Mission Statement

The Shiawassee District Library offers a variety of formats, materials, and services to provide for the informational and educational needs of its community members and to encourage the appreciation of reading.

Library Policies

The Shiawassee District Library will make every attempt to comply with the American with Disabilities Act. The library will make reasonable accommodations to provide services to individuals with disabilities when such accommodations do not fundamentally alter library services or are an undue burden which involves significant difficulty or expense. Requests for accommodations should be made to the library director at least 14 days in advance and indicate the type of assistance needed.

The following are some of the most requested library policies.  Questions about these or other library policies should be directed to the library director or other staff members.

Circulation       Reference        Internet Services       Behavior     FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)     Donations     

Circulation

Residents of the Cities of Owosso and Durand, Bennington, Owosso, and Rush Townships are issued free cards.  Non-resident cards are $82.00 per family per year.  Replacements of lost cards are $3.00. A Michigan driver's license or state ID card with the current/correct address is required for all applicants 18 years of age or older. Minors may be issued cards with the written consent of their parent or legal guardian; they will be linked to the adult signing the application, and the adult's card must be in good standing.

Most materials may be borrowed for 3 weeks.  DVDs are loaned for 2 days, and are limited to one renewal.  Two additional renewals are allowed for other materials. No renewals are allowed if the item is on reserve.  Renewal requests may be made in person, by phone, or on line through the library's catalog.

Fines are 10 cents per day up to a maximum of $2 per item for print and audio materials.  DVD and video fines are $1.00 for each day overdue up to the retail cost of the video.  Patrons are responsible for paying for materials charged to their card if the materials are lost or damaged.  Individuals may be denied library service until overdue materials are returned or all fines or fees for lost or damaged materials are paid.
 

Reference Services

Patrons within the library will receive first priority in the use of reference tools or staff assistance.  Phone and written requests will be handled as time permits.

Genealogical questions will not be taken over the phone, but may be researched if requested in writing from people outside Shiawassee County.  Shiawassee County residents will generally be expected to come into the library to do their own research.  Research done by staff is limited to in-house materials.

Complete Policy

Internet Services

• Library patrons use the Internet at their own risk.
• There is no charge to use the Internet terminals, but time limits may apply and vary by department.
• Identification may be required to use a computer.
• Printing costs 10 cents per black & white page. Users may be required to purchase a print card. Color printing availablity varies by department.
• All computers are filtered. Restrictions may apply to unfiltered access.
• Users must provide their own flash drives to save documents.
• Wi-fi access is available at both branches.

Complete Policy

Sample Forms:
Website Reconsideration
Unfilter Request--Durand Memorial Branch
Unfilter Request--Owosso Branch

Behavior

The following rules are in effect to ensure the safety of library users and staff:

1. Violations of Law.  Committing or attempting to commit an activity in violation of federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation is prohibited.
2. Weapons.  Carrying weapons, except bona fide officers of government jurisdictions or individuals with a lawful permit, is prohibited.
3. Alcohol / Drugs.  Possessing, selling, distributing, or consuming any alcoholic beverage, illegal drug or drug paraphernalia is prohibited.
4. Under the Influence.  Persons noticeably under the influence of any controlled substance or intoxicating liquor are not allowed on library property.
5. Use of Library buildings and Grounds
1. Use of skateboards, rollerblades, rollerskates, or scooters is not allowed in the library or on library premises.
2. Library patrons must park bicycles or other vehicles only in authorized areas.
3. All doors and entrances must remain obstacle-free.
4. Animals or personal transport vehicles are not permitted in the library other than those required by persons with disabilities or those used in law enforcement or for library programming.
5. Smoking inside library facilities is prohibited, and smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any entrance.  Smokers must use exterior ashtrays and refrain from littering with cigarette butts.
6. Shirts and shoes are required for health reasons and must be worn at all times inside the library.
7. The use of incendiary devices, such as candles, matches, and lighters, is prohibited inside the library.

• Rules for Personal Behavior

1. Personal Property.  Personal property brought into the library is subject to the following:
1. Library personnel may limit the number of parcels carried into the library.
2. The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended.
3. The Library does not guarantee storage of personal property.
4. Personal possessions must not take up seating or space if needed by others.
5. All bags, parcels, briefcases, etc. are subject to inspection upon leaving the library.
2. Food and Beverages.  Food may only be consumed when part of a library program.  Drinks must be in covered containers and may not be within 5 feet of a computer.
3. Unauthorized use. Patrons must leave the library promptly at closing time.  Further, any patron whose privileges to use the Library have been denied may not enter the Library.  Any patron whose privileges have been limited may not use the Library in any manner that conflicts with those limits placed on the patron the Director, his or her designee, or the Library Board.
4. Engaging in Proper Library Activities.  Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of the Library while in the building.  Patrons not engaged in reading, studying, writing, participating in scheduled library programs, and using library materials shall be required to leave the building.
5. Considerate Use.  The following behavior is prohibited in the Library.
1. Spitting
2. Running
3. Putting feet or legs on furniture
4. Using obscene or threatening language or gestures
6. Panhandling or Soliciting.  Panhandling or soliciting library staff or patrons for money, products, or services inside the library or on library property is prohibited.
7. Interference with Staff.  Patrons may not interfere with the staff’s performance of duties in the Library or on Library property.  This includes engaging in conversation or behavior that monopolizes or forces the attention of staff for an inappropriate period of time, inappropriate personal comments, sexual advances, or physical and/or verbal harassment.
8. Campaigning and Similar Activities.  Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing, survey-taking, pamphleteering, canvassing are prohibited in the Library building, except for library-related surveys approved in advance by the Director.
9. Sales.  Selling merchandise on Library property without prior permission from the Director is prohibited.
10. Distributions / Postings.  Distributing or posting printed materials/literature on Library property not in accordance with Library policy is prohibited.
11. Restrooms.  Misuse of restrooms, including laundering, sleeping, shaving, hair cutting or trimming, bathing, and sexual activity is prohibited.
12. Harassment.  Staring, photographing, following, stalking, harassing, or threatening library users or staff while in the Library or on Library property so that it interferes with the Library patrons’ use of the Library or the ability of the staff person to do his or her job is prohibited.
13. Loud Noise.  Producing or allowing any loud, unreasonable, or disturbing noises that interferes with other patrons' use of the Library or which can be reasonably expected to disturb other persons, including those from electronic, entertainment, and communication devices, such as cell phones, headphones, and radio is prohibited.  Cell phones and pages need to be turned off or placed on vibrate.  Patrons should speak in low tones and keep conversations brief.  Phone calls should be moved to a library entrance or exit area.
14. Body Odor.  Offensive body odor due to poor personal hygiene, overpowering perfume, or cologne that causes a nuisance is prohibited.
15. Use of Library Phones.  Library desk phones are for staff use in conducting library business and are to be used at their discretion. Public Service desks do not take messages for or page customers, but Library Staff will offer assistance in contacting customers in an emergency.
16. Supervision of Children.  Parents or caregivers must be present and responsible for the supervision of children age 8 and under.

Complete Policy

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)

• All requests must be submitted in writting.
• All requests must sufficiently identify a public record so that it may be located. The library is not required to create records which do not exist.
• All requests must be made to the Library Director.
• See below for more details or possible charges:

FOIA: Procedures & Guides
FOIA: Summary of the Procedures & Guidelines
FOIA: Detailed Itemization

Donations

Books and other materials will be accepted on the condition that the library staff has the authority to make whatever disposition they deem advisable.

Gifts of money, real property, and/or stock will be accepted if conditions attached thereto are acceptable to the Board of Trustees.

The library will not accept for deposit materials which are not outright gifts.

Items donated as memorials will be accepted for the library’s regular collection if they meet the standards of the library’s materials selection policy (#IV) and the approval of the librarian.  If requested, a book plate will be placed in the item.

Donors may specify which branch will be the recipient.  Materials will be subject to the library’s materials selection policy (#IV).