Library Policies

Circulation Policies

Obtaining a Library Card
Residents of Snyder County may obtain a library card for use in all four libraries at no cost by presenting identification and proof of address. Children twelve years of age and under must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign with them. Persons living in other parts of the state who have a card from an Access Pennsylvania library may also get a library card if they are in good standing at their home library. The library card should be presented each time materials are borrowed.

Loan Period
Books and talking books circulate for 28 days; reserve books for 14 days. Feature film videos and children's videos circulate for 3 days; other videos may circulate for 14 days. Back issues of magazines and older editions of encyclopedias circulate for seven days.

Reserves
Books may be placed on "hold" if they are not available when you come to look for them. There is often a waiting list for popular titles and the staff would be happy to add your name to the list. You will be notified when "your" book is available; it will be held for you for 3 days after the day of notification.

Renewals
All library materials except videos may be renewed one time unless someone else is waiting for the item. You may renew the item in person or by phone. There are no video renewals.

Overdues
In case of overdue materials, fines are assessed daily as follows: $.10 per day for books, $.25 per day for audio books, $1.00 per day for videos. The maximum fine per item is $5.00.

Video Policies
There is a limit of three video titles at a time that a patron may borrow. Unless otherwise stated, our videos are for home use only. The library is not responsible for any damages that may occur to video equipment while using library videotapes. There is a $1 charge per tape for every day the tape is late.

Book Stop Program
Regular print library books are rotated from our collection to book stops located in post offices and banks throughout the county. Large print books are also rotated to stops located in senior citizen centers and apartment complexes. These books are a part of our permanent collection and should be returned promptly to the stop where you borrowed them. Other people are always waiting to borrow books from these convenient locations.

Interlibrary Loan
Books not in our collection may be available from another library. In most cases, we can request them for your use
 

Internet Access Policy

In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, Snyder County Libraries endeavor to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the informational, recreational, and educational needs of community members. It is within this context that the library offers access to the Internet.

Use of the Internet
Snyder County Libraries has no control over information available on the Internet. Users should be aware that errors, intentional misinformation and material of a controversial nature may be found on the Internet. The library accepts no liability for the content, accuracy, or currency of information found on the Internet. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and library patrons use it at their own risk.

Parents or guardians, NOT the library or its staff, are responsible for Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents-and only parents-may restrict their children-and only their children-from access to Internet resources via the library computer. Parents are advised to supervise their children's Internet sessions.

Internet users are expected to be good citizens of the electronic community, abiding by the rules and procedures of the library as well as those of remote systems.

The user may not use the Internet for any illegal activity or place any materials on the Internet related to any illegal activity. Title 18 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Section 5903 (a) defines offenses:

No person, knowing the obscene character of the materials or performances involved, shall:


1. Display or cause or permit the display of any explicit sexual materials as defined in subsection (c) in or on any window, showcase, newsstand, display rack, billboard, display board, viewing screen, motion picture screen, marquee or similar place in such manner that the display is visible from any public street, highway, sidewalk, transportation facility or other public thoroughfare, or in any business or commercial establishment where minors, as part of the general public or otherwise are or will probably be exposed to view all or any part of such materials.

As a precaution against such illegal use, Snyder County Libraries subscribes to the filtering software "CyberPatrol" AND "Centurion Guard." However, acknowledging that filtering may block access to legitimate sites, and in compliance with the American Library Association's Bill of Rights, the library does reserve the right to remove the filtering software on a public access computer at an individual's request.

Furthermore, computers are considered library property and as such are afforded the same protection as other library materials under Section 427 of the Library Code (Act of June 14, 1961, P.O. 324, as amended through July 1, 2000). Any attempt to bypass the virus protection, filtering system or security of the library computers will be interpreted as a violation of this act and will immediately result in a suspension of borrowing and or/Internet privileges.