Borrowing Policies

• Materials circulate for up to three weeks, and may be renewed once. Patrons may not renew books on reserve, nor items loaned from libraries other than Worcester County. To renew, either go to the Worcester County Library On-line Catalog Web page and select the button "View Record Renew Books", or call the branch from which the item(s) circulated. It is necessary to know the title, author's last name, and due date.
• To reserve material, either go to the Worcester County Library On-line Catalog Web page and search for the material you want and then click the Request button on the bottom of the screen, or ask a staff member for assistance. Reserved items must be picked up promptly.
• ILL (Inter-Library Loan) can take up to one week to arrive after submitting request.
• DVDs and Videos circulate for a seven-day period. Films, projectors, screens and other items may circulate for different periods as needed. The date due will be noted on the item.
  
• There is a 10 cents per day fine for books, magazines, records, CD's and other materials.
  
• A fine of 10 cents a day is charged for overdue DVDs or videos.
• A fine of $1.00 a day is charged for overdue Video Games.
  
• Book drops at each branch are open 24 hours a day.

Collection Development Policies

The Worcester County Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following Collection Development Policy to guide the staff and inform the public about the principles on which the library collections are developed and maintained.

The library collection reflects our Mission Statement:

The mission of the Worcester County Library is to promote reading, thinking, learning, and the enjoyment of the arts.

Therefore, the Library acquires and makes available, within its financial means, a general collection of materials covering broad areas of knowledge. Within this framework, selection is also based on the evidence of interest and demographics within the different communities we serve.

Collection development is also based on other community resources and library systems. Through interlibrary loan and electronic resources, information may be obtained to supplement our collection, thus eliminating unneeded duplication of materials.

Electronic resources will be selected using the same criteria as print material.

The Library subscribes to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, (see addendum). The Library supports the individual’s right to access ideas and information representing all views. The Library welcomes comments from the public about the collection and its development. A Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form is available at all LIBRARY branches.

Behavior and Conduct Guidelines (Click Here to Read)

Internet Policies

In order to provide a clear understanding of what conduct is expected when using the Internet, the Basic Procedures and Rules follow. Failure to follow these Procedures and Rules will result in loss of Internet privileges.

BASIC PROCEDURES

1. Access to Internet computers is controlled by an automated system that requires the user to have a current library card or obtain a visitor’s card.
2. Use is limited to 30 minutes per session and a total of 60 minutes per day; sessions may be shorter near the library’s closing time and time limits may vary according to the level of demand. Use may be extended beyond 60 minutes per day if there are no waiting patrons and it is not near closing time.
3. User must end session when finished.
4. A fee of 10¢ per page will be charged for printing from the Internet. The fee must be paid in advance and printing must be completed within the allotted time period.
5. Only one person may be at a computer work station at one time, except as authorized by library staff.
6. The Library staff is not available to help with E-mail, Internet searching, or other computer operations. Library does not offer Telnet.
   

RULES

1. Users are prohibited from deleting, examining, copying or modifying files or data belonging to the Worcester County Library System.
2. Users are prohibited from installing or downloading any material.
3. Users are prohibited from using services for unauthorized commercial purposes.
4. Users are prohibited from using services for any illegal or criminal purpose.
5. Provisions of the Children’s Internet Protection Act apply to the use of Internet computers in the library. This means that library staff may terminate a user’s computer time if the user is accessing inappropriate content as defined by this federal law.
6. Users are prohibited from using system and/or networks to gain unauthorized access to remote systems.
7. Users are prohibited from decrypting system or user passwords.
8. Users are prohibited from copying systems files.
9. Users are prohibited from attempting to crash network systems or programs or introduce viruses or spyware.
10. Users are prohibited from destroying or damaging equipment, software or data.
11. Users are prohibited from duplicating copyrighted materials, such as third-party software, without the express written permission of the owner, or the proper license.
12. Users may attach personal devices such as thumb drives and digital camera cables to accessible USB ports but may not load software or files onto library computers. Library employees are not available to assist with users’ personal computer devices.
13. Users may copy data files onto storage media such as disks and CDs but must abide by all applicable laws, including copyright and intellectual property laws. Employees are not available to assist with these procedures.