MISSION STATEMENT

Stockton Public Library serves as the principal informational agency for individuals in the city and surrounding areas of Rooks County.  Its primary responsibility is to identify, select, organize, retrieve, disseminate & provide access to the record of human knowledge.  It will be responsive to the changing informational needs of the community in an atmosphere that is welcoming, respectful and professional.

Circulation Policy

ISSUANCE AND USE OF LIBRARY CARD

A Library card will be issued without charge to residents of Kansas who present valid proof of identification which includes a photo ID. Acceptable forms of identification are:

…        Kansas Driverís License with current address or Kansas ID

…        School ID with proof of address

Library materials may be checked out by anyone with a Stockton Public Library card in good standing.

…        Patrons are in ìgood standingî when the amount of fees or lost charges is less than $1.00 and there are no items more than 30 days overdue or fees more that $1.00 but an active payment plan in place.

LOAN PERIODS

…  14 days (2 weeks): All  books, videos, DVD's, CD's,  audiovisual, and periodicals.

…        Each day for a loan period ends when the Library facility closes for public service.

Interlibrary Loan: Interlibrary Loan materials may be offered to Library patrons in conjunction with the guidelines established by the Kansas Interlibrary Loan Council.  Check out requests of Interlibrary loan material (up to four (4) items) will be at the discretion of the Library Director.

FINES AND FEES

Items held over the final day of the loan period are subject to the following fine schedule except as noted.

…        5 cents per day for all books, magazines, audio-visual materials, vertical file materials, Interlibrary Loan materials, and toys

Replacement cost per item will be charged for material damaged or destroyed beyond use.  Material that is damaged or still useable will be charged a minimum of $1.00 up to the replacement cost of the material.

The Stockton Public Library is not responsible for any damage that may occur to a patronís personal equipment during use of videos, audiocassettes borrowed for the Library.  Any damage to the Libraryís material is the responsibility of the borrower.

DENIAL OR RESTRICTION OF LIBRARY USE

Any patron who has fines or fees accumulating must clear those charges before the patron can check out more material or use the public access computers.

Lost Declaration. Patrons are responsible for library materials borrowed on their Library card which have been declared lost or damaged beyond repair by the Library or the patron.  A patron may declare an item lost or damaged beyond repair at any time.

…        The patron is responsible for the replacement cost of the item.  When the payment is not made within 30 days of the lost declaration the patronís charges may be referred to a collection agency.

…        The patron owns the item if it is located more than 30 days after payment.  No refund is given.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN REQUESTS

The Library participates in the Kansas Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Circuit. At the request of a patron, the Library will attempt to locate materials that are not owned by the Library and borrow the materials from other participating Interlibrary Loan libraries.

…        The patron is limited to four Interlibrary Loan requests on the system at one time, (more requests at discretion of Library Director).

ELECTRONIC SERVICES

Computer use has become an integral part of Stockton Public Library activities and information resources. The following policy governs the use of microcomputers at Stockton Public Library (see: Internet Access Restriction Form, Internet Access and Email Access Procedures, Internet Disclaimer on Internet Workstation, Statement on Internet Sign Up Sheet).

…        User must sign up to use computers at the appropriate desk and must follow stated policy and procedure for each computer.

…        Use of Internet and email computer stations is open to all registered Library patrons and visitors in good standing (see: Illegal and Prohibited Acts, Denial Or Restriction Of Library Use). Users must sign up at the Check Out Desk presenting a Stockton Public Library card or acceptable photo identification which will be held for the duration of the Internet or email session. Parents and legal guardians may restrict minors from access to Internet resources available through the Library (See Appendices: Internet Access Restriction Form). Visitors under the age of eighteen who are not registered borrowers may register to use email stations only with a parent or legal guardian who has presented a Stockton Public Library card or acceptable photo identification.

…        Parents and guardians of minor children are responsible for their childrenís use of Library computers. Parents and guardians are expected to monitor and supervise their childrenís access to the computer resources in the Library.

…        Users may not download materials onto the computerís hard drive. Users may download material onto a diskette, when appropriate. The diskette must be purchased from the Library. There will be a $1 charge for each diskette used. Due to chances of a virus, users may not bring in their own diskettes.

…        Users may not use their personal software on Library computers.

…        Library scheduled use of the equipment takes precedence over individual use at all times.

INTERNET ACCESS FOR MINORS

As with all Library materials, parents, legal guardians and caregivers, not Stockton Public Library, are responsible for their minorís use of the Internet. The organization of the Internet makes it impossible for Library staff to control content selected by minors or adults. Parents are expected to monitor and supervise their minorís use of the Internet through the Library. Parents and legal guardians may restrict their minor from access to the Internet resource available through the Library (see Appendices: Internet Access For Minors Restriction Form, Internet Access Procedure, Internet Disclaimer on Internet Workstation, Statement on Internet Sign Up Sheet).

INTERNET CONTENTS

Library staff cannot control the availability of information links which often change rapidly and unpredictably. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. Users need to be good information consumers, questioning the validity of the information. The Libraryís book, periodical, CD-ROM databases, etc., provide resources that have been selected in accordance with the Materials Selection Policy and consequently are often more authoritative and credible than some Internet content.

 

revised 05/11