POLICIES

POLICY: L-102: LOAN PERIODS, FINES, AND FEES

The Lincoln Park Public Library maintains collections of books, audiobooks, DVDs, music CDs, magazines, electronic books and audiobooks, and other items for use by the public.

Circulation of these items is restricted to patrons with a valid library card.

LOAN PERIODS:

Books 14 days

Audiobooks 14 days

CDs – Music 14 days

DVDs / Blu Rays 7 days

Magazines 14 days

Hotspots 7 days

Games /Puzzles and Learning Kits 7 days

2-in-1s/docking stations 7 days

Tonies 7 days

RESERVE/INTERLIBRARY LOAN:

Books or materials requested via InterLibrary Loan (ILL) may have a shorter or longer loan period as established by the lending library or library consortium.

FINES:

Any item exceeding the normal or special loan time will be assessed:

Books 10¢ per day up to $5.00 each

Audiobooks 10¢ per day up to $5.00 each

CDs – Music 10¢ per day up to $5.00 each

DVDs $1.00 per day up to $5.00 each

Magazines 10¢ per day up to $5.00 each

Hotspots $5.00 per day up to $25.00 each

Other Items $1.00 please see information for each individual item as fines vary greatly

Books may be renewed twice for equal periods providing there are no outstanding holds on the item.
Some books, audiobooks, and CDs may auto-renew themselves if there are no holds and the item allows for renewals.
DVDs do not auto-renew. If you would like to renew a DVD, call the library.
The library reserves the right to limit the number of books or materials to three (3) on any one subject.
Patrons can have up to 100 items checked out at one time.
Hotspots are limited to one per household
From time to time it may be necessary for the library to limit loan periods or further limit the number of books or materials for checkout because they are in high demand; such as, books for book discussion groups or materials needed for class assignments or summer reading.
There will be a fine maximum of five dollars ($5.00) per item/book, except for hotspots, which have a fine maximum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
Fines will not be assessed for days when the library is closed.
A patron’s borrowing privileges will be blocked by the network system when fines and/or fees reach $10.00 or more.

LOST OR DAMAGED BOOKS OR MATERIALS:

Patrons are responsible for items borrowed on their card from the moment of check-out until the moment of check-in. Leaving items in the book drop, on the Circulation Desk, or in the Library may result in the item being lost and/or not checked-in in a timely manner.
Replacement cost: current cost of the item plus $2.00 for processing.
Only check or cash are accepted for lost items.
Lincoln Park Public Library will not accept a replacement copy of the item.
Lost items that belong to other libraries will need to be discussed and resolved with that library directly.

Approved by the Board of Trustees 2/2021

INTERNET POLICY

In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Lincoln Park Public Library endeavors to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of Lincoln Park’s diverse community.

The Library provides open public access to information of all types in a wide range of formats for all users. Unlike other library resources, the information and sources on the Internet are not subject to the selection policies of the library. In offering Internet access, the library staff cannot control access points that often change rapidly and unpredictably. While the Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from varied points of view, not all sites on the global Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the access points they reach.

As with other library materials, restriction of children’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Parents of minor children, NOT the library staff, are responsible for the information selected or accessed by their children through the library’s Internet connection. Parents are encouraged to come in with their children and supervise their child’s Internet sessions at the library.

Viewing of certain materials in the public library and other uses of the Internet may be considered improper in time, place, or manner. If patron behavior when using Internet resources becomes inappropriate for a library setting, the library reserves the right to end the session. Violation of the policies and regulations that govern the use of the Library’s Internet resources may result in the suspension or loss of the privilege to use these resources. Illegal activity involving the Library’s Internet resources will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.

Library patrons’ use of the facility and equipment for access to the Internet will be managed to allow the greatest use by the greatest number of people.

E-mail accounts will not be provided. Access to chat rooms, Instant Messaging, and games played at multiple stations will be discouraged.

The Library Staff will assist users to begin an Internet session; however, the Library cannot guarantee that Internet-trained staff will be able to assist users at all times. Staff is not able to offer extensive explanations or to provide in-depth training. The staff will try to answer specific questions and offer suggestions for effective searching strategies. Information will be provided about Internet training opportunities and Internet books and materials.

The Library assumes no responsibility for damages, direct and indirect, arising from its connections to the Internet.

**On June 26th, 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a sweeping re-affirmation of core First Amendment principles and held that communications over the Internet deserve the highest level of Constitutional protections. For libraries, the most critical holding of the U.S. Supreme Court is that libraries that make content available on the Internet can continue to do so with the Constitutional protections that apply to the book collection.

LIBRARY PATRON BEHAVIOR

To allow all patrons of the Lincoln Park Public Library to use its facilities to the fullest extent during regularly scheduled hours, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following rules and regulations:

PATRONS SHALL:

ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Patrons not reading, studying, or using library materials may be required to leave the building.
RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHER PATRONS
Patrons shall not harass or annoy others through noisy or boisterous activities, by staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, by following another person about the building with the intent to annoy that person, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, by singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues, or by behaving in a manner which can be reasonably expected to disturb others.

PATRONS SHALL NOT:

smoke, or use tobacco or tobacco products
Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Engage in any illegal activity while on library premises
Interfere with the use of the library by other patrons, or interfere with library employees’ performance of their duties
Deface or mar library materials
Materials shall be defined as books, magazines, newspapers, recordings, or other items of the library collection. Nor shall they deface, mar, or in any way destroy or damage library furnishings, walls, machines, or other library property.
Bring pets or animals into the library
Guide dogs for the handicapped will be permitted.

Any materials removed from the library must be checked out on a valid library card or through other standard library procedures, such as InterLibrary Loan.

Each patron shall be responsible for any fines, fees, or other charges due in accordance with the library’s standard schedules. Failure to pay these fines will result in the suspension of borrowing privileges.

Any patron not abiding by these or other rules and regulations may be required to leave the library premises. Library employees may contact the Lincoln Park Police Department if deemed advisable.

Any patron who violates these or other rules and regulations may be denied the privilege of access to the library by the Library Board of Trustees, on the recommendation of the Library Director. A patron whose privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the Board of Trustees.

UNATTENDED CHILDREN IN THE LIBRARY

The Lincoln Park Public Library is a public facility that offers services to a wide range of citizens. The Library has the responsibility to provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for every patron using its services and facilities appropriately. It is our desire to make every visit enjoyable, safe, and memorable for young children.

Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The library staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. Children and young people are, however, expected to follow the same standards of patron conduct required of adults. Parents, guardians, caregivers, or assigned chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their children while in the library or on library grounds. In order to ensure the highest level of safety for our young patrons, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following policy:

Children ten-years-old and under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, caregiver, assigned chaperone, or other designated responsible person while in the library or on library property.
Children seven-years-old and under may never be left unsupervised in any area of the library.
If the child, ten-years-old and under, is attending a library program, we require the parent/caregiver to remain in the library throughout the program.
If a parent or caregiver cannot be located, staff will contact the Lincoln Park Borough Police Department or other appropriate authority to report an abandoned child.

DISRUPTIVE CHILDREN

The Library Staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library.

Children (whether with parents or not) who are being continually disruptive will:

Be given a warning that he/she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library.
Be asked to leave the library, if after a second warning he/she continues to be disruptive.
Be permitted to call a parent. If he/she cannot safely leave the library to return home on his or her own,he/she may wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.
Be allowed to remain at the library under close supervision. If no parent can be contacted the library staff may contact the Lincoln Park Borough Police Department or other appropriate authority depending upon the severity of the situation.

UNATTENDED CHILDREN AT CLOSING TIME

Children who have not been picked up at closing time will be given the opportunity to call a parent. Children who have not been picked up within fifteen minutes after closing will be left in the care of the Lincoln Park Borough Police Department or other appropriate authority. Under no circumstances will staff transport children in a vehicle or accompany them home.

WIRELESS INTERNET (WiFi) POLICY

As a service for library users with wireless-enabled laptops, the Lincoln Park Public Library provides unfiltered wireless (WiFi) Internet connectivity. While the Library strives to provide a quality wireless system, it cannot guarantee the signal quality, bandwidth availability, or general Internet site availability at any time.

The Library does not provide technical support for wireless devices. Library staff members cannot configure your laptop or network card or help you to establish a wireless network connection.

By choosing to use this free wireless service, you agree to abide by the Library’s Internet Policy. It is the responsibility of the user to understand this Internet user’s policy and his/her obligation to refrain from viewing inappropriate websites, spamming, or engaging in any illegal activities.

Use of the wireless network is at your own risk, and the Library is not responsible for any altercations or interference with a laptop’s configuration, operation, or data files resulting from connection to the library’s wireless network. The Library accepts no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user’s equipment, software, data files, or other personal property brought into or used at the Library facilities.

REQUIREMENTS
Your laptop must be capable of connecting to the wireless network.

LIMITS
WiFi is less secure than a wired network and signal strength may vary in the building. The Library cannot guarantee that the service will be available at any specific time. This service is not to be used as a permanent connection.