Child Safety Policy

We ask your cooperation in keeping the Library a safe and happy place for your child.

• Parents and caregivers are responsible for the behavior, safety and supervision of their children in the library. Library staff cannot accept responsibility for children.
• Children under the age of 10 must be continually accompanied by a parent or responsible caregiver.
• Children 10 and over may use the library on their own at their parent’s discretion.
• If any unattended child calls attention to him/herself, Library staff will attempt to locate the parent or caregiver and inform him/her of the situation and the policy.
• If a parent or caregiver cannot be located, the appropriate authorities will be asked to intervene.
• Adults other than parents or guardians must not loiter in the Children's area.
• Taking pictures of children or in the Children's area is prohibited unless authorized by a manager.

The Board of Trustees authorizes the Library and staff to exercise or impose sanctions at their discretion when circumstances arise that is not addressed above.  Failure to comply with the Child safety Policy may result in exclusion from the Library and/or legal action.

Amended policy approved May 27, 2008

Hours

Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library,
Easley Headquarters Library

Central/Clemson Regional Branch

Sarlin Community Branch, Liberty

Village Branch, Pickens

The libraries will close Saturday, Sunday, and Evenings as needed at the discretion of the Director.

Revised Policy approved April 26, 2007.

Code of Conduct

The Pickens County Library System exists to provide library service in a safe, pleasant and orderly environment to all members of the community regardless of age, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or economic status.    Library visitors and staff have the right to assume their time in the Library or on Library property will be free from harassment.

The following is considered unacceptable behavior on Library property:

• Violent or unruly conduct of any kind, including horseplay, fighting, making obscene gestures or comments, shouting, speaking in a noisy or abusive manner, running, playing or any other behavior that is menacing or intimidating in nature.
• Criminal acts including theft, abuse or mutilation of Library property.
• Bringing animals, except service animals, into the Library.
• Smoking or other tobacco use.
• Use or possession of alcohol, drugs or weapons.
• Use of restrooms for activities other than their intended purpose.
• Improper dress.  Shoes and shirts are required.
• Soliciting or selling of any kind.
• Distribution of leaflets or posting notices without approval.
• Consumption of food or drink in designated areas, such as the historical room.
• Violation of any local, state or federal law.

The Board of Trustees authorizes the Library and staff to exercise or impose sanctions at their discretion when circumstances arise that are not addressed above. Failure to comply with the Library Code of Conduct may result in exclusion from the Library and/or legal action.

Revised policy approved July 17, 2008.

Interlibrary Loan Policy

The purpose of the Interlibrary Loan is to obtain materials not available in the Pickens County Library System upon the request of a Pickens County Library card holder. Following is the Interlibrary Loan Policy of the Pickens County Library System:

1. There is a limit of 4 (four) requests per patron at one time.
2. Patrons are asked to understand that it may require 1 to 4 weeks for
the processing and receipt of each request.
3. All materials on loan are subject to recall. (This usually applies to
materials that are requested frequently throughout the network.)
4. A minimum processing fee of $1.00 per item (subject to change) is
charged to patrons upon application. No telephone requests will be
accepted.

The loan period may vary due to the lending institution’s standards. Patrons are responsible for the care of the items, for observing the length of the borrowing time and for abiding by any restrictions imposed by the lending institution. (Some books are for in-library use only.) Materials borrowed from other sources cannot be renewed. Borrowers will be billed for overdue charges, replacement cost of the item, and any processing charges or copyright fees as set by the lending institution.

Habitually returning the item overdue or failure to follow requirements may result in the forfeiture of Interlibrary Loan privileges.

Full corrected policy manual approved June 15, 2000

Internet Policy

The Internet is another informational resource provided by the Library. It provides access to a wealth of valuable information from a variety of networks - thousands of them. While each network has its own policies and rules, no one regulates all of them. Also, the information on the Internet is not rated. So, it may be accurate, it may not be accurate, it may be true, it may not, it may not be appropriate for your needs, it may offend you. It may also be magnificent beyond your wildest dreams and exactly what you need.

Therefore, the Library Board of Trustees has established this policy to ensure responsible and appropriate use of the Internet within the Library’s mission and facilities. Once you launch yourself on the Internet, you have left the Library. You control where you go on the Internet. Therefore, individual users must exercise judgment in evaluating the validity and appropriateness of information retrieved via the Internet and must assume personal responsibility for it. The Pickens County Library System cannot be held liable for the content of any Internet site. As it is still in the experimental stage, the needs and usage of the Internet will be monitored by the Librarians and the staff while this policy is evolving.

While the Library System upholds users rights to privacy and confidentiality in their use of all library resources, the nature of electronic resources makes it impossible to guarantee these rights. Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with the Library System’s Code of Conduct. The Library staff will assist Internet users in a manner consistent with other Library services; availability of staff and needs of other Library users will necessarily affect the extent of assistance. It is not possible to meet all requests or to grant access to everyone.

The Library Board of Trustees accepts the legal age of 18 to use the Internet independently. As with other Library resources, the Library System affirms the responsibility of parents to determine the appropriateness of Internet resources for their children. Parents or guardians are required to supervise their children’s Internet use, as Library staff cannot assume this responsibility. Parents or legal guardians may sign a Parental Permission Agreement for their chldren above the age of 13 to use the Internet independently. Parents or legal guardians must sign a Parental Permission Agreement for their child to participate with another specified adult on the Internet. Without a signed Parental Pemission Form, all children under the age of 18 must have an adult with them on the Internet.

Failure to use the Internet stations appropriately and responsibly, as defined in the Internet Policy Statement or the Acceptable Use Agreement, will result in revocation of Internet use privileges and/or Library use privileges. Anyone who instructs or demonstrates to another person how to bypass web-filtering technology will have Internet use privilege and/or Library use privileges revoked. Unacceptable use that is illegal may result in criminal prosecution as well.

Revised policy approved November 16, 2006

Meeting/Conference Room Policy

The Pickens County Library System offers non-profiting use of its meeting and conference rooms to groups and individuals for law-abiding purposes as outlined below. Room reservations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The Library will resolve reservation issues using the following priorities:

a. Library sponsored events.
b. Government departments or agencies within Pickens County.
c. Community organizations formed for educational, cultural, and civic purposes.
d. Other

The use of the meeting room is subject to the following guidelines:

1. Meetings, programs and exhibits must be open to the public. The Library reserves the right to monitor any meeting.
2. All meetings must be scheduled within the library’s public hours and must end at least 15 minutes prior to the location’s closing time.
3. Any publicity must state that the meeting is not a library-sponsored event.  The library’s contact information is not to be listed without prior approval.
4. No solicitation or selling of any kind. Fees or tuition may be charged only with prior approval.
5. Meeting room set up and storage is not provided. Any individual or group using the facility will be responsible for leaving the room(s) clean and in order. Items left in the meeting room or kitchen may be disposed of by the Library.
6. Equipment for the meeting room must be reserved at on the application to ensure its availability.
7. Each applicant is limited to 24 reservations per room within a 12 month period.
8. Cancellations should be made 48 hours in advance. The Library may cancel or reschedule any meeting as needed at the library’s discretion.
9. The person signing the application is liable for any damage to the building, furniture or equipment.
10. The person reserving the meeting room must be in good standing with the library. (Cannot owe more than $5 in fines and fees to the library for any reason)
11. Due to fire regulations, meeting room capacity must not be exceeded.
12. The Library is unable to provide security, but may require the user to provide security.
13. Private events are prohibited.
14. Violations of Library policies may result in the denial of future meeting room use.
15. Individuals and groups using the meeting room(s) must adhere to the Library’s Code of Conduct Policy.

Meeting Room policies are implemented and enforced with the discretion of library staff.

Granting permission to use Library facilities does not constitute an endorsement of the group or organization by the Pickens County Library System, its Board of Trustees, or Pickens County Officials.   

Revised policy approved November 15, 2012

Meeting/Conference Room Application

Mission Statement

The mission of the Pickens County Library System is to provide all county residents with access to information through the development of appropriate collections and services. These collections and services must cover the informational, educational, cultural, and entertainment needs of county residents.

Policy Manual approved June 15, 2000.

Reciprocal Borrowing Policy

The Pickens County Library System will offer residents of any contiguous county borrowing privileges for all circulation materials at all its service points provided that residents of Pickens County are afforded the same borrowing privileges in all that county’s public library service points. In providing this privilege, it is understood that these out of county residents will agree to abide by all borrowing rules of the Pickens County Library just as Pickens County residents would be required to abide by the rules of any contiguous county library offering them borrowing privileges.

Greenville County - May 17, 2001
Oconee County – April 17, 2003
Anderson County – March 18, 2004

Revised policy approved March 18, 2004