Information for New Library Member

WELCOME TO THE DORCHESTER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

New members naturally have a lot of questions about the rules by which the library is run. We may not answer all of your questions on these sheets, but we hope to answer the most important ones.

LIBRARY CARDS MUST BE PRESENTED TO BORROW ITEMS

Loan periods for library materials and extended loan fee schedule for Hurlock/Cambridge

The library has many different kinds of materials for you to borrow and these items should be returned on time. If an item is returned late, an extended loan fee must be paid. The library collects extended loan fees to discourage members from keeping materials too long. The extended loan fees which the library collects are used to buy more library materials for members to use.

You can tell when the item you borrow is due back by looking at the most recent date stamped on the date strip located near the barcode.

An electric typewriter is available at the Central Library for in-house use by adult library members and by students who have had typing instruction. Computers are also available for in-house use. See attached rules regarding computer use.

Because our collection is of a limited size, equipment can not be renewed. Other library materials may be renewed ONCE, if they have not been reserved for use by other patrons. Items may be renewed in person or by phone.

If demand is very high, it may be necessary to limit the number of items which a library member may borrow on one topic, especially with regard to school assignments.

Library Cards

To replace a lost card, you or your parent/guardian must present some form of identification with your current address on it and pay the replacement card fee of $5.00.

A library member is responsible for all materials which are borrowed on his/her library card

If an item is lost or damaged, the price of replacing that item must be paid. Borrowing privileges are suspended when a person owes over $10.00 in overdue or lost materials fees or has over 10 overdue items.

Parents/guardians must give signed permission for children under 17 years of age to obtain a library card. By permitting a child to obtain a library card, the parent/guardian is assuming financial responsibility for all items borrowed by the child.

Children are not restricted in borrowing or using library materials by the Library staff. Guidance in the choice and use of library items is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Parents/guardians may restrict child¡¯s use of computers by notifying library.

Your library card must be presented to borrow materials.

PHONE USE POLICY

Central Library, Cambridge

On entering the library, please set your cell phone to vibrate.

The use of phones by the public in the library is restricted to the pay phone area near the library¡¯s front door and to the downstairs lobby.

When using the pay phone or your cell phone, please keep your voice as low as possible so as not to disturb other people using the library.

Hurlock Branch Library

On entering the library, please set your cell phone to vibrate.

The use of phones by the public in the library is restricted to the entrance foyer. When using the phone, please keep your voice as low as possible so as not to disturb other people using the librar

BEHAVIOR IN THE LIBRARY

It is the library staff¡¯s responsibility to see that the library is a pleasant, orderly, and safe place for all members to enjoy. To accomplish this, the following rules have been set down for conduct in the library.

• No loud talking, noise-making, or music playing.
• No smoking is permitted inside the library.
• No food or beverages are permitted on library premises, except in the Meeting Room and Staff lunch areas.
• No animals are permitted inside the library except assistive animals.
• Shirts and shoes are required at all times.
• No loitering on library premises is permitted (inside or outside).

Failure to comply with library rules and regulations may result in the loss of library privileges

LIBRARY SERVICES

HOURS

BOOKMOBILE: Schedule available at libraries

Bookdrop located near front door available for returning materials when library is closed

LIBRARY POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE Policies are posted on the library¡¯s website at www.dorchesterlibrary.org

Public Access Computers

Patrons are responsible for reading and abiding by the library¡¯s rules
regarding computer use.

IBM compatible computers with printers are available for public use at both the Central and Hurlock Branch Libraries. Through these computers patrons can access the Internet/World Wide Web, commercial software, and other information resources.

In compliance with the State of Maryland's law on "Public Libraries--Internet Access by Minors¨--Obscene Materials," the Dorchester County Public Library has incorporated in this computer use policy "procedures to prevent minors from obtaining access through the library, by means of the Internet, the World Wide Web, Usenet, or any other interactive computer service to materials that are obscene or constitute child pornography."

The Internet is an unregulated medium. Not all sources on the Internet provide information that is current, accurate, or complete. The Dorchester County Public Library has no control over the information on the Internet, and cannot be held responsible for its content. As is the case with other library materials and collections, the library supports the parent/legal guardian's right to restrict his or her child's access to the Internet. Any child sixteen years and younger must have parent/guardian sign his/her library registration card, giving child the permission to access the Internet at one of the three following levels:

1. no access to the Internet unless accompanied by a parent/guardian

2. access to the Internet only if filtering software (Net Nanny) is turned on

3. adult level access to the Internet as defined in this policy

Parents should understand that there may be things on the Internet that you do not wish your childrento view.

Please note: Net Nanny is a popular tool used to filter out material on the Internet deemed by the manufacturers to be inappropriate for children. However, no filtering software product is 100% reliable. Filtering software products may fail to block Internet material that you would deem inappropriate for your child. It may also block access to sites that you would not deem inappropriate. Parental supervision of your child's Internet use is the best safeguard.

Who Can Use

Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Anyone is eligible to use the public-access computers, subject to the following conditions.

At the Cambridge Library, users must sign in at the Department's Information Desk or the Children's Desk respectively, before using a computer. At the Hurlock Library, users sign in at the Circulation Desk.

Normally, no more than two patrons may work at one computer terminal at one time. Staff may limit the number of patrons using a computer depending upon space availability and noise level.

Note: While two children may be permitted to use a library computer at the same time their joint access level will be determined to be the lowest level of access permitted to either child. For example, your child and his /her friend want to use a computer together. Your child is permitted access only with the filtering software turned on where his friend has parental permission for unrestricted access. In this case the two children would be permitted to use the computer only with the filtering software turned on.

Any child under six may use the computer only if a responsible adult is seated with the child. At the Cambridge Library patrons thirteen and younger may use the Children's Department computers Computer access in the Children's Department may depend on staff availability in that department.

At the Cambridge Library patrons fourteen and over may use the Adult Services Department computers.

Some computer terminals are adapted for use by special populations. Please see library staff for information.

We provide an electrical outlet when convenient for use of laptop computers but will not provide line for phone use.

When

One computer at the Dorchester County Library has been designated a 15 minute computer. All other computers may be used for one hour. The patron may continue to use the computer past the end of his session until another patron needs it, at which time the user will have up to 5 minutes to close out.

Printers

Print-outs from computers may be picked up at the Circulation Desk at a charge of 15 cents per page. Failure to pay for copies printed may result in suspension of computer privileges until payment is made.

There is no charge for printing citations for interlibrary loan requests.

Restrictions

Computer users should not turn off computers at the end of their session. Computer users are not to make any changes or modifications to system files that affect the configuration of the computer or alter the operation of the network. Any computer user who does not observe this rule will be barred from using all Dorchester County Public Library computers for a period of time to be determined by the library director or her designee.

Library users who damage computer equipment or software will be held financially responsible for any costs incurred by the library for repairs or replacement.

Improper use of computer hardware, failure to comply with staff instructions regarding computer use, disturbance of other patrons, or display of obscene or offensive material may result in the immediate suspension of a computer user's time and may result in the long term suspension of computer privileges. If a computer user has twice been barred for 3 months from using a computer, his/her third offense will result in his/her losing computer privileges for one year.

Computers may not be used for chat groups or instant messaging.

Users of the Hurlock Branch Library computers are prohibited from downloading MP3 files until band-width issues are resolved.

Digital cameras, MP3 players, memory sticks, and scanners may be used with library computers with permission of library staff. Permission must be obtained before attaching these or any other peripherals to a library computer or downloading associated software.

WARNINGS REGARDING ABUSE OF COMPUTERS

• When you registered for your library card you were given a copy of the library policy. This policy is also posted at all public service desks and constitutes the first warning regarding computer abuse.
• The computer user is warned verbally of his/her inappropriate use of computer and instructed to stop. If the user argues he/she is given a written warning and his/her computer session is ended.
• Any subsequent occurrence of abuse of the computer by the user will result in suspension of computer privileges for 3 months.
• If a computer user has twice been barred for three months from using a computer, his/her third offense will result in his/her losing computer privileges for one year.

Responsibilities

Users are responsible for the correct use and handling of all computer equipment and software.

Users are responsible for reading all documentation and directions for operating the computer, printer and software.

Users may NOT use their own software, but MAY use their own files in conjunction with the library's software.

Users may NOT load anything onto the hard drive of library computers.

Users may download from the computer to a disk.

Users must abide by copyright and licensing laws.

Users are responsible for reading and abiding by the library's rules regarding computer use.

Users are responsible to close out all applications and return screen to desktop.

Questions

Due to the rapid change in technology, the library's computer policies are subject to change without notice.

Questions or concerns that library users have regarding this policy and its implementation should be brought respectively to the head of the reference or children's department for his/her review. If the library user is not satisfied with that review, he/she subsequently should speak to the library director who may refer the matter to the Board of Trustees if it remains unresolved.

August 2004