• The patron has reached the checkout limit (100 items, including/or 10 video items).
• The patron has fifteen (15) or more items overdue at any Evergreen Indiana consortium libraries.
• The patron has accumulated fines totaling $10 or more.
• The patron's family has collectively accumulated fines totalling $10 or more.

• Return all overdue items.
• Pay all fines in full.

• All items will be checked out for three weeks.
• If you miss a stop, you may return your items to any branch or renew the items by phone at 260-463-2841.
• You may only renew an item one time.
• If the bookmobile misses a stop, any items due that day will automatically be renewed for you.

Staff members are hereby authorized to issue verbal warnings to persons using a cell phone on library property.  If the offender refuses to cooperate, they will be asked to leave as quickly and quietly as possible.  Acting abusively with verbal or physical threat or failing to cooperate with the staff will result in immediate suspension of library privileges.  Any person whose library privileges have been revoked under this policy must see the director before their privileges are reinstated.

Community Room Policies

The LaGrange County Public Library is very proud to have available a community room for the public to use.  The facility is available to non-profit county, civic, educational, informational, recreational, and cultural organizations without charge. The community room is available on equal terms to all groups in the county, regardless of the individual beliefs and affiliations of their members. Groups cannot use the room more than one day per week and only twice a month, unless approved by the director. The community room is not available on Sunday or holidays unless approved by the director. Out of county groups cannot use the room without the director’s approval.

Granting permission to use the library facilities does not constitute an endorsement by the library staff or library board of the users or their beliefs and any misrepresentation of this fact will result in the loss of library use privileges for the offending group.  Use of the premises may be terminated at any time if the conduct of the group, or any member of the group, is disruptive to library service, abusive, or dangerous to the building, library materials, exhibits, furnishings, or individuals in the building. Any group or individual who advertises an event to be held at the Community Room is required to include the following disclaimer in their advertisements:

DISCLAIMER: Granting permission to use the library facilities does not constitute an endorsement by the library staff or library board of the users or their beliefs.

Reservation requests may be made in person or via telephone. No reservation will be finalized without a signed Community Room Agreement Form and payment of the required deposit. Any library equipment needed should be reserved when reserving the room.

Groups using the Community Room will be expected to arrange the chairs and tables to suit their own needs. Library staff will not set-up the room.  Following the meeting, all chairs must be stacked, tables wiped off and folded down, food and beverages removed, spills cleaned, trash removed to dumpster, foyer and bathrooms picked up.

A normal noise level and appropriate conduct will be expected of groups utilizing the facility.  Parents/guardians are responsible for providing supervision for children before, during, and after any functions.

Each entity that reserves library space assumes full responsibility for compliance with this policy and for any damage incurred resulting from the use of the facilities.  Abuse of the facilities, or violation of this policy will be sufficient cause to deny further use and will result in forfeiture of the $50 security deposit.

The library does not assume any responsibility for the security of personal items.

Fees:

Non-profit organizations- no fee, $50 security deposit required
For-profit organizations- $50 fee, $50 security deposit required
Policy violations/damages- $50 minimum up to cost of damages and “not in good standing” status which may prevent future Community Room use.

Food and Drink Rules:

No smoking is allowed in any LaGrange County Public Library facility or on the grounds.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited!

Kitchenette and appliances are available but must be cleaned thoroughly after use. Groups must bring their own supplies (food, tableware, flatware, dish cloths, towels, etc.).

All spills and accidents must be immediately cleaned.

Computer Use Policy

The Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from many points of view.  Some sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is inaccurate, defamatory, illegal, or potentially offensive to some people.  Users are responsible for determining that information they access is acceptable, reliable, and suitable to their needs.

The LaGrange County Library does not guarantee that public access computers will be available when the Library is open.  All Public access computers are subject to down time and the Library shall not be liable for any direct or indirect, incidental or consequential damages (including the loss of data or profits) sustained or incurred in connection with the use, operations, or inability to use the system.

Patrons will be denied the use of both public access computers and the Library’s Wireless Network in the following circumstances:

• The Patron /or the minors for whom the patron is responsible for have accumulated un-paid Library Fines

  $10.00 or more.

   
• Library Privileges have been revoked.

Staff and board members of The LaGrange County Public Library shall not be responsible for any patron or user’s use, or inability to use, the public access computers or resources located at the library.  Any user or patron who uses a public access computer agrees to abide by all library computer use policies, guidelines, and procedures, and releases the library staff and board from any and all claims which may arise from their use of said computers.Users are subject to applicable local, state, and federal statutes.

Damages:
The user agrees to reimburse the library for any damage to library equipment or software caused by the user or any children in the user's care.

Time limits:
Patrons may use the public access computers one hour per day with up to one hour  maximum  additional time for educational purposes only.  Computers may be reserved in advance; otherwise, they will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You may not use anyone else's library card to access the computer, nor can you let anyone else use your card to access the computers.  Patrons doing so will have their session terminated without notice.  During periods of high demand for public access computers, the Library reserves the right to decrease the amount of time from one hour to one half hour.  During these times a posting will be displayed at the front desk and Children’s check out desk, stating that this rule is in effect.

All computer stations will automatically shut down 15 minutes before the library closes. Library staff cannot override this option, Patrons are responsible for saving any unfinished work prior to the public access computers shutting down.  Patrons will only receive a 3 minute warning.

Saving files:
Patrons may save files to floppy disks, zip disks or USB flash thumb drives.  Saving to the hard drive is strictly prohibited.  Patrons may use their own disks or they may purchase blank floppy disks at the main circulation desk.

Cost for printed material:
Black-and-white printouts – 15 cents per page.
Color printouts – 30 cents per page.  (A printout will be considered “color” if it contains any other colors other than black and white or gray scale.)

The user must pay for anything they print.  If a user isn't sure how to print what they want, it is the user's responsibility to seek help from a staff member.

Minors:

• Minors under the age of twelve (12) must use the computers in the Children's Department unless otherwise directed by the librarian.

Adults who use the library's computers are responsible for supervising any children in their care, not the library staff.  Adults may borrow books and puzzles from the Children's Department to entertain their children while the adult uses the computer.  If, in the estimation of staff, a child (or children) becomes unruly or causes a disturbance, the accompanying adult will be asked to correct their behavior.  If the child's behavior continues to be a problem, both the adult and the child will be asked to leave.

Security:
Users are reminded that information transmitted over the Internet may not be secure, and may be readable by third parties. Users are strongly discouraged from sending personal or financial information over the Internet and do so at their own risk.

Users are also reminded that information they leave in the memory banks of the library's computers can be accessed by other users and should be considered public. The library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources accessed by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the library.

Wireless Access:

In order to use the Library’s Wireless Network, connections must be 802.1b or 802.1g compatible.

The Library makes no guarantee that you will be able to make a wireless connection. If you need assistance, we recommend that you contact the manufacturers of your laptop hardware and software.

Unacceptable use:
The LaGrange County Library whole-heartedly supports the Constitutional right to free speech; however, not all forms of speech can be appropriately or legally supplied by a taxpayer-supported entity such as a public library.  By signing this agreement, the user agrees to abide by the library's definitions of acceptable use.

The LaGrange County Library considers the following (but not limited to) to be unacceptable use of public resources:
Any illegal activity or the promotion thereof; this includes--but is not limited to--hacking, copyright infringement, creation or distribution of malicious programming, etc.

• Any illegal activity or the promotion thereof; this includes--but is not limited to--hacking, copyright infringement, creation or distribution of malicious programming, etc.
• Display, dissemination, or printing of nudity, obscenity, pornography, or otherwise sexually explicit or abusive graphics or text.
• Harassment, slander, libel, or otherwise abusive, malicious, or threatening behavior.
• Broadcasting or otherwise mass distributing unsolicited material.
• Commercial or for-profit activities.
• Gambling.
• Representing yourself as someone else or misrepresenting your age; this includes giving someone else's e-mail address as your own.
• Real-time communication, such as chat groups, instant messaging, and multi-user dungeons (MUDs).
• Any behavior that causes a disturbance within the library.

1. Any user who violates this agreement will receive a warning and have their Internet privileges revoked for one week.
2. Any user who violates this agreement a second time will have their Internet privileges revoked for thirty days.
3. Any user who violates this agreement for a third time will have their Internet privileges revoked for one year.
4. Any user who uses a library computer for illegal activities will have their Internet privileges revoked permanently.  Evidence of illegal activities will be reported to the proper authorities.

Sec. 3. A person who knowingly or intentionally:

(1) disseminates matter to minors that is harmful to minors;
(2) displays matter that is harmful to minors in an area to which minors have visual, auditory, or physical access, unless each minor is accompanied by his parent or guardian;
(3) sells or displays for sale to any person matter that is harmful to minors within five hundred (500) feet of the nearest property line of a school or church;
(4) engages in or conducts a performance before minors that is harmful to minors;
(5) engages in or conducts a performance that is harmful to minors in an area to which minors have visual, auditory, or physical access, unless each minor is accompanied by his parent or guardian;
(6) misrepresents his age for the purpose of obtaining admission to an area from which minors are restricted because of the display of matter or a performance that is harmful to minors; or
(7) misrepresents that he is a parent or guardian of a minor for the purpose of obtaining admission of the minor to an area where minors are being restricted because of display of matter or performance that is harmful to minors;
commits a Class D felony.

Sec. 7. (a) A person who commits a Class D felony shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of one and one-half (1½) years, with not more than one and one-half (1½) years added for aggravating circumstances or not more than one (1) year subtracted for mitigating circumstances. In addition, he may be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Patrons may have 20 unfilled holds in the system.

Patrons may place their own holds via the OPAC, an may select their pickup location and notification method.  Patrons whose accounts are blocked or barred may not place holds.

Patrons may not place holds for reference materials or bestsellers with the no-hold designation.

Patrons may only place holds on their local library's copies of art, bestsellers, new books, CDs, DVDs, ILL, equipment, media, realia, reference, software, talking books, and videocassettes; however, they may borrow such items in person from other libraries.

Late Fees


---

The following late fees are established by the Evergreen Indiana consortium governing board:

There will be a one day grace period for all items.

Beginning the second day, fines of 25¢ per day will accrue and will include the grace day.

The maximum late fee per item is $10.

Once a patron accumulates fees totaling $10 or more, that patron's account will be blocked until the fees are paid in full.

If a family collectively accumilates fees totaling $10 or more, the all of that family's accounts will be blocked until the fees are paid in full.

Evergreen Indiana library fines and fees shall be paid at the billing library.  Patrons my pay all or a portion of overdue fines.  A patron's account will remain blocked or barred until the fines and fees are paid or the patron has resolved the matter with the particular library to restore his or her privileges.  A patron may be (or remain) blocked if related group or family member cards are blocked.

Library Card Registration Policy


---

Beginning December 5, 2009, all patrons must present their own valid Evergreen Indiana library card in order to check out materials or use a public computer. You may not use any other patron's card unless that patron is present with you.  We cannot look up your account if you forget your card.

The LaGrange County Public Library will honor library cards from anywhere in the Evergreen Indiana consortium.

To be eligible for an Evergreen Indiana library card from the LaGrange County Public Library, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Live in LaGrange County

Pay property taxes to LaGrange County

Attend school in LaGrange County

Have a current library card from a library that has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the LaGrange County Public Library

Pay a $25 annual out-of-county registration fee

Purchase an Indiana Public Library Access Card (PLAC).

In order to receive a library card from the LaGrange County Public Library, you must complete, sign, and submit an application.  You must also present proof of identity and LaGrange County residency.

Applicants under the age of 18 must also have their applications signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Cards issued to reciprocal borrowers and out-of-county students will not give them access to all Evergreen Indiana libraries, only to the LaGrange County Public Library and its branches.  Non-residents who pay the annual out-of-county registration fee or who purchase a PLAC card will have  access to all Evergreen Indiana libraries.

Replacement cards cost $2.00 and require a new application.
 

Loan Periods	Loan Period	Restrictions 100 items at any one time.
Books	14 days for new books 21 days for all other books	Genealogy books and most reference books may not be checked out.
Magazines	14 days	Current issues may not be checked out, only back issues.
DVDs	7 days	10 DVDs per household at any one time. Patrons under 18 may not check out R-rated materials.
Audiobooks	21 days
Music CDs	21 days
Puppets	21 days
Kits	21 days
Art	3 months	6 per household

Lost Items


---

For each lost item, patrons will be charged the original cost of the item, plus a $10 processing fee and any other related costs.  Lost items must be paid for at the billing library.

There will be no refunds for lost items.

A patron may inform library staff that an item is lost.  The price of the item and any outstanding fines and fees, plus a $10 processing fee per item, will be assessed to the patron's account at that point.  Patrons are encouraged to notify the library of lost items promptly to stop the accruing of additional overdue fines.

Non-Resident Policy

---

The LaGrange County Library appreciates those patrons who live outside our tax-supported county, but enjoy using our library.  A small fee of twenty-five dollars each year is required to use the LaGrange County Library, branches and bookmobile from those who do not live within the county.  Patrons who live in surrounding counties may use our library at no charge if they have a library card from their tax-supported library.  These libraries include Ligonier, Noble County, Limberlost, Kendallville, Middlebury, and Angola Public libraries.  Also, children and adults that attend or work at a school in LaGrange County, but live outside the county may acquire a LaGrange County library card.

Overdue Notices


---

Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy.  Faliure to receive notices does not exempt patrons from the responsibility for payment of library materials or overdue fines and fees.

Patrons with an e-mail address on file will receive:

• An e-mail reminder notice three (3) days before the due date
• An e-mail overdue notice on the due date.
• Overdue notices via e-mail and US First class mail, fourteen (14) and twenty-eight (28) days after the due date.
• A final notice/invoice for the unreturned item(s) and related costs via US First Class mail forty-five (45) days after the due date.


Patrons without an e-mail address on file will receive:

• Overdue notices via US First class mail, fourteen (14) and twenty-eight (28) days after the due date.
• A final notice/invoice for the unreturned item(s) and related costs via US First Class mail forty-five (45) days after the due date.


Reciprocal Borrowing

---

The LaGrange County Public Library maintains reciprocal borrowing agreements with the following libraries:
 
• Carnegie Public Library of Steuben County, Angola
• Joyce Public Library, Orland
• Kendallville Public Library, Kendallville
• Ligonier Public Library, Ligonier
• Limberlost Public Library, Rome City
• Noble County Public Library, Albion, Cromwell, Avilla
• Middlebury Community Library, Middlebury


A LaGrange County Public Library card will be honored at the libraries above and the LaGrange County Public Library agrees to honor borrower's cards from those libraries.  Borrowers may have to fill out a separate application at the lending library.  Borrowers are reminded that they must abide by the lending library's policies, regardless of which library issued their library card.

Reciprocal borrowers from non-Evergreen Indiana libraries will receive an Evergreen Indiana library card, but it will not give them access to all Evergreen Indiana libraries, only to the library that issued the card.

Renewal Policy

---


Renewal requests may be made in person, online, or by phone.  Items may not be renewed by e-mail.

To renew items online, use the "My Account" feature on the library's web page.  You will need your library card.

To renew items by phone, call any branch of the LaGrange County Public Library. Have your library card in hand when you call.  Library staff will need your 14-digit library card number in order to access your account.

Most items may be renewed one time.  Some items may not be renewed at all; for example, an item on which another patron has placed a hold.

Return Locations


---

Please return items inside the library during library hours, or in the appropriate book drop when the library is closed.  (Please note that there is a separate book drop for audiovisual materials.)

You may also return materials to any library in the Evergreen Indiana consortium.

Unattended Children Policy


---

Library staff members are not responsible for unattended children.  It is not the duty of any staff member to baby-sit, supervise, or entertain any child left alone in the library.

No child, 13 and under, may "loiter" at the library. Parents will be contacted if children are at the library unattended for more than two (2) hours.  If parents cannot be reached, the library staff will call Social Services.

Unattended children who come to the library alone can be asked to leave if they are disruptive.

Unattended children who come to the library alone will be asked to leave at closing.  The library staff will attempt to contact the parent or caregiver of a child left at the library at closing.  If the parent or caregiver cannot be reached, the child will be turned over to the police.

In all situations, the parent or adult caregiver who has transported children onto the library premises or who has otherwise directed or allowed children onto the library premises, shall be responsible for the care and safety of those children at all times.

Video Policy


---

The library cannot be held responsible for any damage to a patron's video player.

Patrons are responsible for replacement of or reimbursement for any video item damaged by the patron or the patron's equipment.

Web Site Policy


---

Teen Book Reviews:

Only book reviews written by teens and young people will be posted on the teen book review page.

Reviews written for the purpose of advertisement or profit will not be posted.

Reviews containing obscenity or otherwise inappropriate content will not be posted.

The full names of reviewers will not be posted.  Reviewers will be identified only by their initials.

As much as possible, reviews will be posted as sent.  Editing will only be done:

1. To correct misspellings of the title and/or author in review headings,
2. To allow for correct formatting.
Reviews will stay posted for at least two (2) years, longer if space allows.