The name of the public library of the city shall be the Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.901)
In this article:
Director.
The director of libraries for the city or his or her designated agent.
Library.
The Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library and any branch libraries maintained by the city.
Library materials.
Any book, equipment, recording, magazine, periodical or film belonging to the library and designated for circulation for time periods by the director as set out in this article.
Patron.
Any person who uses or seeks to use any facility, service, program or item offered by the library.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.902)
Editor's note–Former section 18.07.003 pertaining to the library board and deriving from the 2002 Code, sec. 9.903, was superseded by Ordinance 2018-12-53 adopted 12/10/18. Similar provisions can now be found in section 5.02.010.
Use of the library shall be free to all residents of the city and shall be administered by the director. The library shall be kept open for use during such hours as may be fixed by the director and approved by the library board.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.904)
(a) 
Any resident of the city may obtain a library card by filing an application along with proof of residence.
(b) 
A record of the library card will be kept on file in the library, and possession of a valid library card will allow a patron to borrow any materials and equipment designated for circulation for such time periods as may be stipulated and indicated thereon by the director.
(c) 
A nonresident of the city may be issued a library card by filing an application and paying a fee to be established by resolution of the city council from time to time for such purpose. A nonresident will have the same right of use of the library as a resident, subject to the payment of such fees and securing of a library card.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.905)
(a) 
A patron of the library shall be charged a fine as set out below for return of library materials after the due date indicated on the checkout card included within the materials.
(b) 
If library materials borrowed from the library have not been returned by the due date specified, the director shall mail a notice to the patron at the patron's address as shown in the library records, naming the material involved, the due date and the fact that the library materials have not been returned on time. If the patron has failed to return the library materials within seven (7) days of the date the director has mailed the original notice, the director shall mail a second notice to the patron at the same address advising that the patron must return the library materials within thirty (30) days of the date of the second notice or a complaint will be filed in the municipal court of the city charging the patron with failure to return the borrowed materials.
(c) 
In addition to other provisions of this article, if library materials are not returned by the date specified, the director may suspend the use of the library card by the patron until all of such materials are returned and the appropriate fines or fees are paid in full.
(d) 
The patron in whose name the materials were borrowed shall pay the replacement cost of a comparable volume for lost materials, plus processing fees.
(e) 
Any other fees or charges for damaged or lost materials or equipment will be set by the library board.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.906)
(a) 
Every patron over the age of seventeen (17) years who shall take or borrow from the library any book, pamphlet, periodical, paper or other library property or materials and intentionally fail or refuse to return the same on the due date thereof, except in accordance with the rules of the library, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to the fines provided herein, plus replacement and processing costs of any unreturned materials and all fines normally assessed under library rules.
(b) 
A parent or other person who has the duty of control and reasonable discipline of a child is liable for any damage to library property when such damage is proximately caused by:
(1) 
The negligent conduct of the child, if the conduct is reasonably attributable to the negligent failure of the parent or other person to exercise that duty; or
(2) 
The willful and malicious conduct of a child who is at least twelve (12) years of age but under seventeen (17) years of age.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.907)
(a) 
A fine as established by the city council will be charged for late library materials, including holidays and days the library is closed. The fine shall not exceed the cost of the book.
(b) 
The fees for the library shall be as established by the city council.
(c) 
The library board shall establish such other fees, fines, rules and regulations as may be necessary to provide the efficient operation of the library.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.908)
The library board, director, assistant librarians and such other employees as may work directly for the library shall constitute the public library department of the city. The director shall be the head of such department and, as such, shall be appointed by the city manager.
(2002 Code, sec. 9.909)