The Mendocino County Library is a free, public library. With a library card, anyone may borrow materials, order books, use the public access computers, or use the databases for magazines and newspapers.

Library Cards | Loan Period | Fines | Internet Policy | Gift Policy | Mission and Goals | 

Parents are responsible for their own children in the library. We encourage parents to guide their children in library and computer use. Library staff is not responsible for monitoring items checked out by juvenile or adult patrons. Parents are responsible for their children's access of the Internet. Parents- and only parents may restrict their children- and only their children- from use of the Library's public Internet access and should monitor their children's sessions.

Library Cards

• Need to show proof of address.
• Children under 12 must be able to write their own name. A parent's signature is required.
• Must have the card with you to borrow materials.
• Need a library card to access the magazine database from home.
• If you forget your library card, we will look up your number one time with an ID.
• The second look-up requires the purchase of a new card.
  
• New cards cost $1.00
• Report LOST cards immediately!

Loan Period

The loan period is 21 days for all items except for DVDs which have a loan period of 7 days. Interlibrary Loan items have a loan period of two weeks and cannot be renewed.

At check out you will receive a receipt that lists each item checked out and when it is due. Materials may be renewed once unless someone has a request for that item. Library users are responsible for returning items on time.

Fines and Charges

Library items may be returned to any library branch in Mendocino, Lake or Sonoma counties. There is a book drop available for use when the branches are closed. Patrons will be charged for overdue, lost or damaged items. Fines are charged at the rate of the lending library.

Overdue fines in the Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake County system $.25 per day per item with a maximum of $10.00.

• Children's items are charged $.10 per day per item.
• Lost or destroyed books are charged at the cost of replacing the item.
  
• Borrowers are liable for the replacement cost of lost or damaged library materials.
  
• Library cards are free with free renewals. Replacing a lost card costs $1.00
• Patrons with fines $10.00 or more may not use their card.
• Computers are available for public use at each branch.. Time alloted for computer use varies by branch. There are no phone sign ups. Printing costs $.10 per page.

Internet Policy

PUBLIC ACCESS INTERNET GUIDELINES

Approved by the Library Advisory Board May 14, 2008

User Responsibilities

All users of the Internet at this library are expected to use it in a responsible and courteous manner. Please follow all Internet related rules and regulations.

YES

• Know and comply with general library rules of conduct
• Use for authorized items only
• Respect intellectual property right by making only authorized copies of copyrighted licensed software or data
• Respect other's privacy
• Use only for legal and ethical purposes
• Use computer equipment as is

NO

• Do not alter, damage or delete software
• Do not damage or change the equipment configuration
• Do not propagate computer worms or viruses
• Do not misrepresent yourself or another user
• Do not attempt to gain access to files or passwords belonging to other individuals or computer networks.

PROHIBITED USE INCLUDES

• Copy and use of copyrighted, licensed and protected software
• Transmission or access of obscene or sexually explicit material
• Sending hate mail or using the Internet for harassment or discrimination
• Transmission of material in violation of U.S. or state regulations

User Guidelines

NO CHANGES OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED TO THE HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE OF PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS. PENALTIES INCLUDE PAYMENT FOR DAMAGES AND LOSE OF COMPUTER PRIVILEGES.

• First time users must demonstrate the ability to turn on a computer, load programs and CD-ROMS and show understanding of the instructions and HELP screens.
• Users, twelve years or younger, must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, caretaker,. Children may not be left alone at the library.
• Only one person over twelve years old may use each computer at a time, unless staff grants permission. People may not congregate at the computers.
• Computer patrons assume responsibility for software during use.
• Personal belongings should not be left unattended.
• Computer copies cost ten cents per page.
• Use appropriate language, respect the privacy of others and do no disrupt other users.
• Internet sources do not always provide accurate, complete or current information. All source materials should be questioned for validity.
• Mendocino County Libraries reserve the right to determine the nature of inappropriate computer use. Suspected internet abuse may be monitored.
• Penalty for abuse of these guidelines is possible revocation of computer privileges for a period not less than two weeks and not more than twelve months. Appeals may be made to the library Branch Manager.

Mendocino county Library, in response to advances in technology and the emerging needs of the community, endeavors to develop collections, resources and services that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of a diverse community. One of its services is providing public access to the Internet.

The Internet is a global communication resource with a highly diverse user population. From its very nature the user cannot expect all sources on the Internet to provide accurate, complete or current information. The Library has no control over the content of the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Library does not censor access to library materials nor does it protect patrons from information. Library patrons accessing the Internet should use it at their own discretion. Patrons found accessing pornographic or offensive sites will be asked to leave, and may lose their computer privileges, if so determined by the Branch Librarian.

All Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all Library users. Parents or guardians are responsible for their children's access of the Internet, not the Library and its staff. Parents- and only parents- may restrict their children- and only their children- from use of the library's public Internet access and should monitor their children's sessions.

Other than restriction of children's access based on parental approval, limitations on the amount of time a person can use workstations will be imposed to make workstations more accessible to all potential users. A limitation of two persons per workstation is required in order to reduce disturbing conversation and to discourage behavioral problems. Exceptions may be made for families and special circumstances to be determined by staff.

Gift Policy

The Mendocino County Library welcomes gifts of library materials, money or real property. These gifts help enrich and improve public library resources. Monetary contributions are added to the library's Endowment fund, which is allocated by the Library Board for purchase of materials. Memorial books or other library materials may be donated in honor of a friend or relative, and are marked with a special bookplate. Used books and paperbacks can often be used in the library's collection. Items not needed by the library are sold at a book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library Generally, the library does not accept textbooks or books in poor physical condition. The library may or may not accept donations of specialized collections. A decision will be made on an individual basis by the Library Director and the Branch Manager. The library applies the same criteria for evaluating gift items as it applies to purchased material. Gifts will be withdrawn in the same manner as purchased material. The library does not accept responsibility for notifying donors of withdrawal or replacement of gift items. All gifts are tax deductible and the library will furnish a statement for tax purposes, but does not place a financial value on used items. No gifts are accepted unless given to the library without restriction. All gifts may be utilized, sold or disposed of in the best interest of the library. All donations are accepted only if the Library Director feels they can be utilized by the library.

Mission and Goals

The Library's mission statement was developed after community town hall meetings and written by a community of citizens. It reads:
Our Library provides educational and recreational materials which fill the needs of a culturally diverse population. It does these tasks with care for the quality and timeliness of its materials and with attention to their accessibility. The Library through its staff interprets and guides the use of materials to enable as many people as possible to apply in their daily lives the record of what is known.
The goals of the Library are to:

• Provide and improve accessibility to information through a variety of means for all library users.
• Encourage young children to develop an interest in reading and learning.
• Support individuals of all ages in pursuing a sustained program of independent learning.
• Feature current, high-demand, high-interest materials in variety of formats for persons of all ages.
• Provide a stable funding base adequate to maintain the desired levels of service.