POLICIES
Our library policies are currently under review, Here are some however that are adopted and/or currently in effect.
This site will be updated as individual policies get formulated and adopted.
The following 5 policies have been formally adopted by the Library Board and are currently in effect:
1. CIRCULATION:
· Books, audio cassettes and periodicals will be circulated for a period of not less than 2 weeks and renewed up to (2) times for the same period unless it is on hold for another patron.
· First time patrons are limited to 5 books per card. If these are returned on time, the 5 book limit will be lifted.
· One patron may not check out more than (30) books, magazines, audios and videos combined. An exception to this would be a person holding a "teacher" card.
· Videos may be checked out for a one week period, and may be renewed one time for the same time period unless it is on hold for another patron. Videos are limited to 3 per household.
· A special loan period of one month may be used for patrons going on vacation or to the hospital. "Teachers" also have a special time period of 6 weeks.
· If a patron has 2 or more items that are overdue, they may not check out any materials until overdue items are returned.
· If a patron has an unpaid overdue fine of $10.00 or more, they may not check out any materials until fine is paid in full.
· We require a $10 deposit on all GED, SAT, ACT, ASVAB and auto repair manuals (Chilton and Motor).
· Reference books are to be accessible to all patrons at any time and therefore are for in-house use only.
· A hold may be placed on any book that is in circulation. The person requesting the book will be notified and the contact time to reach the patron will be (2) days. The book will be held for (3) days from contact time.
· Interlibrary Loan Service will be provided for all Watervliet District patrons in good standing and all non-resident card holders in good standing. Michicard patrons outside of our district will be encouraged to use their home library for this service, but an exception may be made if this is not a possibility for them.
NOTE: Patrons using the Interloan Service are subject to all rules and regulations of the lending library and its overdue policies.
The library complies to the Michigan Library Privacy Act and the Library Bill of Rights. Copies of both documents are available upon request.
ADOPTED: January 11, 2000 - Watervliet Library Board
2. LIBRARY CARDS:
· Library cards will be issued free of charge to any person 5 years old or older living, or owning property in the city of Watervliet and Watervliet Township. The library reserves the right to ask for proof of residency.
· A parent or guardian must accompany any child 10 or under applying for a card. The parent or guardian must also sign a statement of responsibility.
· All cards will be issued for a 3-year period and then may be renewed if the patron is still a resident of the Watervliet District.
· A non-resident annual fee of $25 will be charged to anyone living outside of the Watervliet Service area and not holding a Michicard.
· The library will accept and honor any valid Michicard presented unless a delinquency has been reported on the patron.
· Any patron of our district in good standing will be issued a Michicard upon request.
· A $1 fee will be charged to replace a lost library card.
ADOPTED: January 11, 2000
Watervliet Library Board
3. COMMUNITY ROOM RENTAL:
· A donation of $50 is required to rent this room. $20 will be returned to the patron after the event
if the room is in satisfactory condition. A non-profit organization is exempt from this charge.
· The room is reserved on a "first come, first served" basis.
· Rental fee must be paid in advance of the activity.
· No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the property or in the building.
· No smoking in building.
· All access after library hours will be through the back door, unless other arrangements are made.
· A key may be obtained from the librarian not more than 1 day in advance of the event.
· Events are limited to community room and bathrooms.
· Cleanup is the responsibility of the person reserving the room. The room should be left as it was found. This includes the setting up and/or taking down of tables and chairs. Any abuses will be documented and future rental may be denied.
· Intentional damage (including tape or nail damage) or vandalism to any part of the building will result in a minimum fine of $25, and possible loss of future access to the room.
· The library is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
· Dishes, utensils or equipment in drawers or closets are not intended for public use unless permission is granted in advance.
ADOPTED: January 11, 2000; revised July 10, 2001
Watervliet Library Board
4. BULLETIN BOARD:
The Watervliet Library has a public bulletin board for community information and interest.
· No posters larger than 24"X16"; no flyers larger than 8½"X11".
· Materials will not be returned unless specifically requested beforehand.
· Only non-profit endeavors will be posted. No for-sale or for-profit flyers except day-care.
· No advertising or promotional material of a political or religious nature.
· Any material must be presented to a staff member for approval before being hung.
· Time sensitive material will be discarded when date is past or space no longer permits.
ADOPTED: January 11, 2000
Watervliet Library Board
5. INTERNET
PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE INTERNET IS AVAILABLE FREE TO ALL PEOPLE OF THE WATERVLIET COMMUNITY, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, GENDER OR RELIGION.
THE LIBRARY MAKES NO GUARANTEE, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED TO THE ACCURACY OF CONTENT OR QUALITY OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET.
· Patrons must sign up at the circulation desk before using any of the patron access computers.
· First time users must sign a compliance statement (which will be kept on file) after reading this policy.
· Use is limited to ½ hour unless no one is waiting. The time limit does not extend past the regular operating hours of the library.
· A child under 10 and/or not familiar with computer or Internet use MUST be accompanied by parent if using computers 1, 2, or 3. Any child 5 or over
may use the children's computer unaccompanied. Adults may use the children's computer only if no other computer is available and a child is not using it.
· Parents will be responsible for minor children and for the information selected and/or accessed by them.
· No more than 2 people may be at each computer at one time.
· Downloading to a floppy disk is allowed only with permission of the library staff. A patron may buy a disk from the library at a cost of $1.00. No saving to the hard disk is allowed.
· The printer is a laser printer, and the cost of ink cartridges and paper is high, therefore, if the patron wishes to print the cost will be 20 cents per page up to
10 pages (10 cents for each page after that). Printing must be completed within the allotted time of use. For school projects 5 free copies will be allowed.
· Illegal activity involving the library's Internet resources will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.
· Reserving a time slot by phone for using the computer is not permitted.
ABUSE:
Abuse of the Internet workstation will result in a suspension of Internet privileges for 30 days (1st offense). A second violation will result in permanent loss of privileges.
Abuse is defined as follows:
1. Downloading or FTP files onto library computers.
2. Permanently altering the setup of any files or configurations on computers.
3. Refusing to vacate the workstation when asked to do so by library staff.
4. Using other software.
5. Displaying pornographic literature or images that are offensive to other library patrons.
6. Deliberate propagation of computer worms or viruses.
The library cannot guarantee that staff will be available to assist users at all times. The user is responsible for learning to use the computer and its Internet resources.
As time permits, the staff will try to answer specific questions and/or offer suggestions.
Special training times may be available in the future. Please let the librarian know if you would be interested in scheduling a special training session.
ADOPTED: October 10, 2000 Watervliet Library Board
VIDEOS:
- Videos may be checked out for a period of 1 week and are due back by closing time on the due date.
- Videos may be renewed only 1 time. They may be renewed over the phone, but must be done before closing
time on the due date.
- An overdue charge of $1 per day will be assessed if not returned or renewed by due date.
- There is a limit of 3 videos per family checkout per day.
- There are no reservations on videos
- Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to check out a video.
- A $1 replacement fee will be charged for all lost or forgotten video covers.
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updated Sept. 4, 2001 L.H.
