Library Card Policy - Residents of the Littlefield, Maple River, Little Traverse, and Pleasantview townships all receive free cards with full privileges (including michicard) for a period of 3 years with free renewal if they still live in the townships.

Students attending Littlefield schools can receive a free card with full privileges (no michicard ) for 1 year with free renewal after that if they still attend Littlefield schools.

Seniors (over 60) can use the Alanson Area Public Library without charge.  The privileges will be limited to only the books available on the shelves of the Alanson library.  They will not receive a library card but rather a number to be used in checking out books.

Any non-resident wanting an Alanson Area Public Library card may purchase one for $50 per family.  Each member of the family will receive their own card with full library privileges except for michicard.

 

Loan Period and Material Limits -
    videos - 1 week
    new books - 2 weeks
    regular books - 3 weeks (includes magazines)

 

Overdue Fines - fines accrue per item per calendar day with the exception of days the library is closed. 
    The fine schedule is $ .10 per day
      
    The maximum overdue fine per item is $5.00.  If your fines and fees total $10 or more your borrowing  privileges will be       suspended until the charges are paid.

     Lost/damaged book is $ replacement cost, plus $5.00 processing fee.

 

Renewing Items - Any item may be renewed for the standard loan period unless it is reserved for someone.  You can renew by phone, on line or in person a maximum of 2 times per item.

 

Confidentiality - The library privacy act, PA 455 if 1982 (MLC 397.605), guarantees the privacy of library records.  A record of overdue items may be released to the parent of guardian of a minor in an effort to secure the return of the items (Library Privacy Act Amendment 1966, PA 188)  In all other cases, no record of library material requested or obtained can be released to anyone without a court order or written permission.

Michigan Library Privacy Act - public act 455 of 1982 and usa patriot act; for the purposes of this policy, a library record (as defined in the Michigan library privacy act, is a document, record, or other method of storing information retained by a library that contains information that personally identifies a library patron, including the patrons name, address, or telephone number, or that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials from a library.  "library requests might include but are not limited to : circulation records, written reference request5sm, virtual reference request, computer usage data.

All records, formal and informal, in the Alanson Area Public Library containing patron registration information and the subsequent borrowing records of patrons are strictly confidential except as allowed in this policy.

In order to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, the contents of registration and circulation recurs shall not be available to anyone beside the library staff in the performance of library duties except under the written order of the director, such order having been issued pursuant to a proper legal process, order, or subpoena.

Upon receipt of any process, order, or subpoena from a state or local law enforcement officer (Michigan privacy act) the officer shall confer with the director or his/her designee and the legal counsel of the Alanson Area Public Library to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is proper and enforceable.

In the event the legal process fails to sufficiently identify or name in specific terms the record on file in respect to an identified library patron, the request is considered to be defective and not binding upon the library.

Mission Statement

The Alanson Area Public Library is dedicated to providing all members of the Alanson area with literacy opportunities, services and support in a friendly, courteous manner.

In accordance with our mission, we ask that all patrons comply with the following Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct

Library requests that all patrons:

Speak in soft voices.

Throw trash in proper receptacles.

When using headphones, set the volume so others cannot hear it.

Wear a shirt, shoes (no wheels) and other proper attire.

Turn cell phone ringers off, and hold phone conversations in the foyer or outside the library.

Understand that the library staff is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.

Use one chair per person and no more than two heads per computer (unless there is adult supervision at the computer)

Contain beverages in a bottle or cup with a lid or closure.

Comply with the library's Internet and computer use policies.

We ask that all refrain from:

Eating or drinking at computer work stations.

Loitering or smoking on library property.

Sleeping for longer than 15 minutes.

Rough housing on library property, including, but not limited to, pushing, throwing snowballs and running.

Using profanity or other abusive language on library property.

Riding skateboards, scooters, blades or other devices on library property.

Solicitation.

The library reserves the right to:

Limit the group size based on available space and noise level of the group.

Supervise people in any area of the library.

Inspect any bags or backpacks.

Unattended Children

The Alanson Area Public Library wishes to provide an environment that is inviting, pleasant and safe for all patrons. Children are encouraged to use and enjoy library facilities and services. Responsibility for children using the library rests with the parent or assigned caregiver. Children age three and under must be within visual contact of the accompanying responsible adult when in the library. Children under the age of seven must be under the supervision of a responsible adult when in the library. Older children may use the library unattended for an amount of time appropriate to their age and maturity. Parents or guardians are responsible for making arrangements for their children to be picked up before the library closes.

We thank everyone for compliance.

 

Non-Compliance

Any patron who is not complying with the stated code of conduct will be asked to read and sign this code of conduct. If a minor is not complying with the stated code of conduct, the minor will also be asked to have a parent signature on the code of conduct before returning to the library. If there is repeated non-compliance within six months of the first offense, the patron will be asked to leave the library for one month. Any non-compliance after this will result in the patron being asked to leave the library for a period of one year.

If a child is asked to leave for a violation of this policy, but has no transportation at the time, a parent or caregiver will be notified and the child will be supervised until a parent or guardian has arrived.

Name Date

Signature

For under 18:

Parent Name Contact Phone

Parent Signature

 

Selection policy - As a public body, the library will operate in accordance with the requirements of the first amendment and will ensure that the library collection is a marketplace of ideas which are contained in divergent materials and formats.  The library board endorses the American library associations library bill of rights, freedom to read statement, and statement on labeling.  In pursuit of ideals set forth in these co-documents, the library board supports the following   policy regarding the selection of library materials.

Procedures
Both book and non-book materials shall be chosen at the discretion of the library director and such staff members as the director may designate.  Selection of materials shall be determined by the staffs professional judgment, which shall be based upon either first hand examination of the materials or on reviews taken from competent reviewing sources.  Suggestions for titles from library patrons are welcome with the understanding that these titles shall be subjected to the same criteria that are used for staff-selected items.  Materials will be purchased in non-book formats when that is the most useful form of presentation of the information.

Controversial materials
The board considers it the duty of the library to provide library patrons with materials representing the full spectrum of current thought on issues in contemporary society, including access to digital information.  Individual items which in and of themselves may be controversial or offensive to some may appropriately be selected if their inclusion will contribute to the balance and effectiveness of the library collection as a whole.  Insofar as facilities and resources permit, the library staff shall attempt to include all sides of controversial issues in the collection.
Factors to be considered in adding specific material/s to the library collection shall include:
Present collection composition
Interest
Demand

 

GIFT POLICY

Materials in General – Gifts of library materials will be accepted and added to the collection only if they are needed and meet the criteria of the collection development policy. Items not added to the collection will be sold by the Friends of the Library, given to other libraries or discarded.

Collections – Gift collections will be accepted only by the Director, with the counsel of the Board of Trustees as appropriate, and with the understanding that the collection may not be kept intact.

Periodicals – Gift periodicals will be evaluated to determine their suitability for adding to the collection.

Return of Items – Once a gift is accepted by the library it will not be returned (see Donation of Materials Form below).

Recognition Gifts – The library welcomes monetary gifts for purchase of library materials given in recognition of individuals or organizations.

Other Monetary Gifts – The library welcomes gifts of cash for the direct purchase of library materials and will try to accommodate the subject or title preferences of the donor. Substantial cash offerings, securities, and bequests will be handled by the Director, who, with the Board of Trustees, will work out terms of acceptance that are compatible with library policies, the donor's intent, and applicable laws.

Real Estate or Other Personal Property – The library will accept gifts of real property that support the mission of the library. Such offers will be handled by the Director, who, with the Board of Trustees, will determine the suitability of the gift and work out terms of acceptance that are compatible with library policies, the donor's intent, and applicable laws.

Evaluation – When able, the library will provide a written acknowledgment of the receipt of gifts, but in accordance with income tax regulations will leave the determination of a value of the donation to the donor.

 

HB5389 of 1997

PA 370 of 1998

MCL Act 24 of 1989 (section 397.182)

PA 20 of 1943

 

COMPUTER/INTERNET POLICY Revised: 10/7/07

Welcome to the Alanson Area Public Library’s public access computers. To maximize computer availability, and to ensure fair accessibility for all, please follow these rules and procedures.

General Computing Guidelines

Please sign in to reserve a computer work station.

You must first accept this computer use policy in order to log onto any of our workstations.

If you have difficulties with a computer, please ask for help at the information desk. Do not move to another computer. You will not be allotted time on more than one work station.

There is a one-session limit on the workstations when others are waiting, and a two-session limit per person per day. Sessions last up to one-half hour.

USB ports are available for data exchange.

Anyone changing the software or computer settings will be denied use of the workstations and may be held liable for any charges incurred to correct the damage.

A black and white laser printer is available at a charge of 20 cents per page. Personal paper may be used. Please ask for help loading the paper. A 20 cents per page charge will still be incurred. A color printer is also available at a charge of 30 cents per page. All prints are picked up and paid for at the circulation desk.

To use a computer, you must have a general understanding of computers and Windows applications. Please ask if assistance is needed.

Library computing resources may only be used for legal purposes. Examples of unacceptable purposes include, but are not limited to, the following:

Ø Harassment of other users or library staff

Ø Libel or slander of other users

Ø Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users

Ø Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications

Ø Any attempts at "hacking" (obtaining unauthorized entry) into any computer system or database

Ø Exchange or duplication of software programs protected under copyright laws

Wireless access is available.

Patrons using the library computers and library internet access, must follow this Computer and Internet Use Policy. By logging on to use a computer, you agree to read and abide by these policies and rules. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the loss of your computer and/or library privileges.

General Internet Guidelines

The Alanson Area Public Library endeavors to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the informational and educational needs of a diverse community. It is within this context that the Alanson Area Public Library offers access to the Internet.

1. The Alanson Area Public Library may monitor computer usage but has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Library staff may be available, to the best of their knowledge, to assist patrons with the Internet. Library patrons may encounter material that is inaccurate or that they consider offensive. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users need to be responsible information consumers, questioning the validity of the information found.

2. While patrons are free to access whatever Internet sites they wish, the library must also be mindful and respectful of the rights of other patrons (particularly children), to not be exposed to material and images they (or their parents) may find personally unsuitable. Therefore, staff members will request that a patron remove any images or text from an Internet workstation screen if, in the staff member’s judgment, the image or text is displayed in such a way that other patrons, particularly children, cannot avoid viewing it in the course of carrying out their business in the library.

3. All Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library users. Parents or guardians are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents are advised to supervise their children’s Internet sessions.

4. Any patron who is asked to remove an image or text from the monitor and then continues to view unsuitable images or text, will be asked to leave the facility. If there is a repeated offense, the patron will lose computer privileges for one month. Any and all offenses after the month suspension will result in losing computer privileges for one year.

5. If a child is asked to leave for a violation of this policy, but has no transportation at the time, a parent or caregiver will be notified and the child will be supervised until parent or guardian has arrived.

General Wireless Access Guidelines

1. Wireless Internet access will allow you to:

Have immediate Internet access using your own computer rather than waiting for an available library computer

 

Connect to the Internet without time limits

 

Download files onto your own computer

 

Use your own software and have access to your own files

2. Be aware:

Wireless users must comply with our Computer and Internet Policy.

 

Although the wireless hub is routed through our firewall, the wireless connection is less secure than a hard-wired connection. Be a savvy user! (See below)

 

Printing may be available through the wireless hub. Ask at the reference desk for a copy of the print drivers.

3. Be a Savvy User

The Internet is a public communications network. Public wireless networks or "hotspots" are generally not secure from your laptop to the Wireless Access Point. There can be unscrupulous parties between you and anybody you communicate with. Wireless Internet access poses the same risks to your personal information that a wired network poses, as well as some new risks because data is broadcast over radio waves. Wireless users need to take steps to secure their personal information and machines. The Library cannot assure the safety of your data.

Savvy wireless users will:

Not transmit any important information that may be misused such as credit card number, social security numbers, home address, passwords, etc.

Have a firewall on their personal machines

Avoid having disks, folders and files "shared"

Have anti-virus software installed on their machine and configured to do frequent updates automatically.

Not leave equipment unattended.

4. Wireless Netiquette

The wireless network is intended to be a shared resource. If you use a large amount of bandwidth, you take it from others. Be considerate.

Do not download large files over the wireless connection

Do not stream video or audio over the wireless connection

5. Configuration Information

802-11b or 802-11g protocol

TCP/IP properties set to obtain an IP automatically

The Alanson Area Public Library assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage done directly or indirectly to personal data or equipment, or for any damage or injury arising from loss of privacy arising from use of its wireless connection, or connection to other Internet services.