Applying for a Library Card
All applicants must present two forms of identification showing your Beecher street address within the boundaries of the Beecher Community Library District in order to comply with Beecher Community Library policy, Metropolitan Library System and Illinois State Library requirements. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid drivers license, state ID, tax bill, voter registration card, FOID license and utility bill. Beecher Post Office boxes do not constitute proof of residency. Staff members may make no exceptions to these requirements, which must be documented on applications.
Beginning January 1, 2006 all patrons under age 18 must have a parent or guardian's signature on their application agreeing to the terms of responsibility. This will apply to cardholders renewing their library cards as well.
Applications must be filled out at the library.
Library Card Age Requirements Policy
Anyone residing in the Beecher Community Library District who is age 18 or older may apply for a library card by presenting two forms of valid identification showing their street address (not simply the post office box). Acceptable forms of identification include Drivers License, State ID, Checkbook, Utility Bill, Voter’s Registration, Recent Property Tax Bill.
Minors (anyone under age 18) must have a parent or legal guardian present their own forms of identification and sign fiscal responsibility for the minor. A parent or legal guardian must present identification at the time of renewal as well if the cardholder is still a minor. At age 18, all patrons must present their own forms of identification to be eligible for a library card.
Note: Due to federal and state confidentiality laws, the library may not release information contained on the record of a minor to the parent or guardian who signs fiscal responsibility. To obtain any information, the parent must be present along with the minor who may obtain information. Signing for a minor’s library card means that the parent or guardian understands and agrees to abide by these rules.
Adopted November 2005
Library Behavior Policy
While the library has been furnished to provide information and use of services to the public, any disruptive behavior that impinges on the rights of other patrons to receive library services or impedes staff from providing library service is not acceptable library behavior.
Loitering patrons who are disruptive to the library operation may be asked to leave the library. The Board of Trustees of the Beecher Community Library has determined that the library should be a quiet place for reading and study; staff is available to provide circulation and reference services for patrons. Library users who enter the library for any other reason other than legitimate library usage may be asked to leave if their behavior is deemed unacceptable by library staff. The following actions are examples of conduct that constitutes unacceptable library conduct. This list includes the following but is not limited to:
· Defacing, damaging or altering library property (this includes impeding the
arrangement of books and library materials)
· Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
· Any action that violates federal or state law
· Lying down or sleeping on library floor or furniture
· Making loud noise
· Eating, drinking, smoking, using cell phones (allowed in foyer only), etc…
· Group activities that are disruptive to the library environment
· Verbally or physically threatening staff or other library patrons that includes
stalking, staring, touching or using offensive language
· Running, pushing, shoving, etc…
Failure to comply with acceptable forms of library behavior may result in removal from the building and/or restriction of library privileges.
Staff thanks all patrons for adhering to library rules for the benefit of all who use the library.
Adopted March 2006
Collection Management Policy
The staff of the Beecher Community Library will select collection materials in accordance with the American Library Association Bill of Rights, the Standards for Illinois Public Libraries and its own mission to meet the needs of the community. The library will set aside twelve percent of the operating budget of each fiscal year for collection materials.
Funds will be spread out to include the various sections of the library’s total collection to include Reference, Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction, Junior Fiction and Non-Fiction, Children, Large Print, Periodicals, and Audio-Visual materials. The library will strive to add materials which are timely and which cover a broad spectrum of subjects and viewpoints.
Material selection will be at the discretion of the Library Director
Adopted June 2003
Fines
The Beecher Community Library establishes rules governing the fines of overdue materials. The following policy lists fine rates and rules for all overdue Beecher Community Library materials, Metropolitan Library System materials, and all other state nationally borrowed materials.
Overdue materials owned by the Beecher Community Library will be charged the following fine rates:
1. All print materials such as books, magazines, and pamphlets are charged $.10 per day.
2. Audio materials such as books on tape, books on compact disk and book and tape kits are charged $.10 per day.
3. Digital Video Disks are charged $1.00 per day.
4. Any audio or audio visual materials that are placed in the bookdrop are charged $2.00 per item.
Overdue materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan will be charged the following fine rates:
1. Beecher Community Library materials sent to other MLS and Illinois libraries will incur the same fines as listed above.
2. Any material sent to Beecher Community Library will carry the fine rate established by its owning library.
The Beecher Community Library acknowledges no grace period on any of its materials. Patrons who owe $5.00 or more in fine will not be extended borrowing privileges at any MLS library until their record is cleared of fines. Fines for overdue materials may be paid at any MLS library.
Lost / Damaged Material(s)
Patrons are responsible for any item checked out under their library card. In the event that an item or items become lost or damaged, the card holder is responsible for the cost of the item(s). If the card holder is under the age of eighteen, then the parent or guardian who signed for the minor’s library card will be responsible for the lost item(s).
The cost of a lost item is listed in the library’s circulation database as well as on the items shelf card. Unreturned items will be billed to a patron’s record when it reaches 42 days (six weeks) overdue. Patrons are responsible for the item(s) cost as well as the accrued fines. Overdue fines will not exceed the cost of an item once that item reaches the billing stages, but fines may be equal to it.
Materials will be assessed as damaged when library staff determines that an items condition is not due to normal usage wear and tear. Staff uses the utmost care to assess damaged items before billing a responsible patron. Patrons billed for damaged items may appeal to the Library Board of Trustees.
Patrons may pay for a lost item before it reached billing stage in order to stop or prevent overdue fines from accruing.
Patrons may not substitute materials for lost items. The library accepts cash or checks payable to The Beecher Community Library District.
The library cannot authorize refunds for lost or damaged items that have been paid for even if those items are rediscovered and brought to the library. Once an item is paid for, the transaction is complete. Consequently, we encourage patrons to be sure an item is lost before paying for it.
The library will also attach a $3.00 processing fee to the cost of each lost or damaged item.
Procedures for Issuing and Circulating Non-Resident Cards
The Beecher Community Library will issue Non Resident Cards to Illinois Residents who are not currently served by a public library or library system. Non Residents will be issued a Beecher Library card that will be valid for a period for one year from date of purchase. The fee for this library card is $100 per household made payable to the Beecher Community Library.
In order to obtain a Non Resident card, an applicant must present two forms if identification showing their street address and fill out an application.
Staff will issue the library card with a one-year expiration date highlighted in green. Staff will note in computer the date of expiration (00/00/00) and indicate in a message field that the patron is a Non Resident card holder.
Non Resident card holders have all the same borrowing privileges and rules as Beecher card holders including interlibrary loan and reciprocal borrowing.
Patrons who obtain a Non Resident card may not sell their cards or obtain a refund should they move within the boundaries of a library system or are served by another public library.
Use of Library Telephone Policy
Beginning June 1, 2006 the library will not allow patrons use of the library’s telephone. The circulation desk telephone is for library use only. Patrons used to issuing local phone calls must find a public payphone.
Staff may make phone calls for minors who are left at the library ten minutes prior to closing without a means of transportation home, but we will request parents to note library hours in order to avoid these calls that tie up the telephone line for relevant library business.
Adopted April 2006
Unattended Children Policy
Beecher Community Library welcomes the use of its resources and programs by children of all ages. While the Board encourages responsible use of the Library by children, it acknowledges that staff cannot assume responsibility for the supervision, entertainment, or safety of children while on library premises. The Library is not to be used as a child care center. The Board affirms that children’s behavior while in the library is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility.
In order to prevent undue disruption of normal library activities, to provide for the general welfare of all persons using the library, and to provide for the general safety of children using the Library, the following rules shall made be a matter of policy:
In the best interests of all concerned, children under the age of SEVEN must be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible person; e.g. adult or mature adolescent (at least twelve years old) unless they are participating in a library-sponsored program. If children aged seven younger are left unsupervised in the Library, staff will make an effort to contact parents/guardians to pick up the child. If parents/guardians cannot be contacted, the police will be notified for the safety and protection of the child
Children who are over the age of seven must adhere to the Library’s Acceptable Behavior policy and behave accordingly. Children will be asked to leave the Library after one warning of unacceptable behavior.
Adopted May 2006
Other Policies
The book drop is for print materials only. Please return all audio-visual materials to the front desk.
The library may only hold your interlibrary loan requests for 5 days; please pick them up promptly.
The library parking lot is for LIBRARY PATRONS ONLY. Parking for any other reason, aside from ATM use, is prohibited.
Please turn off your cell phone when you visit the library.