Leave this item alone- it is here because the webpage forces us to have the first item “expanded.” This page makes more sense if all items are displayed closed, so I set it up so the first item is hidden.  This one won’t display, but if you delete it or move it then whatever is in the first position will become invisible.

Note that I edited the .css to make the first accordion item invisible.

The following are rules and regulations of the Croghan Free Library, updated September 10, 2018.

1. New Cardholders:
   1. Complete a registration form and provide identification. Primary identification to be used is identification with a picture (preferably a Driver’s License) which has the individual’s current address. If the address information on the picture ID is not current, then another form of identification must be presented which verifies the individual’s current address (i.e. a piece of mail or bill). Individuals who do not possess a valid picture ID must present two documents that verify current address.

1. 1. Individuals will not be able to sign out any items until their library card is issued

1. 1. Children 13 and under must apply with a parent or guardian and that adult’s signature is required on their registration form.

1. Overall Policy:

1. Users MUST present their library card to check out materials.
2. There is an overall limit of 20 items at one time on a library card.
3. Library cards must be renewed every year by a staff member.

1. Loan Periods:
   1. All fiction, non-fiction, juvenile, easy reader books, magazines and audio books are loaned out for four weeks and can be renewed once.
   2. All new items are loaned out for a period of two weeks.
   3. All movies are loaned out for one week.
   4. Reference materials do not circulate.
2. Renewal policy:
   1. All items may be renewed by phone, in person, or online if there is no waiting list for the item.
   2. Renewals are not allowed for new items or for items with hold requests. An item is considered to be “new” for a four month period.
3. Overdues and Fines:
   1. Users are fined $0.10 per library day for each overdue item, with a maximum fine of $5. Any book classified as “Juvenile” or “Easy” are exempt from fines.
   2. A maximum fine of $10 per item is charged if any item is lost or damaged, possibly higher if the item was loaned from another library.
   3. Lending privileges may be suspended if user has 5 or more overdue items, and will not be restored until materials are either returned or fines have been paid.
4. Damaged Materials:
   1. If a book or other material is damaged beyond repair, the borrower is required to pay the billed amount.
   2. Until the damaged item is paid for, the user may not borrow any items.
5. Privacy:
   1. Library records that are deemed confidential are covered by New York State law signed on June 13, 1988. (I CPLR 4509)
   2. Those records are related to the circulation of library materials that contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college, and university libraries and library systems of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests, or the use of audio-visual equipment. These records shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed upon the request or consent of the user pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.
   3. The Croghan Free Library adheres strictly to all sections of this statute regarding the protection of the confidentiality of its users.
6. Interlibrary Loan (ILL):
   1. The interlibrary loan service supports the mission of the library by providing expanded access to library materials and information. The purpose of interlibrary loan is to obtain materials not available in the library. The library affirms that interlibrary loan is an adjunct to, not a substitute for the library’s collection. In meeting patron needs, the library will exhaust local resources first, before requesting items on interlibrary loan.

1. An interlibrary loan request is defined as a request for library materials made on behalf of a patron through ILL or NNYLN (Northern New York Library Network)

1. 1. Patron Status:

1. Patrons must have a library card in good standing to use the interlibrary loan service.
2. Interlibrary loan requests will not be processed for patrons with overdue interlibrary loan materials.

1. 1. Borrowing Rules:

1. Ten active requests are permitted at any one time per patron. A request is active from the time it is initiated until the item has been checked out at the lending library.
2. Materials will be available for pickup for one week after they are processed. If an item is not picked up, it will be returned to the owning library.

• Interlibrary loan materials are checked out for 28 days, unless otherwise specified by lending library.

1. Interlibrary loans may be renewed only once if the lending library permits renewals.

1. 1. The library does not charge fees for the interlibrary loan service.
   2. The library always attempts to borrow from libraries who lend free of charge. However, if an item is only available from a library which charges a fee for loans or requires a shipping fee via the mail, the item will be requested only if the patron agrees to pay the fee.
   3. The patron is responsible for overdue fees, repair or replacement costs. The library will make an effort to collect any such charges from the patron who received the materials.

The following are rules and regulations of the Croghan Free Library, effective May 5, 2014

• PC’s are available to patrons on a first come, first serve basis. Instructions for operating hardware are displayed near the computer. There is no charge for use of the PC’s, however in order to make the service available to as many patrons as possible, there will be a time limit of 30 minutes, maximum usage per day is ONE HOUR. Library staff is available for general assistance in using the computer. However, staff members are not expected to train patrons in the use of application programs.
• Users will not bring their own software programs and load them on the computers.
• Users are responsible for any damage caused to the computers or related equipment.
• Transmission of any illegal material is strictly prohibited.
• Patrons are not to save anything to the hard drive. All files must be saved on a thumb drive or other USB compatible device.
• This library reserves the right to remove inappropriate material from the computer screen and will instruct the patron to refrain from seeking similar sites.
• Printers are not to be used to print out obscenities, pornography, material violent in nature or any other material that is deemed inappropriate.
• Internet and/or library privileges may be revoked for violation of the above policies.
• Copy services are available. Black and white copies will cost $0.15 per page and color copies will cost $1 per page. These copies must be paid for at the conclusion of your visit. Copy machine users are advised that there are restrictions on copyrighted materials. Any violation of copyright is the responsibility of the copy machine user.
• Fax service is also available to our patrons at the fee of $1 per page.

1. Objectives
   1. The purpose of the Croghan Free Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.
   2. Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs.  
   3. The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.
   4. The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Croghan Free Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy.
   5. The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.
2. Responsibility for Selection
   1. The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Croghan Free Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.
3. Criteria for Selection
   1. The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
      1. individual merit of each item
      2. popular appeal/demand

• suitability of material for the clientele

1. existing library holdings
2. budget

1. Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title that is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.

1. Interlibrary Loan
   1. Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library’s collection.
   2. In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the Croghan Free Library agrees to lend its materials to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed in a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.
2. Gifts and Donations
   1. The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as he/she sees fit. The same criteria of selection which are applied to purchased materials are applied to gifts. Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted with suitable bookplates placed in the book. Specific memorial books can be ordered for the library on request of a patron if the request meets the criteria established by the Board. It is desirable for gifts of or for specific titles to be offered after consultation with the library director. Book selection will be made by the library director if no specific book is requested. The Croghan Free Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations.
   2. By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.
3. Weeding
   1. An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials.
4. Potential Problems or Challenges
   1. The Croghan Free Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.
   2. Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children.
   3. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
5. Challenged Materials
   1. Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a Request for Reconsideration of Library Material form which is available in the library. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Croghan Free Library Board of Trustees.

The following are rules and regulations of the Croghan Free Library, effective March 3, 2014 1.

1. Who may use the library:
   1. The library will serve all residents of the community and the public library system area. Service will not be denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, economic, or political status; or because of mental, emotional, or physical condition; age, or sexual orientation. The library makes every effort to be fully ADA compliant.
   2. The use of the library may be denied for due cause. Such cause may be failure to return library materials or to pay penalties, destruction of library property, disturbance of other patrons, or any other illegal, disruptive or objectionable conduct on library premises.
2. Patron Responsibilities and conduct:
   1. It is a patron’s responsibility to maintain necessary and proper standards of behavior in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons. If a patron creates a public nuisance, that patron may be restricted from the library and from the use of the library facilities. Those who are unwilling to leave or do not leave without a reasonable amount of time, after being instructed to do so by the staff, will be subject to law.

1. 1. 1. Cell phone use is not allowed in the library. Patrons should turn off cell phones, or put them on vibrate mode, when entering the building.
      2. Patrons are not permitted to use the library for sleeping or napping.
      3. Weapons or instruments/devices that may be used as a weapon are not allowed in the library.
2. Young Children:
   1. The Croghan Free Library encourages visits by young children and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child. Library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library.
   2. Therefore it is library policy that all children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while in the library. Also, if the young child is attending a library program, we require the parent or other designated responsible person to remain in the library throughout the entire program.
3. Disruptive Children:
   1. Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The library staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. However, children (whether with parents or not) who are continually being disruptive will be given a warning that he/she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library. If after a second warning the child continues to be disruptive, he/she will be asked to leave the library. If the child needs to contact a parent, they may do so and then wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.

Reconsideration_of_Library_Material_Form

The freedom to read is a fundamental right of every American and must not be limited by the would-be censor. Every library should have as part of its adopted by-laws both the “LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS” and the “FREEDOM TO READ” statement. Should a censorship challenge lead to the open form of the media or the courts, it is essential that the library have these documents as an official integral part of their library policies. The North Country Library System stands ready to assist any library in the System area to fight to preserve the people’s freedom to read. The form, “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Library Material” should be presented to any individual who asks or demands that a given book, periodical, or piece of library material be removed from the collection or restricted in its availability to the library’s patrons. Be sure that the complainant fills out the form as completely as possible. His/her signature at the bottom of the form is of particular importance.

Once you have received the completed form from the complainant, it is most important that you treat the individual with the utmost tact. Explain the principle of the freedom to read. In no way should the librarian assume that this should be a personal problem between the librarian and the patron. You should politely inform the patron that the form, the material in question and the whole situation will be brought to the attention of the Board of Trustees of your library. Next, please call the System Service Center to let your consultant, the Director, or the professional on duty know about the situation as soon as possible. The System will do everything it can to assist you in handling the complaint.