V. Library Users Policy

5.1 Welcome

Sitka Public Library welcomes people of all ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and socio-economic levels to use its collection, resources and services.

5.2 Registration

Borrowing privileges are free to all permanent residents of the City and Borough of

Sitka. Identification and official proof of local residency are required to qualify for a
permanent Library card. Short-term residents may apply for limited borrowing
privileges as visitors.

5.3 Entitlement

Sitka Public Library is available to persons of all ages. While each person has

the right to use the library facilities, services and resources, no one has the right to
interfere with the ability of others to use and enjoy them.

5.4 Circulation Policy – Borrowing

5.4.1 Books, Recorded Books, Music Cassettes and Compact Disks

Loan Period: 30 days with one 21-day renewal, if there are no holds

• Limit: Adults and Students: 50 total items; Visitor accounts: 5 total items
• Fine: $.05 per day (after a six-day grace period), per item.
  Maximum Fine: $3.00 per item

5.4.2 Videocassette Tapes, DVDs and Non-Current Magazines

• Loan Period: 7 days with one 7-day renewal, if there are no holds

• Limit: 50 total items, 10 of which may be DVDs/videocassette tapes
• Fine: $1.00 per day, per item for videos. Maximum Fine: $5.00 per item
• Magazines have a 6-day grace period and then fines accrue at $.05/day

5.4.3 16mm Projector, Slide Projector and Screen

• Loan Period: 1 day with one 1-day renewal, if there are no holds

• Fine: $5.00 per day, per item. Maximum Fine: $50.00

5.4.4 Municipal Documents

• May only be checked out with staff authorization

• Loan Period: 1 day with one 1-day renewal, if there are no holds
• Fine: $1.00 per day, per item
• Replacement fees will be charged for lost or damaged items

5.5 Borrower Responsibilities:

A registered borrower agrees to:

• Observe library policies while in the building
• Be responsible for all materials checked out on his or her card
• Return all materials by the due date or pay overdue fines
• Pay damage or replacement costs for damaged and/or lost materials

5.6 Overdue Policy

• When an item is fourteen (14) days overdue, a notice will be sent to the patron

indicating the overdue materials and replacement costs of the items
• At four ( 4) months overdue, items will automatically receive a lost status, and a bill
for replacement costs will be sent to the patron

5.7 Loss of Loan Privileges:

• Any patron will lose borrower privileges if an item is lost/damaged for a year and

has not been paid for
• Adults owing $40.00 will lose borrower privileges until paid below the $40.00 limit
• Minors owing $25.00 will lose borrower privileges until paid below the $25.00 limit
• Visitors owing $10.00 will lose borrower privileges until paid below the $10.00 limit
• Patrons may make payments and regain borrower privileges if the total fine amount
due falls below the maximum limit and (s)he has no lost or damaged items
outstanding more than one year
• Patrons who lose or damage more than one item received through interlibrary loan
will lose further interlibrary loan borrowing privileges

5.8 Code of Conduct

5.8.1 Rules

To ensure that everyone enjoys using the Library, the following rules of

conduct have been established. No one shall:
• Engage in any unlawful activity
• Possess or display weapons, including concealed handguns
• Steal Library property; make unauthorized or inappropriate use of Library
equipment
• Verbally abuse or harass Library users or staff, or attempt to engage them in
unwanted discussion
• Trespass into any unauthorized area
• Eat or drink, unless authorized by Library personnel
• Smoke In the Library
• Use a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or skate in the Library or directly in front of the main entrance doors
• Maintain bodily hygiene that is so distracting to others that it interferes with the patrons' use of Library resources or staff work
• Sleep in the library or camp on library grounds
• Engage in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the library, or disturbs library patrons or staff, including, but not limited to, conduct that involves the use of foul, abusive or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking, or conduct that may cause damage to library equipment, furniture, or materials

5.8.2 Enforcement

Library staff is responsible for enforcing patron conduct in the Library. Anyone

interfering with another's use and enjoyment of the Library will be asked to stop his or
her behavior. If the behavior persists, staff will ask the individual to leave the premises.
Failure to comply will result in police intervention. Repeated or serious violations may
result in suspension of Library privileges or permanent exclusion from the premises.

5.8.3 Children

Children are welcome in the Library, and we are concerned about their welfare

and safety. Parents, guardians and care givers are responsible for monitoring
the activities and behavior of their children while they are in the Library. If an
unattended child is being disruptive, is left unattended for a long period of time or
appears to be at risk, staff shall try to locate a parent, guardian or care giver. If
necessary, law enforcement or child protective authorities will be notified to take
custody of the child.

5.9 Public Relations Policy

We wish to ensure that the public receives consistent and accurate information about

Library policy, procedures, programs and services. Contacts to the media initiated by
the Library will be handled by the person in charge of the specific program, service or
policy being addressed. Contacts initiated by the media should be directed to the
Library Director. Speaking engagements will be scheduled with the Library Director.

5.10 Internet Safety and Use Policy

5.10.1 Purpose

Sitka Public Library provides access to a broad range of informational resources, including those available through the Internet. The Library makes this service available in support of its mission to provide free and equal access to all types of information in a variety of formats for library users of all backgrounds and ages. Consistent with its mission, the Library is guided by a commitment to safeguard the principles of intellectual freedom, equity of access, First Amendment rights, individual responsibility, and confidentiality of information about users and their use of library resources.

5.10.2 Choosing and Evaluating Sources

The Internet is a vast repository of information providing unprecedented access to a wealth of information which can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching. The Internet is a vast, unregulated information network. It enables access to ideas, information, images and commentary beyond the Library’s collection, mission, selection criteria and collection development policies. Because of this access, the Library cannot protect users from information and images which they might find disturbing or offensive. Some sources provide information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. As with print information, users are encouraged to use critical judgment when evaluating the validity and appropriateness of information found electronically. The Library cannot control the information available over the Internet and assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from connections to the Internet. The Library makes no guarantees, either expressed or implied, with respect to the quality or content of information available on the Internet. Providing access does not mean or imply that the Library sanctions or endorses the point of view or content of any information which may be found on the Internet.

5.10.3 Privacy

When using a Library computer, complete privacy cannot be guaranteed. Users are cautioned that public access computers are located in public areas which must be shared by Library users of all backgrounds, sensibilities and ages. Individuals are asked to consider this and to respect the sensibilities of others when accessing potentially offensive information and images. Users are cautioned that because security in an electronic environment such as the Internet cannot be guaranteed, all transactions, files and communications are vulnerable to unauthorized access and use, and, therefore, should be considered public.

5.10.4 Access by Minors

Sitka Public Library currently uses no technology protection measures to block or filter the Internet or other forms of electronic communications. Library staff does not censor or deny access to inappropriate information. We uphold the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected materials and affirm the right and responsibility of parents and legal guardians to determine and monitor their children in the use of library materials and resources. We encourage parents and guardians to guide their children in the use of the Internet and inform them of materials they should not use.

The Library cautions minors to keep in mind the following safety guidelines when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications. We also recommend that patrons refrain from the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding minors by urging them to observe the following procedures:

·       Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number

·       Let parents or guardians decide whether personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information should be revealed

·       Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without parents’ or guardians’ approval

·       Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make one uncomfortable

·       Have parents or guardians report an incident to the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 if one becomes aware of the transmission of child pornography

·       Remember that people online may not be who they say they are

·       Remember that everything one reads on the Internet may not be true

5.10.5 Children’s Internet Protection Act

It is the library’s policy to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)] as it is currently applied to public libraries.

This Internet Safety Policy was adapted by the Sitka Public Library Board Commission at a public meeting, following normal public notice, on June 26, 2002. It was revised and adopted on January 29, 2003.

5.10.6 Library Policy and Guidelines

To make the Internet available to as many people as possible and to ensure that it is used in a manner consistent with Library policies, the Library has adopted rules regarding acceptable use of electronic resources. All Internet users are asked to respect the privacy and rights of others. Compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including laws governing the transmission and dissemination of information while accessing the Internet, is required. Internet users must make reservations, check-in and pay for copies with personnel at the front desk. Violation or attempted violation of any laws, regulations or policies may result in loss of library privileges and possible civil or criminal penalties. Internet users may not:

·       Use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational or communications services or resources

·       Distribute unsolicited advertising

·       Engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory

·       Use the Internet for any illegal/unauthorized activity, including the violation of copyright law

·       Make any attempt to damage or tamper with computer equipment or software

·       Remove privacy screens from monitors

·       Use an Internet access computer for more than one hour a day without staff permission

5.10.7 Supervision and Monitoring

The Library endeavors to provide Internet access in an inviting, healthy learning environment in which individuals are encouraged to safely access, explore and discover the world. The Library staff neither supervises nor monitors Internet access for the public.

5.10.8 Guidelines on Access to Information

Sitka Public Library is guided by the following American Library Association statements on access to information:

·       The Library Bill of Rights

·       Freedom to Read

·       Intellectual Freedom Statement

5.11 Policies Regarding Law Enforcement Requests for Patron Information

5.11.1 Background

Sitka Public Library has certain legal obligations that come from the "USA Patriot

Act" as well as professional concerns for privacy and information in a free society. The

Library Board Commission has established guidelines for responding to requests from
law enforcement authorities for Library records involving patron data, while keeping in
mind the American Library Association Code of Ethics which recognizes that we protect
each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality.

5.11.2 Application of the Law

The "USA Patriot Act" supercedes state laws that control access to patron records.

Should an individual or individuals representing themselves as law enforcement agents approach the Library staff requesting access to records involving patron data or information about library users with or without any form of written authorization, staff shall inform them that they are not authorized to provide the information and immediately notify the Library Director or Acting Library Director and the City Attorney.

The existence of an information request, the nature of the request and the names of

the library patrons are to be treated in the strictest confidence and are not to be
discussed or revealed, as required by the USA Patriot Act.

5.11.3 Patron Data Retention

Library Records, which may be the focus of law enforcement requests, include

electronic, print, and other forms of patron information. Archives of information that
reveal identities of individuals should be kept only when clearly necessary for the
regular operation of library business.

5.12 Display Policy

Sitka Public Library displays are prepared or approved by staff, who use

experienced judgment regarding display materials and topics of community interest.
The Library welcomes exhibits and displays of interest, information and enlightenment
to the community by individuals, organizations or community groups. Application for
exhibits or displays will be made through the Displays Librarian on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Library shall have the final decision on the arrangement of all exhibits or displays.

In developing library exhibits, staff will present a broad spectrum of ideas and viewpoints. Just as libraries do not endorse the beliefs or affiliations of those whose work is represented in their collections, libraries do not endorse the beliefs or viewpoints of topics which may be the subject of library exhibits. Patrons concerned about display topics or materials are encouraged to discuss those concerns with a library staff member and/or the Library Director. Patrons who wish to have the library reconsider display topics or materials may use the library's Request for Reconsideration form. The Library Director will decide what action is appropriate and notify the patron. If the complainant is not satisfied with the Library Director's decision, (s)he may submit a written appeal to the Library Board Commission, which will review the matter during its next meeting. The Library Board Commission will consider the appeal and inform the complainant(s) of its decision. If the patron is not satisfied with the Commission's decision, he or she may make an appeal to the City Manager.

The Library assumes no responsibility for the preservation1 protection or possible damage or theft of any item exhibited or displayed. All items placed in the library are done so at the owner's risk.