excessive supervision by the library staff.
The following policy and procedures seek to address these concerns for the children. It is not the library’s intention to seek out unattended children but rather to have a reasoned response prepared as problems arise. The policy states:
“Parents, not the library staff, are responsible for the behavior of the children using the library. Parents will be notified if their children are left unattended and require supervision. If parents are unavailable, proper authorities will be contacted.”