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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: 15 cents per
day for each book, etc. overdue. $1 per library day for videos, max $5
per video.
- 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
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.
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