McCook City Library - Library Policies

 

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Our Mission Statement

The purpose of the McCook Public Library is to meet the information needs of the citizens of the community by providing resources to assist in their pursuit of lifelong learning, cultural enrichment,  recreation, and solutions to everyday problems

General Library Objective

The Objective of the McCook City Library is to assemble, preserve and administer organized collections, books, and related educational and recreational materials.  The McCook City Library will promote, through guidance and stimulation, the communications of ideas, enlightened citizenship, and the enrichment of personal lives.

  • To serve the community as a center of reliable information.
  • To support educational, civic, and cultural activities of groups and organizations.
  • To provide opportunity and encouragement for children, young people, men and women to educate themselves continuously.
  • To strive continually to identify community needs, to provide programs of service to meet such needs and to cooperate with other organizations, agencies, and institutions which can provide programs or services to meet community needs.
  • The staff will provide guidance and assistance for patrons to obtain information they seek.
  • The staff will achieve to maintain a balance in its service to men, women, young people and children.
  • The library will initiate programs to stimulate the use of library materials to fill the needs of people of all ages.
  • The library will cooperate with civic and community agencies and organizations to help them with program materials.
  • The library will supplement, but can not perform the functions of schools and other  libraries which are designed to meet special needs.  The library will, at all opportunities, cooperate with other libraries to strengthen the services and resources of all.
  • Nondiscrimination - The McCook City Library does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, or disability.  Physically disabled persons using the library shall be provided with all necessary assistance in using library equipment and materials.

Library Use

Residents of the City of McCook may borrow materials from the library free of charge.  Non-residents shall be charged an annual fee for the privilege of borrowing materials from the library as may be set by Resolution by the City Council from time to time.  All library cards must be renewed yearly.

  • Patrons living outside of McCook at this time must pay a yearly fee of $10.00 per family.
  • Children must be 7 years of age to have their own library card. A parent or legal guardian must come in and complete the application card. If a child is under the age of 7, items can be checked out on the parent’s or legal guardian’s card. parents or legal guardians will be held responsible for items checked out.
  • Patrons 14 years of age or older will be given an adult card and will be responsible for the items checked out with their card.
  • Library services will be provided during the hours which best meet the needs of the community.  Hours will be set by McCook City Council with recommendations from the Library Director and Library Advisory Board.
  • Individuals who display disruptive, destructive, or threatening behavior will be cautioned or asked to leave. Law enforcement may be called in to deal with situations that may pose a threat to library staff and other library users.

Censorship

The McCook City Council, Library Director, Library Advisory Board and library staff  agree that no group has the right to take the law into its own hands, and to impose its own concept of politics or morality upon other members of a democratic society.  As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials selected should be chosen for values of interest, information and enlightenment of all the people in the community.  In no case should library materials be excluded because of the race of nationality or the social, political or religious views of the author.  If anyone finds any material offensive the Request for Reconsideration of Library Material is available to fill out.

 Books and Materials Selection

The library will select from the mass of available materials and organize for easy access those books and materials which best meet the needs of the community.  The library subscribes to the Freedom to Read Statement and the Bill of Rights prepared by the American Library Association. The responsibility for book selection rests with the Library Director with recommendations from the Library Advisory Board, library staff and public requests.

Weeding the Collection

  • The McCook City Library supports the ALA suggestion that libraries weed up to 3% of their collections a year, so that the collection will be attractive, usable and accurate.  Materials which no longer meet the stated objectives of the library will discarded.
  • The City Manager may authorize the Library Director to sell, exchange, or dispose of any surplus, damaged, defective, obsolete, or duplicate books in the library. Records shall be kept of any such surplus damages, defective, obsolete or duplicate books so disposed of.

Circulation

  •  All materials classified as Reference may not be checked out of the library unless written permission is given by the Library Director.
  • All  materials are checked out for a period of three weeks.
  • Patrons in good standing with the McCook City Library, that is without fines and overdue materials, will be able to check out the following items:

                  5 Books (Only 2 new,2 by the same author, same subject, or same series)

                  5 Books on-tape or 5 CDs (if new, only 2)

                  5 Magazines (most current are kept in binder and not available for check-out)

                  2 Videos or 2 DVDs per family (must be checked out on an adult card)

  • Items maybe renewed once for a period of 3 weeks.
  • Renewal of an item must be made before the item becomes over due. If you cannot get to the library, call before the due date for a renewal. (If an item has a hold on it by another patron, it cannot be renewed.)
  • Holds may be put on items that have been owned by the library for at least 3 months.
  • Patrons may have holds on no more than two items at a time.

Fines

Fines are set by the McCook City Council with the advice of the Library Director and the Library Advisory Board. A notice will be sent to patrons with overdue items and/or those who have fines due.  The McCook City Library has the type of automation system which prevents patrons from checking out materials if they have a fine or overdue item.

  • Fines are not calculated until the overdue item is checked in. Videos fines are $.50 per video per day, up to $5.00 per video. All other items are $.10 per item per day up to $5.00 per item.
  • Inter-library loans are $1.00 per day per item or as assessed by the lending library.

Lost or Destroyed Items

  • The full amount will be charged for lost or destroyed items. A replacement can be made at the discretion of the library director.
  • Any item checked out for 6 months or longer and not returned will be considered and treated as lost.

Inter-library Loans

  • Patrons must have a library card and be in good standing at the library to request materials from other libraries across the United States.  Items are usually loaned for a month.
  • Patrons can order 3 items at a time.
  • Patrons must pay the return postage for each item requested.

Internet Policy

The library director may establish rules, time limitations, usage schedules, and the like for use of the library's computer workstations.

  • You do need to have a basic knowledge of computers.
  • You must sign in at the circulation desk to use the computer.
  • The computers will be used on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Time will be allotted to one half hour, (if there is someone waiting to use the computer.)
  • When you are finished on the computer, you will notify a staff person. Do not turn the computer off.
  • In the event you damage the equipment or programs, you will pay the cost to repair or replace the equipment or software.
  • The  last person to use the computer must finish 15 minutes before closing time.
  • Minors under 18 must use the computer only after the parent/guardian signs a parental consent form . No one under the age of 9 will be allowed on the Internet under any circumstances.
  • Only the computer user will be at the computer station except for adult assistance for minors.
  • No downloading of any kind except to the printer.
  • No outside personal software, diskettes or cds will be allowed.
  • Chat rooms , instant messaging or playing any interactive games will not be allowed.
  • Bookmarks made will be  deleted.

If you fail to comply to the above policy, you will lose your internet privileges.

  • Parents and legal guardians may restrict only their own children from access  to Internet resources.

  • Individuals using the library's internet access workstations will sign-in at the circulation desk.  The sign-in data is used only to gather usage statistics and enforce time limits. The library does not maintain records about the identity of individuals using the library's internet resources except for patrons under the age of 18 needing parental/guarding permission.

  • Data may only be downloaded to blank discs purchased at the library.  Discs must remain in the library for future use..

Memorials, Gifts and Donations

The library accepts donations of books and other materials with understanding that they will be added to the library collection only when needed and disposed of at the discretion of the Library Director. Memorial gifts and memorial funds specifically designated to be expended for the benefit of the library in accordance with state law. Memorial books and other personal property will have a plaque placed in them identifying the donor and other pertinent information.

Microfilm Reader/Printer

The library provides a microfilm reader/printer.  Patrons do their own searches and must pay for the photo copies they make.  Library staff will instruct patrons on how to use the microfilm reader/printer.

Searches

The staff at the McCook City Library will do searches for the public at a fee of $5.00 for each microfilm reel that is searched. Charges for photocopies are $.10 each.

Complaints

Patrons holding a valid library card are welcome to express their complaints by filling out and signing the complaint form.  If the patron does not fill out and sign the form, the complaint will not be taken into consideration.  Petitions are not accepted.  Each individual must complete a complaint form.

Unattended Children

  • In order to prevent undue disruption of normal 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, all children under the age of six (6) shall, at all times, be attended and adequately supervised by a responsible person.

  • Children may be left unattended during scheduled library programs and the responsible person may choose to leave the building, but should plan to be at the library when the program is scheduled to conclude.  Persons responsible for children who have special needs shall remain with their children at all times.

Copy Machine

The McCook City Library furnishes a copy machine for the use of the patrons.  The following rules must be followed.

  • Patrons must use the paper furnished by the library.

  • Patrons are responsible to make their own copies.

  • All copies must be paid for.

Public Bulletin Board

In the foyer of the McCook City Library there is a large bulletin board where the public can post meetings, announcements and things of that nature.

Telephone Use

Patrons are not allowed to use the library telephone except in emergency situations or for patrons to call their families.

 

The above policies were approved by the McCook City Council on January 11, 2007.

 

 

 Services Provided:

  • The library staff will provide guidance and assistance to patrons in obtaining information they seek.
  • The staff will try to provide a balance in delivering its services to all patrons.
  • Automated card catalog.
  • Web site (www.mccooklibrary.info), card catalog is also on line.
  • The library has wireless service throughout the building.
  • A light projector for use in the library.
  • Free public access to the Internet.
  • Computer assistance for youth and adults with educational CD’s.
  • Free data bases.
  • Handicap Accessible Computer.
  • Public access to microfilm reader and printer.
  • Community/meeting room is available for rent with a large screen TV and VCR.  OPAC projector is available for use in the library.
  • Access to a black/white copy machine, word processor and typewriter.
  • Interlibrary loans from libraries across Nebraska and the United States. Rental of censes microfilms.
  • Telesensory Machine (magnifies printed material).
  • Internet and Basic Computer Classes.
  • Searches will be done on the microfilms (McCook Daily Gazette) for persons wanting to pay a $5.00 per reel or persons may come into the library and do the search for no charge.

Programs

  • Story-hour on Wednesday mornings at the library  with the "Book lady" at 10:00 A.M. for pre-schoolers.
  • The "Book lady" goes to day-care centers and pre-schools and reads to the children on Friday mornings.
  • Summer reading programs for the 1st - 6th grades.
  • "Home-bound" program, taking library materials out to persons who cannot get to the library.
  • "Leading to Reading", post cards are sent to families for each month for the first five years with suggested book titles for that age group.

 

Library Microfilm Collections:

  • Microfilm must be used in the library.

  • Research by  staff members is  $5.00 a search.

  • McCook Tribune (weekly newspaper)
    • June 8, 1882 - May 21, 1914
    • May 22, 1916 - September 27, 1926
    • May 2, 1932 – June 18, 1936

  • McCook Daily Gazette
    • January 1943 – present

  • McCook Daily Gazette Centennial Edition
    • February 5, 1982 – May 28, 1982

  • Red Willow County Gazette
    • July 6, 1911 – July 1914
    • April 23, 1917 – June 29, 1925

  • McCook Gazette Rancher Farmer (weekly)
    • February 16, 1954 – January 22, 1958