Policy documents for download: Bylaws Collection Policy Computer/Internet Policy Goals & Objectives Personnel Policies Reference Policy Service Policies Whistleblower Policy |
-----Loan Policies----
Library Cards
- Adult cards are issued to persons 18 years of age or older. Patrons may receive a card by showing a photo ID and verification of current address. Documents accepted to verify address include auto registration, recent utility bills, voter registration card, lease/rent agreement, etc.
- Juvenile cards are issued to children 17 years of age or younger; a parent or legal guardian must show photo ID and proof of legal address as listed above and sign the registration form. No materials may be checked out without presentation of a valid card.
Charge for replacing lost library card: $2.00. - Cards are valid for use at county-member libraries in Berks County (including Reading Public Library and the County Bookmobile), and Reading Area Community College.
Loan Period, Renewals and Reserves
- All materials may be checked out for three weeks except VHS tapes and DVDs, which may be checked out for one week.
- All materials, except DVD sets and new books, may be renewed once (unless reserved). DVD sets and new books can’t be renewed. Items may be renewed in person, by phone, or via the internet, if there is no waiting list for that item.
- It is the patron's responsibility to return all items on time and in the same condition in which they were taken out.
- Reserve materials will be held for seven days after notification of availability.
- Reference materials and current magazines do not circulate.
Fines for Overdue Materials
- Juvenile:
Books, audio materials, magazines… no fines
VHS tapes... $ .10/day
DVDs... $ .50/day
- Adult and young adult (YA):
Books, audio materials, magazines, VHS tapes… $ .10/day
DVDs, Interlibrary Loan... $ .50/day - Maximum fines:
DVDs (adult & juvenile)....$10.00 - VHS tapes (adult and juvenile)....$5.00
Books, audio materials (adult)....$5.00
Magazines (adult)....$ 2.00
- All fines are calculated by the calendar day. Returns may be made at any Berks County Public Library System member location.
Damaged books are charged at the replacement value plus a $ 5.00 processing fee.
Overdue Notices
- Patrons with overdue materials will be contacted by telephone, email, or mail.
- First Notice- "The following item(s) is (are) overdue…... If you have any question concerning this notice, call 610-582-5666."
- Second Notice- "The following item(s) is (are) very late. Fines are becoming substantial. Please take care of the problem immediately. If you have any questions about this notice call 610-582-5666."
- Final Notice- "This is your final notice to return the item(s) listed below. If we do not receive the material(s) within seven days, you will be billed for replacement costs and processing fees. Please contact us about this at 610-582-5666."
- Billing Notice- "The following charges have been incurred since the last notice and should be paid immediately. Thank you for your prompt attention to these charges."
--Computer/Internet Usage Policy--
Purpose:The Boone Area Library provides materials and services to support the reading and learning needs of the community. The purpose of this plan is to allow patrons access to the many resources available using the computer including the Internet, office and educational software.
Conditions and Terms of Use:
- Patron must be a member in good standing and sign in and out at the front desk using their library card. Users are responsible for the computer you are signed in on, and the time period you are listed for.
- Library computers are primarily for research, business, and study purposes. Other uses are allowed, but users playing games, checking e-mail, etc. may be "bumped" for patrons wanting to use the computers for the previously mentioned purposes.
- Printing costs are .50 for black and white and $1.00 for color, per page.
- If patrons are waiting to use the computers when all are busy, users who have had more than 30 minutes online will be asked to close out and get back in line in order of arrival. A three hour maximum usage time per day will be enforced.
- The computer hard disk drives are for the storage of library software and information. Patrons are asked to provide their own floppy disks. The unknown files on the hard drives will be automatically deleted when computers are shut down. Disks are available at the desk for $1.00.
- Patrons are responsible for any damage occurring to the library hardware or software due to inappropriate actions while using the computers. Fees will be assessed and charged to the patron for required repairs or replacement.
- The library is not responsible for damage to patron data due to use in the library.
- Computer users are expected to respect the privacy of other computer users; and respect the library by using resources in a respectful manner. The Library reserves the right to end any Internet session if materials being displayed are deemed inappropriate for public viewing. Use of profanity will result in termination also. Repeated abuse may lead to revoking of computer privileges and legal action where appropriate.
- The Library's computers may not be used for illegal purposes. Copyrights or trademarks may protect information available via the Internet; use of such information must not violate any copyright or trademark law. Users are solely responsible for damages or fines resulting from law violations.
- The Library does not offer electronic mail service. Computer users may make use of web-based e-mail.
- The Internet and its available resources may contain material of a controversial nature. Parents or guardians, NOT library staff are responsible for overseeing their children's Internet use and educate their children to be guarded Internet users. Persons under 15 years of age must have written permission on file for solo use of the Internet.
- Library staff can and will assist with computer use as time allows, but for in-depth training, patrons are encouraged to participate in computer classes offered at the library and elsewhere. Library patrons should not expect staff members to guide them through every stage of a search; patrons must be willing to take the initiative and explore on their own.
- Patrons may bring in their own laptop computers to the library to access the internet via the library's wireless connection. The library's internet and other policies apply to these users. Failure to comply may result in patron being asked to end their session and leave the library.
Children and the Internet
Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their own children. Parents and/or guardians should guide their children in the use of the Internet and assessing the validity of information.
The Children's Internet Protection Act (pub. L. 106-554) requires that a library receiving federal funds must "have in place a policy of Internet safety for minors that include the operation of a technology protection measure with respect to any computers with Internet access..." In compliance with this provision of federal law, the public libraries have installed a filtering mechanism on all computers to protect young users from inappropriate material. The filtering software is called iprism.
Parents are reminded that filtering is not foolproof. It diminishes the likelihood that searchers will inadvertently retrieve test or images that they may find offensive, but does not completely eliminate that possibility. Filters may also block access to sites that users would consider both inoffensive and useful. Parental supervision of young children searching the Internet is strongly advised.
*The definition of "explicit sexual materials" is found in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5903
Rights of Adults
Adults (those 17 and older) may request unfiltered access to the Internet for any purpose that does not violate the law or the library's policies. The filter on an individual computer will be disabled in response to such a request. Library staff may not disable the filter on patron owned laptops or other wireless devices.
All library users have the right to expect that their information seeking activities in the library are private and confidential. No records are retained of Internet use by any identifiable minor or adult user.