Library Policies

Borrower’s Card

Borrowing Regulations

Equipment

General Computer Policies:
– Patrons must sign in at the Circulation Desk to use any public access computer except the 2 “dedicated” catalog terminals in Robinson.
– Workstations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and seating per workstation is restricted to 2 registered persons at a time.
– Use is scheduled for a 30 minute session.  Additional time may be granted if no one else is waiting for a computer.
– Patrons must display a knowledge of computer use since staff cannot provide in-depth training.
– A responsible adult  must accompany younger children.
– Violations of any computer use policy may result in access privileges being suspended or revoked and my include legal action, where appropriate.

Photocopiers
– Users are responsible for their own photocopying of materials.
– A warning statement about restrictions on the use of copyrighted materials is displayed at the photocopier.

Projectors
– Overhead and slide projectors may be rented at the Robinson Library by District agencies and organizations.
– A deposit is required.
– The equipment should be reserved in advance.

Internet Policy and Use Agreement

• Library Internet computers are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.

• All users must register at the Circulation Desk.  Before any person is granted first-time use of an internet station, he/she is required to review and sign an Internet Policy and Use Agreement.  Additionally, every October 1, all internet users are required to sign a new agreement.

• There is a one-hour per session limit on the use of the Internet computers. If no one is waiting for a workstation at the end of the user’s initial period, the time limit may be extended at the discretion of the library staff. There is also a limit of two people at a time at the computer. 

• Internet users under the age of 18 must have a signed authorization by a parent or legal guardian on file with the Robinson Public Library District.  Parents are responsible for children 15 and under using Library Internet computers. Youth ages 11 to 17 years-old may work independently if they have signed parental permission, but the Robinson Public Library District is not responsible for the content of any materials accessed through the Internet. Parents or guardians, NOT the library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parental supervision of children searching the Internet is strongly advised. 

• Children 10-years-old and younger must be accompanied by a parent or by a responsible adult that has been approved by the parent or legal guardian when using the library’s internet access.  

• Inappropriate use of the Internet may result in suspension or revocation of Internet use following the policy violation consequences in section XIV of the library policy. The following activities are unacceptable:

• Using the Internet for any purpose which results in the harassment of others.

• Destroying, causing damage to or unauthorized alteration of the library’s computer equipment, software, or security procedures.

• Downloading any file transfer protocol (FTP) software to library computers or to an external device.

• Contacting a source which contains lewd, obscene, and/or pornographic material.

• Participating in and/or observing a chat, instant messaging session, and/or social media which contain lewd, obscene, and/or pornographic material.

• Copying a program from the hard drive for personal use – this is a violation of federal law.

• Introducing viruses into the library’s software, databases, or e-mail in any way; re-arranging the computer desktop; or harming any library computers, networks, software, or automation systems in any way.

• Violating federal, state or local laws, including the transmission or receiving of child pornography or harmful material, fraud, or downloading copyrighted material.

• Online catalog computers are available to search for and request library materials. These computers are not to be used for surfing, e-mail, chatting, games, etc. There is not a time limit on these computers, but patrons should be aware of others waiting.

Robinson Public Library District requires that library patrons using electronic information networks such as the Internet do so within the guidelines of acceptable use. The following activities are unacceptable:

• Use of electronic information networks for any purpose which results in the harassment of other users.

• Destruction of, damage to, or unauthorized modification of, the library’s computer equipment software, or network security procedures.

• Use of electronic information networks in any way, which violates a Federal or State law.

• Use of electronic information networks in any such way that violates licensing and payment agreements between Robinson Public Library District and network and/or database providers.

• Unauthorized duplication of copy protected software or violation of software license agreements.

• Violations of system security.

• Behaving in a manner that is disruptive to other users, including but not limited to overuse of computer equipment, which serves to deny access to other users.

Children’s Access to Electronic Information Networks:

Robinson Public Library District supports the right of all library users to access information and will not deny access to electronic information networks based solely on age.  Robinson Public Library District recognizes that the electronic information networks such as the Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for children. Parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children’s use of the Internet. Library staff is unable to monitor children’s use. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children issues of appropriate use and electronic information network safety. Libraries make it possible for citizens to have access to information they need. As a member of the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET), the Robinson Public Library District is committed to networking, which represents good public policy by maximizing the use of resources of all types of libraries. Every library user benefits from expanded access to information beyond the four walls of a single library building.

Building Regulations

Anyone who has willfully violated any of these rules may be excluded from the library for a length of time to be determined by the Library Director.

Safe Child Policy

No public place, including the Robinson Public Library District, can guarantee the safety of children. A child could be approached by a stranger; become ill; stray from the library confines; or become lost or injured. Because these scenarios are possible, parents or guardians are responsible for the safety of their child or children while visiting the library.  The library cannot and does not assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of children. The library staff cannot observe all patron contacts made on the premises.

• Parents or guardians are responsible for their children in the library. The Robinson Public Library District is not responsible for children left unattended.

• The library staff will assist children with using the library, but will not act as caregivers for children.

• Children under 10 years old must not be left alone in the library.  A responsible caregiver (parent, guardian, or sibling or babysitter age 13 or older) must supervise children in the same department of the library.  Parents or guardians remain responsible for their children and tweens/teens even when the parent or guardian is notpresent in the building.

• If the library is closing, at a regular time or in an emergency situation, and a parent or guardian of a child cannot be located in the building, the Robinson Police Department will be called to assist the child. Under no circumstances will a staff member drive any child home.

The library is not responsible for the care and safety of minor children traveling to and from library premises.

Fines and Fees

Fines for Overdue Materials:

A patron has a grace period of three (3) days before an overdue notice is sent out.  A patron becomes delinquent when they have five (5) or more items overdue.  If a patron has more than $5.00 (dollars) in fees on their records, their borrowing privileges will be restricted or suspended.

Robinson Public Library District no longer charges daily fines on overdue materials.   

If an item is more than 42 days overdue, the patron will be considered delinquent and the patron’s borrowing privileges will be considered suspended until the patron clears their record.

Fees:

• Out of District borrower’s card: $118.00 per year (July 2023)

• Replacement card: $1.00 for first two cards in the same year and $2.00 thereafter.

• Projectors for use by Library District organizations: $2.00 per day rental fee.  $5.00 refundable deposit required.

• FAX machine: 50 cents per sheet to send for toll free or local calls; $1.00 per sheet to send for all other calls.  50 cents per sheet to receive.

• Laminating: 50 cents to $1.25 depending on the size of materials to be laminated.

• Photocopying: 20 cents per copy for black and white; $1.00 for color

• Printouts: 50 cents per sheet for color photos; 20 cents per page for all others.

• Color printer: 50 cents per page.

There will be a $5.00 processing fee for any unreturned lost or damaged materials.

FOIA

I. A brief description of our public body is as follows:

1. Our purpose is to provide materials and services for the recreational, social, informational, and educational needs of the community.
2. An organizational chart is attached.
3. The total amount of our operating budget for FY 2012/2013 is $1192109.00

Funding sources are property and personal property replacement taxes, state and federal grants, fines, charges, and donations.  Tax levies are:

3. Corporate purposes (for general operating expenditures)
4. IMRF (provides for employee’s retirement and related expenses)
5. Social Security (provides for employee’s FICA costs and related expenses)
6. Audit (for annual audit and related expenses)
7. Maintenance (for maintaining the building)
8. Tort Liability (for insurance premiums, risk management, attorney’s fees and related expenses, unemployment and worker’s compensation insurance)
9. Robinson Public Library District has four locations:
   1. Robinson Public Library, 606 N. Jefferson Street, Robinson, IL 62454
   2. Susie Wesley Memorial Library, Box 185, 105 S. Main, Flat Rock, IL 62427
   3. Hutsonville Public Library, Box 08, 101 South Main, Hutsonville, IL 62433
   4. Oblong Public Library, 110 East Main, Oblong, IL 62449
   5. The Administrative Office is located at the Robinson Library
10. We have the following number of persons employed:
    1. Full-time          3
    2. Part-time          17
11. The following organization exercises control over our policies and procedures: The Robinson Public Library District Board of Trustees, which meets monthly on the third Saturday of each month at 8 a.m., at the Robinson Library (except: MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, and DECEMBER when the meeting is at 8:30 a.m.)

Its members are: Robert Laswell, President; Deborah Scott, Vice President; Marilyn Manning, Secretary; Marilyn Manning, Treasurer; Mary Carey; Elmer Hale; Ronald Partlow; and Debbie Walls.

7. We are required to report and be answerable for our operations to: Illinois State Library, Springfield, Illinois.  Its members are State Librarian, Jesse White (Secretary of State); Anne Craig, Director of the State Library, and various other staff.

II.                 You may request information and the records available to the public in the following manner:

A.     Use request form (see attached).

B.     Your request should be directed to the following individuals: Breyanna Weaver or Mindi Williamson, FOIA officers.

C.     You must indicate whether you have a “commercial purpose” in your request.

D.     You must specify the records requested to be disclosed for inspection or to be copied.  If you desire that any records be certified, you must specify which ones.

E.      To reimburse us our actual costs for reproducing and certifying (if requested) the records, you will be charged the following fees:

a.       There is a $1.00 charge for certification of records.

b.      There is no charge for the first fifty (50) pages of black and white text either letter or legal size.

c.       There is a fifteen cent ($.15) per page charge for copied records in excess of fifty (50) pages.

d.      The actual copying cost of color copies and other sized copies will be charged.

F.      If the records are kept in electronic format, you may request a specific format and if feasible, they will be so provided, but if not, they will be provided either in the electronic format in which they are kept (and you would be required to pay the actual cost of the medium only, i.e. disc, diskette, tape, etc.) or in paper as you select.

G.     The office will respond to a written request within five (5) working days or sooner if possible.  An extension of an additional five (5) working days may be necessary to properly respond.

H.     Records may be inspected or copied.  If inspected, an employee must be present throughout the inspection.

I.        You may appeal the decision of the FOIA officer to the Board of Library Trustees.

J.       The place and times where the records will be available are as follows:

a.       10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

b.      Robinson Public Library District, Administrative Office

III. Certain types of information maintained by us are exempt from inspection and copying. However, the following types or categories of records are maintained under our control:

A.     Monthly Financial Statements

B.     Annual Receipts and Disbursements Reports

C.     Budget and Appropriation Ordinances

D.     Levy Ordinances

E.      Operating Budgets

F.      Annual Audits

G.     Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees

H.     Library Policies, including Materials Selection

I.        Annual Reports to the Illinois State Library

Approved: 12/19/2009

Updated: 12/21/2013

Robinson Public Library District

Freedom of Information Request

Requestor’s Name (or business name, if applicable)        Date of Request                        Phone number

Street Address                                                              Certification requested:

             Yes                             No

City                  State                 Zip

Description of Records Requested:

Is the reason for this request a “commercial purpose” as defined in the Act?   ___ Yes    ___ No

Library Response (Requestor does not fill in below this line)

A         (  )        The documents requested are enclosed.

P          (  )        You may inspect the records at                                                             

P                      on the date of                            .

R          (  )        The documents will be made available upon payment of copying costs of

O                     $                      .

V        

E          (  )        For “commercial requests” only: the estimated time of when the documents

D                     will be available is _______________, at the prepaid costs stated above.

            (  )        The request creates an undue burden on the public body in accordance with

Section 3(g) of the Freedom of Information Act, and we are unable to negotiate a more reasonable request.

D         (  )        The materials requested are exempt under Section 7                     of the

E                      Freedom of Information Act for the following reasons:    

N                                                                                                                                            

I                                                                                                                                              

E                      Individual(s) that determined request to be denied and title: _________________

D                                                                                                                     ______                        .

In the event of a denial, you have the right to seek review by the Public Access

Counselor at (217) 558-0486 or 500 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62705

Or you have the right to judicial review under section 11 of FOIA.

(  )        Request delayed, for the following reasons (in accordance with 3(e) of the                       FOIA):                                     .  You will be notified by the date of                   __        as to the action taken on your request.

NOTE: This form cannot be MANDATORY under FOIA, but it is preferred.  Failure to use it may result in the request not being properly or promptly processed. 

FOIA Officer                                                                Date of Reply

Organizational Chart