Use of Library Materials and Services

B. Loans, Fines, Loss and Damage

1. Library Card Requirement
   Library users must present a valid library card or picture ID with current address to check out materials.
2. Loan Periods
   • All books, audios (books and cd’s), CD-ROM’s, with the exception of reference books, current issues of magazines, and items waiting for another patron, can be checked out for three weeks.
   • DVD’s and magazines can be checked out for one week and cannot be renewed. Television Series on DVD may be borrowed for up to two weeks.
     There is no limit to the number of renewals, except when another patron has requested the item.
3. Fines
   Kingston Library does not charge late fees.  The Board voted to go fine free as of April 1, 2020.  Patrons with overdue materials will receive a printed reminder listing overdue items. Items will be considered lost after 30 days and a bill for replacement will be issued. At that point, the Library staff may at their discretion place a stop on the person’s borrowing privileges. Further, we reserve the right to suspend borrowing privileges if an account balance from fines and fee is $2.00 or more. Reinstatement can only be accomplished by the return of the materials or payment of the bill.
4. Lost Materials
   Patrons who lost materials are required to pay the cost of replacement of those materials and a $10 processing charge.
5. Damaged Materials
   Patrons returning a damaged item may be charged up to the full replacement cost of the item and a $10 processing charge. Anyone found mutilating library materials or misusing library equipment will automatically have their borrowing privileges suspended for six months.

C. Confidentiality of Library Patron Records

In compliance with New York State Civil Practice Law and Rules 4509, the records of the library cardholders are confidential. Library records include but are not limited to patron registration records, circulation records, attendance records for library sponsored programs, records of computer use or reference services, or any other data linking a particular patron to specific library services or materials.

Patrons have control over their library cards. Presentation of a valid library card will allow the patron whose name appears on the card (or the parent/legal guardian in the case of a minor child) access to information about the current circulation record of that patron. A person presenting the library card of a friend or family member may check out items on that card with authorization from the cardholder. However, no information from that library record may be given by library staff to a third party.

No information from the library records will be released to any person, agency or organization, except in response to a valid court order or subpoena, properly presented to the library Director or the Director’s representatives.

Nothing in this policy shall prevent library staff from using library records in the administration of their regular duties. When no longer needed for administrative purposes, records will be expunged.

D. Withdrawal of Materials, Resources and Equipment

The library keeps the collection vital and useful by retaining or replacing essential materials, and by removing, on a systematic and continuous basis, those works that are worn, outdated, of little historical significance, or no longer in demand. By decision of the library Director or designated staff, materials which are removed from the library collection may be sold by the library, contributed to other libraries expressing interest in using them in the collections, recycled or disposed of in accordance with local laws and regulations.

Materials, resources and equipment that no longer support the roles of the library as defined these policies will be withdrawn from the collection or the facility. These items may become damaged, include obsolete information, or are no longer used. The professional judgement of the library Director or designated staff will be used in making decisions about withdrawal. When necessary, specialists will be consulted to determine relevance and reliability of materials.

E. Photocopying and Faxing

1. Photocopying
   The Kingston Library provides a photocopier for public use. The photocopier is available for use on a self-service basis at the cost of $.20 per copy. Those using the photocopier must adhere to the U.S. Copyright Law when copying materials subject to copyright. A copyright notice is posted above the photocopier. The library attempts to maintain the equipment provided in good working order at all times. However, the photocopier is provided for convenience only in the use of library materials. The library will reimburse only for the first copier malfunction.
2. Faxing
   The library provides a fax service primarily for staff use for the purpose of improved reference responses and interlibrary loan functions. Fax service is available to members of the public though frequent use is discourage. Staff practice is to refer patrons to local businesses providing fax service as an alternative to using the library service. When the public is using the library’s fax service, however, the following procedures are in effect: Fax messages may only be left for transmittal or picked up during the library’s normal operating hours. The library reserves the right to transmit messages at an off peak time, unless the request is marked “urgent” for immediate transmittal. The library staff will handle all transmissions. The public is not permitted to operate the fax machine. The cost for sending and receiving fax messages is $1.00 per page (not including the cover page).

F. Public Use of Computers and Access to the Internet

The library provides computers for public use in accord with its mission as defined in Exhibit F of these policies. In furtherance of this goal, the library also limits certain of its terminals to use of library-purchases software, CD-ROMs, and databases and to reference, research, and homework-related internet searching.

Those wishing to use a computer, other than the public access catalog terminals, are required to sign in prior to each computer session. A valid library card is required to use public access computers at Kingston Library. Any resident living within the Mid-Hudson Library System is eligible to receive a library card. Library cards are non-transferable, meaning that only the registered card-holder may use the card to access the computers. Using another person’s library card may result in the temporary suspension of computer privileges. Patrons will be asked to show their library card to staff members, to extend their session time, if the patron requires assistance on the computers or if the patron is not following library policy regarding acceptable computer use. Patrons who live outside of the Mid-Hudson Library System and use the Kingston Library regularly may apply for a non-resident library card. Guest passes for one half hour of computer access may be given to visitors over the age of 18 who do not have a library card or who reside outside of the Mid-Hudson Library System. Guest pass time will not be extended. Identification is required to receive a guest pass. Computer use with a library card is for a one-hour block in the adult area of the library and one-half hour of time in the children’s room as established by the Smart Access Management Internet management software running on all public computers. More time may be allowed if no one is waiting to use a computer.

Visitors from outside the Mid-Hudson Library System may present alternate ID. Blocks of time for computer sue are checked out on the person’s library card or on a library-maintained card in the case of visitors showing alternate ID. Computers may be used in one hour blocks. More time may be allowed in the children’s library if no one is waiting.

Printing is available at a pre-paid charge of $.20 per page. Students are allowed the printing of five pages for use in homework assignments without charge in the Children’s library.

Those using the internet in the library are required to read and agree to the Kingston Library Internet Acceptable Use Agreement which appears on the public access computer screens upon sign-in. Violations of the agreement shall result in a loss of internet access as well as appropriate legal action. The number of times that a patron violates the Internet Acceptable Use Agreement (Exhibit C). By signing this agreement the parent or legal guardian assumes all responsibility for the use of the internet by this or her child and agrees to hold the library harmless from any and all liability that may occur from the use.