[Amended 8-1996]
Library premises are available for the free use of all, provided
proper behavior is exhibited. Limited space is available for public
or private meetings. Bulletin boards are to be used for public service
announcements. Display cases are to be used for exhibits approved
by the Librarian. At the discretion of the library staff, time limits
may be set for the use of the microfilm reader/printer, public access
computers, and other computer stations and functions.
[Added 8-3-1994]
Anyone creating a disturbance that disrupts the normal business
of the library, or the rights of other patrons present, will be asked
to leave. In the case of ongoing unacceptable behavior, parents/custodial
caregivers will be contacted if necessary to correct the problem.
If a disruption causes concern for the safety of any/all persons involved,
the police will be contacted for assistance.
[Amended 8-1996]
A.
To be eligible for a library card, a person must: live in Great Barrington,
Housatonic or surrounding Massachusetts communities on a year-round
basis or own property in Great Barrington or Housatonic; register
and provide proof of current address, i.e. driver's license,
Massachusetts I.D. card, rent receipt, voter registration card. Children
under the age of 14 years must have their applications signed by a
parent or legal guardian. A child must be five years old to register.
B.
The following are eligible for a card, provided that they leave a
refundable deposit of $20: people living locally for a limited period
of time; people whose primary residence is elsewhere; staff and students
living on the premises of schools, colleges, group homes, halfway
houses, camps, etc., who cannot provide identification documenting
this as their permanent address; all persons living out of state.
The exception to this rule will be for staff and students of Simon's
Rock of Bard College, because of the college library's reciprocal
borrowing policy for residents of Great Barrington. Cards will not
be issued for a one-time use. Deposits will be returned through the
mail by a check issued by the Treasurer of the Town of Great Barrington
when the cardholder leaves the area, becomes a resident of the state
or otherwise proves eligibility for a nondeposit card. Deposits will
be forfeited by the cardholder if his/her card is unused for a period
of five or more years, or if the cardholder accrues fines/fees without
responding to notification of same by library staff.
[Amended 8-1996]
A.
After obtaining a library card, an adult may borrow 12 items, three
on a subject; a child may borrow six items, two per subject. The standard
circulation period is two weeks, with two renewals. Renewals may be
made in person, with item in hand, only. Reference materials and current
magazines do not circulate. Loan Department books at the Mason Library
have no free borrowing period.
B.
A patron must maintain a card in good standing in order to continue
borrowing. Overdue items, a fine of over $2; and/or a record of continuous
delinquency or irresponsibility may be cause for reduction or cessation
of one's borrowing privileges. Return of items and payment of
fines is usually all that is required to reinstate one's borrowing
capability. For those unable to pay large fines at once, the library
will accept remuneration in increments, and allow borrowing, as long
as an effort is made to keep up payments without sustaining new fines
until full restitution has been made. The patron must show good will
toward the library in this effort to correct his/her record, or borrowing
privileges will be suspended. This policy will apply to all patrons,
with increments to be less for children, if necessary. Children coming
with organized groups such as school classes, scout troops, etc.,
will be expected to make the same effort to clear their records as
those coming individually.
[Amended 8-1996]
The patron must have an active card with no outstanding fines/fees
before requesting materials ILL. The user is then obliged to honor
the rules and regulations of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library
System and the lending libraries concerning ILL, including their fee
schedule for the nonreturn, damaged, or delinquent return of items.
[Amended 8-1996]
Books may be returned in the drops when the library is closed,
and any overdues may be paid at the time of the next visit. Nonprint
materials should be returned during normal hours of operation, as
damage may be sustained if they are returned in the drop.
The libraries subscribe to the American Library Association's
Freedom to Read and Library Bill of Rights statements, copies of which
are available for perusal at the Mason Library. All requests for reconsideration
of material in the library collection must be made in writing by filling
out the appropriate form available at the library.
[Amended 7-27-1988; 8-1996]
All rules, regulations, fees and fines are subject to change
by vote of the Board of Library Trustees.
