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Library
Policies
The library is open 35 hours a week, 52 weeks a year to
serve you. We close only on major holidays, and on the annual Gorham
Pageant of Bands. Snow days will be determined by the closing of the
Marcus Whitman Central School District schools. Emergency closings will
be announced through radio stations WCGR and WHAM.
- BOOK SELECTION: Books will be
selected in accordance with the AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BILL OF
RIGHTS.
- FINES and CHARGES: 10 cents per
day for each book, etc. overdue. $1 per library day for videos.
- Charges for lost and damaged
books will be at the discretion of the Librarian.
- Renewals may be made by telephone
in case of illness or other extenuating circumstances.
- Interlibrary loan books are
charged for every day the item is overdue.
- Books lost or damaged while on
interlibrary loan will be charged for in accordance with the library
from which the materials were sent.
- Library privileges may be revoked
for non-payment of fines beyond $5.00 and/or damage or loss of library
materials.
- Staff will make copies on our
copier for patrons at a charge of 15 cents per page.
- INTERLIBRARY LOAN: For all
patrons, we will attempt to borrow materials we do not own through
interlibrary loan.
- REGISTRATIONS and LOANS: At age
15 and up, an adult registration will be issued. Upon reaching age 5,
with written parental permission, a student may be issued his/her own
library card.
- We will accept a card from any
other Pioneer Library System OWWL library.
- Loan period for most library
materials will be 2 weeks, with the exceptions noted below.
- Videotape loan period is two
library open days.
- Videotape loans will be limited
to two tapes per card, due to the popularity of the collection.
- There is no limit on the numbers
of other materials that may be borrowed at one time.
- The same privileges will be
extended to both resident and non-resident borrowers of the Town of
Gorham, the Town of Seneca, and the Marcus Whitman School District.
- GIFTS: Gifts of money and books
will be used at the discretion of the Library Director. Memorial books
are welcomed. Used books are also welcomed, their disposition at the
discretion of the librarian. We do not accept textbooks, Readers’
Digest Condensed books or Encyclopedia sets.
Adopted January 1991
Amended January 2002
Public Access Computer: The library
now offers use of four of our computers to the public. Ask a staff
member for our Public Access Computer Policy and a copy of our brochure
describing the service. We request that you pay $ .15/page to cover the
cost of supplies used.
FAX Service: Our staff will be glad
to send a FAX for you, or notify you when you receive one. Rates:
$1.50-Continental U.S., per page
$1.50-each incoming page
$6.00-outside continental U.S.,
$2.00 each additional page
Registration
Anyone with a valid Owl card in good
standing (no fines or overdue material) may use the computers.
Exceptions will be made for visitors to the area. Patrons will be
required to sign a computer user agreement form. Anyone under the age
of 18 must, also, have a parent sign his/her form. Anyone under the age
of 8 must have an adult sit with him/her at the computer at all times.
Availability
- Appointment times are in one hour
increments, during our regularly scheduled hours.
- The computer will not be
available during Story Hours or other special programs.
Staff Assistance
Staff will gladly assist you as
their time allows
Acceptable Computer Use
- Any disk put into the computer
must first be checked for viruses
- Users may not install any
software or save any computer files on the computer hard drive.
- Only 2 people are allowed at the
computer at a time; both must be registered
- Information may be printed for
.15/page
- Users may not make any changes in
any program setup or the hard drive configuration.
- Users should immediately report
any problems with the equipment to the staff.
Suspension of Library
Privileges
The user is held responsible for
his/her activity on the Internet. Persons who do not abide by these
rules may be prohibited from using computers or other library
equipment, have their library privileges suspended, be barred from the
library and/or be prosecuted for illegal activities.
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE POLICY
I. MISSION & GOALS
The Gorham Free Library is committed to that aspect of its mission to
serve as a lifelong center for learning and information gathering for
those of all ages in the community. In keeping with the goal set out in
its plan of service to keep up with the technological advances that
improve access to information to our community, we now offer access to
a computer system to our patrons.
II. SCOPE OF THIS SERVICE
A varied selection of programs is available for public use. Many are
described in our blue “What’s New at the Library” brochure. Basic word
processing, spreadsheet, database and research tools are among those
offered. In addition, we are offering limited Internet access free of
charge. Use of Internet will be limited in that no e-mail accounts can
be provided, precluding the use of e-mail, listserv, chat, newsgroups,
etc. We have only 1 Internet account with a service provider, and not
our own server or connection that would allow us to offer an account
and space on a server to each user. Information gathering and research
therefore will be the Internet’s primary purpose in our library. Games
will not be available, nor will their playing be allowed on the
computer as they are not in keeping with our mission.
III. ELIGIBILITY
Any registered Gorham Library patron over age 8 and in good standing
(no outstanding fines or overdue fees) is eligible for our Computer
User’s Pass. After carefully reading this policy and the User’s Guide,
the User’s Agreement must be signed. Those age 8 and under must have an
adult who has signed the agreement with them at the computer at all
times. Those under 18 must also have written parental permission before
a pass is issued, which will also give them parental permission to use
the Internet.
IV. INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM/PARENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The library supports the American Library Association Library Bill of
Rights, including those that deal with intellectual freedom, as well as
the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The
library also affirms that it is the right and responsibility of parents
to monitor their minor children’s use of library materials, including
Internet access.
V. DISCLAIMER
The library is not responsible for any damage to or loss of data
resulting from the use of our computer. We have no control over the
availability of our network access, or inability to connect to any site
due to excessive traffic on the Internet, or the availability of
information links, which change frequently. All users, and, in the case
of those under 18, users’ parents, will be held responsible for any
damage done to library equipment or software. The library is not
responsible for the quality of the information received over the
Internet. Users are responsible for evaluating data received.
VI. LEGAL ISSUES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996 - Sec. 502
We do not condone, nor will tolerate using library computer resources
to break any law, including, but not limited to, the Telecommunications
Decency Act: “Whoever in interstate or foreign communications by means
of a telecommunications device knowingly makes, creates, or solicits,
and initiates transmission of, any comment, request, suggestion,
proposal, image, or other communication which is obscene, lewd,
lascivious, filthy, or indecent, with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten,
or harass another person;...shall be fined under Title 18, United
States Code, or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.” Computer
resources may only be used for legal purposes.
STATEMENT: The conference room
located in the Gorham Free Library is a library resource to be utilized
in the fulfillment of the Library's mission as stated by the Library
Board (Five Year Plan, 2006 - 2010)
PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy
is to provide guidelines for Hazel F. McNamara Conference Room usage.
POLICY:
Conference room in the library
provides an opportunity for bringing together the resources of the
library and the activities of the school and community. All community
meetings held in the McNamara Conference Room must be open to the
public. The Gorham Free Library welcomes the use of these McNamara
Conference Room at no charge, on a reserved-only basis, by government
agencies, non-profit organizations and groups engaged in educational,
civic, cultural, intellectual, and charitable activities. The primary
purpose of the McNamara Conference Room is to serve the needs of
library-sponsored programs and services. Such functions will always
have priority, followed by library and school-affiliated organizations.
Since the Gorham Free Library is a public institution, supported by
public funds, all programs held in its meeting room must be open to the
public.
Guidelines For Conference
Room Use
- Groups wishing to apply for a
series of meetings may request the room and fill out Application, in
advance of the first meeting, accompanied by a schedule of future
meeting dates and times. Reservations can be made for up to one year in
advance. Regardless of the date when the initial request is made and
approved, groups must reapply each January for the following year.
- The library reserves the right to
limit the number of reservations by any organization so that all groups
may have a fair opportunity to use the McNamara Conference Room.
- All reservations must be made by
a community resident over age 21, with a valid Gorham Free Library card.
- The person requesting the
reservation must be present and assume full responsibility for meeting
room use, adherence to the rules and regulations set out in this
policy, and assume that no damage or loss will occur to the meeting
space, furniture, or equipment.
- If requested, staff will gladly
provide library orientation, tours, etc.
- McNamara Conference Room is
available only during the library's regular hours. Set up time can
begin only 15 minutes after library opening. Rooms must be returned to
their original condition, and vacated 15 minutes before library closing
times.
- The library reserves the right to
cancel room reservations for operational purposes, including, but not
limited to weather closings, electrical outages, or other unforeseen
events.
- Groups canceling reservations
must notify the library as soon as possible in order to free the space
for other groups.
Group Qualifications
- All meetings must be conducted so
as not to interfere with the operations of the library, and under the
auspices of an organization that agrees to comply with the policies,
rules, and regulations of the library.
- Youth groups must make
arrangements through an adult adviser who will be responsible for the
group, and be present during each of the meetings.
- The McNamara Conference Room is
not available for commercial, entrepreneurial purposes, for the
solicitation of business, for profit or for fundraising. No goods or
services shall be provided, sold, or exchanged on the premises, or by
sample, pictures, or description.
- Meeting room use by an individual
or group does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the beliefs,
policies, or programs of the library.
- No admission fees may be charged.
However, a fee for resource materials, books, etc. may be collected
upon the approval of the Library Director.
- Attendance may not exceed seating
limits in the room.
Facilities and Equipment
- The library has one conference
room available for use. The Conference Room has chairs for 16.
- Equipment is limited to tables,
chairs, and floor pillows.
- All furniture and equipment must
be returned to its original state upon meeting conclusion, and any
trash disposed of properly.
- Any use which disrupts the normal
operations of the library will not be permitted. Appropriate conduct is
expected as a condition of room use.
- Smoking or use of alcohol is not
permitted anywhere in the library. Hazardous materials, including, but
not limited to paint, solvents, explosives, candles, or flame are
prohibited.
- All activities and materials must
be contained within the room.
- Child care for children of adults
attending meetings in the library McNamara Conference Room is the
responsibility of those adults.
Refreshments
- Light refreshments may be served
at meetings.
- The library has no provisions for
kitchen facilities.
- Group is responsible for clean-up
and any damages related to the serving of refreshments.
- No food or beverage may be
brought out of the rooms in use into the library proper.
Damages and Liability
- The library is not responsible
for loss or damage to any materials brought in by anyone using its
McNamara Conference Room.
- Any individual or group using the
rooms shall be held responsible for any damage to the library building,
grounds, collections, or equipment caused by the group or organization,
its members, or those attending its programs.
Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the above
rules and regulations may result in cancellation or refusal of use
privileges.
Appeals
In the event circumstances arise
which are not covered by the document above, the decisions of
appropriate library personnel are binding. Any group or individual that
has been denied permission to use library facilities may appeal in
writing to the Library Board of Trustees.
Approved at the 01/26/06 Gorham Free
Library Board Meeting.
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