Card Issuing and Replacement policy

From the New Patron flyer

Applying for a Library Card
Library cards are free of charge. To get a card, applicants must be at least 16 years of age, and must have valid photo identification. A driver’s license or TDL id card is preferred, but a passport, military id, student id, or work badge photo id are acceptable, provided a name is on the badge with the photo. Information taken includes the license number, a working phone number, a mailing address, and the name of a person who can be contacted to relay a message if necessary. A signature is required showing that the patron agrees to obey the library policies. People living in a household who have no legal kinship must get separate cards.
Library cards allow the cardholder Internet access, to check out items, and to book meeting rooms & equipment. There are no limits on most materials, but patrons are limited to a total of 6 videotapes and DVDs at one time. New borrowers are restricted to 5 total items on the first loan, which includes 2 a-v items.
Children under the age of 16 are not issued separate library cards. CCLS cards are considered family cards, and the person signing the application is responsible for all items charged on the card (and all fines and fees created by anyone using the card). The new applicant lists all those allowed to use the card on the application. A legal guardian or parent is the only person allowed to list children on the application. Cards are valid for three-year periods. If names, addresses, or phone numbers change, inform the library staff. Cards are issued in sets of three; replacement sets are $1.00
When the cardholder hands the library card to a child, friend, parent, or any other person, the cardholder is taking full responsibility for the library activity of that person. This is legally binding, and should be considered carefully by the card owner.

Approved, August, 2008

CD-DVD Repair Policy and Form

The Chambers County Library System has a CD/DVD cleaning machine. Library staff will accept patron discs in order to check and clean them, with the following restrictions:

 The patron understands that, in handing the disc to the library to check, that the library system is performing a service, and will do its best to return the item in better condition. The library system will not accept any responsibility for possible further damage to a disc, nor can any improvement be guaranteed.

 A pre-paid charge of $3.00 per disc is required before the library system will accept any discs from a patron. This is non-refundable, even if the disc is not able to be repaired. The cost is for the materials used, the staff time involved, and the verification of the condition of the disc, as well as for any actual cleaning and/or repair accomplished.

 The CD/DVD repair form, with all information filled out, must accompany the pre-paid fee and the discs to be cleaned/repaired. Checks or cash may be used: make the checks payable to “Friends of CCLS.” Staff members will route the discs to the Technical Services Department on the regular schedule.

 Checking the discs will be done on a monthly basis. Bear in mind that once delivered to the library staff, the disc may not be available for a full month, and staff will not be able to provide any updates on the status of the repair.

 The library system will accept for repair only discs that are personally owned by the patron, and retain the right to refuse any service for any reason.

Date: _________________ Library Branch: CCL JHML WCB

Name, Library Card Number, Phone Number, and E-mail Address (print):


Item Disc Title Price
1. $3.00
2. $3.00
3. $3.00
4. $3.00
5. $3.00

Check # _______ Cash _____ Staff Initials ________ Total paid: ______

Large Equipment and Furniture Loans

1. Only groups, organizations, businesses, or county departments may borrow a piece of equipment. The person checking out the equipment is responsible for its return and use. Even though a person is using the equipment for a corporation or department, the library considers the loan an individual borrower loan. The person borrowing the equipment is personally liable. A second contact person from the organization must be listed below.

2. Anyone wishing to borrow equipment(whether furniture or a machine) must have a valid borrower's card, and the person must be over 18 years of age. The patron must not have any charges assessed on the patron record. The patron signature card accepting the library system rules and regulations should be signed.

3. Equipment loans are for 24-hour periods. If the library is closed at the end of the 24-hour loan period, the equipment is due in the first hour of library operations following the due period listed below. Any exceptions to the 24-hour loan period may be made only by the Branch Head or County Librarian. No other staff member, even those in charge of the library at the time, may make exceptions to this rule.

4. Reservations for equipment may be made at any time prior to the actual loan. If there is a need for an extended loan, it is strongly suggested that the reservation be made sufficiently in advance to procure permission from the Branch Head or County Librarian. If the equipment is available for loan, it is available without previously reserving it.

5. Staff who charge equipment to a patron should verify with the patron that the equipment is ready for use. This includes bulbs, manuals, cords, covers, and any other pertinent accessories. When the equipment is checked in, the patron and staff member should again check to verify that all equipment is operational, and accessories are returned. It is imperative that all items be verified.

6. Patrons who borrow equipment shall be personally liable for intentional damage or theft. When it is determined that malicious damage has occurred, a criminal mischief charge will be filed with the County Sheriff's Department. If a patron has not returned equipment by the due hour, a charge of $1.00 per hour per piece of equipment will be assessed, and a phone call to the patron will be placed. The County Librarian will place a second call within 24 hours. If the equipment is not then returned, theft charges will be filed with the Sheriff's Department.
Signing this paper indicates reading and acceptance of these policies.

Name___________________________________¬¬¬¬___________Computer barcode number_______

Organization____________________________________________________________________

Second contact____________________________________Contact phone_________________

Date_____________________________Time checked out_____________________a.m. p.m.



Library Advisory Board, 2002

Meeting Room Policy

Meeting Room Policy, Chambers County Library System

Policy:
The Chambers County Library System welcomes public use of its meeting facilities in keeping with the library system’s mission “to meet the informational needs of individuals and groups, to facilitate informal self-education, to encourage positive recreation and constructive use of leisure time, and to act as a supplemental resource in the formal education of the children and young people in the community”.

The Meeting Room Policy establishes guidelines and procedures for the use of the library system’s meeting facilities. The person responsible must sign a copy of this policy.

Guidelines:

• The CCLS meeting room is designed to be used for library programs. When it is not needed for library activities it may be used for groups whose aims are educational, cultural, and/or for civic betterment.

• Meeting rooms may not be used for meetings which are partisan, commercial, or religious in their purpose, or which further any one individual’s goals.

• Meeting rooms may be used for small private social gatherings such as baby showers, birthday parties, etc.

• Children attending events in meeting rooms must be supervised by an adult at all times.

• Smoking, alcoholic beverages, open flames, and lit candles are not allowed.

• No admission fee may be charged by any group using the library meeting room.

Reservations:

Requests for use of a meeting room may be made in person, by telephone, in writing, or by email. Requests are honored on a first-come first-served basis. Those making reservations do not need to be CCLS cardholders, but must have photo i.d. when signing the forms prior to use of the room.

• When making a reservation, please provide:
1. Name of organization
2. Name, address & telephone number of the person liable for the meeting room
3. Total number of persons expected to attend

• Reservations may be made for the current calendar year. Standing meeting times may be arranged for one-year periods; they will not be automatically renewed at the end of the year.

• If the meeting is cancelled or moved to another location, please inform library staff so another group may utilize the room.

• Reservations for using the meeting rooms after library service hours require access with an entrance key; a refundable deposit of $10.00 will be required.
• A receipt for the key deposit will be written at time of key pickup. Upon return of the key by the designated time, the deposit will be returned.

Key may be left in the book drop, left in the room or returned in person the next business day; the deposit will be held for the signee to pick up.

Care and use of facilities:

• Please leave the meeting rooms as they are found.

• The library system can not provide AV or other equipment unless it is checked out by the person reserving the meeting room prior to the event.

• Equipment, supplies or personal belongings cannot be stored or left in the library system’s meeting rooms before or after use. The library system is not responsible for items left in the meeting room.

• The library system provides wireless Internet access which is available throughout the buildings at each of the branches. Ask for access information at the circulation desk when signing forms.

• Light refreshments may be served; limited access to serving and storage space may be available, depending upon the room reserved.

• The person responsible for the meeting takes full responsibility for any abuse or vandalism occurring to the library foyer and restrooms (Anahuac), and meeting room while the key is in his/her possession. Expenses occurring as a result of such incidents will be billed to the signee and his/her organization.

• The library staff will lock entrances to the library and meeting room prior to library closing. If vandalism occurs and these doors are breached and vandalism occurs inside the rest of the building, the individual signer will be held liable.

Available meeting rooms and capacities

The large meeting room at the Chambers County Library in Anahuac is available when the library is closed. The large meeting room is equipped with a sink, 6 tables and 30 chairs. Maximum capacity is 30 people.

The Chambers County Library in Anahuac also has smaller meeting rooms available during library service hours. Each of these rooms holds approximately 7 people.

Meetings at the Juanita Hargraves Memorial Branch in Winnie may only be held during hours the library branch is open. The large meeting room is equipped with a sink, 4 tables and 24 chairs. The smaller meeting room is also available during library hours and holds approximately 7 people.

Questions not covered in this policy can be asked of the library staff.
Approved, Chambers County Library Board, Feb. 2009

Chambers County Library System
Meeting Room and Key Release Form

I agree to adhere to the Chambers County Library System Meeting Room Policy and rules on the use of the meeting rooms. This includes setup of the room’s tables and chairs and any AV equipment borrowed from the library system. Cleanup of food, decorations, and/or craft materials will also be done after the meeting.

Today’s date:_______________________

Meeting date & time:___________________

Organization/group holding meeting:__________________________

Person responsible (print) :_________________________________
Person responsible (signature):______________________________

Library Card number or TDL #:____________

Staff member signature:_________________________________

Meeting room reserved:
Large meeting room, Anahuac ____
Study room, Anahuac ____
Library Advisory Board room, Anahuac ____
Story Hour room, Winnie ____
Study room, Winnie ____

Key Release
Individual responsible for key (print): _________________________
Individual responsible for key (signature):______________________

Key pickup time and time due for return:_______________________

Staff member signature: ___________________________________

Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials

Please list below the details behind your request for reconsideration. Use additional paper as needed.
Please return the completed form to your library or branch, or mail to:
A. Lynette Parsons, County Librarian
Chambers County Library System
P.O.Box 520, Anahuac Tx 77514

Library system staff will prepare a complete written re-evaluation of the material in question, and respond in light of established policies, within a set time limit. (Please see the timeline below). A reply will be sent to you, and a copy given to the Chambers County Library Advisory Board members. Thank you for your interest and concern.

1. Name of branch where material is located:

2. Title of item of concern:

3. Author (if any): Call number:

4. Please indicate the nature of your concern about this item. Cite examples and pages as appropriate. What do you feel might be the result of reading this book?









5. What changes would you recommend concerning this item? What action would you like to see taken by the library staff?







6. Have you spoken to any staff members about this item prior to this request? If you can give us the staff member’s name, it would be appreciated.





7. What brought this book to your attention? Do you have a magazine review, a news article, or information from an organization that would provide background on your concern? Please list your sources or attach copies, if available.










Please print the following information for an accurate and timely reply:

Request initiated by:


Library card number:


Telephone number:


Mailing address:



Date of request for reconsideration:

Date of staff mailing of reviews, etc.: (within two weeks of complaint)

Date of reply by patron:

Date of Library Advisory Board Meeting where item receives consideration: (Board meets quarterly, 2nd Tuesdays of February, May, August, November)

Date of reply to patron with Board decision. (within one week of Board meeting)


Revised, CC Library Advisory Board, November, 2007

Long Range Plan, 2010-2012

Chambers County Library System
Mission Statement

The Chambers County Library System, utilizing a knowledgeable staff trained in current library trends, will attempt, within its financial means, to collect, organize, make accessible, and distribute library materials to meet the informational needs of individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds, to facilitate informal self-education, to encourage positive recreation and constructive use of leisure time, and to act as a supplemental resource in the formal education of the children and young people in the community.
Chambers County Library Advisory Board
May, 1996
Rev., 2007
Long Range Plan, 2010-2012
Goal I: To train knowledgeable staff
Objective 1: Utilize workshops offered by the Texas State Library, the Houston Area Library System, and other sources to develop staff skills and knowledge of current library trends.
Objective 2: Utilize resources from the Houston Area Library System, including LE@D, Online Command Spanish for Librarians to increase staff competencies. Encourage staff to attend Small Library Management Training sessions as practicable.
Goal II: To collect
Objective 1: Develop career acquisition and basic life skills collections.
Objective 2: Continue acquisition of all material types: increase audio-visual acquisition, foreign language materials.
Goal III: To organize
Objective 1: Revise library system technology plan.
Objective 2: Consult with Historical Commission as a resource for professional cataloging of the collection housed there.
Objective 3: Obtain additional issues of Wallisville Age for indexing and adding to the library database.
Goal IV: To make accessible
Objective 1: Construct a new facility for the West Chambers Branch, incorporating recommendations from the consultant study.
Objective 2: Digitize local history materials and make available on webpage.
Objective 3: Improve parking situations via land acquisition and property improvements.
Objective 4: Develop marketing plan for increasing accessibility.


Goal V: To distribute library materials
Objective 1: Increase outreach services: Develop formal deposit collections as needed and/or requested.
Goal VI: To meet the informational needs of individuals and groups
Objective 1: Identify and target needs of special groups: Viet, Spanish, teens, others.
Goal VII: To facilitate informal self-education
Objective 1: Develop career acquisition and basic life skills collections, geared to patrons with basic literacy issues.
Objective 2: Increase access to databases and e-books provided through Texas State Library. Increase County purchase of databases for patron access.
Objective 3: Expand promotion of English language acquisition and citizenship for Spanish speaking population.
Goal VIII: To encourage positive recreation and constructive use of leisure time
Objective 1: Present educational, cultural, and recreational programs for adults.
Objective 2: Present programming for young adults.
Objective 3: Continue movie licensing for public showing of DVDs.
Objective 4: Continue Children’s Programming staff committee.
Goal IX: To act as a supplemental resource in the formal education of the children and young people in the community
Objective 1: Continue work with the schools to support the curriculum, providing orientation tours, encouraging long-term loans for the classroom.
Objective 2: Utilize library webpage to provide access to school websites and other library collections and local resources, such as Wallisville Heritage Park and the Historical Commission.
Chambers County Library Advisory Board
Approved, May 11, 2010

Automated Services Policy

General information
Automated services of the library system include the online circulation system, public access to the Internet from within the library sites, wireless Internet access, and use of library workstations for access to the library’s collection of software and CD-ROM products. This policy applies to all users of these services as stipulated below. If you have any questions, please contact the library staff for further information. The library is a service of your county government, and you have the right to understand how your tax dollars are used. The library tries to serve all members of the county, regardless of age, gender, or other possible category.

Online circulation
The library’s circulation system allows patron access to the database of items in our collections. This allows patrons to check titles in all branches, and provides greater use of our resources. Patrons are restricted to the browsing and reserve functions on this database, and to making changes on their own preferences as online users.

In-house software, library databases, and CD-ROM products
The library system provides basic word processing, Office software, and educational software for use at each library site and access to some commercial websites and downloadable databases. Patrons are asked to respect the limits placed on the use of these products. A rewritable CD (CD-R) may be purchased from the library staff to save items compiled on library workstations, or external storage devices may be used. Any intentional efforts to operate in a manner which could harm the system will be subject to a loss of privileges on the library automated system.

Internet access
The county government provides public access to the Internet as a service through the library system. The service is subject to all library use regulations. Library rules require that county residents and regular users register for a library card for access to library materials and services. A borrower’s card is required for access to the Internet through the library system equipment. Declining to register for a library card will require assistance from the library staff for access to the equipment, and is allowed only in situations involving transient library users. A valid library card must be shown.
The Internet contains over 43 million sites of information. Not all of these sites provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users should judge the merit of information from the Internet the same way print materials are judged.

The library assumes responsibility for the information on the library home page and for the card catalog, but not for materials from the Internet itself. Links on the library home page have been evaluated at the time of their listing for merit and local interest. Please contact the library staff if you find a questionable item within the home page or the catalog.

Wireless Internet access
The Chambers County Library System offers FREE wireless access (aka "hot spots" & "WiFi" ) at all its locations for library patrons to use with personal notebooks, laptops and other mobile devices. These access points are secured and password protected, accessible at all times inside the library and outside on library grounds. A patron's use of this service is also governed by Chambers County Library System’s Automated Services Policy. A network name and password are available at each of the branch libraries upon request.

At this time, laptops have no printing capabilities while using the library’s wireless internet access and may not be plugged into one of the library’s public printers. However, a document may be saved from a laptop and printed from one of the library’s public printers.

In-house Internet access
Library patrons who apply for cards & Internet access: by signing the library card application patrons are agreeing to the Automated Services Policy”.

Computer workstations in the library are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to accommodate access to the library catalog as well as to the Internet, in-house workstation time may be limited or interrupted by the library staff. Individual patrons may access the Internet for a maximum 1 hour period per day. The library staff member in charge at that site may allow an additional time period. In-library use of computers requires a library card, and the patron must have “good user” status. There is a one-hour limit which is strictly observed from 3:00 p.m. to closing. Patrons who need more time for tests, filling out forms, etc., should arrange to visit earlier in the day, and to request that extra time be allowed when beginning their sessions. Each cardholder is allowed one session per day.
Visitors to the area may be granted “guest” privileges on the Internet provided proper identification is supplied.

Users must refrain from downloading programs, altering the settings and configuration of the workstation, or intentionally attempting to damage the library network or equipment.

The library system reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time in the library if viewers are creating a disturbance. Display on the computer monitor of sexually suggestive objects or pictures could be in violation of State and Federal obscenity laws (V.T.C.A. 43.21 to 43.26 and U.S. Code Title 18, 2252). If patrons are caught viewing sexually suggestive sites, an immediate 3-month suspension will be placed on computer use for that library card number. If a patron is caught a second time, the patron will be banned from use of the library system computers completely.


Material may be printed from the Internet. Five pages per student are allowed free of charge when using the Internet for school-related material. The charge for additional pages is 10 cents per page for all other purposes. Color printing charges are 50 cents per page, and no free pages are given.

If adjustments to the computer are needed for viewing, for example, by enlarging a screen for the sight-impaired, please contact a staff member for assistance.

Filtering on the library system network
Filtering and monitoring of patron Internet activity on a very limited basis is done at the Chambers County Library System to comply with federal requirements. Cyberpatrol, a website blocking package, is installed on Library computers. This is intended to block inappropriate sites from children. Anyone using the computer over the age of 18 may have the filtering software turned off. Patrons may be asked to provide the library with photo ID. Filtering Internet access does not mean that no harmful materials will be reached. It means that the library system has provided a resource that attempts to limit materials which some patrons might feel uncomfortable viewing. Library patrons use all workstations at their own risk.

Children’s use of the Internet
The best way to ensure that children are properly utilizing a resource is to be there with them when they do the work. This is true for print, audio-visual, and electronic materials (like the Internet).

The library system does not function in loco parentis; that is, the staff members are not responsible for deciding what library resources are appropriate for an individual child to use. Parents should let children know if there are library materials that should not be used. The decision to give a library card by the parent to the child is considered consent for the child to access the Internet, and their activities are not monitored by the staff. The parent signing for the card has the option to not check approval for Internet access.


For more information on children and the Internet, see “Child Safety on the Information Highway,” produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Service Organization (1-800-843-5678).

Children should be instructed by their parents not to give out personal information to anyone, particularly on the Internet, without a parent’s permission.

Internet functions supported
The library system does not provide electronic mail accounts to the general public, nor does it provide personal billed accounts for newsgroups, listservs, or similar retail products. On-line commercial databases are available through library consortiums and some are provided by the Chambers County Library System. Links to available databases and downloadable services that are available may be seen through the library system website, www.chambers.lib.tx.us.

Copyright
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of “fair use,” is prohibited by law (U.S. Code, Title 17). Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials, including electronic mail, text, images, programs, or data, without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user, not with the library system.

Sanctions
Failure to comply with the library system policies on technology and electronic resources will result in revocation of Internet use privileges and/or library use privileges. Violations of the policies described above will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner, to the full extent of the law. Illegal acts involving library equipment and resources may be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities. Note that specific penalties of 3 month suspension, and permanent suspension, will be levied for use of chat or viewing of sexually suggestive sites, as noted in the section on In-House Internet Access, above.

Approved:
Chambers County Library Board
May, 1998
Amended:
August, 1999; May, 2000; February, 2004,
August, 2004, August, 2005
November, 2009,May, 2011


Sample agreement to be signed by patron and retained on library card application:

Internet access: I agree to abide by the library system’s Automated Services Policy