Library Policies for Tiptonville Public Library

• Upon entering the library, cell phones and other mobile communication devices should be set on vibrate. Any calls received by patrons should be answered outside, or if weather does not permit, in an area where other patrons will not be disturbed.

• Appropriate attire is required, including shirts and shoes.

• Conversation and activity should be kept at a level that will not disturb others.

• Parents or guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children. Children under the age of ten (10) must be accompanied by a responsible party.

• Library users must not engage in any activity in violation of Federal, State, or local law.

• No weapons are allowed on library property, with the exception of law enforcement officers on duty. Weapons are defined as:

  • Firearms, including but not limited to handheld, shotgun, rifles, and all ammunition

  • Knives, knuckles, and blades

  • Anything that bears a reasonable resemblance to the above

• If a patron who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance is acting belligerent, that person will be required to leave the premises. 

• No harassing behavior including but not limited to harassing or obscene gestures or sounds will be permitted.

• No abusive behavior such as threats or violence toward staff or other patrons will be permitted.

• Any behavior that is considered disruptive to other patrons may result in that person being required to leave the building and/or suspension of library privileges. The length of privilege suspension will be determined by the library board and library director.

• Deliberate vandalism to library materials or property or the personal property of other patrons will not be tolerated. These actions will result in the police being called.

• Smoking is prohibited inside the building and within 20 feet of the library entrance. Smokers will be asked to use the designated smoking area located in the WiFi garden.

• Food and drinks must be in the proper containers to be permitted in the computer area.

• Materials may be returned at the front desk or the outside book drop box. Patrons borrowing paperback materials or audio books must return those items to the front desk. The patron will be responsible for the full cost of the material if it is damaged while in the book drop box. 

• Parents may not leave children under the age of ten (10) unattended in the library. Some exceptions can be made during children’s programs. All exceptions are up to the Library Director’s discretion. If a child younger than the aforementioned age is left without proper supervision* It is the duty of the Library Director as a community servant to inform local authorities that the child has possibly been abandoned.

• Disruptive behavior, yelling, profanity, running, climbing, throwing things, etc. will not be tolerated. Those disrupting others will be warned twice and then asked to leave. It is up to the Library Director’s discretion to determine if a child’s behavior is disruptive. Continued abuse of this policy will be handled on an individual basis.

• Deliberate vandalism to the library, library materials, or personal property of other patrons will not be tolerated. 

• Children visiting the library or participating in activities such as Lego Club or Summer Reading Program must have transportation to and from the library. 

• The library is not responsible for censoring the books that children check out. It is up to the parent or responsible party, not the librarian, to monitor which books their children read. 

• In turn, any patrons deliberately disrupting a child’s reasonable library experience will be asked to leave.

*Proper supervision is defined as someone in the building who is capable of ensuring the safety of the child.

Registration

• Residents of Lake County and the Reelfoot area are eligible for a Tiptonville Public Library card.

• Patrons planning to use their card for printed materials must provide proof of address and a working telephone number to obtain a library card.

• Any patron under the age of 18 will need a parent/responsible party to accept liability for materials checked out by that child. 

• The appropriate age for a child to obtain a library card will be up to the Library Director’s discretion. 

Rule of Loan

• All users must have an active account in good standing to check out materials at the Tiptonville Public Library.

• The user is responsible for all materials checked out on his or her card and the cards of children for whom he or she as assumed responsibility.

• Borrowing privileges and/or computer privileges will be suspended if the user has unpaid fines.

• Changes of name, address, or phone number should be reported immediately.

Fees

• The Tiptonville Public Library will not charge late fees for materials returned outside of the loan period.

• Patrons will be held responsible for covering costs to replace lost materials or materials damaged beyond repair.

Loan Periods

• First-time borrowers may check out one item.

• Materials marked “REF” are reference materials and not available for check out. 

• Books, both printed and audio, are loaned for 2 weeks.

• DVDs are loaned for 7 days and are limited to 2 per household.

Renewals

• Borrowers may renew most items from the library’s collection twice.

• A borrower may renew items in person or by telephone.

• The library cannot renew an item if another patron has placed a hold on it. However, the current borrower’s name can be added to the waiting list.

• Items obtained through the Inter-Library Loan (ILL) system may not be renewed (see ILL policy).

Reserve

• Patrons may request a reserve (hold) on any item in circulation as long as their account is in good standing.

• Patrons will be contacted when the item they have on hold becomes available. If the item is not picked up within 4 days of contact, the item will be given to the next patron on the waiting list.

Library of Things

• As part of our devotion to creating the best patron experience possible, the Tiptonville Public Library’s Library of Things will be a collection of games, household items, technology, clothing, and other useful “things” available for patrons to check-out. Collection Development for this section of the library is funded solely upon donations. Only patrons in good standing who have signed a copy of the Library of Things Policy & Agreement Form will be permitted to check-out items from this section. Patrons in good standing have an active library card, have never broken the patron conduct policy, do not owe any item replacement fees, return items on a regular schedule, and maintain appropriate communication with the Library Director when items are lost, damaged, or need to be renewed. It will be up to the discretion of the Library Director to determine if a patron meets these qualifications. 

• Should a patron refuse to return an item or if an item is damaged, the Library Director will proceed according to the value of the item.

All Items: 

1. Upon overdue notice, the Library Director will attempt to call the patron via the phone number provided on the card application and/or send an overdue notice to the patron’s provided address.

2. The Library Director may attempt to contact the patron via social media. Only the Tiptonville Public Library’s official pages will be used for this purpose. The Director may not contact patrons via his/her personal social media accounts.

3. If the Director is unable to contact the patron or the patron refuses to return the item, he/she will inform the Library Board Chair of the situation.

4. If a donated item is marked as “lost” or “damaged” the Board Chair will inform the donor.

Items Under $100 value:

1. It will be up to the discretion of the Library Director to decide how to proceed in retrieving items of this value. 

2. If a patron loses or damages an item beyond repair of this value, the Library Director may ask the patron to provide a physical replacement or financial compensation. Refusal to do so will result in loss of library privileges. It will be up to the discretion of the Director to determine if the compensation provided by the patron is suitable.

Items Over $100 value:

1. Should a patron in possession of an item valued at $100 or greater still refuse to return an item after he/she has been contacted by all reasonable means. The Library Board may decide to take legal action against the patron.

2. If a patron loses or damages an item beyond repair of this value, he/she will be asked to replace the item or provide financial compensation. 

3. It will be up to the discretion of the Library Board to determine how to proceed in collection, including legal action.

• The Library of Things Policy & Agreement form will include the above policy.

• All materials are selected by the local public library in accordance with the individual public library’s full Collection Development Policy.

• The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised, by the public library’s Board of Trustees, as the need arises and/or annually. 

• All books selected for purchase by the individual public library, through the Regional Library System or otherwise, are reviewed by the public library’s director before purchase and then a list or lists of newly purchased materials will be shared with the public library’s Board of Trustees.

• No funds received are used to purchase, nor will the library otherwise acquire, material that constitutes “child pornography,” is “pornographic for minors,” or is “obscene,” as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), established by Congress in 2000.  See Internet Safety Policy for more information.

• Books and materials that contain sexual themes or content are reviewed by the public library independently for age-appropriateness and cataloged accordingly- even if this overrides the age-appropriateness recommended by the publisher.

• The library has a written, publicly accessible library materials challenge policy that (a) defines which parties may dispute or challenge the library’s age-appropriate designation on materials, with such definition, at a minimum, including a parent or guardian of a minor within the library district, (b) defines the process by which a materials challenge can be initiated, and (c) provides for the results of any such dispute or challenge to be disclosed in the public library’s official Board of Trustee minutes. See Challenges to Materials Policy for more information.

• It is the responsibility of the library to serve the community as a center of reliable information and to provide services and materials that aid individuals in the pursuit of education, information, and leisure. The library will subscribe to the Freedom to Read and the Freedom to View statements and to the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association. The library will cooperate with all community agencies and organizations requesting information or help in program planning and co-sponsor such groups activities of educational or cultural nature. 

• It is the responsibility of the library to ensure that all cultural, religious, and ethnic groups in the service area are represented within the collection across multiple genres and age groups.

• To this end, the library may initiate programs, exhibits, book lists, etc. to stimulate the use of these materials.

• The selection of any material for the collection does not constitute an endorsement of its content. The library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some users. The selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.

Weeding

An up-to-date, attractive, and useful collection is maintained through a continued withdrawal and replacement process. The process and decision to deselect an item takes into account the same criteria used when the item was first selected. Obsolete information, insufficient use, excessive wear, space availability, and changing user interests are considered. Duplicate copies and items superseded by newer edition are reviewed for possible weeding. To assist in the weeding process, the CREW (Continous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) method of weeding, established as an authority by the American Library Association is utilized.

• Patrons have the right to challenge materials available for checkout including books in all formats, movies, and games

• If a patron feels that a book should be removed from the collection for any reason, the following steps are required:

  1. Patron will inform the library director that they wish to challenge an item.*

  2. The library director will give the patron a challenge form to fill out. The patron may return it to the director to present to the board at the next meeting, or the patron may choose to address the board directly. In the case of the latter, the director will inform the patron of the time and date of the next meeting. The patron will be given five minutes at the beginning of the meeting to address the board. (See public comments section below)

  3. The library board we'll go over and discuss the challenge form. One of three outcomes are possible.

     •  The library board will remove the book from the collection by unanimous vote only if the material violates Library collection development policy.

     •  The library board will decide to move the book to a different section.

     •  The library board will choose not to take action against the material.

*Note: aggressive behavior on the part of the patron will not be tolerated. Any aggressive language, physical Behavior, or attack on the personhood of Staff members will result in total loss of Library Privileges and legal action is called for.

• Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain form other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library’s collection.

• The service is available to patrons who are in good standing with the library.

• Patrons may only request one interlibrary loan at a time.

• Loan periods are set by the lending library.

• Patrons are responsible for lost or damaged ILL materials. Library privileges will be immediately suspended if damaged ILL materials are not paid for in full.

• Patrons will be notified when ILL materials arrive at the library.

• Materials that are not picked up within 5 days will be returned to the lending library.

• The library cannot borrow DVDs through ILL.

• Gifts of money for the purchase of books or equipment are welcomed and accepted with the understanding that the selection will be made by the library staff or a designated committee of the Library Board.

• The Library Board encourages the giving of suitable books as memorials or to honor a person or a special occasion. Monetary contributions for these purposes from persons or organizations are also accepted. These books will be selected by the donor and the librarian within the guidelines of the library book selection policy.

• Access to the Internet is available to all patrons who are in good standing with the Library. 

• In order for a minor (child under 18) to use the internet, a parent or responsible adult must sign an Internet Permission form in compliance with federal law. The forms are available at the front desk. 

• The Library disclaims any warranty as to the quality or accuracy of electronic information via the Internet.

• Although each computer is programmed to check for viruses, there is no guarantee that the files downloaded from the Internet will not contain a virus. The Library is not responsible for any damages that may arise from saving files to removable storage equipment such as flash drives or compact disks. The Library cannot allow personal software to be used on Library computers.

• The Library does not provide email accounts. However, patrons may access free, web-based email accounts on Library computers. 

• Users may not use the Internet for any illegal activity.

• Library equipment may not be unplugged, moved, removed, or otherwise modified. Users may not attempt to reconfigure systems or software or in any way interfere with the system setup. Any images or files downloaded will be deleted.

• Patrons should not shut down library computers for any reason.

• The user’s access to the library’s computers and the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Misuse of the library’s computers will result in the loss of computer privileges and possible criminal prosecution.

• The Tiptonville Public Library may suspend or terminate Internet privileges if the Library reasonably believes that any user has violated these policy guidelines.

• It is the policy of the Tiptonville Public Library that parents and guardians, not the library staff, are responsible for monitoring and approving the selection of materials made by their children. It is the parents or guardians - and only these - who may restrict their children - and only their children - from access to library materials. Selection of materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may inadvertently come into the possession of children. It is also the responsibility of the parents or guardians, not the library staff, for monitoring and approving that materials their children check out from the library.

• The public library’s Board of Trustees will meet, annually, to discuss the library’s Internet Safety Policy, in an open-to-the-public board meeting and document the approval of the policy in the minutes of the meeting.

• The public library’s Board of Trustees must review compliance with CIPA annually and must specifically acknowledge compliance.

Wireless Internet Policy

All persons accessing the Wireless Internet via the Library must comply with the current Tiptonville Public Library policies for internet use.

• All users are expected to use the Libraries’ wireless access in a legal and responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which it is provided. Users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the choice of sites that they visit. They are expected to bear in mind that the Library is a public place guided by our community’s standards and access to websites that are appropriate in a public environment. 

• Use of the Library’s wireless connection is done at the patron’s own risk. The Library is not responsible for any personal information lost while using the wireless internet connection.

• Library staff cannot configure users’ computers or wireless devices. Staff may assist with general knowledge, but cannot accept the liability of handling the equipment.

• The Library is not responsible for any changes made to your settings to access the wireless network.

• The Library does not assume any liability for loss or damage to patron equipment. Patron laptops and peripherals may not be left unattended for any reason.

• The WiFi garden is accessible to patrons 24/7. Patrons are asked to keep noise levels at a minimum while using the WiFi garden to avoid disturbing the library’s neighbors.

• Violation of the above policy will result in the user being banned from the library’s wireless network and/or law enforcement being called.

Photo Machine Policy

• Patrons are welcome to use the library’s photo printing kiosk at any time during regular library hours.

• The kiosk enables patrons to print photos in a variety of sizes using memory cards, CDs, or mobile devices. Pictures may also be scanned for resizing.

• Library staff is available to assist patrons in the general use of the kiosk and to replace paper/ink. However, staff may not accept liability for handling any device.

Copying and Faxing at the Library

The Tiptonville Library offers printing/copying and faxing services.

• These services are to be administered by staff only. Patrons may bring documents to the front desk to be copied or faxed.

• Rates for copying are 25 cents per page for black/white and 50 cents per page for color.

• The same discount rates apply for copying as they do the printing.

• Rates for faxing are 50 cents for the first 5 pages. 25 cents will be added for each additional page.

• If a patron needs to receive a fax, the rate is 50 cents per page.

• If a patron would like to use the wireless printing feature, staff may assist patrons in connecting to the wireless network and selecting the correct commands on their mobile device. However, staff may not accept liability for handling any device. 

It is important to note that a board meeting is a meeting conducted in public, not a public meeting. In other words, the public (and possibly media representatives) are there to watch the board work, not to participate in the board meeting.

Public Comment

While not required by the organization's bylaws, state law, or the city code, oral presentations may be allowed at the board's discretion. Any input shall be heard during the public comment section on the agenda. This is an opportunity to address items not on the agenda. The following procedures will be followed:

1. You may speak to one issue permitting.

2. After recognition by the chair, state your name, address, and group affiliations (if appropriate).

3. You may speak for a maximum of five minutes, per the library board’s policies.

The board will listen to your commentary and may ask questions for clarification. It should be noted that this is a time for listening, not uncontrolled debate. If there is a need for a response from the board, it should come at a later time when the board has had time to deliberate the issue or to seek more information.

Policy

• Pursuant to Its policy of non-discrimination, the Tiptonville Public Library does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military service in its policies, or in the admission or access to, or treatment of employment in, its programs, services or activities. The Library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of any group or individual. Meeting room use shall not be publicized in such a way as to imply Library sponsorship.

• Library activities and events sponsored by the Tiptonville Public Library and/or Lake County Government have first priority for meeting room use.

• Fundraising events or solicitations of any kind are not permitted unless sponsored by the Library. 

• All meetings must be prior scheduled by filling out a Reservation Form, including a contact person. The form may be filled out by phone or email if the library staff is provided with the required form information. Requests should be made at least 60 days prior to the requested date, if possible.

• Meeting rooms may only be used during library hours. Meeting room use will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Occurring meetings may be scheduled first for a two-month period and then may be renewed for another six-month period. AII meeting room use is subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees and the LIbrary Director. If approved, the individual or group making the request will be given a copy of this Meeting Room Policy to sign, indicating a willingness to comply with said policy.

• Programs must not interfere with Library operations. 

• Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the Library.

• Refreshments may be served, but alcoholic beverages are not allowed.  All food and drink must be confined to the Meeting Room and approved in advance by the Library Director

• Users must respect and uphold local, state, and federal laws and regulations. The Meeting Room and Library will not be used for illegal purposes.

• Groups or Individuals reserving a room are responsible for setting up the room and should include time for setup and take down in their reservation time. The Meeting Room must be left in a clean and orderly manner. Failure to leave the room in a clean and orderly manner may result in the cancellation and refusal of future meetings.

• The Library Board and staff do not assume any liability for groups or individuals attending a meeting in the Library.

• Groups or Individuals with a reservation should notify the Library as soon as possible if a meeting is canceled. Groups with two no calls/no shows will not be permitted further reservations for one year.

• Failure to abide by the Library's Meeting Room Policy may result In the cancellation of or refusal of future reservations.

• Computers may be accessed in respect to the library's internet use policies. Notice must be given in advance if computer access is needed. 

• Thermostats may be adjusted, but must be returned to the original setting before leaving. 

• A deposit of $30 will be required at the time of agreement. Deposit will be returned if the library is left in clean and orderly condition. 

• A copy of this agreement must be signed by an adult (individual or group member) using the building before use.