Policies
- Library Operations Policy
- Meeting Room Policy
- Display / Exhibit Policy
- Computer / Internet Use Policy
- Donation / Memorial Policy
- Library Patronage Policy
The library shall be open to the public six days per week:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
The library shall be closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.
Checking Out Materials
Books and audiotapes may be checked out for two weeks and may be renewed once for an additional two weeks in person, by telephone call to library staff, or on the library website.
Video and DVD materials may be checked out for five days and are not renewable; they must be returned for processing on their date. These materials must be returned to the desk and not placed in the book drop. You must be eighteen or older to check out audiovisual materials (DVDs, VHSs, etc.).
New patrons are held to 3-item limit for the first 30 days after registering with the library.
Patrons may request to be put on a waiting list to check out new, audiotapes and video cassettes as they become available. Patrons may request materials for consideration of purchase. Materials unavailable in this library may be requested through interlibrary.
Fines and Charges
Fines for overdue materials will be levied as listed below:
Overdue books Ten (10) cents per day for each overdue item
Overdue audiobooks Ten (10) cents per day for each overdue item
Overdue video materials $1.00 per day for each overdue item
Lost video/DVD cases $1.00 per item
No check out or use of the computers are allowed with charges of over $5.00. Damaged items must be paid for in full.
Patrons are charged a fifty (50) cent processing fee plus return postage for interlibrary loan requests.
Nonresident user fees are $30.00 annually.
Community Use of Macon Public Library Meeting Room
As a service to the Macon community, the Macon Public Library Board may allow the use of its meeting room by individuals, groups and associations for educational, recreational, social, civic, philanthropic, and other similar purposes as the Board deems are for the best interest of the community.
All requests and scheduling of events shall be made through the library director or designee. It is the policy of the Macon Public Library Board to make the meeting room available for community services insofar as it does not interfere with other library programming.
To reserve the meeting room:
Contact the library director or assistant library director during regular business hours with the name of the organization or group; there must be one (only) contact person who will be responsible for the group. Intended use of the meeting room must be stated clearly. Only the director or the assistant director is authorized to reserve the meeting room.
The meeting date and time period for the meeting must fall within regular business hours of the library, and any meeting must conclude at least 30 minutes prior to the library’s regular closing time. The regular business of the library will always be a priority. Should the meeting date or time period conflict with the needs of the library, the needs of the library shall take priority. No use of the meeting room shall be allowed to conflict with regular library use.
If food or drink is to be served, a deposit is required and the amount may vary at the discretion of the library director. The deposit must be left with the library director prior to the meeting.
Meetings must conclude at least 30 minutes prior to the regular closing of the library. The room must be left clean and the furnishings returned to an orderly fashion before leaving the building.
Notices or announcements about any meeting at the library need to indicate the organization’s phone number or a contact person for any questions about the meeting. The library staff will not field questions about any meetings or serve as the contact.
Each group may reserve only one meeting at a time and reservations cannot be made more than 11 months in advance.
Failure to abide by library policies and procedures may result in denial of future use of the library meeting room, financial liability for damages, and/or immediate removal from the meeting room.
Library-sponsored displays and exhibits are given first priority in scheduling the use of the display areas. The Library reserves the right to revise any schedule of display and to preempt established reservations upon reasonable notification of the group or individuals involved. Macon Public Library and its supporting organizations will use the display/exhibit space to promote the Library’s collection, programs and special events or holidays.
Macon Public Library is pleased to provide space for temporary public exhibits, after its own display needs are met. Any community group or individual may apply for windows, display cases, or other display areas to provide displays of educational and/or community interest. The Library welcomes all exhibits with the exception of for-profit and commercial advertising; current political campaign literature; promotions for current candidates for, or holders of, public office; materials that criticize, attack or disparage any individual, business or organization; or materials prohibited by law from public display.
A written Display/Exhibit Application (Waiver of Liability) must be completed and approved prior to the placement of an exhibit. All applications must receive the Library Director’s approval. Exhibitors will be notified of application status within 14 days of submission. The exhibitor and Library Director will determine and agree upon the start and end dates for displaying an exhibit at the time the exhibit request is approved. The exhibit will be removed by the agreed-upon date. The exhibitor agrees to pay any storage costs incurred by the Library if exhibits are not removed on time.
The Library, its Board of Trustees, Staff, and Volunteers cannot in any way be liable for damage, misuse, or loss affecting any of the exhibits. Macon Public Library does not maintain any insurance which would reimburse the owner of a display in the event of a mishap. If such coverage is desired, the exhibitor must provide it. The Macon Public Library does not post prices nor keep price lists on exhibits. All exhibits must identify the sponsoring individual(s) or organizations(s). All exhibits are subject to removal at any time, in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of the Library Director.
The Library does not endorse or support the content of any non-Library display. Anyone disagreeing with the content of an exhibit or display may submit their own material pursuant to this policy.
Computer / Internet Use Policy
The Macon Public Library provides access to the Internet as another means to inform, educate, entertain, and provide cultural enrichment to its patrons. Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all users, with the understanding that it is the individual user’s responsibility to demonstrate judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using Macon Public Library resources and facilities.
Macon Public Library Internet computers will not be used by anyone, including minors, for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials that by local community standards would be obscene. Library employees are authorized to take prompt and appropriate actions to enforce the Rules of Conduct, and/or to prohibit use by persons who fail to comply with the Internet and Computer Usage Policy as stated or implied herein. Parents are responsible for their children’s use of the Library’s resources and facilities. Parents who believe that their children cannot responsibly use the Library’s Internet access are requested to monitor their children’s Internet use.
Access to Computers and the Internet
To gain access to Library computers/Internet, users must register their library card number with the librarian. A log recording the date and time of use will be kept by the librarian. First time users will receive a copy of these guidelines and must have a signed “Limitation of Liability” form on file.
Individuals who do not have a library card will be granted a free “one-time use” pass for Internet/computer access. Repeat requests for computer access by individuals with no Macon Public Library card will be granted at a nominal fee.
Use of the Library computers is on a first-come, first-served basis. Users of the Internet will not have a time limit assigned, but agree, as a condition of use, that if another person is waiting, he/she will make the computer available within 20 minutes of being informed by library staff that another person is waiting.
Rules of Conduct
1. Internet computers will not be used for illegal activity, to access illegal materials, or to access materials that by local community standards would be obscene.
2. Installation, downloading, or modification of software is prohibited.
3. To protect the integrity of the system, only storage media (diskettes and/or CDs) purchased from or provided by the Library may be used in the Library system computers. The only exception made will be for patrons checking in at the desk and asking to use the stand-alone computer. Users who choose to store data on a diskette must do so by using a diskette purchased from the Library. At the request of the user, the Library will store the diskette for later use. Once a diskette leaves the Library, it cannot be used in Macon Public Library computers again.
4. Users will not use Library computers to participate in chat room discussions or for instant messaging.
5. Users will respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.
6. Users will not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.
7. Prompt payment is required by users who incur charges for printing or other authorized fees.
8. Users must sign up to use the Internet on a next-available terminal basis. Terminals will not be “reserved” for persons who are not in the immediate vicinity when their name is called, and telephone reservations will not be taken.
9. Users must end their session and leave the terminal when asked to do so by authorized Library staff, even if they have not completed their access session.
10. The library staff may establish the number of access sessions available per day, per user; such limitations will be dependent on current demand in order to provide access to a variety of users.
11. By mutual agreement, two persons may share one access session as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or Library staff.
Optional Use of Filtered Search Engines
The Macon Public Library supports the right and responsibility of parents to direct the use of the Internet by their own children, and provides access to filtered search engines on Internet terminals. Filtered search engines (which are not under the control of the Library) may restrict access to sites that could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites that have legitimate research value. No filtering system is completely effective or efficient. Access to filtered search engines has been provided. Adults may request that the filter is removed for their access. Children conducting bona fide research may have filters turned off at the request of a parent or guardian.
Macon Public Library, having installed and enforced the operation of filtering software in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, will have no liability for damages related to the operation of, or failure of, the filtering software, or for its circumvention by users.
Confidentiality
In general, the Library will treat information stored on computers as confidential (whether or not that information is protected by the computer operating system). Requests for disclosure of information will be honored only under one of the following conditions:
When approved by the appropriate Library administrator;
When authorized by the owners of the information;
When required by local, state or federal law.
Except when inappropriate, computer users will receive prior notice of such disclosures. Viewing of information in the course of normal system maintenance does not constitute disclosure.
Warning: Users of electronic mail systems should be aware that electronic mail in its present form cannot be secured and is, therefore, extremely vulnerable to unauthorized access and modification.
Disclaimers
Despite numerous precautions, the Macon Public Library cannot guarantee protection from computer viruses. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain viruses and patrons will need to check their personal computers if they carry the programs out of the library. Macon Public Library assumes no responsibility for damage to a patron’s disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the library’s computers.
The Macon Public Library makes reasonable effort to maintain security of the information that is stored on each computer system, however, breaches can happen in the Library system as they can in personal systems in patron’s homes. For this reason, users are encouraged to make sure that computer accounts, passwords, and other types of authorization for individual accounts are not shared with others. Users are also encouraged to assign obscure account passwords and change them frequently. Ultimate responsibility for resolution of problems related to the invasion of privacy or loss of data rests with the user. The Library assumes no liability for loss or damage to the user’s data or for any damage or injury arising from invasion of the user’s privacy.
Violations and Sanctions
The user’s access to the Library’s computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right. A user violates this policy by his/her action, or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user. Further, a user violates this policy if he or she permits another to use his or her account or password to access the computer network and Internet. Failure to comply with this policy and its procedures will result in the forfeiture of the user’s right to access these computers.
Violators of the Computer Use Policy may lose library privileges. Violations of the policies described above for legal and ethical use of computing resources will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. Illegal acts involving library-computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
From time to time, the Macon Public Library acquires, through gifts, memorials, etc., various donations of books, audio/visual materials, equipment, and objects of art. Gifts are accepted with the understanding that their use or disposal is subject to the discretion of the Board of Trustees and the Library Director. The Library may use such gifts as it deems appropriate, including but not limited to keeping the gift or selling it for the best benefit of the Library. If a gift is sold, all profits will revert to the Library. No individual may profit personally from such a transaction. When appropriate, the donor’s name will be indicated on the donator’s recognition list. As a general rule, advertising should not appear on these materials.
Special collections, such as historical materials, books having more than literary value, or manuscripts, will be accepted by the Library only if proper provisions can be made for their use.
The Library welcomes monetary gifts, bequests, or memorials as long as their use is not restricted by conditions that would conflict with the standard practices and policies of the Library.
All works of art and permanent display must receive approval from the Board of Trustees. All objects of art will be inventoried and securely stored or displayed. The Library will attempt to place a reasonable value on such items, both for insurance purposes and for the accuracy of its own records. Once the gift is accepted, it becomes the property of the Library and may either be placed on exhibit or disposed of at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. The donor will be requested to sign a certificate of gift at the time of donation.
The Macon Public Library serves all residents of the City of Macon and welcomes all visitors. Persons over the age of eighteen (18) years shall be issued a library identification number (ID number) by completing and signing a patron information card and presenting a valid photo identification verifying current name. Proof of current residency within the city limits of Macon is also required. This is verified through Macon utilities office or other form of identification deemed acceptable by the library director.
Young Patrons
Young people between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17) may check out materials in his or her own name if a parent, guardian, or other adult has signed a permission slip to be responsible for the individual’s use of the library. When possible, the parent, guardian or other adult should visit the library to sign the promissory.
Children under six (6) years of age may check out material only through the signature of their parent or guardian.
Non-Resident Fees
Persons residing outside the corporate city limits may check out materials and use computers after paying an annual “non-resident fee” to be determined by the library board and listed in the Library Operations Policy. (As of 01/01/2008, fee is $30.00 annually).
Non-resident patrons are required to provide valid photo identification and proof of address through utility provider, and must complete and sign a patron information card before being issued a library ID number. Non-resident fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
Patron Agreement for User’s Privileges
By signing the identification card, a person agrees to be responsible for all fines and penalties imposed by the Library and to be responsible fro costs of repair or replacement for damaged, lost or stolen library materials checked out under the patron’s ID number. Library ID numbers and/or User’s privileges are non-transferable. Patrons are responsible for any materials they allow to be checked out under their ID number.
Revocation of User Privileges
Macon Public Library’s Board of Trustees and/or Library Director reserve the right to revoke the library privileges of any individual who fails to comply with the library’s policies concerning the use of the ID number, care of library materials, and conduct while on library premises.
last updated 8/6/08