Policies

Confidentiality of Patron Records

The library's circulation records and any other records which identify and relate the name of library users with specific materials are confidential. Such records will not be released or used for non-library purposes except pursuant to a subpoena from a court of law. The following is the text of New York State Law CPLR, Article 45, Section 4509: Library Records, which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films or records, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.

Denial of Service

Patrons with unpaid fines or other charges of $5.00 or more will have their borrowing privileges suspended until fines or charges have been paid. Patrons who have been sent a second overdue notice and have not returned material will have their borrowing privileges suspended.

Donation Policy

We welcome hardcover and paperback books in good condition. We also accept CDs and DVDs. Items may be used to augment the library collection, or they may be sold to benefit the library.

The library cannot accept: textbooks (college, high school, ect.) , LP records, audio or video cassettes (VHS tapes), encyclopedias, Readerss Digest Condensed books, or books that have been wet or were stored in basements or garages (no mildew or dirt). We cannot accept most books that are more than ten years old.

Please examine the books you want to donate. It is difficult to throw books away, but some volumes, because of condition or subject matter, are of no value. The library will provide a receipt of donated items upon request. Determination of quantity and value are the responsibility of the donor alone. If you wish to donate more than a couple boxes or bags of books, please call the library first at (315) 769-9914

Thank you for your support of the Massena Public Library.

Donations are welcome and encouraged with the donors agreement and understanding of the following policies and conditions:

Donations of all kinds will be judged by the same criteria that the library applies to the purchase of new materials. The evaluation and disposition of donated materials is the responsibility of staff authorized by the Library Director.

Donors should speak will staff at the front desk prior to leaving donations. A staff member will quickly sort through the materials to verify that all the materials are clean, mildew-free and in good condition. We are unable to accept: magazines that are more than 1 year old (current magazines are accepted for the magazine exchange), encyclopedias, textbooks that are more than 5 years old, condensed books (such as Readers Digest) and any item in poor condition. Any donated materials not satisfying the above conditions will be returned to the donor.

Donations are accepted with the understanding that there are no restrictions on the librarys right to use the materials in any way it deems fit or necessary. Accordingly, donated materials may be added to the librarys collection, sold, govern to or exchanged with other libraries, used in Friends of the Massena Library book sales to benefit the library, or discarded.

When the donor places restrictions or special conditions on the donation, such donation will not be accepted unless the Board of Trustees makes a special exception after due consideration.

The library welcomes gifts of cash for direct purchases of library materials and will try to accommodate the subject or title preferences of the donor. A bookplate recognizing the donor will be affixed to the material if desired.

The library cannot appraise the value of donated materials. However, the library will issue the donor a letter acknowledging the donation. The library is a tax-exempt organization and therefore, any donations made to the library, including bequests, are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

When real property or stocks or bonds are offered to the library, the matter will be referred to the Supervisor and the Town Board to ascertain whether such a planned donation should be accepted and to make certain that the donation would comply with all applicable laws and Town guidelines. All donations of money will be reported to the Town Board on the weekly deposit forms or the monthly investments reports. The source and purpose of each donation will be listed.

Personal property, art objects, portraits, antiques, museum objects and items of historical interest will be accepted only after careful consideration by the Board of Trustees and then only on the condition that they may me sold, given away or discarded or used in any other way at the discretion of the Library Director and the Board of Trustees.

Fees

Photocopier: 15 cents per copy (copies made for non-profit groups cost 8 cents per copy).

Copies made for literacy tutoring are free.

Microfilm machine: 15 cents per copy.

Computer Printer: 25 cents per black & white page; 75 cents per color page.

Faxes: To Send - $2.00 for the first page, 15 cents for subsequent pages To Receive - $1.00 for the first page, 15 cents for subsequent pages

Loan Periods

The following is a list of the loan periods for library materials:

4 weeks: books (except those classified as new or on reserve), past issues of childrens magazines, audio books, multimedia kits, vertical file material.
2 weeks: new books, books on reserve, music CDs. 1week: DVDs (4 per household).
3 days: audio-visual equipment (except tape players).

The Library Director has the authority to set limits on the number of items, or value of items, a patron may borrow.

Lost/Damaged Items

Patrons who do not return at item must compensate the library or they will lose borrowing privileges. The patrons will be charged the list price of an item. Patrons who return damaged materials may be charged a fee or the entire replacement cost of an item. Patrons who return a damaged video/cassette/DVD/CD container will be assessed a $1.00 - $10.00 fee depending on the item. Patrons who lose their library card must pay $2.00 for a new one unless the card is lost through theft, fire or other hardship. Patrons whose cards break or wear out will not be assessed a fee for a new card.

Meeting Room

The Library currently has one room, located on the lower level, available for public use. The room has a sink for arts & crafts.

Please note that meetings are subject to interruption, as staff members may need to access periodicals and other materials stored in this room.

Use of the meeting room is reserved for non-profit organizations, or job training and continuing education classes. Any group wishing to use the meeting room on a continual basis (6 months or more) should submit a request to the Library Director including proposed dates and times.

Overdue Notices

The library sends an overdue notice approximately two weeks after an item becomes overdue; a second notice is sent about 4 weeks after the item becomes overdue. This second notice is a bill. Legal action can be taken when materials are long overdue. The following section of the Education New York State Education Law applies: SECTION 265 DETENTION NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION LAW RULES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS and REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION PERTAINING TO PUBLIC AND FREE ASSOCIATION LIBRARIES LIBRARY SYSTEMS, TRUSTEES AND LIBRARIANS states that Whoever willfully detains any book, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, manuscript or other property belonging to any public or incorporated library reading room, museum or other educational institution, for thirty days after notice in writing to return the same, given after the expiration of the time which by the rules of such institution, such article or other property may be kept, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one nor more than twenty-five dollars, or by imprisonment in jail not exceeding six months, and the said notice shall bear on its face a copy of this section.

Registration/Circulation

Library cards are required to borrow materials. Library cards will be issued to children of any age. However, anyone under the age of 16 must have (i) their parent or legal guardian present while registering or (ii) their registration card signed by their parent or legal guardian. A valid form of photo ID with current address is required for an adult (16 years of age and older) to receive a library card. If an individual does not have identification with a current address, another document (i.e., utility bill) is required to verify the person’s address. Patrons must pick up their own library cards unless they are housebound. Individuals residing temporarily in the community may receive a card if they present proof of their permanent address. Patrons must use their own cards when checking out materials. Exceptions: Individuals can check out items held on reserve for a patron using the patrons card. Babysitters, who have written permission from a parent/guardian, may use the parents/guardians card. Under certain circumstances, cardholders may contact the library and permit others to use their cards (i.e., housebound patrons). An individual may use another persons card if the other person is at the circulation desk and acknowledges responsibility for the materials. Patrons may borrow materials without having their library card if their identity can be verified by a driver’s license or other valid form of photo identification.

Renewals/Reserves/Fines

RENEWALS: One renewal is allowed except for DVDs, items on reserve, and some interlibrary loan materials. Renewals can be made by telephone.

RESERVES: All materials can be reserved. A library within the library system must own a book before a patron can reserve it. Massena patrons reserves for items are filled before interlibrary loan requests are honored.

FINES: Adult items carry a fine of 10 cents a day with a maximum of $2.00 per item. YA materials are considered adult material. Childrens items carry a fine of 5 cents a day with a maximum of $1.00 per item. The fine for audiovisual material is $1.00 a day with a maximum of $5.00. There is a one-day grace period for overdue materials. Fines do not accrue on days the library is closed. A 50 cent postal fee will be assessed for every overdue letter sent. There is a $12.00 cap on fines if a patron pays the entire $12.00 at one time

Policies

Confidentiality of Patron Records

Denial of Service

Donation Policy

Fees

Loan Periods

Lost/Damaged Items

Meeting Room

Overdue Notices

Registration/Circulation

Renewals/Reserves/Fines

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