Library Policies
CIRCULATION POLICY
CIRCULATION PROCEDURES
INTERLIBRARY LOAN PROCEDURES
INTERNET USE POLICY
MEETING ROOM POLICY
The Library will be open during hours most convenient to the public for at least 30 hours a week. The Library will observe county holidays.
The Library will serve residents of the local community and the outlying areas. People outside San Saba County will also be served at no charge. However, cards will be issued at the discretion of the Library Director. Patrons must fill out an application form to apply for a library card. Identification is required. A driver’s license is preferred. However, any other official ID or recent nonpersonal piece of mail may be accepted. Applicants under 17 years old must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form before a card can be issued.
All materials may be checked out for a period of time determined by the Library Director with renewal privileges available unless there is a waiting list. Reference books and current periodicals are for in-library use only. Patrons, such as teachers, may be granted extended loan periods for special need circumstances. The Library Director will determine which books or materials will be loaned for extended periods.
Fines are charged for overdue books with the amount being set by the Library Director. No fines will be charged for the days that the Library is closed.
Charges for lost or damaged books are based on replacement cost.
The use of the Library or its services may be denied for due cause, such as failure to pay penalties, stealing of Library property, destruction of Library property, disturbances to other patrons, or any other objectionable conduct or illegal conduct on the Library premises.
The Rylander Memorial Library adheres to the American Association Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records.
The library will serve residents of the local community and the outlying areas. People outside San Saba County will also be served at no charge. However, cards will be issued at the discretion of the Library Director.
Patrons must present a library card or file for one before taking materials. Identification is required. A driver’s license is preferred. However, any other official ID or recent non-personal piece of mail may be accepted. Out of county patrons are indicated by placing "OC" in the Group 1 field. Applicants under 17 years of age must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form before a card can be issued.
Staff will not "loan or check out" to anyone without a card unless that staff member can personally verify their identity and then find them in the patron list in the computer.
All materials may be checked out for two weeks. Renewals are allowed if there are no reserves on the item. (As earlier stated, patrons, such as teachers, may be granted extended loan periods for a special need. The Library Director will determine which books or materials will be loaned for extended periods.) Materials will be stamped with the appropriate date just below the Rylander bar code on the upper right hand corner of the back cover.
Reserves may be placed on items using the software program on the computer.
When checking in materials, staff will navigate to the "check in" screen and scan the bar code in the upper right hand corner of the back cover. Fines are $0.10 on all materials per day up to the replacement value. There is no charge for days the Library is closed. The collection box for change is located under front desk. Staff will place materials on rolling cart to be shelved.
Items should not be "loaned or checked-out" to anyone with outstanding library materials. Patrons should be notified of overdue materials promptly (two weeks past due date is customary). This may be accomplished by mail or phone. If a response is not forthcoming, then a delinquent list may be sent to the County Attorney for his assistance in the matter. Replacement value for lost items should be collected and the item deleted from the data file.
Reference books and current periodicals are for in-library use only.
Magazines and paperbacks are an exchange among patrons. They may take as many as they wish. For statistics, staff members should note the number taken by going to "record in-house use" and scanning the appropriate number of magazines, paperbacks, large print books, or interlibrary loan items. Please note, recording the number of returned items is not necessary.
Librarians must protect each user’s right to privacy with respect to information sought or received and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired.
When local resources are not sufficient to satisfy a patron’s needs, interlibrary loan may be used. This service is offered through the Central Texas Library System. There is an 800 number available to place orders. Online orders are encouraged using the World Cat database. Instructions are available.
INFORMATION NEEDED FOR REQUEST
author, last name first
title
VERIFICATION
Although full bibliographic information is preferred, it is frequently possible to locate a book with only partial information. Many times a book can be found by author or title only, especially if the patron has an idea of the date of the book.
Staff will indicate patron’s name and phone number and the date item is ordered. When item arrives, make note of the date and notify patron.
SUBJECT REQUESTS
The more specific and detailed a subject request is, the better the chance of determining its availability. Staff should interview the patron carefully to determine the need. Also, patron age, interest level, and previous knowledge should be included. Time constraints prohibit any sort of in-depth research.
MATERIALS AND SERVICES UNAVAILABLE
New books (published within the last 12 months), popular books, paperback books in print costing $3.00 or less, audio-visual materials, genealogy subject requests, and rush requests for material needed for periods of time less than two weeks.
RENEWALS
ILL books can be renewed once by calling the ILL Office. ILL staff will need to know the original due date as well as author and title. Books borrowed from other libraries must be renewed by contacting the library directly. Most libraries will allow an additional two weeks but if they request you return the book, please do immediately. If there is no response for the request of renewal, it may be assumed the patron may have the materials for an additional two weeks. If the renewal request must be made over OCLC, please call ILL and their staff will gladly do so.
In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Rylander Library endeavors to develop collections, resources and services that meet the informational, recreational, cultural and educational needs of the citizens of San Saba County.
The Rylander library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its contents. As with other library materials, restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian.
Internet Usage Procedures
To maximize Internet availability and to insure fair accessibility for all, please follow these procedures:
1. USER RESPONSIBILITIES OR ACCEPTABLE USE
1.1-You must have a current Rylander Library card (with no overdue items and no fines owed) in order to sign-up and use the public access Internet computers.
1.2-All users will be responsible for reading the Library’s Internet Use Policy before using one of the library’s Internet computers.
1.3-Users are expected to treat library materials and equipment in a responsible manner which will help to preserve the materials and to insure availability for other users. Users are financially responsible for damages they cause to the equipment.
1.4-Users are expected to obey the library policies and procedures. Failure to comply will result in the loss of Internet privileges.
1.5-Designated Internet stations will be located where they can be monitored by staff for assistance and security. Please ask a staff member if you need help. However, due to Library Staff scheduling and expertise, Internet-trained staff may not always be available to help you.
1.6-Library visitors who are traveling through the area and want to check their email may do so by providing a photocopy of their ID and then checking out a computer.
1.7-When using the Internet on the computer always close each site and return to the main screen before leaving the station. All computer activity must stop ten (10) minutes prior to the library closing time.
2. RULES OF CONDUCT
2.1- Do not make copies of resources that are protected by copyright. Such resources may include, but are not limited to, software, data, text files, images, and sounds. The Rylander Library reserves the right to confiscate illegal copies that are created with library equipment.
2.2- Do not interfere with the operation of any computer. Do not alter, damage, or destroy data or computer programs. These acts may be considered a misdemeanor or felony crime under Texas state law ( SECTION 1. Title7, chapter 33, Section 33.02a). Misuse of the computer or Internet access (i.e. tampering with files, saving data to the hard drive, etc.) will result in loss of computer privileges.
2.3- Do not save or download files to the hard drive (C Drive:).
2.4- Do not turn off the Internet computers. If you have a problem or a question, please ask a library staff member. Failure to comply may result in loss of Internet privileges.
2.5- The library Internet computers cannot be used for the creation or maintenance of a commercial web site.
2.6- The viewing of any obscene or pornographic material on the Library’s Internet Computers is in violation of the TEXAS PENAL CODE, Sections 43.21, 43.22, and 43.24 and Rylander Library policy and is not allowed. Anyone accessing such material on the library’s computers would be displaying (in a public facility) obscene or pornographic material (that may be considered sexually offensive to the view of minors). Individuals who violate this policy will lose their Library Internet privileges.
The displaying of such material to a minor (or anyone younger than 18 years) is considered a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable for up to 1 year in jail or up to $4000 in fines or both.
The following actions are cause for removal of networking privileges. They include sending, receiving, or displaying of text or graphics that may be reasonably construed as obscene.
3. RESERVATIONS
3.1- All computers are available on a first come, first serve basis. Library staff may reserve the Internet terminal for longer periods when demonstrations or training sessions are scheduled.
3.2- An individual may use the Internet Access computers for a maximun of 2 sessions of one hour each and may not access the computers for a minimum of one hour between sessions.
3.3- Children under the age of 18 must have a signed parental/legal guardian Permission Slip/Internet Contract on file in order to use the Internet computers. Unless a parent/legal guardian/caretaker is present with minors, they may not access the Internet.
(The Rylander Library does not assume any responsibility for the use of the Internet by minors. It is impossible for the library staff to control information contained on specific World Wide Web or Telnet sites. It is the responsibility of the user (or his or her parent or legal guardian) to determine what is appropriate on the Internet. Furthermore, some information on the Internet may not be completely accurate. The Rylander Library cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information taken from the public access Internet stations.)
3.4- Children under the age of 14 must have a parent/legal guardian/caretaker present at all times when accessing the Internet on the library computer. Children 6 years are younger must be accompanied at the terminal by a parent or legal guardian.
4. CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET
Patrons may access the Internet at each of the terminals. After touching the mouse or computer, please allow a few seconds for the screen to appear if it has been in "power save mode." If you have questions, please ask a library staff member.
5. RESTRICTIONS
5.1- Only two (2) registered users per terminal (unless the user is a child under the age of 18 who may have a parent/legal guardian/caretaker present to assist them).
5.2- Email (electronic mail) is available at the library only through web sites.
5.3- No subscribing to List serves.
5.4- No sending messages to a Usenet news group or chat room.
5.5-No interactive games are allowed.
5.6- Do not save or download files to the hard drive (C Drive:) Files may be saved to floppy disks in Drive A only. Users MAY NOT use their own diskettes. Diskettes are available for $1.00 each at the front desk.
Warning: Although virus-checkers are on the Library’s computer, this will not completely protect patrons from the chance of getting a virus. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and patrons need to have virus-checking software on their computer.
5.7- Printing: Anyone may print material from the Internet using the library printer. Black & white copies are $0.10 per page and color copies are $0.50 per page. The color printer is capable of scanning and faxing. Please note, costs include pages printed whether kept or not. Printing without paying will result in withdrawal of all computer-use privileges.
5.8- Patrons may not use their own software programs on the Internet Access computer. This will help prevent computer viruses that are common on public computers.
6. FAILURE TO CONNECT
6.1- At times, patrons may be unable to access certain Internet sites. Some reasons for this are:
- the database or resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case patrons would need to be affiliated with the institution in order to gain access
- the host computer has changed its address or has closed down
- the library’s Internet connection may be periodically and temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties
General Guidelines
The meeting room of the Rylander Memorial Library is designed to fill general informational, educational, cultural, and civic needs of the community including activities such as discussion groups, panels, lectures, conferences, seminars, exhibits, displays, story times, puppet shows, and video viewing.
The meeting room will seat people "auditorium style." The room may also be set up with table and chairs. A slide projector and a TV for video viewing are available for use.
The library staff will provide supervision of meeting room activities during library hours.
All activities taking place in the library meeting room should be free of charge and open to the public. The only exceptions are when paid registration is necessary to cover expenses for the institutes or seminars being held in cooperation with the library or payment of fees for noncredit adult educational courses regularly conducted by established educational institutions. In either case, special permission must be obtained from the Library Director.
Use of the library meeting room does not constitute endorsement by the library, library board, or the county of "points of view" expressed by participants in the program. No advertisement or announcements implying such endorsement will be permitted.
Local groups wishing to have committee or board meetings may use the meeting room of the library free of charge during regular library hours on a first-come, first-serve basis. It may be used after hours only if a responsible county employee or member of the "Friends of the Library" is present.
Rules Of Use
Reservations for the library facilities will be made on a first come, first serve basis with the county and library sponsored functions having priority. Reservations should be made a minimum of 48 hours in advance, but no more than 60 days in advance. To insure the widest possible use of the meeting room, irregular meetings are encouraged and take priority. However, permission for regularly scheduled meetings on a monthly basis will be granted when possible.
The individual making the reservation as well as the membership of the group as a whole, will be held responsible for any and all damages that may occur as a result of the use of the facilities.
Permission to use the library facilities may be withheld from groups damaging the room, carpet, equipment, or furniture, or causing a disturbance, or any other failure to comply with rules and regulations.
Restrictions
The meeting room may not be reserved for:
- Social gatherings such as showers, birthday parties, dances, etc.
- Religious services (religious study groups are permitted)
- Commercial groups or purposes, such as in-service training programs, club bake sales, etc.
- Gatherings held for financial gain
No admission charges, collections or any other money-raising activities may be attached to any meeting held in library facilities.
Attendance must be limited to the capacity of the individual meeting room.
Care of the Facilities
Facilities are to be left as found. No additional furniture or equipment other than that already available in the room will be provided. Groups are responsible for their own setup and cleanup.
Equipment, supplies, or personal effects cannot be stored or left in the library.
Smoking is not permitted in the library building.
Light refreshments may be served in the meeting room. A sink, refrigerator, microwave, and stove are available. Again, groups will be responsible for any associated cleanup.