Library Policies

Below are some of the policies about the public's use of the library.

Behavior in the Library

     To insure that all patrons may have considerate use of the Ladd Public Library District, appropriate behavior is expected.  Violation of any of  the following rules will result in a warning and/or expulsion from the property.  Whenever necessary. police will be contacted.  The Director and supervisory staff have the authority to carry out all powers of this policy.

  1. No loud talking or boisterous behavior (running, excessive seat changing, etc.).
  2. No food or drink may be consumed in the library (except with prior approval of the Library Board of Trustees).
  3. No smoking.
  4. No parking bicycles or other vehicles in a manner that blocks or hinders entry to the library.
  5. No conduct which is disruptive to the operation of the library, or threatening to patrons, staff, or library property.

     If a patron is creating a disturbance or causing problems in the library, the library staff has the authority or right to tell that patron to leave the library.  If that patron refuses to comply and continues to cause problems, the police can then be contacted to eject that patron from the library.

 

Circulation Policy

     Individuals presenting a valid borrower's card issued by the Ladd Public Library District are eligible to borrow materials from the Ladd Public Library District when the following conditions are met:

  1.      No materials which are more than one circulation period are overdue on their card
  2.      No outstanding fines in aggregate excess of $1.00 have accrued to their card.
  3.     No materials borrowed for them from another library are overdue in any amount.

     The library staff may not waive these regulations without the specific permission of the library director, however, the patron may request and receive a 24 hour hold on the item(s) he or she wishes to check out to allow the patron to correct the situation which has resulted in loss of eligibility to borrow.

     Individuals presenting a valid card from another public library in Illinois may borrow materials from the Ladd Public LIbrary District,  The card must have the name of the individual presenting it, and an expiration date in the future.  The card must either be a resident borrower's card or a system borrower's card to be valid for reciprocal borrowing.

Computer/Internet Use

     The Ladd Public Library District requires that library patrons using electronic information networks such as the internet do so within the guidelines of acceptable use.  The following activities are unacceptable and will result in permanent loss of computer privileges:

  1. use of electronic information networks for any purpose which is offensive in a public setting, or results in the harassment of other users,
  2. destruction of, damage to or unauthorized alteration of the library's computer equipment software, or network security procedures,
  3. use of electronic information networks in any way which violated a Federal or State law,
  4. use of electronic information networks in any way which violates licensing and payment agreements between Ladd Library and network/database providers,
  5. unauthorized duplication of copy protected software or violation of software license agreements,
  6. violation of system security,
  7. behaving in a manner that is disruptive to other users,
  8. sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics that may be reasonably construed as obscene or offensive.

Children's Access to Electronic Information Networks

     The Ladd Public Library District supports the right of all library users to access information and will not deny access to electronic information networks based solely on age.

     This library recognizes that the electronic information networks such as the INterent may contain material that is inappropriate for children.  Library staff are unable to monitor children's use.  It is the parents'/guardians' responsibility to ensure that their children's use of the internet is appropriate and safe.  Parents will monitor and supervise use o fthe internet for children in eighth grade and below.

     All internet users must file with the Ladd Public Library District a completed and signed copy  of the Electronic INformation Networks Registration and User Agreement form, along with photo identificaiton.  For those in eighth grade and younger, a parent, guardian, or responsible adult (18 or over) will provide their photo identification to be copied and kept as part of permanent record.  The signature on the form is legally binding an indicates that the party who signed has read the terms and conditions of this policy and understands their significance.

Library Procedures Relating to Electronic Networks

     This library has developed certain procedures to assist staff and patrons is the use of electronic information resources.  These procedures include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:

  1. Time limits will be in thiry minute increments, with a patron being allowed to sign up for a one hour block at maximum.  Additional thirty minute increments are available subject to availability.
  2. charges for printing will be as follows: $0.25 per page for black and white; $0.50 per page for color print,
  3. specific instructions for downloading including compliance with virus protection measures,
  4. a registration and use agreement form which must be completed prior to usage,
  5. nothing is to be put onto the hard drive or system disk or a computer system:  no file are to be saved there and no programs can be installed onto it.  Furthermore, nothing is to be deleted from hard disk or system disk except by the library staff,
  6. only two patrons are allowed are a terminal at one time.  Both patrons msut be registered at the desk,
  7. e-mail may be done through your own account set up on one of the commercial search engines,
  8. patrns will not be able to access chat rooms of any kind,
  9. users may not represent themselves as another person,
  10. purchases may be initiated through the Library's Internet connection.  However, the patron is fully responsible for that purchase, and any charges that are associated with it.  When purchasing on-line, patrons must use only their personal information.  Do not use the Library as your source of origin,
  11. the Internet is not available for recreational games,
  12. the Internet shall not be used to access pornographic material.

Breach of policy

     Volation of any aspect of this policy may result in the loss of library privileges.

 

 

 

Library Use

     The library may, on occassion, be made available for use by members of the public.  Organizations not affiliated with the Ladd Public Library Districy may use the library only when all of the following conditions are met:

  1. The organization conducting the meeting is not doing so for the immediate or ultimate gain of a for-profit business or agency.
  2. The meeting takes place during regular library hours.
  3. The meeting cannot be expected to disrupt the ability of the library to conduct its business in a normal and orderly manner.
  4. The meeting is open to the public.
  5. The library reservation is made at least 48 hours in advance by a resident of the library's jurisdictional area.
  6. The organization assumes all responsibility for set up, clean up, and any damages that may be incurred.

 

Unattended Children

     Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children while they are in the library.  The Ladd Public Library District staff is committed to help children with activities related to the library; however, library staff cannot, nor is it their responsibility to server as baby-sitters, teachers, or disciplinarians.  Violation of this policy are grounds for suspension of library privileges.  Whenever advisable, the library will notify the parent of incidents involving an unattended child.

     Children under the age of 10 must accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent or other responsible caregiver.  When the safety of an unattended child is in doubt, or the parent or responsible caregiver cannot be located, or if the library is closing, library staff is authorized to call the police and stay with the child until the police arrive.

     From time to time the Ladd Public Library District schedules or provides programs which are designed and suitable for attendance by children without parental supervision.  All program announcements will indicate if supervision is required.

     Children over the age of 10 may use the library unattended by an adult, subject to other library rules and policies concerning behavior, conduct, and demeanor.