Sign up at the Reference Desk: enter your name, clearly written or printed, the time, and the number of the machine you will be using (located on the user's left). When you are finished, return to the Reference Desk and sign out.
Web stations may be signed up for a period of 30 minutes, after which you may be "bumped" if someone is waiting to use the machine. If no one is waiting, stay as long as you like.
Users are entitled to 30 minutes a day; sometimes, depending on demand, a user may be on for far longer than that. But remember, it's 30 minutes a day per person, not per station. Moving from station to station makes no difference.
Please don't alter the settings of the computers in any way.
When you are finished, return to the home page or leave the screen as it is. Don't exit the program.
The printer is at the Reference Desk and costs 15 cents per page. Pay the Reference librarian.
Use "print preview" to determine exactly what to print. The Reference librarian will be glad to help. Some documents may be many pages long and you may need only one or two pages. Why pay for more?
No more than two persons per station, please.
Drive locks are installed on each machine, so that there is no downloading.
Last modified June 15, 1999.
The Internet is a huge network of information accessible through computers. Much of this information is useful, expanding our information capabilities far beyond what we could before the days of Internet access. Currently, however, it is an unregulated medium. As such, while it offers access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages, it also enables access to some material that may be incorrect, offensive, disturbing, sexually explicit and/or illegal. This information, however, is constitutionally protected unless determined otherwise by a court with appropriate jurisdiction. The Library upholds and affirms, through its adoption of the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement, the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material. However, Internet workstations shall not be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activity prohibited under any Federal, State or Local Law. The Library prohibits minors from accessing Internet and on-line sites that contain or make reference to explicit sexual and/or obscene materials as defined by 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 5903
The Adult Services Department requires that users observe the rules for use as displayed near each webstation. Repeated violations of these rules may lead to expulsion from the Library. Unacceptable and expressly prohibited use of computer resources also includes the following:
The Library has not employed blocking software ("filters"), having found that much information of value is blocked, while much that is objectionable is still available. Parents who are concerned about their children's use of electronic resources are encouraged to determine and monitor their use of Library materials and resources. The monitoring of children's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parents and not that of the Library. The Library staff cannot act for them. Parents and/or Guardians who wish to better inform themselves with age and intellectual appropriate sites for children may wish to access 700+ greater sites for kids and the adults who care about them or for older children, TEEN Hoopla. It is the responsibility of Parents and/or Guardians to instruct their children not to give private information about themselves or others, when using Web sites, in e-mail, or during chat sessions.
Webstations in the adult area of the Library are limited to users thirteen (13) years of age and over. There are webstations in the Children's Department for younger users. Anyone thirteen (13) years of age or over must seek the approval of the Children's Library unless accompanied by a parent and child under thirteen (13).
Adults may be advised that, while access and viewing violent, sexual, or other wise inappropriate material may be within the law, the risk of exposure of minors and the consequences of being harmful to minors are significant. When children are nearby or even if another adult is expressly offended, the patron viewing such materials may be asked to close a website and select a more appropriate resource or location within or outside the Library.
Blocking software is defined as software products published by commercial software publishers which block by site or by language. Safesurf, Surfwatch, NetNanny, CyberPatrol, and CyberSitter are examples of blocking software currently available for use. While the purpose of filter use is to protect children from pornography and other undesirable and/or inappropriate material, it has been widely reported that these products go far beyond pornography.
Internet filters have a predefined list of allegedly objectionable words, phrases and letter combinations, usually relating to sexuality and human biology. Some filters, however, will also include words such as "death" (CyberSitter) and "pain"(CyberPatrol) in their lists. Such lists might include include words and letter combinations such as "sex". This would screen out sites that contain words such as "Sussex," "Essex", "sexton". and "sextant". Most block sites containing speech which is clearly First Amendment protected, such as the National Organization for Women site, blocked by CyberSitter, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation Archive, blocked by CyberPatrol.
The state of the art in Internet filtering is far from adequate at present, which is why the Library has chosen not to filter at this time. Until there is a blocking device which can more clearly target the offensive while retaining what is useful for adults and children alike, we will continue not to filter unless required by law.
Those objecting to Library Internet Policy can complete a
"Request for Reconsideration of Internet Policy" form, which may be obtained at
the Reference Desk. If the Library staff cannot help, requests will be passed on
to the Library Board.
Library Board Approved on December 1, 1999.
Amended July 16, 2002.
The Monroeville Public Library is concerned with the safety and well being of children in the library, particularly those who are at risk because of their vulnerability.
A "vulnerable" child is defined as one who is unable to care for his or her physical and psychological needs or is too young to be safe alone inside and outside the facility. Although this may include older children, it applies to all children seven years of age or younger.
The accompanying adult is responsible for the vulnerable child while in the library.
An accompanying adult may not leave a vulnerable child unattended in the Children's Library.
An accompanying adult may not leave a vulnerable child in the temporary care of another young child who is ten years old or younger.
The library cannot be responsible for the safety or well being of any patron beyond the extent reasonably expected of a public facility.
The library staff cannot be responsible for any child who is left unattended.
The library staff cannot be responsible for preventing children from leaving with an adult who is not the proper chaperone.
Children attending library programs are, for the duration of the program only, considered to be supervised by library staff and thus are not unattended.
The library will deal with children left at closing who are too young to go home alone safely by calling the police if the parent or guardian cannot be located and by remaining with that child until the police arrive.
Library Board approved on May 14, 2001.
Eligibility for Borrowing
Borrowers' cards are issued free of charge to residents and real estate and mercantile taxpayers of Monroeville and Pitcairn. Allegheny County residents and non-residents from areas that participate in Access PA may obtain cards free of charge. Proof of name and current address must be presented at time of registration for a borrower's card. Types of identification include real estate/mercantile tax receipts, driver's license, car registration, currently postmarked mail, most bills, or ID cards with a current date.
Out of state non-residents may have borrowing privileges upon payment of a $30.00 yearly fee.
A person residing in Monroeville or Pitcairn for a short period of time may receive a card as a transient borrower. A $30.00 deposit is required and will be refunded when the borrower moves from the area. The borrower's card is kept at the circulation desk with the application and deposit.
Adult and Juvenile Borrowers
With parents' permission children up through grade 8 will be issued Library cards. Children must be able to write or print their own names in order to apply for their cards and a parent or guardian's signature is required. The Library upholds and affirms, through its adoption of the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement, the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material and will not restrict the borrowing privileges of any borrower. Parents may fill out a form to restrict the types of materials that their children under age 14 may borrow.
Borrowers at least 14 years of age or in grade 9 or above will be considered adult borrowers.
Responsibility
An adult borrower assumes responsibility for all materials borrowed on his card. Parents are responsible for all materials borrowed by their children who are legal minors.
Borrowers' Cards
A borrower is responsible for his borrower's card. The card is non-transferable.
A lost card should be reported to the Library immediately.
The Library should be notified of any change of address.
There will be a $3.00 charge to replace lost cards.
All borrowers' cards will expire at the end of three years. All cards may be renewed by showing proof of their current address.
Borrowing Books and Library Materials
The borrower's card must be presented when borrowing books and library materials. A maximum of twelve non-fiction books (only three of which may be seven-day books or have identical call numbers), six paperback books, six college catalogs, six pamphlets, six magazines, six records, six audiocassettes, six compact discs, six videocassettes, six art prints, one adult CD-ROM, three juvenile CD-ROMs, and three DVDs may be out on a library card at any time. An unlimited number of fiction books may be borrowed as long as the total number of seven-day books checked out does not exceed three. DVDs may only be checked out on an adult card.
Current issues of magazines will be reference only. Newspapers do not circulate.
Most pamphlets are available for circulation.
Books, records, compact discs, audiocassettes, and CD-ROMs may be borrowed for three weeks. Magazines, college catalogs, pamphlets, videocassettes, and DVDs may be borrowed for one week. Paperback books and art prints may be borrowed for six weeks.
Fiction from the New Books shelf will be signed out for one week only. New non-fiction and fiction books with over 500 pages will be checked out for three weeks. In case of heavy demand, books may be placed on limited loan periods (i.e., one day, seven days) and/or the number of books lent at one time may be reduced.
Certain test preparation books that are heavily in demand and frequently "disappear" are shelved in the office and require a $5.00 deposit to be borrowed. When the book is returned, the deposit is refunded to the borrower.
Renewals
One renewal will be permitted except when the material is on reserve. Renewals may be made by telephone or through the Library's web site. If the item is overdue when renewed, the patron is liable for fines accrued to that date.
Reserves
Reserves may be placed on cataloged materials which are currently in use at the Library. A charge of $.50 is made for each item reserved. Borrowers may place reserves by telephone, through the Library's web site, or at the Library.
Fines
Fines will be charged only for days that the Library is open.
A fine of $.10 per item per day will be assessed for past-due books, magazines, records, compact discs, and audiocassettes. A fine of $1.00 per item per day will be assessed for past-due art prints, videocassettes, CD-ROMs, and DVDs.
A maximum fine per item has been set for each material type. Fines may accumulate up to the amount shown below:
Paperbacks - $2.00
Books, Records, and Periodicals - $2.00
Audiocassettes and Compact Discs - $10.00
Art Prints - $10.00
Videocassettes - $10.00
CD-ROM - $10.0
DVD - $10.00
Unpaid fines amounting to $5.00 or more will necessitate withholding all borrowing privileges until the account is settled.
Overdue Schedule
The following timetable will be observed in notifying borrowers of overdue materials:
Notice #1 -2 weeks overdue
Bill - 4 weeks overdue; card is blocked after bill is sent
Collection procedures - 5 weeks overdue; collection procedures implemented
Charges for Lost Materials
If an item is lost, the current replacement cost plus a $5.00 processing fee must be paid to the Library.
Borrowers should understand that the payment for lost materials rarely covers the cost of acquiring and processing a replacement.
Refunds for Lost and Paid Materials
Refunds for lost and paid materials which have been returned in good condition may be paid from the lost book fund. The refund will be the difference between the charge made for the lost materials and the fine as of the day the material was returned to the Library. The processing fee is not refunded.
If there is no refund, the borrower may have the option of keeping the material after it has been marked "withdrawn" by the Library.
Miscellaneous Charges
Charges will be made in relation to the amount of damage and will be at the discretion of the librarian. There will be a charge of $1.00 for a missing box for an audiocassette, videocassette, compact disc, or DVD. There will also be a $1.00 charge for a missing media bag or barcode label.
If an item is damaged to the extent that it is no longer acceptable for Library use, the borrower must pay the cost of the item plus a $5.00 handling charge.
Interlibrary Loans
Interlibrary loan service is available to all.
There will be a service charge only in cases when the Monroeville Public Library is charged for postage or special service. Requests must be made in compliance with rules for interlibrary loans. Interlibrary loan materials will be charged out for the loan period of the lending library and may be renewed if The Carnegie approves the renewal. They must be returned to Monroeville Public Library. The number of interlibrary loan materials charged out to a patron will not limit the number of Monroeville Public Library materials which may be borrowed by that person. There will be a charge of $.50 per item for materials not picked up.
School, Organization and Business Privileges
Library cards may be issued to Monroeville and Pitcairn schools, organizations, and businesses. These cards will be issued under the name of the school, organization, or business and will expire three years from the date of application. Application must be approved by the librarian-in-charge.
Applications must be signed by the principal of the school, the president of the organization, or the owner or manager of the business. Library cards issued will be kept on file at the Library and may be used by teachers of the school or by representatives of the organization or business.
No more than the usual limit of materials may be taken out by a school, organization, or business representative at one time except with prior permission of the department head. However, more than one teacher, organization, or business member may have materials out on the same card at one time.
Fines must be paid for overdue materials. The school, organization, or business will be responsible for all materials borrowed on its card and must pay for all overdue, lost or damaged materials. Non-compliance with these rules may result in loss of library privileges.
Library Board approved on May 14, 2001.
It is the policy of the Monroeville Public Library, as part of its information mission, to provide access to free materials/community information through the distribution of free handouts or the public posting of flyers, notices, and posters. Such materials are limited to those of a civic, cultural, educational, and/or recreational nature. Materials from for-profit groups, companies, organizations, or individuals may not be accepted. If any doubts exist about the nature of the materials, the Library Director will consult with the Policy Committee of the Library Board for a decision. Distribution or posting of materials by the Library does not necessarily ndicate the Library's endorsement of the issues of events promoted by those materials.
Adopted by Library Board on March 10, 2003.
Members of the Board of Directors must promote a high level of library service while observing ethical standards.
Members of the Board of Directors must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the institution.
It is incumbent upon any member of the Board of Directors to disclose a conflict of interest when it occurs and to disqualify himself/herself immediately whenever the appearance of a conflict of interest exists. A conflict of interest is defined in Ordinance No. 1697 of the Municipality of Monroeville as "any situation in which a public official or public employee is in a position where his or her vote or decision can result in a financial benefit ot himself or herself or a member of his or her immediate family other than those benefits which may accrue to the public generally."
Members of the Board of Directors must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of the institution, acknowledging the formal position of the board even if they personally disagree.
A member of the Board of Directors must respect the confidential nature of library business while being aware of, and in compliance with, applicable laws governing freedom of information.
Adopted by Library Board on March 10, 2003.
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