Library Policies

Library Protocol
Procedures for Receiving a Library Card
Borrowing Procedures
Fines for Overdue Materials
Unattended Child Policy
Guidelines for Computerized Catalog Use
Guidelines for Computer Usage
E-Mail Policy
Internet Policy
Multi-Purpose Room Policy
Program / Display Policy
Selection Policy
Non-Book Gift Policy
Confidentiality of Library Records

Library Protocol

Children must be attended to at all times.
No running or skateboarding will be permitted in the library.
No baseball cleats, soccer spikes, or rollerblades will be permitted in the library.
No climbing or standing on furniture will be permitted in the library.
Children must be at least 8 years old to use the catalog computers. Children 6-8 years old may use the catalog computers with the assistance and supervision of a parent or guardian.
Children 11 years old and under may use the Internet computers with parent or guardian permission and supervision. Children 12-17 years old may use the Internet computers with parent or guardian permission, but do not need parent or guardian supervision.
Please use "library voices". Others are trying to read and study.

Procedures for Receiving a Library Card

Photo identification is required for registration. In the case of children, a parent or guardian must provide proper identification.
Registrations for patrons under the age of 18 require a parent or guardian signature in the presence of library staff.
Patrons are responsible for damages resulting from improper use of any library property or service.
Children ages 6 and up may receive their own library card.
These procedures are subject to change without prior notification and will be reviewed periodically.

Borrowing Procedures

A total of 10 items may be checked out on a card for the following time periods.

Circulating Books
3 weeks

Reserve Books 1 week

Videotapes 3 weeks ($ .25 charge if not rewound)

Audiotapes 3 weeks

CD Books
3 weeks

Kit (book and audio)
3 weeks

DVDs
3 weeks

MP3s
3 weeks

Provided that the materials are not on reserve, books may be renewed 1 time (even over the telephone). Videotapes, audiotapes, CD books, kits DVDs, and MP3s cannot be renewed.

Reference material may be checked out overnight with a $25.00 deposit, which is refundable when the book is returned. If the material is not returned the next day, there will be an extra $10.00 charge per day. After 2 days, a certified letter will be sent. Thereafter, the magistrate will be notified.

Periodicals do not circulate. Patrons are required to leave their library card at the desk to read back issues of periodicals.

Fines for Overdue Materials

Reserve Books $ .50 per day

Adult Books
$ .10 per day

Children's Books $ .05 per day

Young Adult Books $ .05 per day

Videotapes $ .25 per day

Audiotapes $ .25 per day

CDs $ .25 per day

DVDs $ .25 per day

MP3s $ .25 per day

Children's Kits $ .25 per day

A maximum fine of $5.00 per item will be charged for returned, undamaged, overdue material.

If a person accumulates $5.00 (five dollars) in fines, his/her borrowing privileges will be suspended.

A person will be called twice for any overdue item. If the overdue item is not returned, a certified letter will be sent. The cost of the letter, $4.65, will be added to the fine or replacement cost. If the overdue material is not returned, the information will be sent to the local magistrate. The magistrate will contact the patron and determine costs.

Unattended Child Policy

The Penn Area Library welcomes the use of its facilities and services by all children. However, the library is a public building, and as such, is not a safe place to leave a child unattended. The library cannot assume responsibility for the safety of unattended children.

Therefore, children under the age of 10 years old cannot be left unattended in the library. This also applies when children are attending programs in the library. Children 10 years of age or older may use the library unattended, subject to other policies and procedures of the Penn Area Library concerning conduct and behavior. However, the parent or caregiver is responsible for the behavior of his/her child while in the library.

Further, it is the responsibility of the parent or caregiver to know the hours of the library and to pick up their child before the library closes. Library staff will try to contact a parent or caregiver of an unattended child. If they cannot contact the parent or caregiver, they will call the Penn Township Police. At least one staff member will wait inside the library for the parent, caregiver, or police to arrive. Under no circumstances will a staff member transport or take the child away from the library building.

Definition of an Unattended Child - A child, under the age of 10 years of age who is not under the authority of a parent or responsible adult nor able to care for him/herself for extended periods of time on a regular basis, or a child of any age who is not picked up at closing time.

Guidelines for Computerized Catalog Use

Patrons may not turn equipment on or off or alter settings. In the event of any difficulty with the computers, notify the library staff.
Patrons may use these computers only to search Penn Area Library's catalog holdings. Games, word processing, and Internet use are not permitted on OPAC stations.
Patrons may not download information to either the hard drive or to disks brought in from outside the library.
Parents are asked to monitor children's behavior in the library at all times. They should not be permitted to treat the computers as toys. Children under the age of 8 are not permitted to use the OPAC stations without parent or adult supervision.
No more than two patrons may use one computer at a time.
If other patrons are waiting to use the catalog, users are asked to limit their search time. When periods of high demand are experienced, the library reserves the right to limit patrons to 10 minutes for searching the OPAC.
Computers are expensive. We ask that our patrons use them carefully. Damages for the abuse of the equipment will be assessed to the responsible party.

Guidelines for Computer Usage

Computers are available to registered patrons, 12 years of age and older, for word processing and reference. Time permitting, library staff will try to help with computer basics. Regrettably, the staff is not able to offer extensive explanations or provide in-depth training. Please use the help button or ask for a reference book or program manual.

Only software licensed to the Penn Area Library will be installed on library computers. Patrons are expected to adhere to the following guidelines or forfeit use of the library's computers.

Patrons may not turn equipment on or off, change default settings, attach personal equipment, load any software, or use other than library provided disks/CD-ROMs. In the event of any difficulty with a computer, notify the library staff.
No software, in whole or in part, may be copied onto any medium.
Computers may be used without charge; however, 10 cents per page will be charged for printouts.
Nothing is to be saved to the computer's hard drive. Disks may not be brought into the library, but are available at the circulation desk for saving purposes. The cost of a disk is $1.00. A new disk must be purchased for each visit.
The library is not responsible for any damage to personal equipment or data as a result of library software or hardware malfunction or virus contamination.
If other patrons are waiting to use the computer, users are asked to be considerate. During periods of high demand, the library staff reserves the right to limit patrons' access time accordingly.
At the end of their session, patrons are asked to return to the menu screen.
Patrons are liable for the cost of repair or replacement of software or hardware damaged by misuse or failure to follow user instructions.
These guidelines are subject to change without notice or prior written notification and will be reviewed periodically.

E-Mail Policy

The Penn Area Library does not provide e-mail accounts to users. However, users with existing accounts may access their accounts through the library's public Internet terminals. The library assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability for any claims or damages that result from the provision of such access to users.

The same procedures concerning Internet usage apply to e-mail usage. Children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied and under the direct supervision of a parent or caregiver. Children ages 12 to 18 years, inclusive, are required to have a parent or caregiver signature on their Penn Area Library Internet Use Agreement on file in the library.

Patrons are prohibited from sending, receiving, or displaying inappropriate materials.

Internet Policy

The Internet is a worldwide resource consisting of computer networks, connected to foster high-speed communication and information exchange. Many resources of interest such as electronic journals and books, online public access catalogs, databases, and bibliographies are available through the Internet. The Internet is an unregulated medium. Some materials, ideas, points of view, and images may be offensive, disturbing, or illegal. On a global network, it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious user may discover controversial information. Penn Area Library does not endorse, sanction, or validate the content of any information located through the Internet and cannot be held accountable for the information and images retrieved.

While the Penn Area Library endorses the "Library Bill of Rights" and the "Freedom to Read Statement" of the American Library Association, it does employ the use of filtering technology to restrict access to online information. Patrons may not access pornographic materials, inappropriate text files, files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network, or engage in any illegal activity. These prohibitions include any material considered harmful to minors or obscene as defined in the Pennsylvania Obscenity Statute 18 Pa. C.S. � 5903. The Penn Area Library is subject to all federal and state regulations governing the Internet.

The Penn Area Library provides Internet access as an informational service and to facilitate resource sharing. Any use of library equipment for commercial or for-profit purposes, product advertisement, or political lobbying is prohibited.

Access to the Internet is provided to patrons who have signed the Penn Area Library Internet Use Agreement and have consented to abide by all established procedures and guidelines.

The guidelines and procedures for Internet use below, developed and implemented by the library staff, are subject to change without prior or written notice.

Guidelines for Internet Use

The Internet is provided for independent use. There is no guarantee that library staff will be available to assist with Internet use. Patrons are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:

Patrons may not turn equipment on or off, change settings on the computer, plug personal equipment into the computer, or load/download any program onto the computer's hard drive.
The Penn Area Library is not responsible for loss of data due to library hardware or software malfunctions. The library staff cannot monitor the rapidly changing content and location of information on the Internet and is not responsible for such changes when patrons attempt to return to sites. The Penn Area Library is not responsible for unavailable or sluggish accessibility to sites on the Internet, due to user traffic or any other cause, and will not extend the time limit based on such occurrences.
Responsibility for a minor's use of the Internet rests solely with a parent or guardian. Only parents can provide the necessary guidance for their children's use of the library and its resources and services.
Patrons are to treat all information found via the Internet as though it were copyrighted material.
Failure to comply with the following will result in the loss of privileges:

Patrons must not do anything which will harass or impede the use of the Internet by others.

Sites may not be bookmarked.

Patrons may neither request nor solicit goods or services via the Internet.

No software, in whole or in part, may be copied onto any medium.

Computers may be used without charge; however, 10 cents per page will be charged for printouts.

Nothing is to be saved to the computer's hard drive. Disks may not be brought into the library but are available at the circulation desk for this purpose. The cost of a disk is $1.00. A new disk must be purchased for each visit.

No copyrighted material may be copied without permission.

No "chat rooms" may be visited.

Patrons must not engage in any activity which is deemed by the library staff to be reckless, careless, or negligent in any fashion.

Terminals are not to be used to access pornographic material, inappropriate text files, files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network, or for any illegal activity.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania it is a felony offense to "display or cause to display any explicit sexual material...on any...viewing screen in such a manner that the display is visible...in any establishment where minors...may be exposed to view all or any part of such materials." (18 PA C.S. �5903.)

The library staff reserves the right to ask patrons to discontinue the display of information or images which are deemed inappropriate in a public setting and to end an Internet session at any time. The library staff may also revoke future usage privileges of patrons who fail to abide by library guidelines.
The Penn Area Library does not assume responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from its connection to the Internet. The library makes no guarantee, either expressed or implied, with respect to the quality or content of information on the Internet. Not all information available through the Internet is accurate, current, or complete. The user relieves Penn Area Library of all responsibility for damage, direct or indirect, and from any and all liability, however slight, arising from use of the Internet and the computer system.
The patron is liable for the cost of repair or replacement of either software or hardware damaged by misuse or failure to follow user instructions.
These guidelines are subject to change without notice or prior written notification and will be reviewed periodically.

Procedures for Internet Use

Registered patrons 12 years of age and older must sign the Penn Area Library Internet Use Agreement. In addition, patrons between the ages of 12 and 18 inclusive, must have a parent or guardian sign the form in the presence of library staff. The signed agreements will be maintained at the library. Patrons 11 years of age and younger may use the Internet only under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.
While using the Internet, the patron must leave his/her library card at the circulation desk, and this will be recorded in the Internet sign-up book.
No more than two patrons may work together on the same computer.
Due to limited computer availability, Internet resources must be shared by imposing a 30 minute time limit. Sessions will end after the 30 minutes. If no other patron is waiting to use the computer, an additional 30 minute session may be utilized. No one patron may exceed a 60 minute block of time in any one session nor more than 2 hours in any one day.
A sign-up book will be available at the library for patrons to reserve Internet time in person. A patron who does not appear within 10 minutes of the reserved time will forfeit the reserved time.
There is no charge to use the Internet, but 10 cents per page will be charged for printouts.
At the end of their session, patrons must disconnect from the Internet.

Multi-Purpose Room Policy

The multi-purpose room in the library is for the use of the library and for recreational, municipal, or community bodies, societies, commissions, or corporations.

Availability of the Multi-Purpose Room

The multi-purpose Room is available during normal library hours.
Reservations for the multi-purpose room must be made at least 48 hours in advance with the library director or the director's designee.
Use of the facility during non-operating hours must be approved by the Library Board of Trustees.
Library activities take precedence over outside use of the facility.
Use of the multi-purpose room must be in accordance with the Penn Area Library Program / Display Policy.

Conditions for Use of the Multi-Purpose Room

The multi-purpose room is available free of charge unless cleaning is required.
A $25.00 cleaning deposit will be required for activities that include the serving of refreshments or the making of crafts.
The room must be left clean, and the garbage must be bagged and placed outside the multi-purpose room in the library foyer.
The cleaning deposit will be returned if no custodial services are required.

Program / Display Policy

The library director, or the director's designee, shall schedule all programs and displays. Presenters or exhibitors shall qualify based on the following priorities:

Library-related users including local, regional, state, national, or international public library trustees, administrations, or organizations.
Penn Township civic, recreational, and educational groups and organizations.
Other groups and organizations presenting activities of interest to the residents of Penn Township.

The following rules are to be observed in the use of the library:

No smoking is permitted on library premises.
Light refreshments, excluding alcoholic beverages, may be served. Presenters must supply their own equipment and utensils and leave the library in a clean and orderly condition.
Any group using the library will be responsible for setting up the room according to its own needs and must restore the furniture and the room to the order in which it was found.
Groups requiring audiovisual equipment will make their own arrangements; the library does not provide these.
Youth organizations must have at least one adult (21 years or older) per every 10 youth present at all times.
If a meeting is canceled, the director should be notified as far in advance as possible.
The group / organization is responsible for the repair of any damage or vandalism that occurs.
The library is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
No group or organization using the library may discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or handicapped status in the provision of services.
All meetings and presentations will be open to the public should anyone wish to attend.
Exceptions to these rules are possible only by written application to the Penn Area Library Board of Trustees.

Programs / displays which are partisan, religious, commercial (i.e., in which participants are encouraged, either covertly or overtly, to buy a commodity or service from the program leader or his/her organization), or which further one individual's goal will not be accommodated. The following type of programs, in priority order are acceptable:

Programs / displays sponsored by the library, township, or school district.
Cultural and artistic and related educational, non-profit programs/displays.
Hobby and craft courses, displays, and contests. These activities may not involve the use of materials that in normal use could be damaging or difficult to clean up, require excessive use of library utilities, or constitute a danger to the public or building.
Balanced presentations of controversial issues sponsored by an impartial agency.

Selection Policy

The Penn Area Library Board of Trustees endorses the tenets set forth by the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Libraries: an American Value.

While the legal responsibility for the purchase of all materials is vested in the Penn Area Library Board of Trustees, the responsibility for the recommendation and selection of library materials and services has been delegated to the library director. The library director has been charged with the responsibility of identifying, ordering, and organizing materials and services which meet the needs and interests of the community. The board intends to provide, limited only by its budget, materials and services of an informational, educational, and recreational nature to serve all segments of the population. All borrowers requests will be considered.

In the selection of non-fiction, all subject areas will be covered, with quality stressed. The best available materials are to be selected on the basis of reviews, criticisms, reputation of writers, personal examination by professional staff, and reliable recommendations.

Weeding of the collection is an ongoing process directly related to collection development. Materials that are worn, damaged, outdated, duplicated, or no longer used will be removed from the collection. Other factors to be taken into consideration are frequency of use, community interest, and availability of other material on the subject.

Gifts will only be accepted with the understanding that the library may dispose of them at its discretion.

Non-Book Gift Policy

It is the responsibility and the privilege of the Penn Area Library Board of Trustees to accept or refuse all non-book gifts. The board reserves the right to refuse any gift and to use unrestricted gifts at its own discretion. This may mean the sale of the gift, if this is judged to be in the best interest of the library. With the exception of small, unrestricted cash gifts which are given to the treasurer (after notification of the librarian), all information regarding gifts, offers of gifts, and bequests are immediately brought to the board. The board is notified in the following order:

The president
If the president is unavailable, the vice president
Any other officer of the board
Any board member

This applies even if a board member is the first to be approached regarding a bequest or gift.

If there is no urgency, the matter of the gift or proposed gift is placed on the agenda for the next regular board meeting. A special meeting may be called, if necessary, to consider a gift.

The president (or in his/her absence, the vice-president) and the treasurer (especially if the gift is monetary) are designated by the board to officially accept or refuse gifts and bequests, and to be contacted by and deal with outside agencies.

The acceptance or refusal of a restricted cash gift is determined by the board. Unrestricted cash gifts and bequests are accepted unless they are deemed to have a negative effect on the library's primary funding sources, ability to raise money, or the library's good name. Illegally generated gifts are not accepted. Substantial ($1,000.00 or more) cash gifts are allocated by the following procedure:

The finance committee meets with the librarian, treasurer, and other interested persons to hear suggestions and to propose the allocation of funds. The committee's recommendation is submitted to the board as a whole, at either a regularly scheduled or special meeting. The finance committee has the responsibility to implement the official allocation. This duty can be delegated to the treasurer.

All policies are governed by the previously enacted by-laws and are subject to any changes made to the by-laws.

Confidentiality of Library Records

In accordance with Pennsylvania Act 90 of 1984, which amends P.L. 324 No. 188 of 1961, known as "The Library Code", the Penn Area Library recognizes its circulation records and other records which disclose personal information or identify individuals with specific materials or services to be confidential in nature.

The Penn Area Library Board of Trustees hereby formally adopts a policy requiring the library to observe constitutional rules in the disclosure of personal information about individuals by specifically making confidential any personally identifiable patron or library user record including, but not limited to circulation records, patron registration records, inter-library loan requests, and reference questions except:

To the patron or to the parent or guardian if the patron is a minor;
To any person with the informed written consent of the patron given at the time disclosure is sought;
To any authorized person if the disclosure is necessary for the retrieval of overdue library materials or the recouping of compensation for damaged or lost library materials or services, or
Pursuant to a court order or subpoena authorizing such disclosure.

The agent for service of process in these matters is the library director.

Upon receipt of a court order or subpoena the library will seek opinion of legal counsel as to validity of such court order or subpoena before complying.

All library trustees, employees, volunteers, and friends shall comply with this policy; with all federal, state, and local laws or regulations relating to the privacy of library records; and with relevant court decisions of the highest state and federal courts.