Policies

The Norris Community Library provides books (including large print books), audiobooks on CD, wi fi hotspots, playaways, and DVDs.

Cardholders may also access eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, and other resources online.

Loan Period & Limits

• Books, magazines, and audiobooks: 14 days
• DVDs: 7 days (DVDs are limited to 3 per library card)
• Wi fi Hotspots: 7 days, no renewals, limited to 1 per card, $7 fee for check out

(Patrons under the age of 18 may only check out DVDs that have been designated by the library as “Juvenile” DVDs.  Parental consent is required for juveniles to check out all other DVDs.)

Reserves

• Reserves may be placed on all materials.
• Reserves ready to be picked up will be held for a customer for three business days.
• To maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of our customers, only the customer who has reserved the item will be told its title.

Renewals

• All items may be renewed twice, except for Wi Fi Hotspots. (Hotspots cannot be renewed.)
• Items may be renewed either in person, by phone, or online.
• Items that are on reserve for another patron may not be renewed.

Fines and Fees

• A daily fine will be charged for each item that is overdue.
• Books, magazines, audiobooks: $0.10 per item, per day
• DVDs: $.50 per item, per day
• Wi-fi Hotspots: $2.00 per day

Lost and Damaged Material

• The charge for lost material or damaged material will be the retail cost of the item.
• The library is not responsible for personal equipment damaged by library materials.

Introduction

In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Anderson County Libraries inform, educate, culturally enrich and entertain the citizens of Anderson County, Tennessee. It is within this context that the Anderson County Libraries offer free access to the Internet.

Internet access is available during the Library’s regular hours of operation.  Periodic maintenance or technical difficulties may arise that may cause computer access to be temporarily unavailable.

The accuracy or availability of the information from the web cannot be guaranteed and the Anderson County Libraries cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information gained or the suitability of material that may be encountered.

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-911, the Anderson County Libraries have installed and enforced the operation of filtering software that attempts to limit the incidence of chance encounters with inappropriate websites.  No filtering software is 100% effective.

Library staff will provide help on basic computer use as time permits, but will not provide extensive personal, in-depth training or instruction. Library staff may not be available for computer help at all times.

Confidentiality

Library staff will respect the patron’s confidentiality.  However, since computer screens are visible to others, the library cannot guarantee privacy or confidentiality.  Some material is inappropriate for display in a public setting.  Library staff reserves the right to monitor the use of computer workstations to ensure compliance with this policy.

Internet Use Agreement

It is the responsibility of the patron to read, understand, and accept the guidelines for using the Internet as stated in the Library’s Internet Use Agreement.

• Adults may need to show a valid driver’s license or valid library card and sign the Internet Use Agreement to access Library computers and/or the Internet.  Patrons must use their own identification for computer access
• Children and students under eighteen (18) years of age must have a parent or legal guardian present to read and sign the Internet Use Agreement at all Anderson County Libraries. Parents of minors must assume responsibility for their children’s use of or exposure to content accessed on the Library’s computers.
• The computers are available for patron use on a first come, first serve basis.
• The patron agrees to limit his or her session to thirty (30) minutes if other patrons are waiting.  There is a one (1) hour maximum use per day. Use of equipment must be completed within 15 minutes of closing time and Library staff reserve the right to shut down any computers after this time. Reservations for computer use are not permitted.
• The patron may not view sites that are inappropriate for display in a public setting.
• While using the Library’s computers, the patron is not permitted to:
  • Install software or hardware; alter the computer’s configuration; install or download information onto the hard drive
  • Attempt access to the Library’s network system
  • Apply unnecessary force to the computer or its parts
  • Alter software configuration on the desktop
  • Use the Library computer for illegal or criminal purposes
  • Use computer equipment to violate copyright or software licensing agreements; attempt to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems; or in any other way which violates other applicable law
  • Attempt to change, circumvent, disable or otherwise defeat the correct operation of the filtering software
  • Display any material that is harmful to minors pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-911.
• Failure to comply with the Library’s Internet Use Policy and other Library restrictions and rules may result in loss of computer use privileges. Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities

Material may be printed at price per page rate.  Material may also be downloaded onto floppy disk(s) and/or USB flash drive(s) if provided by the patron.

The Library reserves the right to update and change this policy at any time without notice.

The above stated policy and procedures have been approved by the Anderson County Library Board.

Norris Community Library welcomes all children to its library.  We care for the safety and well-being of all children and strive to provide a safe environment for them; however, library staff cannot be responsible for or supervise unattended children.  To ensure the safety of your child and maintain a positive environment for all library users, please observe the following rules:

• Children 11 and under may not be left unattended in the library.  They must be accompanied by an adult.
• If a child under the age of 11 comes to the library without proper adult  supervision, attempts will be made to contact the parents.  If the parents or caregivers cannot be contacted within 30 minutes, staff will contact the police.
• Librarians, staff, and volunteers are not responsible for children who are unattended.
• Children over the age of 11 may be left unattended if they work quietly and follow library rules.  If the child’s behavior becomes disruptive, you may be asked to limit their time left alone in the library, or you may be asked to pick up your child.
• We suggest that your child has some form of identification including his/her telephone number.
• Children attending programs are supervised by library staff only during the scheduled time of the program.  They must be supervised before and after programs by an adult.

The Norris Community Library would like to keep all of our patrons informed on any potential holiday or weather related closings.

The library follows the same closing policy as the Anderson County Government. If the Anderson County Government closes, Norris Community Library will not open.

For up to date notices on potential closings, please visit your preferred local news website or the Anderson County Government Home Page.  In the event of bad weather on Saturdays, or after 5:00 PM on weekdays, closing the library will be at the discretion of the Library Director. All library closings will be posted to the library Facebook page as soon as possible.