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Welcome to the Gorham Free Library

Gorham Free Library ~ PO Box 211 ~ 2664 Main Street ~ Gorham, NY 14461
Tel: (585)-526-6655 / Fax: (585)-526-6995

 
 

Library Policies

General
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.

Board Policy

  • 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.

Circulation Policy

  • 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

Other Services

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


Computer Policy

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.