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Library Policies

To ensure that your library experience is both pleasant and informative, the following policies have been adopted and are used by all public libraries in Beaver County.

By signing the library card registration form, you accept these policies.

Using Your Library

Library Cards

Requirements to get a library card:

  • Any person residing, working or owning property in Beaver County, or has an Access PA sticker on their Home Library card may apply for a Free library card. All others may apply for a library card at a cost of $20.00
  • Your library card is valid at all public libraries in Beaver County and the Community College of Beaver County Library.
  • A verifiable written form of identification (preferably a photo ID), including current address, is needed to apply for a card.
  • Those under the age of 12 are eligible for a library card with a parent or guardian's signature and ID.
  • Library cards are renewable every 3 years.
  • Library cards are not transferable.

Borrowing and Returning

  • Materials may be borrowed for up to 14 days. Loan periods for popular and audio visual items may vary.
  • Upon request, materials will be sent to any BCLS Library or CCBC Library for pick-up.
  • Most items can be renewed at any library, by telephone, or online.
  • Materials may be returned at any library or in designated book drops.
  • Parents/guardians, not library staff, are responsible for monitoring their minor children's use of all library materials
  • Borrowers are responsible for all materials/equipment borrowed and assume liability for items while in their care.

Costs

  • Lost library card - $2.00.
  • Overdue fines range from $0.20 to $1.00 per day per item.
  • Maximum fine per returned item - $10.00.
  • Maximum fine per item not returned - cost of replacement plus processing fees.
  • Maximum library card balance to retain borrowing privileges - $5.00.
  • Lost or damaged items - Replacement costs as determined by the library.

Interlibrary Loans (Out of County)

  • Materials not available from a BCLS member library or CCBC may be available from a PA library through SHAREit.
  • Renewals are not permitted on these items, and $1.00 per day will be charged for each overdue item.
  • New, popular, historical, genealogical and reference materials usually are not available from participating SHAREit libraries.

Computer / Internet / Hotspot

Eligibility and Procedure

  • Computer, Internet access and Hotspots are available to patrons in good standing (no fines or charges over $5.00) who have a current BCLS Library card, or an Access PA sticker on their home library card.
  • Patrons under the age of 18 must have their library card registration form signed in person by a parent or legal guardian.
  • Patrons under 12 must have an adult sitting with them at the computer at all times.
  • Parents/guardians, not library staff, are responsible for determining and monitoring their minor (under age 18) children's use of the Internet.
  • You should be familiar with Windows and a Web browser before you use the equipment.
  • The computer must be checked out when you begin your session and checked-in when you are finished. Usage time is limited when other patrons are waiting. Please be considerate. Only two patrons may use a single computer at a time.

Costs

  • Computer and Internet use is free. However, there is a per-page printing charge to offset the cost of ink and paper.

Usage

  • Problems with a computer, Internet, printer, Hotspot or other equipment should be reported to a staff member immediately. Misuse of the equipment is prohibited.
  • The computers, Internet and Hotspots may not be used for unauthorized or illegal purposes. Viewing "obscene and other sexual materials and performances, as defined by 18 Pa.C.S.A. 5903, is not allowed. It is the patron's responsibility to use discretion in viewing Internet sites and web pages.
  • The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress in 2000 to help protect all computer users from explicit, objectionable content. In compliance with CIPA, member libraries use filtering systems that ensure the Internet is used responsibly and that restrict access to sites that are explicit or objectionable.
  • Library staff reserve the right to ask a patron to discontinue use of a site, and/or suspend computer and Internet privileges.
  • Public Internet and WiFi may not be secure. Disclosing personal information on the Internet is strongly discouraged.
  • The Library is not responsible for any liability, damages or expense resulting from use or misuse of the Hotspot device, connection of the device to other electronic devices, or data loss resulting from use of device.

Privacy

The Beaver County Library System has a commitment to protect the privacy of patrons. To provide services, the Library collects and maintains personally identifiable information about our patrons.


Social Media Procedure


SOCIAL MEDIA PURPOSE: 

Beaver County Library System (BCLS) uses social media in many forms. BCLS staff maintains and edits the content of BCLS social media sites to comply with library policies. Library social media is intended to create a welcoming online space where library users will find useful and entertaining information and opportunities to interact with staff and other users.

BCLS will utilize social media tools to encourage community involvement and to create a dialog between the library and its patrons regarding library services, resources, events and programs, and community information.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND POSTS:

Comments, posts, and messages are allowed on the library's social networking sites as long as they conform to the library's social media guidelines. All interactions will be regularly monitored by the social media manager and reviewed for content and relevance.

BEHAVIOR CODE:

BCLS social media contributors/administrators reserve the right to refrain from posting user submissions or comments or hide them at any time.

We are not responsible for user-related content. A posted comment does not imply endorsement or agreement from BCLS.

No posts or comments will be removed upon the authority of a single contributor or administrator. Controversial posts from our followers/subscribers subject to violation should first be "hidden" until reviewed by management. Hiding the Facebook comment will keep it hidden from everyone except that person and their friends. Posts and comments on Instagram and YouTube are reviewed, first, before post is permitted.

BCLS's social media manager, public relations assistant and those designated by the library director may directly publish or comment via social media using the BCLS name and logo. Only with permission from the library director and/or manager(s) may other staff publish or comment using the BCLS name and logo.

BCLS will report and hide/delete comments related to:

    • Spam
    • Commercial content
    • Political, religious or commercial campaigns
    • Gratuitous links to sites
    • Offensive, obscene, threatening or abusive language
    • Plagiarism
    • Harassment, stalking and abusive behavior

Voluntary Content Sharing:

By submitting content to BCLS social media sites, the participant is granting permission for BCLS to use their name, photo, and any content contained within the post without compensation or liability on the part of BCLS. This permission ends when the owner removes their post or submits a written request for BCLS to delete the post.


Additional eligibility and usage procedures may apply at member libraries.

Revised 02/18/2020