Policies

	Borrowing Policies and Overdue Charges
	Meeting Room Policy
	Memorials and Gifts
	Internet Policy
	Computer Use Procedure
	Policy For Public Behavior On Library Property

Borrowing Policies and Overdue Charges

	Borrowers must present a valid Nioga library card to check out materials or to use a computer.
	Borrower’s cards are issued to residents of Genesee, Orleans, and Niagara counties, residents of the Village and Town of Caledonia, and to those employed or attending school in LeRoy. Library cards are issued upon proof of name and current address. There is no charge to apply for the initial library card.
	A parent or guardian must sign for borrowers under the age of 14 years.
	Borrower’s cards will be issued to people residing at a campground in Genesee County or in the Town of Caledonia. A campground agreement or lease with a current date must be shown at the time the card is issued. Proof of permanent address must also be shown.
	Fines must be cleared before replacement cards are issued. The replacement fee for lost cards is $1.00.

Loan Periods

Three weeks for books and magazines.

	Two days for videos, dvds and museum passes, with a limit of 3 titles per card.
	One week for certain reference materials.
	Materials may be renewed for one additional loan period unless they are new books, reference books, reserved books, videos, dvds or museum passes.
	Videos, dvds and museum passes are loaned to patrons who are 18 years of age with a valid library card.

Fines

	Fines will be charged for all overdue materials.
	Adult materials - $.10 a day, $5.00 maximum. Children’s materials - $.10 a day, $5.00 maximum. Videos, dvds and passes - $1.00 a day, $10.00 maximum.
	Borrowing privileges are suspended when fines on returned or circulating materials are $5.00 or more.
	Lost items will be charged the cost of replacement and a $3.00 processing fee.

Revised by WML Board of Trustees – 8/07

Meeting Room Policy

Meeting room space in the Woodward Memorial Library is available to resident organizations at no charge. Meeting room space is available during normal library hours on a first come-first serve basis. Library programming will take priority over outside groups. Secondarily, the school use of the building shall have priority over outside groups.* The Director has the right to cancel a reservation if the room is needed for library use.

The Community Room may be reserved and used for meetings. The community meeting room may not be reserved as a regular meeting place.

Organizations wishing to use a meeting space are required to call the library (768-8300) to reserve the space. The name of the organization, times of the meeting, contact person’s name and phone number are required for the schedule. The library appreciates at least 24 hours advance notice for meeting room requests.

Meeting space may only be used by non-profit organizations. Meetings must be free and open to the public. Use of the meeting rooms does not constitute an endorsement of the views of the user of the room by the Library.

Rules governing use of the meeting room:
· Meetings must be conducted in such a manner as not to disrupt regular library services.

· Activities for minors, age 18 and under, must be supervised by a responsible adult.

	Refreshments must be discussed in advance with library staff.
	Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
	The meeting area used must be left in a neat and orderly condition.
	Meeting must adjourn ten minutes before the library closes.

Failure to abide by these conditions may result in denial of further use of library meeting space.

Modified on September 15, 2005 by the Library Board of Trustees.

Memorials and Gifts

1. The library welcomes gifts of books, audio recordings, videos, and similar materials that add to the existing collection and meet the criteria of the book selection policy of the library. Gift materials will be accepted with the understanding that this library reserves the right to utilize them in accordance with this selection policy. The Library Director, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, will determine the acceptability of the donation.

2. Once donated, items become the property of the Woodward Memorial Library, and may be given to other libraries and non-profit agencies, sold, traded, or discarded if they are not added to the collection. Gift materials will not be accepted for which the donor places restrictions or special conditions. Donated items will not be returned to the donor and the library will not accept any item that is not an outright gift.

3. The library will acknowledge receipt of donated items, but is unable to set fair market or appraisal values. It is recommended that the donor make a list of items donated. If items are being donated to obtain a tax benefit, it is the donor’s responsibility to establish fair market value or obtain expert assistance in establishing any value. The library also reserves the right to decide when a gift added to the collection must be withdrawn.

3. Gift items will be formally acknowledged. The responsibility of assessing the value of the items remains with the donor in accordance with state and federal tax laws.

4. Monetary gifts, bequests, and memorial and honorary contributions are particularly welcome. Funds donated will be used to purchase items in accordance with the selection policy of the library. Books, videos, and other materials purchased with bequests and memorial or honorary contributions will be identified with special donor plates whenever possible. If requested, notification of memorial or honorary contributions will be sent to the family of the person being recognized. Suggestions for subject areas or other areas of interest are welcome and will be followed to the extent possible.

5. Gifts of money and/or stock will be accepted if conditions attached thereto are acceptable to the Board of Trustees and are in accordance with all pertinent laws.

6. Personal property, art objects, portraits, antiques, and other museum objects will be accepted only at the discretion of the Trustees and the Library Director. The decision to accept will be based on the suitability of the gift to the purposes and needs of the library, laws and regulations that govern the ownership of the gift, and the library’s ability to cover insurance and maintenance costs associated with the donation.

Reviewed 6/06

Internet Policy

1. The Internet is available through computer stations in the Woodward Memorial Library. Both filtered and unfiltered internet access is available. The school district maintains a filtering program in its computer network, which attempts to block out offensive material. Unfiltered access to the Internet and web-based e-mail is available on four computer workstations.

2. All users of electronic information resources such as the Internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow these rules and regulations.

Responsible, ethical use of such resources includes the following:

· Using resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only: not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes;

· Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database;

· Further respecting the privacy of others using public access workstations at Woodward Memorial Library by not interfering with their use;

· Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data;

· Not sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics that may reasonably be construed as obscene, pornographic, or otherwise inappropriate.

3. The following acts are prohibited:

· Transmission of material in violation of any federal or state regulation.

· Criminal speech or activity, such as, threats to the President, instructions on breaking into computer systems, child pornography, drug dealing, purchase of alcohol and gang activities.

· Copyright infringement or plagiarism.

4. Disclaimer. The Woodward Memorial Library makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing.

5. The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. The privilege may be revoked at the discretion of library staff if a patron violates the library Internet policy or uses the Internet in an inappropriate manner.

6. The Woodward Memorial Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by children.

7. Woodward Memorial Library reserves the right to change the Internet policy at any time.

Computer Use

Users must have a library card from Woodward Memorial Library. Visitors to the area may use the Internet on a one-time basis without a card. Visitors are subject to the same guidelines as cardholders.

Users must sign an Internet Use Agreement before using the Internet. Children (18 and under) must have a parent or guardian sign the agreement in the presence of a staff person. For parents not wishing to limit their child's (18 and under) access to the Internet, accessibility to unfiltered computers will be permitted if a parent or legal guardian signs an agreement in the presence of a librarian. Users' cards will be marked with an Internet stamp.

Users must check in at the front desk before using a computer. Reservations for computers will not be taken. Patrons will be assigned a computer in the order that they sign up. Computer use is on a first-come, first-served basis, with use limited to 60 minutes. A subsequent session of 60 minutes is available if no one is waiting. If another person comes in during the subsequent session the computer must be made available within 5 minutes of being informed by Library staff that another person is waiting. In order to maximize availability of the computers for all users, each individual is limited to a total of two hours per day, regardless of how many terminals are used. Only one person may use a computer at a time.

Printing is available at $0.15 per page. This charge applies whether the user brings paper or uses library paper. Patron must pay for paper at the front desk before printing.

Patrons may use personal laptop or notebook computers in the Library; however, connecting into the Library’s wireless Internet service is not allowed.

Users may use their own data disks, but they must be scanned for viruses before use. Flash drives are not permitted.

Computers are turned off 10 minutes before closing time and patrons are requested to end their sessions in a timely manner.

Revised 05/06; WML Board of Trustees

POLICY FOR PUBLIC BEHAVIOR ON LIBRARY PROPERTY

The Woodward Memorial Library Staff and Board of Trustees are responsible for determining the rules for public behavior in the Library that are necessary to:

1. Protect the rights of individuals to use Library property, materials, and services;

2. Protect the rights of Library employees to conduct library business without interference;

3. Ensure the use of the facilities, materials, and services by the greatest number of individuals;

4. Preserve those materials and facilities from harm; and

5. Ensure the safety of Library patrons and employees.

The rules for public behavior are listed below. Library employees are authorized to bring to an individual’s attention any act or omission that violates these rules and detracts from the decorum of the Library. Such an individual will be asked to change the problem behavior to conform to the rules. If such change is not evident or forthcoming, that individual will be asked to leave the Library property. Failure to leave if asked will result in the police being called.

Any individual who repeatedly violates the Library rules and regulations shall be denied the privilege of access to the Library. The Board authorizes the Library Director to bring to the attention of law enforcement authorities the identity and circumstances involving individuals who violate these rules.

Cell phones must be turned off or put on vibrate when entering the Library. If a call is necessary, patrons must leave the building or conduct the conversation in the back entryway of the Library.

Any misconduct that hinders use of the Library or library materials is prohibited. Such misconduct might include but is not limited to:

1. Illegal activities.

2. Loud or boisterous behavior.

3. Conversation that is disturbing to other individuals or employees.

4. Profanity or other abusive language toward other Library patrons or toward employees.

5. Abusing Library furniture, equipment, restrooms, or materials.

6. Harassing others, either verbally or through actions. Harassment may include but is not limited to initiating unwanted conversations; making unwanted advances toward other persons; impeding access to the building; or other actions another individual reasonably perceives to be hostile, threatening or offensive.

7. Fighting on Library property.

8. Using tobacco in any form while on Library property.

9. Possession, sale, or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, or weapons on Library property.

10. Eating and/or drinking in non-designated areas.

11. Buying, selling, or soliciting for personal or commercial gain.

12. Using radios, tape players, or other personal listening equipment at a level that can be heard by other individuals.

13. Skateboarding anywhere on Library property.

14. Bringing animals into the library except those needed to assist a patron with a disability.

15. Not wearing a shirt or shoes.

The Library does not permit weapons of any kind, either concealed or in plain view, on its property or in its buildings, unless the owner of the weapon is a law enforcement officer.

Woodward Memorial Library does not assume responsibility for children left unattended in the library.

Questions about this policy or about actions the Library has taken may be addressed to the Library Director or the Board of Trustees. The above rules are based on powers granted to a public library board of trustees under section 262 of the New York State Education Law. They will be posted prominently in the Library building.

Approved by WML Board of Trustees 11/98; Amended 1/8/03; Amended 12/8/04; Amended 2/14/07

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