Policies
One of the missions of Madison County Library is to develop collections, resources and services that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of our community. In order to do so, we will provide free access to the Internet. The Madison County Library public computers are filtered until asked.
Disclaimer: It is impossible for the library staff to control the content of material on the Internet. Therefore: Parents or Guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the information selected and/or accessed by their minor children. Parental supervision of the Internet is advised. Library personnel do not monitor or supervise Internet access, except for the length of time of use. Viewing of certain materials in the public library may be considered improper in time, place, manner or content.
Guidelines for Responsible use
- The user may not utilize the Internet for any illegal activity or place any materials on the Internet related to any illegal activity. It is the responsibility of the user to respect copyright laws and licensing agreements. The Library is not responsible for any copyright infringements resulting from information deriving from the Internet.
- Users will not destroy, deface or abuse library equipment, hardware, software, materials, or data or take any action that damages or disrupts a computing system, alters its normal performance or causes it to malfunction. This includes taking steps to avoid introducing computer viruses or other disruptive/destructive programs into the library network.
- Users will not add, delete, examine, copy or modify files and/or data belonging to the library or to other users without prior consent. Unauthorized data will be deleted on a regular basis.
- Users will not send or attempt to send damaging harassing, libelous, obscene and/or threatening material or information to another user. The user will be personally responsible for any loss or injury to anyone else because of what is sent. If a user accesses the library’s Internet system for criminal purposes, he/she will be subject to criminal penalties.
- The Madison County Library expects that Internet users will behave in a manner that does not disturb other library users or disrupt the operation of the library, or endanger library materials and equipment.
- The Madison County Library reserves the right to suspend Internet use or other library privileges, or to take legal action as necessary, for anyone who violates library policies or procedures.
Internet Rules and Procedures
- Free access to the Internet/Computer Processing is provided at the Madison County Library.
- All users must have either a Madison County Library card or a one day registration form and must sign in at the circulation desk to use the Internet Station
- Users who owe the library $5.00 or more must clear their debt in order to make use of the Internet
- First time Internet users are required to review and sign an Internet access form that will be kept on file at the library
- The Internet Computer will be available for use and reservations at the following times:
- 10:30 am - 4:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- 10:30 am - 7:30 pm on Tuesday and Thursday
- 10:30 am – 1:30 pm on Saturday
- There is a 30-minute time limit per session per user
- If no one is waiting, three additional 30-minute time period may be added, for a total of 2 hours per day
- Reservations may be made one week in advance for up to 2 sessions per calendar week
- Additional time may be available on a walk-in basis, as long as no one is waiting
- Latecomers, more than 10 minutes late, may forfeit their entire reserved time if others wish to use the Internet
- Internet computer equipment and software must be used as installed.
- Users may not download personal software or equipment
- Printing is available for $.20 per page
- Users must have basic computer skills
- Users are reminded that the Internet Computer is primarily for research.
- Library staff can help with basic computer use if other demands on their time permit
- Records of Internet usage are confidential
- Parents must remain within close proximity to their children under 12 who are using the computers.
All Madison County residents and property owners with a county address are eligible (subject to the following restrictions) to register to borrow books at the Madison County Library. This privilege is also extended to residents of Orange, Culpeper, and Rappahannock Counties. There may be borrowing restrictions for residents of Greene County residents. People with employment addresses inside the county may also borrow books. People with a past history of abuse of the library system may be denied further borrowing privileges.
Applicants must furnish name, address, proof of address, telephone number, and, if under 18, birth date. They must also provide a name and address or phone number of another Madison county resident as a contact in case their own phone number or address changes. Children may register in their own full name if they can write it, but parents must also sign the application if they are 14 or under. Proof of address can include mail addressed to them personally, driver’s license, voter registration card, etc. The parents of children may provide proof of residence. Patrons must be 18 to borrow videos.
The librarian may set restrictions upon the number of items borrowed from the library at one time. At the current time, these restrictions include limits on the number of new books or number of books on one subject that may be checked out at one time, the number of books checked out by a first time borrower, etc. Any disputes over these policies can be referred to the Board of Directors of the Library.
The standard length of time for which library materials may be borrowed and renewed, and the fines to be levied for late returns, is to be set by the librarian, subject to the approval of the Board, and may be revised from time to time.
For further details see borrowing policy.
Adopted 06/1997
- In order to remove materials from the library, individuals must be registered as patrons. (See accompanying Patron Registration Policy).
- Borrowing privileges may be denied to those who owe fines or who abuse library materials.
- Books and audio tapes may, in general, be borrowed for a period of two weeks, and may be renewed for two additional two week periods (total 6 weeks per item), provided no one else has requested the item.
- Videos may be borrowed for one week. Only two videos per household may be borrowed at a time. Videos may be returned through the book drop at the side of the library.
- Patrons may reserve books that are on loan to another patron. When they are returned, the library will hold them for one week after notifying the reserving patron that the book is available.
- The librarian may designate certain items as reference materials, which may not be removed from the library. Some items may also be restricted (e.g. irreplaceable genealogy records) in access and may be used only in the presence of library personnel.
- There will be a standard set of fines for overdue or damaged items. The rates of these fines will be reviewed and may be adjusted periodically. In March, 1999, the fines are as follows:
- Adult books, audio tapes and magazines --$0.10 per day up to $1.00 per item
- Children’s books and hang-up’s --$0.05 per day up to $1.00 per item
- Video tapes---$1.00 per day, up to $5.00
- The library may require monetary compensation for items which are damaged, lost, or rendered unusable by the patron.
Adopted Mar 2006