Policies

General Policies

Bulletin Boards/Signs

(adopted 12/17/2007 and revised 7/15/2010) Community service items may be placed on the Library’s bulletin boards (located in the newspaper area) for no more than 30 days at one time. No items for sale may be posted. All items must be dated on the day they are placed on the boards. Only 1 item per person/organization may be displayed at a time due to space limitations.

Any signs placed on Library grounds will be limited to those promoting Library sponsored events only.

Check Acceptance

To ensure fiscal responsibility, the Linton Public Library will accept only checks made out for the exact amount of a fine or book replacement, if a patron needs to pay by check. Cash is still the preferred method of payment. The Library staff are not to accept any two-party or payroll checks under any circumstances. Patrons must also provide a photo ID with their correct address listed on it and the check must show the same address.

Weather Closing

When the weather proves hazardous, the librarian will close the library until the danger has passed.

Open Access/Privacy Policy

Meetings of the Library Board are open to the public with the exception of executive sessions to discuss personnel matters or the acquisitions of property.

Meeting Space

Meeting space in the library is limited but may be used by groups sponsored or affiliated with The Linton Public Library for meetings. Library functions will always take precedence over all others. Not-for-profit groups, civic groups, or service clubs may use the room free of charge. For-profit entities or use for personal or family parties will incur a fee of $25. The policies and forms are available on the program room page.

Smoke Free Environment

The Linton Public Library is a smoke free environment. No person is allowed to smoke inside the building or on the property.

Pets

No pets will be allowed in the library. Seeing eye dogs and other service animals are welcome.

Volunteers

Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to participate at the Linton Public Library. But, due to the high volume of institutional requests for community service, the Board has limited those volunteers to no more than two permanent volunteers at any given time. Juveniles on probation/community corrections will only be allowed to “volunteer” if they are sentenced in Greene County. Limited staffing cannot accommodate nor supervise all requests. All volunteer services are up to the discretion of the Director and the Board of Trustees.

Illegal Activities

As staff members of an organization committed to the caring and nurturing of our society, we will not tolerate any illegal activities or acts of violence on the library premises. If any questionable activity occurs the proper authorities will be notified immediately.

Safe Child Policy

The Linton Public Library is a public building open to anyone, law-abiding or otherwise. As a public institution, the library cannot make the decision about who is welcome. Children may be in danger if left unsupervised. In order to insure your child’s safety, we caution and strongly urge parents to monitor their children. Due to the many responsibilities of the library staff, monitoring each child’s behavior and location is not possible. The library staff does not accept parental responsibility for children left unattended at the library. It is the parent’s responsibility to monitor their children. The library staff is concerned about the safety of library users, so the Safe Child Policy has been designed to address the unfortunate reality of dangers that are present.

With the exception of children’s programs, excluding evening programs, we require that an adult guardian accompany children under the age of ten at all times. ”Accompanied” can be defined as an adult on the library premises. Children under that age who are not with a guardian or parent will be asked to call their parents and must wait until their parents arrive. The parent/guardian will be advised of our policy. If the problem persists, action, under the advisement of the Board, will be taken.

Children who are left at the library after closing time will be placed into the hands of the Linton Police. Staff members will wait fifteen minutes after closing time. If the parent/guardian does not arrive, the police will be called in to handle the situation.

The library staff, board, and library volunteers are not responsible for any unattended children at the library nor are they held liable for anything that might occur.

User Behavior

Improper behavior in the Linton Public Library or on the library grounds will not be tolerated. Behaviors viewed as improper are defined as, but are not limited to:

  • Users in areas restricted staff only, (Staff offices, etc.)
  • Extreme public displays of affection
  • Public intoxication or under the influence of drugs
  • Any behavior deemed as “criminal” (molestation, pornography, loitering, vandalism, etc.)
  • Any computer privilege abuses stated in the technology user plan
  • Any action that might be deemed dangerous to oneself or others
  • Running (including up and down the staircase)
  • Abusive or foul language to other users or staff
  • Misuse of furniture
  • Talking extremely loud or screaming
  • Fighting
  • Abuse of library resources, materials and property

If the user is asked to leave and refuses, the Linton Police Department or parents/guardians may be called to physically remove the user from the library. Any illegal activities will be immediately reported to the police.

Users asked to leave must remain absent for the rest of the day. Extreme cases will warrant Board review before the user is allowed to return. In the case of illegal activity, user restrictions may last indefinitely. The parent/guardian of minors who behave improperly will receive a letter from the director explaining their child’s behavior at the library.

User Confidentiality

The Linton Public Library realizes the importance of user confidentiality. The library staff shall not disclose any library record that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials or information, computer history records, or as having used the library, except as provided in the following exceptions:

  • When necessary for reasonable operations
  • With written consent of user
  • Upon issuance of a subpoena, or where otherwise required. Indiana Code 5-14-3-4(16)

Spouses, parents, or siblings may request information of a library user’s card if they are authorized to do so. Staff shall verify authorization by asking important personal information such as phone numbers, address, or birth dates. Identification is required from the person making the request.

Book Or Library Materials Donation

Items donated to the library become sole property of the Linton Public Library. The fate of the item is left to the discretion of the Director. Items may be placed in the collection, given to the Friends of the Library for the semi-annual book sales, or donated to another organization. Users who donate will be made aware of this policy. Money donated to the library will go into the gift fund and unless a special arrangement is made, will be used as the Director and Board see fit.

Memorial Donations

Donations memorializing a person are also readily accepted. A nameplate will be placed in the book (item) and notification will be sent to the family of the giver’s wishes.

Reconsideration of a Book

In the event of a request for material re-evaluation by a patron, a re-evaluation form will be given to the patron to be filled out. All items will be presented to the Library Board of Trustees, who shall be the governing body.

General User Complaints

Any user complaint will be taken seriously and with consideration. Users will be asked to fill out a user complaint form. The completed form will be presented to the Director. If a meeting with the Director is requested, the staff may make an appointment time that the Director can meet with the disgruntled user. The Director reserves the right to question staff and user. All serious complaints will be brought to the Board to govern.

Policy of Material Selection

In accordance with ALA guidelines, including the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement, an important consideration of the Linton Public Library staff and Board of Trustees is to create and maintain a well-balanced collection. Library materials should meet a high standard of quality in regards to content, expression, and format. Final authority and responsibility for the selection and maintenance of library materials is delegated to the library Director acting within the framework of the policies of the Board of Trustees. Materials are selected on a positive basis. Materials will be evaluated as a whole, not for passages.

Specialists in the field may be consulted for advice on selection if warranted. The Director, acting under these guidelines issued from the Board of Trustees, has final authority on all selected materials. It is our goal to maintain a collection that includes a wide coverage consistent with the needs of the community. The collection should meet the standards of physical and technical excellence as well as acceptability as to accuracy, sincerity, and responsibility of opinion.

Criteria for Weeding Materials

In order to best serve the users of Stockton Township, the Linton Public Library will consistently weed materials from the stacks.

Patron Information

Fees

Fees are charged for any service provided outside of the normal lending of materials and offering of resources.

Fax Machine Fees

When a patron is sending a fax, he/she will be charged $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 each additional page. The library will not charge for our cover sheet. There is no set limit on the number of pages we will send. When a patron receives a fax, there is a charge of $1.00 for the first page and $0.25 each additional page. We charge for every page received (including cover letters). There is no set limit on the number of pages a patron can receive. If a patron requests a copy of the transmission verification, one will be provided free of charge. For overseas faxes, the library charges $6.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.

Photocopy Machine Fees

Patrons may use the Library’s copy machine. Each copy costs the patron $0.10 for black and white, and $0.25 for color.

Internet Fees

Internet access is free of charge to any patron of our library. But, if a patron prints out any material, there will be a charge. Each black and white page costs $0.10; each color page costs $0.25.

Issuing of Patron Cards

Persons must live or own property in Stockton Township for a free, regular card. Library staff must have proof of address and a photo ID before issuing a library card, which can include a driver’s license with the current address. Regular patrons will hold a card for two years, at which time they can update and renew it. If they live in another township that has a library, they can be offered a reciprocal card if they have an existing library card at a participating library and are in good standing in their home library. Reciprocal holders can have a library card for one year. If a person lives in a township that does not have a library, he/she will need to purchase a pay card for $35.00. A pay card will also be effective for one year. This fee is mandated by the state. Regular, pay-card and reciprocal patrons are allowed two weeks for up to 25 books checked out and two times for renewal. Cards labeled “Staff” or “Teacher-PL” will be given one month for books checked out, and two chances for renewal. All patrons will be allowed “special return dates” if deemed necessary by staff. Pony Express and Outreach patrons are exempt from over dues and fines because it is up to the library to pick up their items. Books may be renewed by phone or in person.

Overdue Items and Fines

Late item fines are $0.25 per day with a $10.00 limit set for any item. No further items may be checked out until all late ones are returned. Accounts are blocked when 15 items are overdue. Length of time for item check outs will follow the Evergreen module and agreement.

Patrons with overdue items will be reminded by letters, e-mails and/or phone calls. At check out, patrons will also be reminded verbally by staff of any over dues or fines on their record. Patrons who have items that are more than 60 days overdue will have their records sent to a collection agency. It is under the discretion of the director to determine if a payment plan could consist of small payments of money or volunteer work at the library. Patrons will still be responsible for lost items and will be charged the price of replacing them, all fines and fees, a $10 processing fee and a $10 collection fee (if sent to a collection agency). There will no longer be any refunds for payment of lost items if the item is later found.

Once a user turns in overdue items, pays the fines, and/or pays the replacement costs, their record will be wiped clean. On occasion, the library may choose to offer a Food for Fines program, in which overdue fines owed to this library will be forgiven in exchange for donations of not expired, non-perishable food items. The library reserves the right to decide and change when a Fines for Food program will be held, the amount of fines that will be forgiven, what type of fines and fees will be forgiven, and what items will be accepted in exchange for fines.

Debt Collection

According to Evergreen policies, patrons may have 3 items marked as claimed returned on their account at one time. Items may not be marked claimed returned after the item has been labeled LOST (after 45 days) or after the item has been sent to collections (after 60 days). Once items are turned over to the debt collection agency, patrons may choose to pay the fees, return the missing items still in their possession, or replace a lost item. If a patron chooses to replace a lost item, it must be a new copy in the same format as the item that was lost. A replacement copy must be approved by the Director before it can be accepted. The Director will determine when it is acceptable to waive a fine or fee associated with a debt collection account and no fees will be waived without the Director’s approval. Patrons take responsibility for notifying the library about incorrect overdue or billing statements. Patrons also take responsibility for notifying the library about address, phone number, or email changes. The library is not responsible for fee notices or debt collection notices that are not received by the patron due to incorrect information in the patron’s library account.

Damaged Materials

Items damaged beyond normal wear and tear are the responsibility of the patron. Fees for damaged items will be the cost of the item plus a $10 processing fee.

Patrons returning items that are damaged or contain mold or insects, such as but not limited to bed bugs, silver fish, roaches and fleas, will be notified and charged for the affected items. A note will be added to the patron’s account and future returns will be monitored.

Customers continuing to return items with insect damage will be placed on a 6 month suspension of borrowing privileges. Further incidents will result in a 1 year suspension. Suspensions may be lifted by the Library Director if the patron is able to prove that the situation is resolved. An example would be proof of treatment from a professional pest control service.

Interlibrary Loan/Holds

Items (books/audios/DVDs) may be placed on hold through a patron’s account online and patrons are notified by e-mail or phone message when they may be picked up. Patrons on the reserve list are given 1 week to pick up the item once they have been contacted or if no contact is made. All reserved items will be checked out under the rules set by the owning library. Patrons who place holds have the same late and/or damage fees as local patrons. Damaged item fees must be paid to the lending (owning) library while fines and overdue fees are paid to the circulating library. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and holds are free services offered to users of the Linton Public Library. Occasionally, charges from other participating libraries, including copying or other fees may occur and patrons may be requested to cover these fees. These fees are rare and generally at a minimal cost to users. ILL & holds are offered to regular, reciprocal, and pay-card holders. ILL requests may take up to two or three weeks to receive.

INTERNET USE POLICY (rev. 8/16/12)

To advance the Library’s mission, computers at the Linton Public Library (LPL) are provided, without charge, for patrons of all ages to access a wider variety of resources than are available on site, to access the Library’s catalog, and to use for word-processing, resume writing, entertainment, literacy and education.

Use of library computers is a privilege, which will be revoked by the Library staff for abusive, disruptive or unacceptable use. The Library Staff will be the sole arbiter of these cases. First offense will result in 1 month (30 days) suspension; Second offense will result in permanent revocation of privileges.

INTERNET USE RULES: (rev. 10/20/2011)

  1. Workstations are for individual use and no more than 2 patrons may access a computer at one time.
  2. Internet access is free, but patrons must have a current library or computer use card that is clear of fines at Linton Public Library. Nonresident visitors passing through may be signed on as a one-time guest if they show a valid ID. After using a one-time guest pass, all visitors must get a library card or Internet only card. All guests must sign the guest agreement form. ID may be requested at any time.
  3. Parents/Guardians of children under 18 must sign a usage policy.
  4. Computers may be used for one hour at a time. Time limits may be waived if no other patron is waiting or there are no reservations for the computer. When technical computer difficulties arise, staff discretion will be used to help patrons.
  5. Advance reservations may be made up to a week in advance for a maximum of two hours computer time per week in person or by phone to the circulation desk. Anyone who does not show for a reserved time within 10 minutes will forfeit that time and it will be made available to waiting patrons.

UNACCEPTABLE USE BY MINORS OR ADULTS INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Illegal use that violates state, local or federal law or regulations, including use of the Internet in any way that is harmful to minors (IC 35-49-3-3). Users whose Internet conduct violates these laws will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law (IC 35-5-2-7).
  • Harassment or violation of the privacy of others
  • Solicitation, advertisement or any other commercial purposes
  • Violation of federal, state, or local obscenity laws, including accessing, transmitting, downloading, uploading or distributing pornographic, obscene, abusive, sexually explicit, defamatory, child pornography or material or language harmful to minors
  • Attempts to abuse, modify or harm computer equipment, software configurations, security or files belonging to the Library, other users or external networks (hacking)
  • Use of chat rooms
  • Unauthorized disclosure, use or dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors
  • Intentional propagation of computer viruses or worms
  • Violation of copyright, communications laws or software license agreements
  • Transmission of speech not protected by the First Amendment, such as libel, slander or obscenity and demeaning or threatening language
  • Fraud, including misrepresenting oneself or the library
  • Any and all other matters which the library, in its sole discretion, subject to constitutional limitations, and in consideration of the best interests of the public, determines to be an unacceptable purpose.

Users and parents/guardians of minors are responsible for damages occurring to library hardware or software due to inappropriate actions or inaction while using the library’s computers. Fees will be assessed and charged to the user or parent/guardian for required repairs or replacement.

SUSPENSION OF INTERNET PRIVILEGES: (approved 3/2006)

A 1st offense of unacceptable use of the computers by a patron will result in a 30-day suspension of computer privileges. A 2nd offense of a patron will result in a lifetime revocation of computer privileges.

PRINTING:

Patrons may print out their work to the library’s laser printer for 10 cents per page (black and white) or color for 25 cents per page. These fees must be paid at the circulation desk when picking up materials even if pages printed “by accident” or are not wanted, or bills may be placed on patron’s account.

FILTERING:

While the Library attempts through filtering software to prevent direct access to materials that would not be generally acceptable in a public library, it is technically impossible to prevent access to all objectionable resources or all material harmful to minors. The Library will not function in loco parentis. Therefore, it is the responsibility of parents, stepparents and guardians to monitor, guide or restrict their own children when using the library computers and the Internet. Persons under the age of 18 must have parental permission to access the Internet in the Library.

Filtering software also occasionally blocks acceptable sites; therefore a library staff member will disable the filtering software upon request by an adult user. However, all library rules and regulations will still apply. Filtering software will not be disabled for minors (younger than 18) unless their parent or guardian reserves the terminal and remains with the minor for the duration of use. Please ask at the circulation desk for more information. The Library reserves the right to monitor internet usage for policy violations.

COMPUTER LOCKDOWN:

To help reduce user hacking or other unlawful activities, the Library uses an operational system lockdown on the public access computers to prevent access to computer hard drives. Therefore, no patron files or software may be downloaded to the library computers’ hard drives. Patrons may save to their own floppy disks or thumb drives.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The Library assumes no liability for any loss or damage to users’ data or disks, nor for any personal damage or injury incurred as a result of using the Library’s computing resources. Nor is the Library liable for any damage, which may result to any patron or work product, resulting from malfunctions of equipment or errors in usage. The library will not be responsible for the purchase of any goods or services made through the Internet by any patron. Each user releases the Library Staff and Board from any and all claims arising from the use of the computers. Patrons using the computers and parents of users under the age of eighteen will be responsible to the Library for any damage caused to the computers or computer systems through deliberate destruction, defacement or misuse of the computers.

DISCLAIMERS

Although the Internet offers access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information, some information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated, controversial or offensive to some individuals. The Library has no control over Internet sources, and is not responsible for its content or the information retrieved. Users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the access points they reach. Patrons must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of information they find.
Users should also be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users’ activities. The privacy of e-mail and other electronic communications is not guaranteed. However, the Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or as necessary for the proper operation of the Library. Evidence of illegal activity will be reported to the proper legal authorities and the Library will cooperate with the proper authorities in the investigation of illegal activities. The Library reserves the right to monitor internet usage for policy violations.

Patrons must guard their own computer accounts, passwords and other types of personal information.

ACCESS TO COMPUTERS (revised 7/09)

Some activities will be given precedence over others. System work on computers has precedence over all other uses. Catalog access computers are to be used for the catalog only. Patrons are only allowed to use computers designated as public access computers; computers at the circulation desks and in the staff areas are designated for staff use only and are not for public access. If the Library schedules time for training the public and staff on the computers, such training session has precedence over all other uses of the public access computers. Free access to the wireless system is available only during hours the library is open.

Library staff is available to assist patrons in the use of computer resources but may not be familiar with every application a patron may wish to use. Because of the many different network applications available, the Library staff may not be able to provide complete technical support. Therefore, staff cannot conduct Internet research for patrons. We also provide reference books for assistance.

The Linton Public Library retains the right to determine what is appropriate use of its equipment for the purpose of enforcing this policy. Users may have their privileges revoked if they refuse to abide by the instructions or requests made by Library staff members. The Library also reserves the right to set rules as needed to promote equitable computer use and to revise this policy in response to changes in, or concerns about its computing environment.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Linton Public Library on the 28th day of January, 2016 at a Public Meeting after published notice of the meeting.