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Cell phone use is not permitted in the Library, except in the lobby area. Please turn off your cell phone before entering the Library, or set it to vibrate, and respond to text messages only.

While in the Library, children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver. Parents and caregivers are responsible for the behavior of their children. Please click here for more information.

About Our Rules

 

Policies are the rules and principles that guide the operation and use of the Library. Our rules are designed to help create a safe and pleasant learning environment for all of our patrons.

The Board of Trustees of the Southeast Steuben County Library has the sole legal authority to make Library policy. The Board encourages staff and members of the community to recommend new policies or reconsider existing policies, as the need arises. Please make your recommendation to the Board Policy Committee.

Circulation Policy

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The library is committed to providing a wide range of written, video and audio items to respond to the needs of the community.

 

Loan Periods, Item Limits & Fines:

 

Reserves & Interlibrary Loans

• Patrons in good standing may reserve library materials which are currently charged out. Items loaned from libraries outside of the Southeast Steuben County Library are subject to the providing library’s policies pertaining to fines, damage and loss. Voluntary charges may be applied to Out-of-System loans.

Summer & Special Loans

• Regular (not new) books may be borrowed for up to 56 days at request of a patron who will be on an extensive vacation or traveling. Patrons may borrow up to 10 items for up to 56 days with permission of the circulation staff.

• Books on Tape & CD may be borrowed for up to 56 days to accommodate travelers with permission of the Circulation Staff.

Charges For Overdue Items:

• ADULT ITEMS - $0.10 per day. Covers New Fiction, New Non-fiction, Fiction, Non-fiction, Musical Recordings, Magazines, Books on Tape, Books on CD and Adult Media Sets

• CHILDREN'S ITEMS - $0.10 per day. Covers Fiction, Non-Fiction, Musical Recordings, Magazines, Books on Tape, Books on CD, Media Sets

• ADULT & CHILDREN'S ITEMS - $1.00 per day. Covers Books Plus Kits, CD ROMs, DVDS & Videos

• OUT-OF-SYSTEM ITEMS - $0.50

• MAXIMUM FINE FOR EACH ITEM - $5.00

• OVERDUE NOTICES are telephoned to patrons when items are 10 days and 24 days overdue.

• Patrons with fines of $5.00 or more outstanding must return all overdue items and pay partial fines before additional items may be borrowed.

• Patrons with items which are more than 40 days overdue will lose all borrowing privileges until all overdue items are returned and outstanding fines have been paid. Additionally, after 56 days patron names will be turned over to a Library material retrieval company to obtain return of items.

Damaged And Lost Items

• The extent of damage for any borrowed item is determined by staff. Patrons will pay the cost of repair for each item deemed to be moderately damaged. Patrons will pay the list price plus $3.00 processing cost for each item deemed beyond repair. Patrons who pay the cost of the item may keep the item after payment.

• Patrons must pay full replacement costs plus a $3.00 processing fee for each item which is lost. For items no longer in print the patron will be charged for replacement of a similar item. Patrons may replace lost, damaged materials with same edition either new, or in excellent used condition.

 

Patron Code of Conduct

 

No person shall engage in inappropriate conduct on the premises of the Library or when using Library facilities or participating in Library programs.

Inappropriate conduct shall include any individual or group activity which is disruptive to other persons lawfully using Library facilities, materials, premises or which is otherwise inconsistent with activities normally associated with a Library, such as reading, studying, proper use of Library materials, and other similar conduct.

The "premises" include indoor and outdoor areas of the Library property.

The "public area" of the Library means those portions of the facilities of the Southeast Steuben County Library, which are open for public use.

The "facilities" include both the public and nonpublic areas of the Library.

 

Inappropriate Conduct

The following conduct is not consistent with appropriate use of Library Services:
 

Minor Offenses

• Using the Library as a place to sleep.

• Excessive and disruptive conversations/discussions.

• Eating or drinking.

• Occupying more than one seat and/or table per individual.

• Using materials for purposes other than reading, research, viewing or listening.

• Unauthorized canvassing, selling, soliciting, or engaging in any other commercial activity.

• Extensive staring at patrons or staff, which tends to annoy or disturb.

• Being in a state of intoxication.

• Smoking or using tobacco products.

• Bringing any animal into the Library, except working animals, which assist the disabled.

• Leaving children unsupervised. - Unattended Children Policy

• Entering the Library without proper footwear or clothing, including a shirt.

• Using cell phones or other electronic devices, which emit sounds.

• Using skates, skateboards, or scooters in the Library.

• Improper use of computers. - Computer Rules & Regulations

• Parking bicycles or scooters in non-designated areas.

• Other activities (not listed in Major Offenses), which are inconsistent with activities such as reading, studying, use of Library materials, and other similar conduct normally associated with the use of public Library facilities.

Treatment of Minor Offenses

• One warning for first infraction of any offense.

• Second infraction results in removal from the Library premises for the day.

• Third and subsequent infractions may result in banning from the Library premises for not less than 7 days nor more than 6 months.

Major Offenses

• Stealing or damaging Library property. Removing protective covers from books, magazines, and other media with the intent to damage and/or steal Library property.

• Causing sounds which are unreasonable and highly disruptive of other persons using the Library facilities, including but not limited to, loud, prolonged, abusive, indecent, profane or drunken conversation and/or behavior.

• Committing any crime, misdemeanor, or violation of a municipal ordinance.

• Behavior, which is harassing or threatening in nature to Library patrons or staff. This includes following or stalking of patrons or staff.

• Fighting or challenging to fight.

• Drinking alcoholic beverages or repeatedly being in a state of intoxication that precludes the individual's using the Library for its intended purposes.

• Knowingly entering, without permission, nonpublic areas of Library facilities.

Treatment of Major Offenses

Any patron who violates these rules will be immediately removed from the building. The patron may be banned for a period of 6 to 12 months within the discretion of the Director/designee, depending on the nature and the seriousness of the offense which required removal, the extent of damage or disruption caused, any history of prior infractions of Library policies, and other relevant circumstances.

 

Repeat Offenders

Any person who enters or remains on Library premises after having been notified by an authorized individual not to do so, and any person who enters or remains on the Library premises during the period in which he or she had been banned from the premises, will be subject to arrest and prosecution for trespassing. Such penalty shall not in any way bar or affect proceedings pursuant to the Policies and Procedures of the Library herein concerning the incident in question.

 

Appeals

Any patron subjected to the specific enforcement of this policy may file a written complaint with the Director -- or, if the complaint concerns a decision of the Director, with the Board by delivery of the complaint to the Director -- within 5 days of the Library action which is disputed by the patron. The Director will review any complaint made to the Director and, within 5 business days of receipt, provide a written response affirming or overturning the enforcement action, with the reasons therefore. The Board will review any complaint made to the Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board and, within 5 business days of such meeting, provide a written response affirming or overturning the enforcement action, with the reasons therefore.
 

Computer Use

(607) 936-3713 ext 502

 

Computer Sign Up

• Adults must have a Library card to use the computers (Exceptions to this rule may be made by the Library staff for out-of-town visitors) Adults agree to the Library's Technology Policy by signing in to use one of the computers.

• Children, under the age of 18, must have a Library card and show parental consent by completing a Technology Policy Agreement Form. Once a policy form has been filled out a computer usage sticker will be attached to the child's' card indicating the child has computer privileges.

• Patrons may use the computers for one hour per day. Persons doing research may request an extension of time at the discretion of the Library staff.

• The Library may reserve computers for training or class use at any time.

• Patrons must be present to sign up for computer usage time. Telephone sign ups will only be accepted for persons with special needs (such as persons with disabilities or the elderly).

• The Library makes no guarantee regarding computer sign ups due to matters beyond its control.

• Patrons must stay at the computer while it is in use. Leaving the computer for more than 5 minutes constitutes the end of the session.

• In the adult section, computer usage is limited to one person per computer at a time.

• In the children's section parents or teachers may work with a single child per computer at one time.

Security Restrictions

• Patrons may save temporary files to the local hard drives, however, temporary files will be deleted upon reboot.

• Patrons may not open equipment or try to fix any problems or printer jams. Any computer related issues must be directed to the Library staff.

• Patrons may not attempt to modify or damage computer hardware or software. Please notify a staff member if there is hardware or software you feel should be part of the Library.

• Only the software provided and installed by the Library may be used.

• Patrons will be charged for any damage to equipment

• Documents may be printed by utilizing the electronic credit/debit card system.

• It is unlawful and users are expressly forbidden to copy Library-owned commercial or copyrighted software. Users attempting to circumvent this legality will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

• Under no circumstances should a user attempt to download or run any additional software, or in any way change or attempt to bypass the desktop configuration on any Library computer.

Staff Assistance

Individual assistance on using the Library's computers is available upon request at the Reference Desk. Many staff members are able to answer brief questions and offer suggestions on where to search for information. However, Library staff does not provide in-depth training in the use of the computer software, the Internet or personal electronic mail, except in designated classes.

Privacy And Confidentiality

Transaction logs, electronic mail and other information, which could be used to identify users with specific materials or subject matter, are considered by the Library to be confidential, and will not be divulged to anyone other than the user. All users are advised that such Designated Internet stations will be located where they can be monitored by staff for assistance and security.

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The user is accountable for his or her actions and activity while on-line. Unacceptable use of Library computers will result in the suspension or revocation of computer privileges and may result in loss of Library privileges.

 

Equipment Use

(607) 936-3713 ext 501

 

Copier

The public access photocopier is available for use by anyone during Library hours. Cost per copy is posted prominently on the machine and may be changed at any time. The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17 US Code) governs the making of photocopies of copyrighted materials. The Library expects that every patron user of the copier abide by the regulations. The person using the copier is liable for any infringement.

Microfilm Reader-Printer

A Microfilm Reader-Printer is available for public use. Copies of articles are available for a fee of .25¢ per page (8 1/2 X 11" page size).

Telephone

A public pay telephone is available in the Library. Patrons may not use the Library business telephones.

Meeting Room Equipment

The following equipment is available for use in the Library meeting rooms:

• Projector with DVD/VHS and laptop capabilities

• VCR / DVD player

• Television monitor

• Headsets for the hearing impaired

• A podium

• Wireless & stand microphone

• Cassette / CD player

• Slide projector

• Dry erase boards

• Folding tables and chairs.

 

Meeting Rooms

(607) 936-3713 ext 501

Unattended Children

(607) 936-3713 ext 503

 

The Southeast Steuben County Library welcomes Library use by children. Staff members are available to assist children with Library materials or services.

The Library is not equipped (and it is not the Library's role) to provide long or short-term childcare.

While in the Library, parents and caregivers are responsible for monitoring and regulating the behavior of their children. A responsible adult or caregiver must accompany children while they are using the Library.

In order to maintain a suitable environment for all of our Library users, we ask that the rules of the Code of Conduct Policy be observed, and that parents and caregivers be aware of the following policies concerning children in the Library:

• Children under the age of 9 must have a parent/caregiver at least 16 years of age in the same area of the Library as the child. If a child under nine is found unattended, or violates the rules of the Behavior Policy, the child and parent/caregiver may be asked to leave the Library.

• Children ages 9 and up may use the Library on their own. Parents, however, are still responsible for the actions and safety of their children. Children are subject to the same rules and consequences as other Library users, including being asked to leave the Library. Please note: it is sometimes necessary for libraries to close due to unusual or emergency situations. All children should have the telephone number of someone to call in an emergency.

• Children may hurt themselves and others when they run or climb on Library furniture or shelving. Please help prevent injuries by watching your children at all times.

• Repeated banging on keyboards damages the computers. Please keep all young children away from the computers.

• Your children are sharing the Library with many other Library users, some of whom need and expect a quiet Library. Please be aware that the level of noise which parents are accustomed to may not be acceptable to others. Quiet voices are expected.

• The Library may not be used as day care.

• Due to staff size and the number of children in the Library, phone calls and messages will not be forwarded except in an emergency.

• Please be sure you know the Library hours and promptly pick up your child before the Library closes.

It may be necessary to notify appropriate law enforcement or child protective authorities if:

• An unattended child is being disruptive.

• A child is habitually left unattended for long periods of time.

• A child is deemed to be at risk of coming to harm (as in the case of a child being left alone when the Library closes).

If an unattended child is found in the Library the following action will be taken:

• We will attempt to reunite the child with the parent or caregiver within the Library. If the parent or caregiver is not in the Library, a staff member will try to obtain a contact phone number from the child. If a phone number is obtained, the parent will be called, and the staff member will request that the parent or caregiver pick up the child as soon as possible.

• Parents should be aware that the child will be turned over to the Corning Police Department if the child is not picked up within 30 minutes. If the parent cannot be reached within 30 minutes or no contact information can be obtained, the Corning Police Department will be called and an incident report will be submitted.

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS, NOT LIBRARY STAFF, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN VISITING THE LIBRARY.

 

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