Warren Public Library logo

Policies

If you have any questions concerning these policies, please talk to the library staff.

Loans

  1. All periodicals and DVDs are loaned for a period of one (1) week. New DVDs are loaned for a period of three (3) days.  Books are loaned for three (3) weeks with renewal privileges, unless the book is on a reserve/hold list.
  2. Patrons may request an item be reserved/held for them, and they will be notified when that item is returned and available.

Items from other Evergreen Indiana libraries will be lent under the owning library’s lending policies, not Warren Public Library’s policies.

Fines

  1. A fine of 25¢ per day will be charged for each overdue item. The fine shall not exceed the replacement cost of the item.
  2. For lost items, the cost of the replacement plus a $10.00 processing fee will be charged.
  3. Patrons who have large unpaid fines, or who fail to return or pay for lost library materials, will have their library privileges suspended, or, in extreme cases, may be subject to prosecution (Indiana Code 20-13-31).

Visual Materials

  1. Any person with a valid Warren Public Library Evergreen Indiana Card who does not have overdue materials or owe an overdue fine may borrow visual materials.
  2. New DVDs are loaned for three (3) days.
  3. Do not return a DVD in the book drop. You should place it in the designated slot in the east door.
  4. Any damage discovered by the patron should be reported to the library. If the DVD becomes damaged by the patron, that patron will be responsible for the full price of the item and the $10.00 processing fee. The Warren Public Library is not responsible for any damage a DVD may cause to a patron’s video equipment.
  5. Checkouts are limited to no more than 10 per patron at any given time, or 3 for new releases.

Library Computer and Network Usage Policies

  1. Users must have a current library card with no fines or fees on the account and a limitation of liability form on file or have a visitor’s limitation of liability form on file.
  2. Users will be limited to one hour per day unless staff deem the time be extended for educational or vocational activities.
  3. Programs cannot be added or downloaded to the computers except by staff.
  4. Library equipment may not be used for duplication which violates copyright laws.
  5. Users may not save data on the library’s computer hard drive or alter the computer setup. All computers are reset each day, and any downloaded or transferred data will be deleted.
  6. If users need to save data, they must supply their own storage device, i.e. USB flash drive.
  7. Users are financially responsible for any damage to library hardware or software. If the user is a minor, the parents or guardians are responsible.
  8. Warren Public Library is not responsible for any user data loss under any conditions.
  9. No food or beverages are allowed in the computer area.
  10. Computers may be reserved for educational or vocational use. The reservation will hold until ten (10) minutes after the requested time.  The library circulation desk clock will be considered the official timepiece.
  11. Staff can only assist as time and personal knowledge allow. Users should not expect assistance with activities and programs.
  12. Users under the age of eighteen (18) must have a parental permission form on file.
  13. Users under the age of ten (10) must be supervised by an adult.
  14. Users will be charged $0.15 per black and white and $0.25 per color printed pages.  You will be charged for all pages printed including any pages printed by mistake.  Ask for assistance before printing if unclear on how to limit printing.
  15. Staff may deny computer use due to inappropriate behavior or computer activity.
  16. No more than two (2) users may be at each computer station without permission from library staff.
  17. Any issues not noted herein will be subject to staff discretion and review by the library board.

Public Computer Acceptable Use and Safety Policy

 Responsibilities of network users:

  • Use appropriate language: Use of profanity or obscenity will not be tolerated.
  • Avoid offensive or inflammatory speech: Community members must respect the rights of others in the local and the Internet community.  Personal attacks will not be tolerated.
  • Follow copyright and fair use: Copyright issues regarding software, information, and attributions of authorship must be respected.  Unauthorized copying or transfer of copyrighted materials will not be tolerated.
  • Do not re-post personal communications without the original author’s consent: It is a violation of the author’s privacy to re-post without prior consent unless the author posted to a public forum such as a listserv or newsgroup.  However, proper attribution should be given.
  • Work within the legal boundaries of Internet and network usage: Tampering with computer hardware or software, unauthorized entry into computers or accounts, or vandalism and destruction of computer files are considered criminal activities under state and federal law.
  • Avoid the spreading of computer viruses: If you obtain software of files from remote sources, follow proper procedures to check for viruses before use.  Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance of the network or any computer system or network on the Internet by spreading computer viruses is considered criminal activity under state and federal law.
  • Take full responsibility for the use of your online accounts: All violations of this policy that can be traced to an individual account will be treated as the sole responsibility of the holder of that account.   Under no circumstances should you give your account name or password to another individual.
  • Do not impersonate other users: You must be the legitimate holder of the online account to use it on the library’s network.
  • Use proper identity recognition: Anonymity is not allowed on the network.  Users must take responsibility for their own actions and words.
  • Present polite behavior in the virtual world: When accessing locations on the Internet, users must conduct themselves as representatives of the library network as a whole.  Conduct which is deemed to conflict with the responsibilities outlined in this document will result in the loss of network privileges.

Activities which will cause a user to lose network privileges:

  • Harassing other users.
  • Libeling or slandering others.
  • Damaging or destroying equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users.
  • Disrupting or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.
  • Violating copyright laws.
  • Misusing confidential information
  • Viewing pornography

Ethical Use:

Users of the public access computers and wireless network will comply with ethical standards of the library.

Users will not…

  • Tamper with computer and network security.
  • Use computer accounts, access codes, or identification numbers assigned to others without prior authorization from the holder.
  • Slow the network for all other users with downloads,
  • Violate software license agreements.
  • Impose upon another user’s privacy.

Expectation of Privacy:

Users have the right to privacy in their communications; however, since the library is a public tax supported unit, Warren Public Library reserves the right to review usage with probable cause.

Children’s Internet Protection Acts:

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Act (N-CIPA), passed by Congress in 2000, require that libraries receiving federal funds must use Internet filtering technology/software on all computer stations.  All Warren Public Library computer stations have filtering software to block visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and other materials considered inappropriate or harmful to minors.  This filtering also applies to the wireless access points.

Disclaimer:

Due to the changeable nature of the Internet, no filtering can always be completely effective in preventing access to objectionable materials.  Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet via the library’s access points.  Users must also realize that not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information.  Warren Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of its technology.

 Internet Safety Issues:

 Any user who receives threatening or unwelcome communications should bring it to the attention of the system administrator.  Users, however, must be aware that many services available on the Internet could potentially be offensive to certain groups of users.  The designers and administrators of the network cannot eliminate access to such services; therefore, the user must take responsibility for navigating the Internet.

Intellectual Freedom:

 The Internet and network are free and open forums for expression, including viewpoints which may be considered by some to be unorthodox or unpopular.  No official sanctions will be imposed upon the expression of personal opinion which is inside the parameters of the law.  Users of the Internet and network should be aware that other community members may be openly critical of such opinions.  Any statement of personal belief is implicitly understood to be representative of the author’s individual viewpoint and not the view of the Warren Public Library network or administrators.