Library Policies

Circulation The circulation policy is meant to ensure equitable access to materials among library patrons. If, upon occasion, library personnel feel that strict interpretation of the policy would have the opposite effect, they may bring the matter to a supervisor. Registration Library card applicants are required to provide some form of current identification and read and sign the following statement: " I hereby agree to obey all the rules and regulations of the public library, to pay promptly all fines charged on my account, and to give reasonable notice of any change of phone number and address." Upon registration each patron is issued a library card and a summary of rules and regulations governing the use of the library. Who May Register All residents, property owners, students, and persons employed in Powhatan County are eligible to borrow materials from the library free of charge upon registering for a library card. Children are eligible for library cards at age 5 or upon entering kindergarten. Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the application form. The library is not responsible for materials used or borrowed by juveniles, which their parents may find objectionable. Powhatan County Public Library provides reciprocal borrowing privileges for citizens of surrounding counties, cities and towns. Renewal of Cards All library patron information is verified and updated annually. Replacement of Cards A fee of $.50 is charged for replacement of a lost or damaged card. Proper identification must be presented before a replacement card can be issued. In the event that a card is lost or stolen, it is the patron’s responsibility to notify the library immediately. A reported lost/stolen card will be blocked from further use. A new card will be issued upon re-registration. Internet Internet Use The Powhatan County Public Library’s mission is “to acquire, organize, provide access and offer guidance to a broad range of information, materials, and services and to encourage their use to help fulfill the intellectual, education, social, cultural, community, and recreational needs of all people in the county.” The Internet, as an information source, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. It allows access to ideas and information from around the globe. It is however, an unregulated medium. As such, it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, but is also enables access to some material that may be offensive, disturbing, and/or illegal. The Powhatan County Public Library disclaims any responsibility as to the Internet’s quality, Informational accuracy, authoritativeness, timeliness, or usefulness for a particular purpose. The library also assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its connection to the Internet of other electronic resources. Internet use is for registered library patrons only. Patron Responsibilities Powhatan County Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet. Lawful use of the Internet is the individual’s responsibility. The following uses of the Internet are unacceptable: Sending or displaying obscene or disruptive messages, files, or images Using obscene language Changing or adding files to the computer or network Violating copyright laws or software license restriction Use of chat lines Misrepresenting yourself by access code, password, or signature Using the computer for hacking (breaking into or out of any system), spreading viruses and/or any other practice that interferes with the use of the Internet Harassing, insulting, or attacking others Damaging library computers and other equipment Using computer equipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading illegal material via the Internet Staff Assistance Due to limited staff, library staff will be glad to provide a brief explanation of how to search on the web, but cannot provide training. Time Limits All patrons wishing to use an Internet accessible computer must reserve a time slot at the front desk or at the patron computers. Time slots are set for 45 minutes; additional continuous slots can be reserved if no one is waiting. Reservations for time using an Internet terminal can only be made during library operating hours of the same day that the computer is to be used. Patrons are expected to begin logging off a few minutes before closing time. Printing Documents may be printed for a fee of $.15/page. Unwanted pages will be included in the total fee, whether or not they were intended. Internet Use By Children Access to library resources, both printed and electronic, is provided equally to all library users. It is not the policy of the Library to use filtering software to prevent access to information available through the Internet. Parents or guardians are responsible for electronic information selected and/or accessed by their children. All patrons aged 17 or younger must have a form signed by one of their parents or legal guardians in order to use a library computer designated for Internet Use. This form will be kept on file at the Library Circulation desk. A parent or legal guardian is required to sit at the computer with a child age 13 or younger while the child is using the Internet. Parents are advised to supervise all of their children’s Internet sessions. Updated 07/12/06