Policies

Mission Statement

"To inform, enrich, and empower our community"

Goals

• Meet the informational and educational needs of library users involved in both formal and informal learning activities.
• Support lifelong learning and love of reading.
• Provide equal access to information.
• Provide a diversity of material that reflects the interest of the community.
• Provide quality, customer-focused service.

Borrower's Policy

The Alfred Dickey Public Library and Stutsman County Library are open to the general public, but only registered borrowers may take materials from the library. Library cards are issued upon completion of the application form, and are renewed every two years.

The parent or guardian as the responsible party must sign children's application cards.  Children 13 years and older will be issued an adult card.

The director reserves the right to discontinue service to anyone abusing the library privileges.

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Loan Periods

ADULT MATERIALS

Books, Books on Tape, Cassettes, and CD's: 3 weeks (may be renewed)

New Books, Magazines, Newspapers and Videos
(limit of 2 adult videos per patron with an Individual Card
or 2 per family member with a Family Card): 7 days (no renewal)

Pamphlets: 7 days (may be renewed)

CHILDREN'S MATERIALS

Books, Magazines, Books on Tape, Cassettes, and CD's: 3 weeks (may be renewed)

Videos and DVDs
(limit of 2 children's videos or DVDs per patron with an Individual Card
or 2 per family member with a Family Card): 7 days (no renewal)

Materials may be reserved by phone, email, or in person.

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Overdue Materials

The Alfred Dickey Public Library has limited resources and a great demand for materials. Therefore, specific loan periods have been established to provide the maximum possible use of available materials.

Since library materials are purchased with tax dollars, the Library Board feels a responsibility to ensure their availability to all patrons. To achieve this goal, the Board has established a system of overdue notices and fines. The purpose of overdue notices is to secure the return of library property for continued use. The purpose of fines is to provide partial reimbursement to the library for materials, staff time, and postage used in sending out overdue notices.

•  5 - 12 days overdue 50 cent fine
• 13 - 20 days overdue 75 cent fine
• 21 - 28 days overdue 1 dollar fine (borrowing privileges are restricted)
• 29 - 36 days overdue; a final notice is mailed.
• 37 - 44 days overdue; the police are notified.

Lost or Damaged Materials

When a book is returned damaged, and the extent of the damage is such that, in the judgment of the Librarian, the book cannot be returned to the shelf for further circulation, the patron is responsible to pay for the original cost of the book. With an uncataloged paperback, replacement with another paperback may be made.

When a book is damaged but, in the judgment of the Librarian, may be repaired and returned to the shelf for further circulation, no charges are applied.

When a video, cassette, CD or DVD is damaged through neglect (such as, but not limited to; melted or crushed) the patron is responsible to pay for the original cost of the item. When damaged through normal wear and tear there is no charge applied.

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Interlibrary Loan

The Alfred Dickey Public Library provides interlibrary loan service to its patrons. If a patron needs an item that is unavailable in our collection, the patron may request an interlibrary loan. The library will then search various databases to locate another library that owns the item and is willing to lend the item to the Alfred Dickey Public Library. If an item is not found in a library in the state of North Dakota then we will request the North Dakota State Library search outside of North Dakota for the item.

Interlibrary Loan requests may be made at the Library, over the phone (701-252-2990), or through email (adpl@daktel.com). We need your name, address, phone number, the date you need it by, and as full a citation of the item needed as possible.

It will take at least one to two weeks to receive the item if it is located at a library within the state and immediately available. It may be three or more weeks if we need to borrow the item from out of state, or if it is currently checked out of the libraries in state.

The lending library sets the due date. A request may be made to renew the item. We will then ask the loaning library and they make the decision. Out of state books may not be renewed.

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Behavior Policy

The Alfred Dickey Public Library strives to provide free and easy access to materials and services for all library patrons.

To this end, the Library has established these rules of conduct to promote a safe and healthy environment. The library staff shall make every effort to apply these rules in a fair, consistent, and positive manner for the benefit of all.

While in the library building, the following conduct is prohibited:

• Tobacco use in any form
• Consuming food or beverage
• Soliciting, selling, or campaigning
• Bringing in animals, other than certified assistive animals
• Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse of library users or staff
• Playing audio equipment loud enough to disturb others
• Drunkenness
• Not wearing shoes or shirt
• Stealing, destroying, or defacing library materials, furniture, or equipment
• Fighting
• Leaving young children unattended (see Children's Use of the Library policy)
• Bringing guns, knives, or other weapons into the building
• Using roller or in-line skates, skateboards, or coasters in the library
• The making of noise, such as loud talking or shouting that is disruptive to others
• Boisterous behavior, such as running, throwing things, pushing, or shoving

Library staff will intervene to prohibit any of the activities or behaviors listed above. Violators will be asked to stop such activity immediately. If the activity/behavior continues, he/she will be instructed to leave the library. The police will be called for serious offenses or failure to leave the premises when instructed.

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Internet Access Policy

The Alfred Dickey Public Library offers access to information resources on the Internet in response to advances in technology and to the changing information needs of the community. Internet access is one component of the Library's goal to meet the informational and educational needs of library users involved in both formal and informal learning activities. In keeping with our mission the Alfred Dickey Public Library provides free access to these materials to everyone in the community for purposes of education, information, research or recreation.

The Internet is a worldwide computer network that provides easy access to a wealth of information services beyond traditional collections. Not all Internet sources provide accurate, complete, or current information, and some may be offensive. The Internet is a rapidly changing environment. The Library is committed to promoting a safe and healthy environment. The Library strives to provide its patrons and staff with an environment that is free from harassment, including sexual harassment, and prohibits the display of obscene material, child pornography and material that is harmful to minors. Users are responsible for determining that the information they access is acceptable, reliable, and suitable to their needs.

The Library by nature opposes censorship of ideas and materials and relies on good judgment in selecting material. The nature of the Internet prohibits that selection process. The Library employs filtering software in an attempt to block access to sites that are illegal and to sites that some patrons find offensive. Patrons are advised that filters are not perfect and often fail to block sites that some find objectionable while denying access to others that are inoffensive and useful.

Responsibilities of users

All users of the Internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided, and to follow the Library's rules and regulations.

By using an Internet workstation at the library you agree to the following guidelines:

•  As is true of other Library resources any use of the Library's Internet connection for illegal, inappropriate, or obscene purposes or in support of such activities is prohibited.
• The Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children's use of library materials and resources. Restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
• Library staff is available to assist you in your use of these resources, but may not be familiar with every application you might wish to use. Time permitting, staff will attempt to answer specific questions about the Internet and offer suggestions for effective searching.
• Respect the privacy of others using public access workstations by not interfering with their use.
• Use of the computers will be on a first come, first serve basis. There is a 30-minute time limit. After your 30-minutes are up you may sign up again and wait for the next available computer.

Access to chat or discussion groups are not authorized.

Disclaimers

While the library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest quality, the library specifically disclaims any warranty as to the information's accuracy, timeliness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose.

The library shall have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed through the library's Internet service or for damages related to the operation of, or failure of, the filtering software, or for its circumvention by users.

The availability of information via the library's Internet service does not constitute endorsement of the content of that information by the library.

Since software and information downloaded from any source, including the Internet, may contain computer viruses, users are advised to utilize virus-checking software on their computers.

The library is not responsible for damage to users' disks or computers or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the library's computers.

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the reproduction, distribution, public performance, and public display of copyrighted material. Responsibility for possible copyright infringement lies solely with the user and the Library disclaims any responsibility or liability resulting there from.

Display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures may be in violation of Federal and State obscenity laws.

The Library provides free access to the Internet in response to its mission. Misuse of Internet access will result in the loss of computer privileges for the user. Library staff reserves the right to monitor use of the Internet to ensure compliance with this policy. Library staff will intervene to prohibit any inappropriate behavior and may ask users to remove themselves from library equipment if they observe any behavior that they determine to be in conflict with this policy. Further, if the behavior continues, library staff may instruct the user to leave the library. Police may be called for failure to leave the premises when instructed or to investigate possible illegal behavior.

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Children's Use of the Library

Service to children is a major focus of the library's mission. As long as children act responsibly, they may use the library at any time it is open. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children. Teachers are responsible for the conduct of their students while they are in the library for a class visit or tour. If parents and teachers do not discipline children when they are being disruptive, library personnel will assume the responsibility.

Library personnel reserve the right to ask anyone loitering or otherwise conducting themselves in a suspicious manner in the children's area to leave the Children's Library.

The Library does not have a specific responsibility to care for or to watch out for children left unattended in its facilities. If an unattended child behaves in a disruptive manner, the child may be warned, and if behavior continues asked to leave the library, weather permitting. If a child has been left unattended at the time of closing, staff have the responsibility to decide if the child may be left unattended until the parent arrives. If the staff decides the child is too young to be left waiting outside, or there is inclement weather, the following guidelines apply.

Guidelines:

• Staff should assess the situation 30 minutes before closing to determine if any children are alone. Ask the child to call the parent to find out if someone is on the way to pick him/her up.
• In no case should a staff member drive the child home.
• Two staff members should remain with the child. They should stay inside the building 15 minutes after closing.
• If a parent has not arrived within 15 minutes the staff will contact the Jamestown Police Department. Staff will remain until the police arrive. A message for the parent will be left on the entrance door stating where the child may be found. Do not post the child's name.
• The staff should document the incident and notify their supervisor as soon as possible

Memo to be posted on the door:

Dear Parent of the child left at the library,

For your child's safety, library staff has been instructed not to leave children unattended after closing hours. Since a parent did not pick up the child before the library closed, the child was placed under the protection of the Jamestown Police Department.

You may obtain more information by calling or stopping by the Police station.

Phone number: 252-1000

Address: 205 6th St. SE, Jamestown

Date:

Time:

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Mission Statement	Borrower's Policy	Loan Periods
Overdue Material	Lost or Damaged	Interlibrary Loan
Behavior Policy	Internet Policy	Children at the Library