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Access To Library Materials and Services Policy![[Book]](book.jpg)
All of the West Warwick Public Library's resources
and services are provided equally to all library users. Parents or guardians
are responsible for their children's use of library resources and services.
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On
this page you will find the library's rules and polices on the following
topics: |
Library CardsWest Warwick Public Library 1043 Main St. West Warwick, RI 02893 When applying for a library card, two forms of identification are required; one needs to have the patron's current address. For children under the age of twelve the library will accept one piece of identification with the child's name and one with the family's name and current address. A parent or guardian must sign the child's application. Some acceptable forms of identification are:
Any person who shall borrow library property,
and who, upon neglect to return the same within the time required
and specified by the library owning the property, after receiving
notice in writing that the same is overdue, shall upon further
neglect to return the same within sixty (60) days from the date
of notice, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more
than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
Loan Periods and Overdue Fees
Books Please
note: All Books
Damage Charges Will be determined in each individual case according to the extent of the damage to the item. 
Four
(4) items (compact discs, books on tape,books on compact disc, children’s
kits and language kits) may be borrowed at one time,
by the cardholder only.Overdue
fines are .10 per day per audio item. Maximum fine is $6.00 per audio
item. A total of three (3) video cassettes or dvd’s per household may be borrowed at one time, by the cardholder only. Overdue fines are $1.00 per day, per video or dvd, with a maximum fine of $10.00 per item. You may reserve video cassettes and dvd’s. In
order to borrow audio/visual materials, you will need to have your
own OSL card with you. The card must be free of overdue items and
fines. The Checkout service area will shut down five (5) minutes before
closing. The
library is not responsible for any problems patrons may have when
using A/V materials. Patrons are responsible for any damage to materials
they have borrowed. All library resources are provided equally to all library users. Parents or guardians are responsible for their children’s use of library resources. The West Warwick Public Library assumes no responsibility for children’s use of library resources.
Internet Acceptable Use PolicyThe world of online information is filled with resources that can entertain, educate, and expand your horizons. The library will serve as your gateway to this new world, as it has always connected you to information sources. Here are some things you should know about the library's role as gateway: The West Warwick Public Library does not endorse and has no control over the information accessed online and cannot be held responsible for its content. Online sources, including the Internet, comprise a global entity with a highly diverse user population and library patrons use it at their own risk. Not all online sources provide accurate, complete or current information. Please exercise caution in assessing the validity of information you find online. You should be aware that there are some information resources that are inappropriate to a library setting. Because the library is a public place, the library staff has the authority to end an online session when inappropriate material is displayed on the screen. Also, patrons may not access chat rooms/programs, or access sites that have chat as a component. All online
resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all
library users. Parents or guardians are responsible for their children's
use of online resources and are advised to supervise their children's
online sessions. The West Warwick Public library assumes no responsibility
for children's use of online resources. Parents/legal guardians are
strongly encouraged to review and discuss SafeKids.com's
Rules for Online Safety with their children before accessing the
Internet. Users may not use the service to upload, transmit or post copyrighted or otherwise protected material and/or software to the Internet without the permission of the owner(s) or person(s) owning the copyright or other intellectual property rights in the transmitted materials. Downloading from the Internet copyrighted or otherwise protected material must be done with the express permission of the owner(s) or otherwise authorized persons regarding copying, redistribution, modification or publication. The library is not responsible for any software or shareware fees incurred through the downloading of software. Users may not use the identity of the West Warwick Public Library as an educational institution to download software designated "for educational use only" for personal use. Software registered
to the West Warwick Public Library is not intended for personal use
and copies of the applications may not be made for home use. Doing
so is a violation of US copyright laws and the library's licensing
agreement with software publishers. Access to West Warwick Public
Library electronic services will be terminated for such a violation. Unauthorized
access to the West Warwick Public Library service through its server(s)
is strictly prohibited. Patrons will not engage in any such activity
or attempt to access the service for the purpose of altering or manipulating
the hardware or software (hacking). The West Warwick
Public Library reserves the right to suspend or terminate your access
to the Internet or other network services without prior notice at
anytime and for any reason. Violations of the law, such as destruction
or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library
or other users will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner.
Illegal acts involving library computing resources may also be subject
to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities. In general the library will treat information displayed on its computers and/or printers as confidential. Requests for disclosure of information will be answered immediately only in emergency situations such as bomb threats or when the police can verify a threat of immediate danger. In all other situations such as routine or follow-up investigations, the library will require a warrant or other legal search document before complying with the disclosure request. Users access their own data, files, email, and other forms of direct electronic communication on public computers at their own risk. The library is not responsible for the loss or corruption of a patron's local or Internet-based digital information. The library is not responsible for any corruption, loss, or misuse of a patron's digital information that is submitted online. The
West Warwick Public Library reserves the right to modify this policy
at any time.
Meeting Room Policy1. West Warwick Public Library's meeting room is
available free of charge to non-profit organizations for meetings
of an educational, cultural, or civic nature, that are held during
regular library hours.
4. Continuing and repetitious use of the meeting room is rarely permitted. 5. To defray the library's cost of utilities and equipment maintenance, there will be a $25 charge made to any group planning to serve refreshments. This charge is payable at the time of application, and is non-refundable. No refreshments or beverages will be provided by the library. 6. All groups are required to leave the meeting area in a neat, clean, and orderly condition. This is not the responsibility of the library custodian. A vacuum cleaner is available. If the room is not left in a clean and orderly condition, the organization will not be allowed to use the meeting room in the future.
8. Smoking is prohibited by state law. This rule is strictly enforced because of the library's sprinkler system. Any expenses incurred by the library, due to a violation of the Rhode Island No Smoking Law, will be billed to the organization that has used the meeting room. 9. The person signing the application form assumes full responsibility for the group, agreeing that the organization will pay all charges for damages or cleaning fees. 10. The library is not responsible for equipment, clothing, or other items left on its premises at the close of a meeting. 11. Permission to any group to use the meeting room does not constitute endorsement by the West Warwick Public Library of that group's philosophy or objectives. 12. A library-sponsored program has priority over other uses of the meeting room. 13. Decisions as to the use of the meeting room by any group will be made by the Library Director/Board of Trustees. The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to deny any meeting room application after review.
Policy on Lost Or Damaged Books
When a book is determined to be lost, the patron is fined any overdue charges, the replacement cost of the book as listed in a standard bibliographic source, and a $2.00 fine to cover the library's cost in processing the replacement. If the book is out of print, the standard replacement cost is $15.00, the combined average cost of adult and children's books. The patron is given a receipt for the amount paid. It frequently happens that shortly after paying the assessment, the patron locates and returns the book. In this event, the library will refund the amount paid, minus the overdue charges and the $2.00 processing fee, provided the patron can produce the receipt. No refunds will be given after 90 days.
When an item is returned damaged, and the extent of the damage is such that, in the judgment of the Head of Circulation or any professional librarian on staff, the item cannot be returned to the shelf for further circulation, the following options may apply:
February 12, 2007
Policy on Disruptive Behavior In the Library Or On Library GroundsIt is the policy of the library to provide a safe
and appropriate environment both within the library building and on
library grounds to facilitate the public's use of the library's services
and resources. When the behavior of a patron constitutes a disruption
which interferes with the use of the library by other patrons or which
interferes with a staff member's completion of his/her duties, the
following progressive steps will be taken:
All instances of verbal warning, eviction, and notification of police will be documented and logged by the staff of the department in question. Behaviors which will result in warnings and then evictions from the library and its premises:
Behaviors which will result in the immediate calling of the police:
A minor who has been evicted from the building more than twice or
whose disruptive behavior has resulted in the police being called
will not be allowed to use the library again unless accompanied by
a parent or guardian. When possible, a letter will be sent to the
parent or guardian stating this policy. The minor will be allowed
to use the library again without parental supervision only after the
parent/guardian has spoken with the Library Director, Assistant Director,
or Head of the department where the offense occurred; and only
at the discretion of the Head of the department.
March 10, 1997
Policy On Unattended Children
It is the policy of the library to provide a safe and appropriate
environment for library users of all ages. The library is, however,
a public building with staff trained to provide public library services.
The library is not equipped, nor is it the library's role, to provide
long- or short-term daycare for children of any age. Aside from the
planned programs, services, and activities designed for specific age
groups, the library's staff is not responsible for supervising or
tending to the needs of individual users or groups of users.
Accordingly, children under the age of eight must always be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible childcare provider while in the library. If a child under the age of eight is attending a library program or activity, the parent, guardian, or responsible childcare provider must remain in the Children's Department throughout the program. In general, parents of any minor children should not leave them unattended for long periods at the library. This is especially important in the evening. The library closes at 9 p.m. or at 5 p.m., and children should be picked up no later than five minutes before closing time. Police will be notified concerning any children left alone at the library after closing time. Parents
are responsible for the behavior of their children in the library,
whether or not the parents are present.
March 10, 1997
Cell Phone Policy
May 2003
Donation PolicyAs always we are grateful to get more books, as they
are our stock in Trade! Our general rule of thumb is that we can use
books that are general interest and are likely to be checked out by
several readers. Here are our more specific guidelines for what we
do and do not accept:
We do accept:
Although the library receives many donations which fall into the acceptable category, we cannot always use them. For donations, the library applies the same selection criteria for inclusion in the collection as it applies to materials it purchases. Some of the reason a book may not be added to the collection are:
The Library reserves the right to dispose of all material donated to it and not accepted for the collection. This means the library may put the book up for sale or discard it. The Library does not evaluate the worth of any books, including donations. For tax purposes, you are urged to make a list of each title donated, along with author, publisher, date, whether the book is a hardcover or paperback, and your best good-faith estimate of its value. Your tax prepareer will advise you how or whether to proceed in claiming deductions. If the material you want to donate falls under our guidelines and if you agree with the conditions described above, please call the Circulation Department at 828-3750 to make arrangements to deliver the materials to the library. October 1999
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