Services

More than a great selection of books awaits you at Bledsoe County Public Library. Information is available on video, audio and microfilm. Six computers may be used by the public for word processing or to access the Internet.

If the library does not have the material you are looking for, you may order it through the state-wide interlibrary loan system. Any patron with a valid library card may request materials on interlibrary loan.

Books and other materials may be renewed, reserved or requested by telephone, fax or e-mail.

LIBRARY CARD

Any resident of Bledsoe County is eligible to apply for a library card in order to borrow materials. The first card is free, but a $5 fee is charged for lost or damaged card replacements. Applicants must provide their name, signature, current address and phone number. (Proof of address is required.) Children and youth under 18 must have the signature of their parent or legal guardian. First-time borrowers are restricted to 3 items.

BOOKS

The loan period is 14 days. Books usually may be renewed twice, but some restrictions may apply. A late fee of 10 cents per day, not to exceed the price of the book, will be charged.

Should a book be lost or damaged, the borrower will be responsible to pay the replacement price.

Reference books are available for use at the library but do not circulate.

VIDEO

Videos may be borrowed for a loan period of 7 days and may be returned using the book drop.

A fine of .10 cents per day will be charged as a late fee, with a maximum of $5.

AUDIO

The loan period for audiotapes is 14 days. The late fine is .10 cents per day, with a $5 per tape maximum.

MICROFILM

Locally-owned microfilm is available for use in the library but does not circulate.

MICROFILM READER AND READER/PRINTER

The microfilm reader and reader/printer is for in-library use only. There are to be no more than two users at a time, with a one-hour limit if someone else is waiting. Each copy is 15 cents.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET POLICY

The library has six computers available for word processing and/or Internet use. All patrons are allowed a maximum of 2 hours of computer time per day. A patron may be granted an additional 30 minutes if no one else is waiting. Instruction in computer use is not provided; however, assistance may be requested if a library staff member is available.

Anyone under 17 must have signed permission from a parent or legal guardian before accessing the Internet on a library computer.

No more than two people may use the same computer at the same time.

Patrons are responsible for any damage to the hardware they are using.

Unacceptable use of computer resources:

• Violating copyright laws
• Misrepresentation with the intent to harm either through fraud, con-games, or seduction.
• Using library resources to post or distribute speech deemed unlawful, hate speech and/or harassment.
• Accessing or distributing materials or online games considered to be obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors. Legal definitions of these items may be obtained from the library staff.
• Invasion of privacy.
• Divulging any personal identification information regarding minors.
• Illegal activity including "hacking", disruption of networks and unloading viruses, worms, etc.
• Downloading of images or files from the Internet to the computer’s hard drive. (Work not saved on a disk will be lost.)

Any misuse of the library computers may result in the loss of computer privileges.

COPYING/PRINTING

A fee of .10 cents per page is charged for the public access printer; if color printing is available, the charge is $1 per page. (Students working on a school assignment get the first 10 black and white pages free.)

FAX

Faxes sent long-distance cost $1 per page, plus .25 cents for a confirmation receipt. Faxes sent locally are .25 cents per page, plus .25 cents for the confirmation receipt. The fee to receive a fax at the library is .25 cents per page.

TEST PROCTORING

Test proctoring (including the Boating Exam) is available at the library. For any questions or for scheduling a test time, please contact the library.