PAYSON LIBRARY POLICIES & PROCEDURES
AFTER HOURS BOOK DROP:
Books returned in the book
drop will not be considered overdue until 8am the following work day. Do
not put books in drop during open hours. Un-Bag all materials before
putting them in the drop, as they clog the opening inside the wall.
LOST OR DAMAGED BOOKS:
Charges will be assessed and/or current
cost for replacement, plus
processing.
AMERICAN LIBRARY
ASSOCIATION STATEMENTS:
The Payson Public Library is guided by the following
American Library Association statements on access to information:
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The Library Bill of Rights
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Freedom to Read Statement
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Freedom to View Statement
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Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights: Free Access to Libraries
for Minors and Access to Electronic Information Services and Resources
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The Internet policy may be revised from time to time.
Policy adopted February 12, 1999. This policy will be strictly enforced.
AUDIO/VIDEO
RETURN POLICY:
A .50 cent fee will be charged for each audio tape that
is not rewound when returned.
A $1.00 fee will be charged for each video that is not
rewound when returned.
CELL PHONES:
CELL PHONES MUST BE
TURNED OFF AT THE LOBBY DOOR. Cell phones are NOT
to be used inside the Library, if you need to make a call, please do
so from the lobby.
Thank you for your cooperation.
CHILD PROTECTIVE POLICY:
"The Payson Public Library
is concerned for the safety and well-being of children left unattended in
the Library. We urge parents to remember that the Library is a public
building, and it is not in the child's best interest to be left unattended.
The Library has implemented the following policy for the safety of all
children visiting the Library:
1. Children under the age of 6 years must
be accompanied by an adult caregiver (age 13 or over) at all times while in
the Library.
2. Children 6-8 years must have an adult
caregiver (age 13 or over) present in the Library.
3. Children aged 9-12 may be left alone
in the Library for reasonable periods of time, but parents are responsible
for their behavior and will be contacted if necessary. (Reasonable periods
of time may vary with child's maturity, but generally 2 hours is
acceptable).
4. Children 13 and over may be in the
Library without an adult. Should problems arise, the Library may ask the
child to leave or may contact a parent.
If problems arise while children are
using the Library, or if they are left alone, the Library staff will attempt
to contact the parents. If the Library staff is unable to reach the parents
or guardian, other appropriate action will be taken. Parents are required
to be at the Library before closing to pick up children.
DEFINITIONS:
An "unattended child" is any child under
the age of 9 who is in the Library unaccompanied by a parent or responsible
caregiver (age 13 or over), or whose parent or responsible caregiver is not
present in the Library. An unattended child shall also include any child
between the ages of 9 and 12 who is left unattended for an unreasonable
period of time.
A "vulnerable child" is any child who
would be at risk if sent out of the Library building.
Parents, not Library staff, are
responsible for the behavior of the children using the Library."
LOAN & RENEWAL PROCEDURE:
All books and other materials, with the exception of
best sellers/new books & videos, are checked out for a 3 week period.
Videos, DVDs & best sellers/new books are checked out for 1 week only,
they may not be renewed. Books, CD’s & audio books may be renewed one
time by phone or in the Library, provided they are not overdue, or that
the item is not on a waiting list. If items are overdue, renewals will
not be permitted until they are returned to the Library. Reference books
DO NOT CIRCULATE. Magazines on the magazine rack may be checked out,
except for the most current issue indicated by a NEW sticker on the
front. All magazines in the boxes on the shelves marked "REFERENCE ONLY"
DO NOT CIRCULATE. Patron's are welcome to photo-copy needed information
from non-circulating materials. Copies made from books must be made by a
staff person. Copies are 15c per side.
MATERIAL SELECTION:
The Payson Public Library takes great care in the
selection of materials for the use and enjoyment of its patrons. The
following criteria are used in selection:
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Popularity & demand of current fiction and non-fiction; five or
more requests and a book is considered for purchase.
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Does it fill a gap in the collection, or replace outdated
material?
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Does is support the needs of the business community?
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Does it support the recreational needs of the community?
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Does is further growth in job related skills & understanding?
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Does it broaden the scope of the reader on world and current
affairs?
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Does
it provide a broader basis of opinions and conclusions on a
subject?
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Does
it support the academic curriculum of the community?
Gift books & donated materials are accepted under the
following guidelines:
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All magazines, books, etc. donated to the Library are donated
with the understanding that we may or may not include them in our
collection.
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Condition of the book.
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Copyright date.
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Whether the material is current and of value to the needs of the
patrons.
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If a book is a duplicate, is it necessary to have two volumes.
If the decision is made to not add various donated
materials to the Library's collection, such items will be sold in the
Library Friends Bookstore. Monies generated from these sales promote
the Library in a variety of endeavors. Upon request we will be happy to give
a receipt, for tax purposes. We are able to list the number of items
donated, but we are unable to put a value on items donated. This is the
responsibility of the donor.
The responsibility for the selection of books is
delegated to the Director. Due to budget constraints, we are not able to
purchase all the books we feel would be beneficial to our patrons and
the community. We try to include differing views on all issues of
interest to residents of Payson. The addition of a book to the
collection in no way represents the opinions or endorsement of such
ideas by the Library Staff.
The above statement includes the addition of all audio
and visual materials. It is our hope to provide a wide variety of books
for our patrons to use. Patrons are free to choose materials according
to their own personal interests. The responsibility for materials read
by children under the age of 18 years is the sole responsibility of the
parent or guardian who signed for the child’s library card. Patrons
cannot exercise censorship, restricting other individual's access to
materials that they find objectionable.
The Payson Public Library supports intellectual freedom
and endorses the following intellectual freedom statements: "Freedom to
Read" (ALA), & "Library Bill of Rights" (ALA).
Citizens who might feel
that any of the books in the collection are objectionable will be
required to fill out a "Request for Reconsideration of Library
Materials" form, to be presented to the Director, who will make a final
decision on the matter.
MEETING ROOM POLICY:
Note:
At the end of this section you will find a link that will allow
you to print-out a version of this policy and an agreement form
that you can fill out and bring to the library or you may Fax
the form to (928) 474-2679.
The Payson Public Library
meeting room is available to local clubs, not-for-profit groups, businesses and
government entities for meetings, workshops, and seminars. The meeting room may
not be used for private parties or events. The Library reserves the right to
refuse usage for any meeting that would be incompatible with the environment
maintained at the library or the use thereof by its patrons for library
purposes. All groups using the meeting room shall conduct themselves in a
quiet, peaceful and orderly fashion that does not disrupt or annoy library
patrons.
Any applicant who advertises,
posts, or distributes any promotional materials, or otherwise provides any
notice of a meeting that will take place at the Payson Public Library Meeting
Room shall (1) clearly identify the applicant as the sponsoring entity and (2)
indicate that the applicant is not affiliated with the Town of Payson in all
advertising and promotional materials.
The meeting room can
accommodate seating at tables for eighty-four (84) people. Kitchen facilities
may also be available upon request. The Library does not provide any equipment
for use in the meeting room (i.e., markers) or in the kitchen. Each group must
provide and set up their own equipment. The Library staff cannot provide any
assistance with the operation of any group’s equipment. The Library does not
loan tables, chairs, or any other equipment for meetings. TV/VCR/DVD are
available upon request. Library staff will not assist with the operation
of this equipment. If such equipment is found to be damaged or dysfunctional in
any way after use by your group, repair fees will be so incurred. If damage is
noted at time of use, inform Library staff immediately for inspection and
notation.
FEES: There is no fee
for non-profit groups or Town departments to use the meeting room. However,
each group is responsible for any damage to the room that takes place during
their meeting. For classes or seminars where fees are charged to the people
attending or for any business or for-profit group, we will charge $100.00 to use
the room. (If you are in doubt as to your status, profit or non-profit, you
must have a 501-C-3 to be considered non-profit.) A copy of your 501-C-3
form needs to be attached to a copy of our policy when it is submitted to us.
There is a $15.00 fee to use the kitchen for cooking (stove or microwave) and
for use of the refrigerator. You must bring your own supplies (i.e.,
napkins, dishes, utensils, cooking supplies, coffee supplies including coffee
pot, etc). The kitchen must be cleaned before you leave. A $15.00 fee will
be imposed if the kitchen is not cleaned, and kitchen privileges revoked. If
your group is paying to use the meeting room, the kitchen use fee will be
waived. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The meeting room will
be set up in a standard fashion.
►►
You may move the furniture
around to accommodate your special needs, however, it must be returned to its
original setup before your group leaves, or a $25.00 fee will be imposed and
your privileges revoked.
►►
The room must also be cleaned up
before you leave, i.e. tables washed, white boards cleaned, trash
dumped, floor vacuumed, etc. We do not have the staff or resources to clean
up after gatherings, so this policy will be strictly enforced.
The Meeting Room may not be
reserved on any day that the Library is closed. No club, group, or entity may
reserve the Meeting Room for more than two times per month. The Library staff
reserves the right to reschedule any scheduled use of the Meeting Room for a
Library emergency or a Library or Town sponsored event. If rescheduling is
necessary, the Library will endeavor to provide advance notice. The Town and
Library sponsor a number of yearly events, including, but not limited to the
Summer Reading Program during June and July.
If your group has signed up
for a regular time, they must notify the Library if they will not be meeting in
the Meeting Room, or are taking time off during the summer, or on holidays. Groups who fail to use the meeting room as scheduled and who do not provide a
24-hour cancellation notice will be denied use of the Payson Public Library
Meeting Room for one year. The Library is not open for some holidays, so it
is your responsibility to make arrangements if your meeting falls on a holiday.
Holiday parties may require a different time depending on the size of your group
and if you need to use the kitchen. Please schedule in advance if you have any
kind of special arrangements.
In general, all meetings must
take place on days that the Library is open during hours that the Library is
open. Other times on days that the Library is open may be arranged at the
discretion of the Library staff. If a key is required to open the meeting room
when staff is not present, arrangements must be made with reference staff. You
must pick up the key on the day of use, sign for it, and it must be returned in
an envelope in the book drop immediately after the meeting is over and the
building locked up. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. There will be a $50.00 charge if
the key is lost.
When using our data lines for
computer hookups, our Library Internet Policy will be in effect and strictly
enforced. You must get approval from Library staff in advance to use the data
lines.
►► Library staff will not be
available to operate any equipment, nor help with set up or cleaning of the
meeting room.
►► Exterior and interior doors must
be closed and cannot be left propped open.
►► For statistical reasons, the
attendance sheet provided on the meeting room door must be filled out and given
to a Library staff member at the close of each meeting.
►► It
is your responsibility to notify everyone in your group that they must parking
in the large south quadrant of the parking lot. Staff parking is always
reserved for Library staff and volunteers. The delivery driveway next to
the back door is not a parking space. Please inform all attendees that the
parking spaces in front of the Library entrance are reserved for patrons who are
coming to use and/or visit the Library.
IMPORTANT:
CLICK HERE
to print out a copy of our
Meeting Room Request Form.
The
"Meeting Room Form" is in PDF
format and requires Adobe
Reader. In order to
access
this document, please be
sure that you have Adobe Reader
installed on your computer; if
you do not,
please click on the button below &
download this FREE program file.
(You can also stop by
the Library and fill out the form)
OVERDUE POLICY:
Fines are10 cents per day per item on all materials
(except Videos/DVDs), up to the cost of the item, plus notice fees.
Video/DVD fines are $1.00 per video or DVD per day. Overdue notices will
be mailed at one week intervals. The following fees will be charged for
these notices:
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1st Notice $1.00
-
2nd Notice $1.00
-
Official Notice $2.50
$20.00 will be charged for processing if the matter must be turned over
to the Town Prosecutor.
PATRON RESPONSIBILITY:
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It is the responsibility of the patron to treat Library Books
and materials in their possession with the greatest respect and
care. Should a book get damaged or lost, depending on the
extent of the damage, it is the responsibility of the patron to pay
for all of the damages. Charges will be determined by one of the
Library Staff or the Director. Lost books are charged at the current
replacement cost plus a $2.50 processing fee.
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Patrons are to conduct themselves in a proper manner, both in
language and in action. The Library Staff is here to be of service
to you.
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If you have children who use the Children's section, it is YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO CLEAN UP AFTER THEM.
REFERENCE QUESTIONS:
All phone reference questions
will be addressed as time allows. Staff is limited in the amount of
time that can be devoted to reference questions. If you come into
the Library, we will try to steer you in
the right direction, to find appropriate material and to answer your
questions. Lengthy over-the-phone research is not feasible.
Accounts for materials that have gone to the Official
Notice stage or the Town Prosecutor must be cleared between Monday and
Friday from 9am to 5pm only. Cash or cashier's checks are the only
acceptable forms of payment to clear accounts. No materials may be
checked out until all overdue materials are returned and all fines paid.
Should a book reach the maximum fine, i.e., cost of the book, returning
the book DOES NOT cancel fines accrued. No materials will be checked out
to patrons who owe fines at any of the other libraries in our county, or
if other members in the family have outstanding fines. All items checked
out on your card are your responsibility, until they are put back on our
shelves and your record is cleared.
RESERVING BOOKS:
Books in our collection may be reserved by request at
the front desk. You will be notified as soon as the book is available.
In the event that more than one patron wants the same book (i.e. best
sellers), patrons will be called in the order that they requested the
book. The book will be held 3 days, then the next person on the list
will be called.
WEEDING:
Weeding is an on going process. Items will be removed
from the shelves as the information becomes outdated, or as books become
tattered. Magazines will be held for 3 months, excluding Arizona
Highways. This periodical is kept indefinitely. All volumes to be
discarded are placed in the Library Friends Bookstore. Historical Data
on the local area is kept regardless of age. The utmost care is taken in
weeding materials. Weeding makes room for new materials and books.
