Policies

Scurry County Library

1916 23rd Street

Snyder, TX. 79549

Phone (325) 573-5572/Fax (325) 573-1060

E-mail: sclibrary@att.net

Catalog

Policies

Mission Statement

The mission of the Scurry County Public Library is to provide materials, services, and programs to enhance lives. The library is committed to providing information in a variety of formats that meets personal, educational, professional, and recreational needs, thereby encouraging a life-long interest in reading and learning.

Rules of Conduct

Adult:

While on Library property, the following are UNACCEPTABLE:

	Bringing weapons into the Library.
	Damaging or vandalizing Library facilities, equipments or materials.
	Removing Library materials without properly checking them out.
	The Library Staff cannot be responsible for minor children who are unsupervised. For behavioral, safety and security reasons, and the comfort of other patrons, parents/guardians/or assigned chaperones must keep their young children (under the age of ten) within their sight.
	Harassing other Library users or Library Staff, including physical, sexual, or verbal abuse.
	Possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
	Eating, drinking, using tobacco products, or sleeping.
	Lack of protective footwear and/or shirt.
	Using cell phones in the Library.
	Using radios, televisions, telephones, or CD/tape players audible to others.
	Selling, soliciting or panhandling (approaching citizens or staff members with items for sale or pleas for donations).
	Distributing or posting printed materials or literature without prior Library Administration approval.
	Bringing in any animals except service dogs.
	Improper use of restrooms.
	Offensive bodily hygiene which constitutes a nuisance to others.
	Entering non-public areas, including staff workrooms, offices, and storage areas unless accompanied by a staff member or with permission of the Library Director or Assistant Library Director.
	Using Library electrical outlets without permission from Library staff.
	Indulging in a disturbance of the public peace by loud or aggressive behavior, boisterous behavior, running, profanity, or abusive language.
	Engaging in any indecent or obscene conduct or making any indecent exposure of his or her person.
	Engaging in acts which are subject to prosecution under criminal or civil codes of law.

If a Library patron chooses not to follow the Library's Rules of Conduct, that patron will be warned. If the behavior continues, that user will be asked to leave. The Police will be called if the user refuses to leave.

Young Children:

The Scurry County Public Library endeavors to create a welcoming, educational, and safe place for all children and families.

The Scurry County Public Library encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child. Library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library.

Therefore, it is Library policy that all children under the age of 10 years old must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the Library. Also, if the young child is attending a Library program, we require the parent/responsible person to remain in the Library throughout the program.

Individual Visits:

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for the safety, behavior, and supervision of their children at all times in the Library and on Library property.

Children, like all Library users, are required to respect Library property and to act in a manner appropriate to the use and function of the Library.

Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent, caregiver, or guardian age 16 or older at all times and in all areas of the Library and its property except when participating in a Library sponsored program, such as Story Time or Summer Reading Program activities.

Children causing a disturbance in the Library will be directed to their parents for discipline. If the behavior continues to disturb other patrons, the adult and child may be asked to leave until the behavior problem is resolved.

Older children and adolescents who come to the Library without a parent , guardian, or caregiver are welcome for appropriate use of the Library, such as homework or reading. Vandalism and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may serve as grounds for removal from Library property.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers should be aware of Library opening and closing times and make sure suitable arrangements to meet and/or transport their children. In the event that a minor (15 years old or younger) is left after Library hours and no one can be contacted to provide transportation, the staff will call the Snyder Police Department for assistance. Staff will not transport children home or to any other destinations under any circumstances.

Group Visits:

	Groups of children must be accompanied by an adult.
	Teachers or group leaders are responsible for group discipline and must remain with the group the entire visit.
	The behavior of the group should not disturb other Library patrons.

Unattended Children:

An "unattended child" is defined as a child 10 years of age and under who is not under the immediate control of a parent or other caregiver age 16 or older.

Disruptive Children:

Children of all ages are encouraged to use the Library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The Library staff realizes that the Library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. However, children (whether with parents or not) who are being continually disruptive will be given a warning that he/she will be asked to leave the Library. If the child needs to contact a parent, they may do so and then wait with staff person until parent arrives.

Circulation Policy

Registration:

All borrowers must be registered and must have a valid local or system patron card to borrow library materials.

Patrons must fill out an application form to register for a new library card. The following statement will be printed on the registration form for the patron's information and acceptance.

I agree to be responsible for all items borrowed with the library card issued in the above name, including items borrowed with it by others with or without my consent unless I have previously reported the loss of my card. I promise to comply with all Library rules and policies both present and future, and to give prompt notice of change of address or loss of Library card.

Identification is required. A driver's license or state ID is needed; however, any other official ID will be accepted as long as your current address is on it. You must also submit 1 piece of mail with current address matching your ID address.

Applicants under 16 years of age must have parent or legal guardian to give their consent on the application form before a new card can be issued. This parental signature is not required for children who are renewing cards.

Materials cannot be checked out until a library card is issued.

All library cards expire 4 years. In order to renew a library card, patrons must produce identification and must clear all outstanding fines and bills.

Lost or Forgotten Cards:

If a patron loses his/her card, he should notify the library as soon as possible and request a replacement.

1st replacement cost	$4.00
2nd replacement cost	$5.00
3rd replacement cost	$10.00
All other replacement cards cost	$25.00

All patrons, adult and juvenile, are expected to bring their library cards with them if they intend to check out items. An individual who repeatedly ignores this expectation may by denied the privilege of checking out materials until they present their card at the library.

All patrons, over the age of 5 are expected to use their library cards to check out materials. The library staff will not check out materials for a patron on another patron's library card.

Loan Periods:

	Two (2) weeks for books, audio books, and musical CDs.
	Generally, reference books do not circulate. Upon request, some reference materials may be checked out overnight.
	Genealogists may check out 2 genealogy reference books for 2 business days.
	Interlibrary loans are due the date indicated by the lending library, generally 2 weeks and may not be renewed. Borrower must be in good standing for six (6) months before requesting an interlibrary loan.
	Books may be renewed twice as long as the item is not overdue -- if the item is overdue the fine must be paid before it can be renewed. If the item is on reserve it may not be renewed, otherwise the items must go back on the shelf for 24 hours.
	Books may be renewed over the phone -- all other items must be brought in to be renewed.
	Current issues of periodicals do not circulate.
	Non-current periodicals may be checked out for 2 weeks and may be renewed.
	Three (3) business days for videocassettes and DVDs.
	Audio visual materials may be renewed 1 time. (Items that are overdue -- the same rule applies.)
	Circulating items must be turned-in thirty (30) minutes before closing on due date -- otherwise considered overdue.

The director may establish the loan period for special collection materials which are temporarily in great demand, such as student projects, or materials added to the collection which is in a new format (e.g. computer software).

There is a limit of 10 books per child, 15 books, 4 magazines, 4 audio books, 4 musical CDs, and 4 video recordings per adult, or 20 paperback books per adult. You may not check out audio/visuals on a juvenile card.

Reserves:

Reserves for books and audio books may be placed by patrons either in person, via e-mail, or over the phone. Reserves for movies and musical CDs will not be taken over the phone. Patrons will be notified by telephone when the materials are available. There is no charge to the patron for placing a reserve or for interlibrary loan services.

Fines and Charges:

There will be a fine applied to all overdue materials. The books and audio books will have a fine of $.10 per day, following a 3 day grace period. All videos will have a fine of $1.00 per day and there will be no grace period.

Circulating items must be turned-in thirty (30) minutes before closing on due date -- otherwise considered overdue.

A first notice will be sent 4 weeks after the material is due. If the material is not returned within 14 days, a final letter will be sent for the materials with the cost of the replacement of the materials and a service charge of $25.00 for processing, cataloging and postage. If the items are not returned after 8 weeks, the patron is then turned over to the County Attorney. Patrons who have been sent an overdue notice shall be denied borrowing privileges until those overdue materials are returned or paid for if lost and/or damaged.

Damaged Materials:

If materials are damaged so as to be judged by the library as being unsuitable for the collection, the patron must pay the replacement cost. A notice of those charges will be sent to the borrower.

The board and director need to determine whether patrons who damage and pay for materials owned by the library will be allowed to have those materials once payment has been received.

Equipment Use Policy:

A microcomputer is available to patrons on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for use of the computer; however, in order to make the service available to as may patrons as possible, a time limit for usage has been imposed. That time limit is 30 minutes. Library staff is available for general assistance in using the computer. However, staff is not expected to train patrons in the use of application programs. Tutorial manuals will be provided when available.

The computer is available at no expense to the patron, however, the patron may not bring in outside equipment or programs to use with the computers. Example: speakers, genealogy programs, resume programs, games, etc.

Computer Printer

Printers are available. Printer paper will cost $.15 per black and white sheet and $.50 to $1.00 per color sheet and must be paid for at the conclusion of the session.

Copy Machine

A photocopy machine is available to patrons who wish to copy materials at the rate of $.15 per page.

Copy machine users are advised that there are restrictions on copyrighted materials. Any violation of copyright is the responsibility of the copy machine user.

Fax Machine

A fax machine is available to the public for a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page thereafter. A library fax cover sheet will be given to the patron at no cost to the patron. If a patron wishes to send a fax with no cover sheet the first page will be $2.00 -- not free.

Internet Use Policy:

The Scurry County Library is providing access to the Internet as a means to enhance the information and learning opportunities for the citizens of the library's service area. The Board of Trustees has established the Internet use policy to ensure appropriate and effective use of this resources

The computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, from 10:00 am to 5:45 pm, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am to 8:45 pm, Tuesday and Thursday.

Access to the Internet is available to all patrons; however, this service may be restricted at any time for use not consistent with the guidelines. Parents to minor children must assume responsibility for their children's use of the library's Internet service; prior to being granted access to the Internet, anyone under the age of 16 years of age, along with a parent or legal guardian, must read the Internet Use Agreement. All users must check out their Internet computer through the front desk before starting their session. The Scurry County Library assumes no responsibility for the use of Internet by children. The library can neither censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information.

Expectations:

Users should be aware that the inappropriate uses of electronic information resources can be violation of local, state, and federal laws and can lead to prosecution. The user will be held responsible for his/her actions using the Internet. Users are expected to abide by the polices; below which include generally accepted rules of network etiquette. Unacceptable use of the service will result in the suspension of revocation of Internet use privileges.

Warnings:

The Internet is a decentralized, not moderated global network; the Scurry County Library has no control over the content found there. The library will not censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information, and it is not responsible for the availability and accuracy of information found on the Internet.

The library cannot assure that data or files downloaded by users are virus-free. The library is not responsible for damages to equipment or data on a user's personal computer from the use of data downloaded from the library's Internet services.

The use of the Internet and e-mail is not guaranteed to be private. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the proper authorities.

Guidelines:

Users may use the Internet for research and the acquisition of information to address their educational, vocational, cultural, and recreational needs.
Users may use the Internet for the receipt and transmission of electronic mail (e-mail) as along as they use a free e-mail service which will establish and maintain an account for them; the library is unable to manage e-mail accounts for any organizations or individuals.
Internet use is offered in ninety (90) minute sessions on a first-come, first-served basis; each user is allowed one session -- if there is not a patron waiting for the service at the end of a session, the user may have another session, but once having had the service for 90 minutes the patron must abandon use of the Internet if another patron requests use of the service.
Users will respect and uphold copyright laws and all other applicable laws and regulations; they will not use the Internet for illegal purposes.
Users will respect the rights an privacy of others by not accessing private files.
Users agree not to incur any costs for the library through their use of the Internet service.
Users shall not create and/or distribute computer viruses over the Internet.
Users shall not deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer equipment, programs, or parameters.
The Library supplies paper for printing.

Wireless Access (Wifi) Policy:

The Scurry County Library now offers wireless access to the library's Internet service for properly equipped and configured laptops and handheld computers. You will be asked for a login and password. You may retrieve this information from the front desk. Once you have done this, the library's home page will come up and you are ready to use our wireless system.

Security Concerns:

The Internet is a public communications network. Wireless poses the same risks to your personal information that a wired network poses, as well as some new risks. Please take appropriate precautions when using this service.

The library will not be responsible for any personal information (E.g. credit card) that is compromised, or for any damage caused to your hardware or software due to electrical surges, security issues or consequences caused by viruses or hacking. All wireless access users should have up-to-date virus protection on their personal laptop computers or wireless devices.

Laptops and other devices should never be left unattended in the library, ever for brief periods of time. The library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user's equipment, software, data files or other personal property brought into or used at the library facility.

Staff Assistance:

	You are responsible for setting up your own equipment.
	Library staff cannot assist you with your laptop card or configuration.
	The library cannot accept the liability of handling your equipment.
	Printers are not available through our wireless connection. To print, save to a disc or a jump drive and use one of our public workstations.