Library Policies

Circulation and Loan Policies

  • Patrons must present their library cards to check out materials.
  • Borrower's privileges are cancelled if there are any overdue items, unpaid fines, damages, or losses.
  • A new patron may have 2 items (no Reference materials) checked out at any given time during the first 30 day period after a new card is issued.
  • After the initial 30 day period with no overdues, patrons 18 years of age and older may have up to 10 items, and patrons under 18 years of age may have up to 5 items checked out at any given time.
  • Most library materials are loaned for 28 days.
  • New books are loaned for 14 days.
  • Magazines are loaned for 7 days.
  • Some reference materials may be loaned overnight, due by 10 a.m. the following day, to patrons who have had a library card for at least one month.
  • Some manuals, instruction materials, and reference items require a deposit.
  • Audiobooks (talking books) and music on cassette and CD are loaned for 14 days.
  • Videos and DVDs are loaned for 7 days.  Overdue fines are $.25 per day per video or DVD.   
  • Audio cassette players may be rented for 14 days for $2.00.
  • TVs/VCRs and slide projectors/screens may be rented to organizations for up to 3 days at a fee of $3.00 per day.
  • Materials are due back on or before the due date.

Renewals:

  • Most materials may be renewed, unless there is a request for the material by another patron.  Renewals must be done on or before the due date.
  • Materials may be renewed in person or online at http://modoc.bywatersolutions.com/

Overdue Fines and Notices:

  • Overdue fines are calculated per item, per business day up to 1/2 of the replacement cost:
    Adult and Juvenile materials: $.25/day
    Videos/DVDs: $.25/day
    Reference materials: $1.00/day
    ILL materials: $1.00/day
  • An Overdue Notice is sent 1 week after the due date.
  • A 2nd Overdue Notice is sent 2 weeks after the due date.
  • A Bill for replacement cost plus billing ($5.00) and processing fee ($3.00 per item) is sent 3 weeks after the due date.
  • A Notice of Referral to collection agency plus collection fee ($10.00) is sent 4 weeks after the due date.

Replacement Charges:

  • Lost patron card: $1.00.
  • Missing barcode: $1.00.
  • Lost materials:
    Current replacement cost
    Overdue fines (when applicable)
    $3.00 processing fee per item (for ordering, cataloging, covering and labeling)
    $5.00 billing fee (when applicable)

Damages:

  • Damaged materials will be assessed by the County Librarian.

 Computer and Internet Use Policy

Public Internet access is provided in the library as an extension of our Reference service. Its use is intended to be educational and to offer affordable access to information resources beyond the scope of our library collection.

Some Internet sites contain information which users may find controversial or offensive. The library assumes responsibility only for the content provided on its homepage. We cannot be held responsible for the content, accuracy, or quality of information found at any other site.

We can offer only minimal staff assistance.

Requirements:

  • To use a public access computer or the Internet in the library you must:
    • read Computer and Internet Use Policy and sign Policy Agreement
    • present a library card or valid identification
    • check in with library staff before using the computer and check out when finished
  • children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during an Internet session
  • minors (under 18) must obtain parent/guardian approval to use Internet.

To maximize availability and insure fair use by all, please observe the current Computer/Internet Schedule and the following guidelines:

Computer and Internet Use Guidelines:

  • Our computers are located in a very public area.
  • You may not interfere with the work of others and will respect other patrons' right to privacy.
  • Noise level must be kept down (2 persons maximum per workstation).
  • You must not do anything that may result in damage to the hardware or software; you must not attempt to compromise the computer system or network integrity.
  • The library's public access computer and Internet workstations may not be used for illegal purposes, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, state, or local laws.
  • The library is not responsible for:
    • loss of unsaved work due to power or equipment failure;
    • damage to patron owned hardware or software caused by data downloaded from a library workstation. (WARNING: Software or a file downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus. You should have virus checking software loaded on your computer to avoid a virus.)
    • Access to a computer workstation is limited to one half hour or one hour time periods, including time required to print. Please plan time accordingly.
  • When your appointment time is over, failing to stop using the workstation may result in loss of your library computer privileges. If no other patron is waiting to use the computer, your allotted time may be extended; however, this extended time may be interrupted whenever another patron needs to use the computer.
  • The library reserves the right to terminate a computer or Internet session at any time if policy is violated.
  • The Modoc County Library affirms and upholds the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected materials.
  • The library does not use filtering software on Internet stations. As with other resources in the library collection, any restriction to a minor's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the minor's parent or legal guardian.
    • Features and Services Available:
  • library homepage: providing library and local information as well as links to suggested sources
  • black and white printer
  • selected software
  • training appointments
  • web-based e-mail (eg. HotMail, YahooMail)

Not available:

  • non web-based e-mail 
  • listservs or chatrooms
  • postings to newsgroups
  • FTP
  • access to DOS, Windows files
  • use of personal software

Fees:

  • .10 per page for printing
  • $1.00 per diskette

Violation of any of our requirements or guidelines may result in patron's loss of library computer privileges. Problems with these requirements or guidelines must be addressed to the librarian.