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Circulation Policy
The Plum Lake Public
Library is organized to provide free and equitable access to a wide
variety of books and other library resources for all ages. Items may be
checked out under the following conditions:
1)
Up-to-date registration information is available in the Merlin
system.
2) Patron holds a valid Merlin card
3)
Books, Audio
tapes, CDs may be taken out for a period of three weeks. New books
and magazines are loaned for a period of two weeks. Videos, DVDs,
Kids-Time Kits, Toy kits, puzzles and circulating reference
materials are loaned for a period of 1 week.
4)
Children are limited to 5 items each. Adults are limited to 10 items
each. Exceptions must be approved by the librarian in charge.
5)
Materials
may be renewed by phone or in person on or before the due date. Up
to 2 renewals are permitted as long as the item is not on hold for
someone else.
6)
A fine of 10c per
item for each day that the library is open will be charged for
overdue library materials, with the exception of videos and DVDs
which will be charged 25c per library day.
7)
When material(s) have been overdue for 2 weeks, the first notice
will be made to the patron, either by phone or mail. After 3 weeks,
the second notice will be made. After 6 weeks, a statement will be
sent informing the patron of the cost of the material and library
privileges will be suspended until such time as the materials are
returned and fines paid. If necessary further legal action will be
taken to retrieve library materials.
8)
Lost
or badly damaged material must be paid for at current replacement
costs plus $1.00 for processing.
9)
Overdue or lost items from Interlibrary Loan will be handled in the
same manner as regular library materials.
10) Parents
are responsible for their children’s obligations. Children are not
responsible for their parent’s obligations.
11) When
a legal holiday falls on a day that the library is regularly open,
the loan period will be extended until the next library day.
Accepted by the Plum Lake Public Library Board on the 15th day of
March, 2006
Policy
on Public Use of the Internet & Acceptable Internet Standards
To fulfill its
mission of providing quality materials and services that fulfill the
educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the
entire community, the Plum Lake Public Library provides access to
Internet resources. The Internet offers access to many valuable local,
national and international sources of information. However, some
information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated,
or offensive to some individuals. A good information consumer must
evaluate the validity and appropriateness of information found.
Choosing and Evaluating Sources
The Internet is a series of communication linkages leading to a highly
diverse array of information content. Library patrons use it at their
own risk. In choosing sources to link to from its home pages, the
Library follows its materials selection guidelines. Beyond this, the
Library is not responsible for the content of the Internet, changes in
content of the sources to which the Library home pages link, or for the
content of sources accessed through secondary links. In an effort to
assist its users, the Library will be creating Web sites for the general
population, for teens and for children to help guide them to sources
that are accurate, complete and current and that provide them with a
wealth of information on the local, national and global level.
Access by Minors
Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding which
library resources are appropriate for their own children. Parents or
legal guardians should guide their children in use of the Internet and
inform them about materials they should not use. Parents or legal
guardians of minor children and children are encouraged to read
Child Safety on the Information Highway and
My Rules for Online Safety.
While the Library affirms and acknowledges the rights and
responsibilities of parents and guardians to monitor and determine their
children's access to Library materials and resources, including those
available through the Internet, the Library has taken certain measures
designed to assist in the safe and effective use of these resources by
all minors.
a. To address
the issue of access by minors to inappropriate material on the Internet,
including material that is harmful to minors, the Library is planning
to:
i. Develop and maintain special web sites for children and teens;
ii. Encourage staff to guide minors away from materials that may be
inappropriate.
b. To address
the issue of unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and
other unlawful activities by minors online, minors and all other Library
users are hereby advised that use of the Library's computers for hacking
or any other unlawful activity is strictly prohibited.
Public Users' Security
Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that
third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users'
activities. However, The Plum Lake Public Library will not release
information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the
public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation
of the Library.
Note: Software
exists on library workstations that erases users’ activities when the
workstation is restarted.
Compliance
The Library reserves the right to take appropriate action to insure
compliance with this policy.
Guidelines on Access to
Information
The Plum Lake Public Library is guided by the following American Library
Association statements on access to information:
• The Library Bill of Rights
• Freedom to Read Statement
• Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights: Free Access to Libraries
for Minors and Access to Electronic Information Services and Resources
In general, the Library is guided by a commitment to access to
information policies that provide appropriate protections to its patrons
while being consistent with the Library's longstanding commitment to the
principles of free expression as set forth in the First Amendment to the
United States Constitution.
Acceptable Use Standards for
Internet and Library Computers
All electronic traffic originating from the Plum Lake Public Library
Internet Connection shall be in accordance with these Acceptable Use
Standards. Failure to abide by these standards may result in the loss of
Internet, computer, and Library privileges.
Acceptable Use
Use of the Library's computers shall be guided by the following
principles:
1. Respect for
the privacy of others.
2.
Attention to
the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and
data.
3. Consideration
for the security and functioning of computers, computer networks, and
systems.
4. Library staff
may limit PC access time if other library patrons are waiting for access
to PCs.
5. Library staff
may extend PC access time to accommodate specific needs.
Violations may result in loss of access. Unlawful activities will be
dealt with in an appropriate manner. The Library expressly disclaims any
liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information
obtained through its electronic information systems, or any consequences
thereof.
Policy Subject to Revision
The Library's "Policy on Public Use of the Internet" may be revised from
time to time.
Credits
This Internet Policy was developed from several existing policies in
place at public libraries in the United States. The Plum Lake Public
Library thanks the Northern Waters Library Service, the New York Public
Library and the Marion County Library for their pioneering efforts in
preparing Internet Policies.
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