Library Card Policies
Any Massachusetts resident is eligible to obtain a library card at the Sargent Memorial Library. Your library card entitles you to borrow from any Massachusetts library as long as your library card is in good standing. Your library card is accepted at any library that is a member of the CWMARS network. Library cards are free of charge. Replacemtents for lost or stolen cards is $1.00.
To obtain a library card you need a valid picture ID, tax bill or utility bill indicating your current address.
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Loan Policies
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Books, Books on Tape/CD 21 days, one renewal allowed
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Interlibrary Loans 21
days, no renewals
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New Books 14
days, one renewal allowed
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Magazines
7 days, one renewal allowed
o
Videos, DVDs
7 days, one renewal allowed
o
Museum Passes
1 day, no renewals
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Fine Schedule
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Videos, DVDs $
1.00/day, max. $5.00
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Museum Passes $
1.00/day
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All other materials
$ .10/day, max.
$3.00
If fines total ten dollars ($10) or more, your borrowing privledges will be suspended until your fines are paid.
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Internet Policies
The Sargent Memorial Library provides access to the Internet as a free service and another vehicle of information to the public. The individual user is the ultimate judge of appropriateness, usefulness, and value of information accessed via the Internet. The library does not control and does not monitor information accessed through the Internet for either accuracy or content, nor does the library have complete knowledge of what is on the Internet. Information may be reliable and current or it may be inaccurate, out of date, or unavailable at times. The Sargent Memorial Library cannot be held responsible for the content of the internet. Library staff will answer basic questions about Internet use.
The Library seeks to provide equal access to information. The minimum age for Internet use is 12 years of age. Those under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents/guardians are ultimately responsible for setting standards and establishing guidelines for their children’s use of electronic resources.
Using computers in the Library for illegal purposes is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to using the Internet in violation of Massachusetts General Law 272 Section 31, the Harmful to Minors statute, or for the transmission of threatening, harassing, defamatory, or obscene materials. Children shall not access material “harmful to minors.” Access to blatantly offensive visual or text-based materials constitute potential sources of sexual harassment to other patrons and to Library staff and will not be tolerated. Destruction of or damage to Library equipment is forbidden. Failure to comply with a request from a Library staff member to abide by these rules will result in suspension from the Library and/or criminal sanctions. Viewing child pornography or attempting to use sexually explicit images to entice a child will be reported immediately to the Police. Patrons are encouraged to assist in maintaining a child-safe Library by bringing problems to the attention of the Library Director or staff.
Users are advised to exercise caution in divulging personal information through direct electronic communications, as doing so can compromise personal safety and privacy. Unauthorized disclosure of personal information about a third party is prohibited. Parents are responsible for monitoring their children’s access to chat and e-mail in the library. Children should be taught not to disclose personal information.
To ensure equity in time, access to the Internet is regulated using the PC Reservations system. Patrons using the Internet can reserve a PC or access an available computer terminal using their library card. Guest passes are available on a temporary basis. All patrons are limited to two one-hour (120 minutes) sessions of Internet use per day. Printing charge is $0.10 per page.
Approved by Library Board of Trustees 10/23/07
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Safe Child Policies
The Sargent Memorial Library welcomes children of all ages to utilize our materials and services. The Library is a public building available for all to use. Although Boxborough is a small town, the staff may not recognize all of the adults who visit the Library. It is a very busy place and staff members have many duties to perform in order to serve everyone who comes to visit. They therefore cannot monitor the behavior, safety, or whereabouts of people using the building. Parents or caregivers, not the Library staff, are responsible for insuring the safety and wellbeing of minors in the Library or on its grounds. The Library staff will, however, intervene if aware of a problem.
Children age 10 or younger must be attended by a parent or caregiver while in the building or on the grounds. Children under the age of 8 may not be left in the Children’s Room without an adult in attendance. Adults using the Library computers may not leave children unattended.
Children age 11 and older may be left unattended at the discretion of the parent or caregiver. Pickup times, Library hours, and personal safety must be discussed between parent and child before the responsible adult leaves the Library.
Children may not be left at the Library or on its grounds before opening or after closing, including emergency closings. The Library staff is not responsible for supervising children left alone when the Library is closed but will attempt to reach a parent or caregiver for immediate pickup.
Should a child be at the Library at closing and a parent or caregiver unavailable, staff will immediately notify the local police.
The Library staff will stay with an unattended child only until the police arrive. Staff will not offer transportation from the library to any other location.
Your cooperation with our efforts to maintain a safe environment for all our visitors and patrons is greatly appreciated.
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees 2/05/08
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