Evergreen Indiana Checkout Policies
1. Books … check out for 21 days. Books have two renewals available unless another patron has a hold on that material. If a hold is in place then the book will not renew. These renewals my be updated through My Account. New books check out for 14 days and have 1 renewals.
2. Videos and DVDs … check out for 7 days and may be renewed once. New DVDs check out for 3 days and may not be renewed Please return DVDs in the DVD drop box only.
3. Magazines … back issues check out for 14 days. Current issues do not check out.
4. Music CDs … check out for 14 days unless otherwise posted.
5. Books on CD … check out for 21 days.
Hagerstown – Jefferson Township Library does not collect fees for late returns through our library. Other Evergreen Indiana libraries have a standard late fee of $.25 a day. A maximum fine of $10.00 is allowed to accumulate before the patron is no longer allowed to borrow additional materials. The fine must be paid down below $10.00 before the borrowing privilege is reinstated, even if those fees were not through the Hagerstown – Jefferson Township Library.
Items borrowed at the Hagerstown – Jefferson Township Library do NOT incur overdue charges until an item has not been returned 45 days following its due date. At that point, the item shall be marked as lost and the borrowing patron will be assessed the full purchase price of the item as well as a $10 reprocessing fee. Items borrowed from Hagerstown Library at another Evergreen Indiana library shall be subject to that library’s fine and fee policy.
Internet Use in the Library
All patrons may access the internet by requesting use of one of the Public Access Computers or connecting to the Library’s wireless and accepting the Terms of Service.
Disruptive Conduct Policy
Disruptive conduct is any behavior that disrupts the normal functioning of the library. This would include, but is not limited to, loud talking and laughing, fighting, obscenity and other boisterous behavior.
Loud Talking and Laughing – It is difficult to maintain a consistent noise of quiet level, and sensitivity to noise varies from one person or group to another. Therefore, the focus will be on whether one person or group is heard above the general noise level of the library at a particular time. People conversing in louder tones than the general noise level shall be warned to lower their voices. After two warnings, individuals will be required to vacate the premises.
Fighting – No individuals shall be allowed to engage in real or pretend fighting on library property. NO WARNINGS will be issued before they are required to vacate the premises.
Obscenity – For the purposes of this policy, obscenity shall be defined as language or gestures which convey a sexually explicit message or describe intimate bodily functions in a coarse or crude manner. An individual engaging in obscenity will be given one warning before being required to leave the premises.
Boisterous Behavior – This includes, but is not limited to, running in and out of the library, excessive congregation around the computers, horseplay, and annoying other patrons. An individual will be given one warning before being required to leave the premises.
This policy shall be enforced at the thoughtful discretion of the library staff. Those individuals refusing to comply will be considered trespassers and shall be subject to action by the local law enforcement authorities.
Effective Date 9/10/2011
Form for first offense
Form for second offense
Unattended Child Policy
Parents or adult caregivers should monitor, and are responsible for, all activities and behavior of their children while they are in the library. Parents are responsible for the actions of their children in the library whether or not the parent is present. When children are left unattended at the library, problems can arise. An unattended child could have a medical emergency. Young children left alone may become frightened or confused and wander away. Older children, on their own for extended periods, may become bored and engage in disruptive behavior interfering with library use by other patrons and staff. Staff should not be placed in the position of supervising children who are too young [or immature] to be unattended. If an unattended child is being disruptive, requires excessive staff attention, is habitually left unattended for inappropriate periods of time, or is deemed to be at risk of coming to harm, an effort will be made to contact the responsible parent, guardian, or caregiver. The parent will then be reminded of the library’s Unattended Children Policy and given a copy. The library reserves the right to limit the use of the library by children and parents who, in the judgment of the library staff, are infringing upon the rights of library users by inappropriate behavior.
Due to differences in child development, children vary widely in the age at which they are able to cope with the variety of circumstances they may face alone in the library. Parents must use their judgment and discretion in determining when their children are sufficiently mature and responsible to use the library unaccompanied by an adult.
No public place can guarantee the safety of children. Since the library is a public building, situations might arise which can present risks to children. Unlike a daycare facility, the library is not a closed environment. Even though staff members respond with reasonable care and concern, they have many duties and cannot monitor everyone who enters and leaves the building. For safety’s sake, parents should make sure that their children sufficiently mature before allowing them to visit the library alone. The library staff cannot assume responsibility for any child left unattended in the library. The safety and security of the children are the responsibility of the parent or adult caregiver.
Children are always welcome in our library. We care for the safety and well being of our young patrons. Responsibility for the behavior and well being of children using the library rests with the parent or responsible adult and not with the library’s staff. While the library staff is always working to create a safe and inviting environment for all, it is necessary for parents and caregivers to do their part to insure that it is so.
