Carnegie Public Library Operating policies and procedures

Minors over 7 years old may obtain a library card through the same procedures outlined for adults with the same resident status. Parents of minors must sign a statement of financial liability for the child’s use of library materials.

Sweet Grass County rural and home school teachers may check out materials for use on a 6-week borrowing schedule. There is a limit of 25 items. Overdue fines will not be charged. Individual schools and home school parents are responsible for the replacement of lost or damaged materials.

A hold may be placed on any item in circulation on our web site (www.bigtimberlibrary.org) There is no fee for this service. All held items must be picked up within 48 hours of notification, or the item will be returned into circulation. A hold may not be placed upon an item before it is entered into circulation.

Money collected for card fees, copies, overdue fines and replacement costs will be deposited in the general fund.

Money collected for book sales and donations goes to the Friends of the Library.

Carnegie Public Library

General Rules for Library User Behavior

February 11, 2010

General Rules for Library Behavior include the following:

1. Conversations shall be conducted at a normal conversation level. Library users shall stay upstairs in the library unless invited downstairs by a librarian.

2. Firearms and other weapons are not permitted in any area of the library unless they

belong to an officer of the law.

3. Cell phones may be used at the computers for business purposes only. Polite use, silent ringers, soft voices, short conversations.

4. An individual whose personal hygiene is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other individuals, or who is barefooted, or who is without a shirt, shall be required to leave the building. When the problem is corrected, the individual may re-enter the Library.

5. Food is permitted at the tables in the Library but not in the stacks or upholstered furniture. Covered drinks are allowed but not within 10 feet of the computers.

6. Disruptive behavior, including but not limited to behaviors listed below, shall not be allowed in the Library:

a.) Active disturbance or harassment of other library users and staff.

b.) Sleeping, except in the case of small children.

c.) Chasing, running, and playing, especially on or near the elevator or the stairs.

d.) Tampering with arrangement of library materials or facilities.

e.) Damaging or mutilating of Library materials or facilities

f.) Smoking in any part of the Library.

g.) Intoxication or incapacitation by drugs or alcohol which creates a risk to the person in question or to others.

h.) Bathing, washing hair, or making a mess in the restrooms.

i.) Panhandling.

Penalties for Violating Rules

First violation: Verbal Warning

Second violation: Prohibited from Library for 14 days

Third violation: Prohibited from Library for 6 month

Fourth violation: Permanent ban from Library

First Violation-Verbal Warning

A library user who violates the “General Rules for Library Behavior” shall receive a verbal warning on the first offense, unless the offense involves the commission of a crime, threat to another person, or significant damage to property of the Library or another person, or other serious offense, in which the Library Staff will call the Sheriff’s Department.

Second Violation-No admittance, 14 days

A Library User who has previously received a verbal warning for violating the “General Rules for Behavior” but commits a second violation, shall be prohibited from entering the Library or otherwise using its services for a period of 14 days upon penalty of a charge of criminal trespass, unless the offense involves the commission of a crime, threat to another person, or significant damage to property of the Library or another person, or other serious offense, in which case, the Library Staff will call the Sheriff’s Department. Patron will be notified of the penalty by mail.

Third Violation-No admittance, 6 months

Upon commission of a third violation of the “General Rules for Library Behavior”, a Library user shall be prohibited from entering the Library or otherwise using its services for a period of 6 months, upon penalty of a charge of criminal trespass, unless the offense involves the commission of a crime, threat to another person, or significant damage to property of the Library or another person, or other serious offense, in which case the Library Staff will call the Sheriff’s Department. Patron will be notified of the penalty by mail.

Fourth Violation-Permanently Barred

Upon commission of a fourth violation of the “General Rules for Library user Behavior”, a Library user shall be prohibited permanently from entering the Library or otherwise using its services, upon penalty of a charge of criminal trespass. The Sheriff will be called. Patron will be notified of the penalty by mail.

Appeals Process

A Library user may appeal a Third or Fourth violation penalty to the Library Board of Trustees, in writing, within seven days of notification of a penalty. The Library Board shall uphold or overturn the penalty, in writing, within seven business days of receipt of the appeal. The penalty shall be enforced during the appeals process.

This policy will be reviewed every three years.

Carnegie Public Library

Internet Usage Agreement

The Carnegie Public Library is pleased to provide Internet access as part of its quality services to patrons. Please note the following Usage Disclaimer and Policy Statement:

All patrons accessing the Internet at the library must comply with the Library Computer Policy. Users should not violate federal, state or local laws, including the transmission and receiving of child pornography or harmful material, fraud, or downloading copyright material. In accordance with Montana Code Annotated Section 45-8-201, displaying obscene materials to minors or printing such materials may be a violation of the law and could result in penalties up to and including imprisonment. Failure to comply with this policy will result in loss of computer privileges.

· Access points to the Internet are provided by the library free of charge. Data circuits and equipment are subject to failure and other problems which can cause services and access to become unavailable. Therefore, no guarantees for constant service are expressed or implied.

· Printers are not available through the wireless connection. Library staff members are not responsible to assist patrons in configuring equipment or troubleshooting problems. They will, however, verify that the router is connected and in service.

· Library staff may be available to offer assistance with searching or printing but cannot monitor or control the materials which may be accessible from the Internet. Users are responsible for the material they access and the use of this material. Library staff will not assist patrons with personal/private matters such as on-line dating services.

As with any Internet connection, the library maintains no responsibility for the security of any personal information or communication.

For your own protection, please do not leave equipment unattended within the library. The use of personal equipment is the sole responsibility of the individual and the library maintains no liability for damages.

Conditions and Terms of Computer Use:

All computer users must comply with the Internet Usage Agreement. Patrons may use the library computers for one hour a day. A library card is not a requirement for computer use, therefore visitors may also use the library computers. The computers are available on a first-come first served basis. No reservations by telephone are allowed. A person may sign up for the use of a particular computer and then leave the Library, as long as they return within 10 minutes of the time they signed up for. Patrons may print from the computers for $.20 a page in black or $.50 a page in color. There is often no way to determine the length of a print job and patrons are responsible for all printed material from his/her site.

Computer Policy

Welcome to the Carnegie Public Library Computer Lab. We hope you enjoy your 60 continuous minutes of access time today. At the end of 60 minutes, please leave the computer free for the next person. Thank you, the Library Staff.

1. Sign in, note the time.

2. One 60 minute session per day.

3. Cell phones for business use only; silent ringers, short/quiet conversations.

4. Use head phones for audio.

5. No games.

6. Use common courtesy.

This policy will be reviewed and revised every three years by the Library Director and the Library Board of Trustees. March 11, 2010

Carnegie Public Library

E-Reader Policies and Procedures

User Agreement for Borrowing the E-Reader

Borrower must have a valid driver’s license or MT ID and library card in good standing. Borrower must sign this agreement and confirm his/her contact information at the time of checkout.

I, _______________________________________, take full responsibility for the e-reader device I am checking out. The replacement cost of the e-reader, its protective case, its USB cord, and it’s charging plug will be $200.00 if I fail to return the item at all, or in unusable condition(to be determined by the library director).

I agree that the device is in working order at the time I am checking it out. I agree to the Carnegie Public Library’s Rules for Use of the E-Reader (on back of this form).

I agree to pay overdue fines of $1.00 per day if I return the e-reader after business hours on the due date. If the device is more than 25 days overdue and I do not return it, I understand that I will be held responsible for the $200 cost to replace the device if I do not return the device within 3 days of being notified.

I understand that the e-reader must be returned inside the library directly to a library staff member. The device may not be returned in the outdoor book drop boxes. If I return the e-reader in a drop box, I will be charged $25.00 minimum fee for unnecessary risk to the device.

User Signature:___________________________________Checkout Date:______________

Staff Use: Staff Member Name__________________________________________________

Checkout:

Reader is functional/No damage Reader settings are correct

Reader is charged Protective cover is installed

USB Cord & Plug are included Copy of user’s license is attached to agreement

Confirmed user contact info Gave user copy of this completed agreement

Checkin:

Staff Member Name_________________________________Return Date:_________________

Reader is functional/No damage USB Cord and Plug Protective Cover

Carnegie Public Library

E-Reader Policies and Procedures

□ Do NOT register the e-reader with a personal credit card to purchase items. If the library’s registration is disturbed by a user, the user will be responsible for the $200 replacement cost.

□ Do NOT connect the e-reader to your personal computer with a personal Adobe Digital Editions account. If the library’s registration is disturbed by a user, the user will be responsible for the $200 replacement cost.

□ Do not let anyone else borrow the e-reader or allow children to play with the device.

□ Be cautious with the e-reader and keep it safe from water or being dropped.

□ Return all parts of the e-reader, including the USB cable, the Plug, and it’s protective case. Any missing items may result in charges.

□ Return the e-reader inside the library directly to a staff member. If the e-reader is returned in a drop box, a $25 fee will be charged to the user. Do not leave the e-reader on the circulation desk if a staff member is not present.

Available E-books:

The Carnegie Public Library E-Reader is available primarily as a tool for research/paper writing purposes. If you need a specific book for a subject you are writing about we will try to purchase it for the e-reader.

It is also available as a demonstration unit for library users to try out the device. We have preloaded a variety of titles so that you can see what reading a book on the e-reader is like.

Overdrive E-books:

If you would like to use your account at Overdrive, select and check out the titles you would like to read. Come to the library to pick up the e-reader. Tell the librarian you have checked out titles that need to be loaded on the e-reader. We will load the titles for you to maintain the device’s registration.

Google Books or Project Gutenberg:

These services both have copyright and Digital Rights Management-Free titles that can be downloaded:

http://books.google.com

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/MainPage

Look up your titles before coming to the library, tell the librarian what you would like to have loaded on the device. We will load them to maintain the devices registration.

Policy reviewed every three years by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees.

Library Director:_______________________________________ Date:_____________________

Board of Trustees Chairperson______________________________Date:_____________________

Bulletin board space will be made available to community groups (not individuals) on a rotating basis. Postings must be clearly marked by the sponsor and must be maintained regularly by sponsor for orderliness and currency.

The Carnegie Public Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

The Carnegie Public Library strives to enrich the life of every community resident by providing timely access to ideas and information through collections, services and technology, promoting life-long learning, exploration of ideas, culture and knowledge, and enjoyment of reading for all ages.

The purpose of this policy is to guide the library staff in their selection and retention of books and other materials in order to offer reading choices of significance and value. This policy also informs our funding boards, the City Council and the Sweet Grass County Commission, how the budget is spent.

The majority of the 3500 residents of Sweet Grass County are retired or engaged in the following occupations: government service, agriculture, mining, small business and education. In the city of Big Timber, the population is spread out with 23% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 23% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 22% who are 65 years of age and older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females, there are 96.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or over, there are 91.9 males. The median income for a household in the city is $30,595. The primary users of the library are adult fiction readers. The second largest user group is junior fiction readers, followed by adult non-fiction readers.

The Carnegie Library webpage has links to the library catalog, the Infotrac database, library information which includes library policies, a description of library services and programs, and a link which connects to community activities and information. The library's collection is searchable by an Online Public Access Catalog. Inerlibrary Loan service provides user access to the collections of other libraries. Six public access Internet workstations are available in the library. A subscription to the Infotrac database with remote access makes the Gale Group's periodicals collection available to users in the library and on home computers. Two professional staff members are available for guidance and individual computer instruction during open hours.

In 2006, the library began an extensive renovation and rebuilding project made possible by donations from the community. The project was completed in March of 2007. The floor space was extended from 1300 to 4000 square feet. An elevator and three new ADA compliant restrooms have been added. The lower floor has a new kitchen and a public meeting room which is free for use by non-profit organizations. These changes have resulted in a beautiful, accessible and comfortable building which will serve the public for years to come.

During the time the library was being renovated, volunteers operated Books on Wheels to seniors at the nursing home or to those who are homebound. All other programs were interrupted. The schedule for new Programs begins in July 2007 with the Summer Reading Program for children. Saturday Story Hour will begin in August 2007. We are tentatively planning to create a weekly podcast of Story time to be posted on the Library website beginning in October 2007. The Friends of the Library will begin a monthly Senior Tea in September 2007. Old Movie night two evenings a month will also begin in September 2007. Additional programs which will serve the rural schools, home school families, daycare's and Big Timber classrooms are being explored. There are also plans to research the possibility of using the old adult fiction room for holding art classes at the library. New programs will be evaluated by tracking attendance and enthusiasm of patrons.

The library circulates fiction, non-fiction, periodicals, audio cassettes and CDs, DVD and VHS movies. The library holds around 29,000 items, approximately 5500 titles in non-fiction and reference, 5000 titles in fiction (including audio books) and 6000 titles in the juvenile section (including fiction and non-fiction and easy readers). 900 E-book titles were added to OCLC this year, allowing patrons access to material on the internet. The library holds subscriptions to 60 periodicals and keeps up 5 volumes on the shelf. Collections that are being developed include: Large-Type fiction and Non-fiction, Young-adult, Reference, and Montana books. Additional on-line databases being considered for patron use include one for genealogy research and another for downloading books.

Interlibrary loan service allows the library to find books for patrons not available in the library's own collection. The library will continue to act as the intermediary for interlibrary loans until this service is offered directly to patrons. The library pays the postage for the book to be shipped in from another library. The patron assumes the responsibility for postage expenses one way. In June 2007, the Carnegie Library will resume lending to other libraries as this service was not possible during the construction period. The Carnegie Library does not loan any item published within the last 12 months as these items are reserved for our patrons.

The average age of the collection is probably around 1995 or higher; few items are older than 1980. The Big Timber Pioneer is available in the reference section and dates back to 1916.

The library collects books, periodicals,DVD's, CDs, videos and audio books. Self-serve paperback and magazine exchanges are maintained by a library volunteer. Electronic databases are available on any of the 6 computers where patrons can read past magazine articles or research a favorite topic. *In August 2007 an additional database featuring genealogy will be added for patron use. *In 2007-2008, the library will participate with the Montana State Libraries in a pilot which will offer downloadable books for patron use. Paperback circulation is tallied and accounts for a substantial portion of adult fiction circulation.

The library purchases multiple copies of popular fiction and non-fiction. Most of the time, this will mean the purchase of one book in regular print and one in large-type. The Carnegie Library is planning to purchase select books in quantity to be used by book discussion groups. The library will collect 4 sets per year of 6-10 books each beginning in July of 2007. This is a pilot program and will be evaluated yearly as needed.

Among the early settlers of Big Timber in 1888, there were many Norwegian families whose descendants have remained in the Big Timber area. Books in Norwegian, Norwegian dictionaries, and Norwegian history can still be found on the shelves. The library has a small collection of foreign language books and audio books, including dictionaries of French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Korean. The junior section has some beginning Spanish books. In answer to patron request, a subscription to Selecciones, Reader's Digest in Spanish, was added to the periodical shelf in March 2007. By 2009, the library will purchase language learning programs for the above named languages.

The library obtains sixty percent of its funding from the City of Big Timber and the other forty percent from Sweet Grass County. The City of Big Timber assumes fiduciary duties pertaining to the library. The library is governed by a 5-member board of trustees, four of whom are appointed by the City Council of Big Timber and one of whom is appointed by the Sweet Grass County Commissioners. Each May, the Library Board submits an annual operating budget to the Big Timber City Council for approval. In July of 2007 the budget will increase by $6,000 due to increases in telecommunications, energy, and other costs incurred by the expansion of the building. The library receives approximately $1,200 from the Montana State Library and approximately $1,400 from he South Central Federation. The library is enrolled in an on-going grant of $1,300 through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which allows the purchase of a computer or computer software/hardware.

The library director and assistant are responsible for the selection of materials. Books are purchased according to the following criteria: 1.) patron requests 2.) old and worn but still in demand 3.) new collections being developed and 4.) best-sellers and award winning books recommended by the American Library Association, the Library Journal, and the New York Times Best-Seller List.

The Carnegie Public Library is grateful for gifts of library materials which can be an important supplement to the collection. The library reserves the right to decide where and how a gift will be put to use. Gift materials will be added to the collection only if they meet the same standards required of purchased materials. No restrictions may be placed upon their use by the donor. Once an item has been donated, it becomes the property of the library.

The library can not legally appraise gifts for tax purposes. Upon request the library will issue a receipt for the number of donated materials.

Whenever a gift is no longer useful, it will be disposed of in the same manner as purchased material. Book sales are held every year by The Friends of the Library at which time weeded and outdated materials are offered to the public.

Any user having a complaint concerning material in the collection may request a review of the material by the Library Board. (Request for reconsideration of material forms are attached.) The board will evaluate the complaint/request at the next scheduled meeting and send a timely written response to the concerned party. For all concerns other than requests for reconsideration of material, there is a citizen's complaint form. (attached)

Library staff weeds the collection frequently, using criteria established by the Montana State Library in their published weeding guidelines. Discarded books are donated to the Friends of the Library for sale and/or disposal as stated in the resolution of February 25, 2003.

Books needing repair are cared for by the library staff. Books in current use are replaced as needed. The Big Timber Pioneer is bound each year for research use by patrons: the library holds bound copies of the Pioneer dating from 1914 to present in the reference section of the library. The Carnegie Public Library is not an archival library. During the library renovation, all books were packed and subsequently unpacked. Upon inspection, it is evident that parts of the library collection need some care. Many spine labels are faded and barley legible. These will be replaced over the next year as needed. The library is missing books in the following areas: math, reference encyclopedias, landscaping, psychology, and Montana history. These subjects will begin the replacement list for 2007-2008. Because groups of books such as Biography, Large-Type, and Young Adult now have their own location, these groups will be re-cataloged with a new home location. This re-cataloging will be done by December 2007.

The library collects fiction, non-fiction and reference books and materials for all age groups in accordance with industry standards and community demand. A small reference section includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, thesaurus, directories, atlases and non-circulating career resources.

In non-fiction, the size of subject areas collected reflects levels of community interest and may be listed in descending order: geography/travel/history/west (900’s) with around 1250 items; technology/useful arts(600's) with 1050 items: arts (700’s) with 930 items; social sciences(300’s) with 650 items; sciences(500’s) with 450 items, literature (800’s) with 550 items; philosophy(100’s) and religion(200’s) with 150 items each; languages (400’s) and generalities(099’s) with around 75 items each. A Montana section numbers about 600 items. Some of the Montana collection is dusty and old and needs to be replaced. If it is possible, these items will be replaced with books in Large-Type.

The fiction collection includes literary and genre fiction, with an emphasis on popular authors, classics, prize winners, regional authors and western fiction. Large-type fictions is in constant demand. The library has a standing order with Thorndike Press for 4 fictional and 4 non-fiction books delivered monthly. This will increase these collections by about 50 volumes a year. The western-fiction section is well used and somewhat shabby. These items will also be replaced with Large-type books when they need to be discarded.

The juvenile collection includes easy readers in fiction and non-fiction, chapter books and non-fiction for easy and grade school children. There are approximately 160 children's videos, educational and entertaining. In the past, all Young Adult material was shelved with the Junior Fiction, but there is now room to create a new collection for young adults. 100 volumes have been removed from the junior area and will be the basis for the new YA collection. YA books will be chosen by the same criteria as all other books.

The library collection includes audio-books on tape and books on CD. These items now have their own location making them easier to locate and select. 75% of these new selections are fiction, 25% non-fiction

To meet the needs of the public for information and cultural recreation.

To provide a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere for reading and study.

To be a source of current and reliable information.

To provide materials that balance contemporary interest with lasting value which appeal to a wide variety of personal tastes.

To encourage greater interest in reading: for knowledge, for growth, and for fun.

To employ a competent and dedicated staff who willingly interact with community members to facilitate the use of a welcoming and well-ordered library.

To teach and explain advances in technology to those who want or enjoy it.