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Getting a Library Card

Residents of the Village of Mt. Morris:

The Mt. Morris Public Library is a tax-supported public library. This means that people residing within the Village limits pay taxes to support the library. Those people who live within these boundaries need pay no additional fee to be eligible to receive a library card.

Persons applying for a library card must present one form of I.D. with their current address.This may include, but is not limited to, a driver’s license, utility bill, mail, or voter’s registration card.

Resident cards are issued only to individuals, NOT to families. Except for children under the age of 6, each person using the library must have his or her own library card.

Children ages 6-15 must have a parental or guardian signature to receive a library card.(Children under the age of 6 will not be issued an individual library card.)

A resident card may also be used in other Prarie Area Library System public libraries.

Non-Residents:

Individuals who reside outside the Village limits and do not own property within the Village limits do not pay taxes to support the library. Therefore, a fee must be charged for library services. A non-resident card must be purchased at the public library that is geographically nearest to a person's place of residence.

A family card may be purchased for $55.00 per year.   This fee is based on the average amount a resident family pays in library taxes each year.A non-resident Mt. Morris Library card entitles the bearer to all local library services and may be used in most other libraries in the Prarie Area Library System. A pro-rated summer card may also be purchased for $14.00 and is valid only from June 1 through August 31.

A student (grades 1-12) may purchase a student card for $24.00 per year. This card may be used only by the student.

The Illinois Local Library Act allows for persons owning property within the Village but living outside the Village limits to be issued an individual non-resident card at no charge.A current tax bill must be presented and one card will be issued to one owner of the property.   The card may be used by that individual only. It entitles the bearer to all local library services.

Reciprocal Borrowers:

Persons holding a valid library card from another library, as delineated below, may be issued a patron barcode at the Mt. Morris Public Library and may use many of the services available at this library.However, anyone with excessive fines or overdue materials from another library will not be allowed to charge out materials from this library.

The following cards will be honored:
A valid resident card from any public library in the Prarie Area Library System.
A valid non-resident card issued by any other library in the Prarie Area Library System.

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Circulation/Interlibrary Loan

Circulation:

Loan periods are as follows:
  • Books: two weeks
  • Magazines: one week
  • CDs: two weeks
  • Audiobooks: two weeks
  • Videos/DVDs: one week
  • Reserves: 3 days

Returning/Renewing:

Materials can be returned to the circulation desk during regular library hours, or to the book return drop box located next to the front door. Please DO NOT return videos, DVDs, CDs or over-sized books in the drop box.

Most materials can be renewed by either bringing the materials to the circulation desk, phoning during regular library hours, or through this website (go to "Contact Us").

Interlibrary Loan:

When patrons holding a Mt. Morris Public Library card want material that is not available within the Mt. Morris Public Library, we ask other agencies to provide it. This is the process of interlibrary loan. Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan have a circulation period that is determined by the lending library, not the Mt. Morris Public Library. We are happy to borrow materials from other libraries for you, but we ask that you respect the date by which those materials must be returned to their home libraries. When the Mt. Morris Public Library is lax in returning materials borrowed through interlibrary loan, the library can lose the privilege of borrowing materials in that way for any of its patrons. It is crucial, therefore, that materials borrowed through interlibrary loan be returned in a timely manner. Habitual failure to do so may result in individual loss of the privilege in order to preserve the privilege for other library patrons.
To request materials through interlibrary loan, come into the library, call, or use this website (go to "Contact Us").

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Fees and Fines

Overdue materials:

Books: 10˘ per day, not to exceed $5.00 for hard bound and $3.00 for paperbacks.
Periodicals: 10˘ per day, not to exceed $2.00.
CDs/Audiobooks: 10˘ per day, not to exceed $5.00.
Videocassettes/DVDs: 50˘ per day, not to exceed $6.00.
Telecourse Videos: 25˘ per day, not to exceed $6.00.

Lost materials:

Materials borrowed via any mechanism are the responsibility of the library patron. Replacement cost (not original purchase price) is the responsibility of any patron who borrows and loses any library material. In the case of children under the age of 18, it is the parents’ responsibility to pay for lost or damaged items in accordance with the following schedule of terms:
  1. Retail replacement cost of any item that is lost or damaged beyond repair and for which a current price can be found.
  2. Average replacement cost for any item that is lost or damaged beyond repair and for which a current price cannot be found.
  3. Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan that are lost or damaged are charged to the patron according to the bill provided by the lending library.

Fees:

Copies: 20˘ per page. If enlargement or reduction is required by the patron, the per page fee applies to each step in that process. Enlargement and reduction is not an exact science and may take several pages.
Microfilm Copies: 20˘ per page.
Fax/transmission: For transmissions within the contiguous 48 states $2.00 for the first page and 50˘ each additional page. For transmissions outside the contiguous 48 states $5.00 for the first page and 50˘ each additional page.
Fax/receipt: 50˘ for 1-5 pages and an additional 50˘ for each increment of 1-5 pages. The Mt. Morris Public Library assumes no responsibility of notification of the receipt of a fax for an individual. The fax will be held by the library for one week and then discarded if not picked up.
Computer printouts: 10˘ per page. This fee applies to all material printed by library printers including, but not limited to, Internet downloads, CD-ROM product information, personal work, and graphics.There may be an additional charge for color printouts.

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Computer Rules

  1. All computer users must complete an orientation session or have a demonstrated ability to use the computer equipment. Orientation sessions must be scheduled at least one day in advance.
  2. Computer time can be reserved and will be scheduled in periods of one hour, but for no more than two consecutive time periods in one day for non-Internet use. (See Internet Use Policy for Internet workstation usage.) Patrons who reserve the computer must arrive no later than 10 minutes past their scheduled time or the reservation will be canceled. Use of the computer can extend beyond the reserved time if no one else is waiting to use the equipment.
  3. Computer users must “sign-in” and provide a valid Mt. Morris Public Library card or current address, phone number and valid I.D. if requested.
  4. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a competent computer user age 12 or older.
  5. No more than two people may be at any one workstation at the same time.
  6. The user will be charged for repair and/or replacement or lost, damaged or altered disks.
  7. Personal files may not be stored on the hard drive. Patrons may bring their own diskettes or CDs for downloading; or diskettes can be purchased at the circulation desk at a cost of $1.00 each. (The Library will not be responsible for damage to a patron’s disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the library’s computer.)
  8. There will be a charge of 10˘ per page for every page printed.
  9. Food and drink are not allowed in the computer area, as well as any other area of the library.
  10. Patrons misusing the equipment may lose their computer privileges temporarily or permanently.
  11. The library staff has the right to cancel or interrupt use of the computer at any time.
  12. Anyone who has overdue materials or fines of $1.00 or more will not be allowed to use the computers.
  13. Library staff has the right to restrict usage of the computers for those who do not abide by the regulations of the library as a whole or the specific regulations governing the use of the computers.

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Internet Use Policy

Electronic Networks and the Library’s Mission:

Libraries make it possible for citizens to have access to the information they need to make informed decisions.As a member of the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET), the Mt. Morris Public Library is committed to networking, which represents good public policy by maximizing the use of the resources of all types of libraries. Every library user benefits from expanded access to information beyond the four walls of a single library building.

The Mt. Morris Public Library and all ILLINET libraries use electronic information networks such as the Internet for a variety of purposes:
  1. Access to shared automation systems that provide bibliographic access to the collections of the local library and libraries in the region and across the state.
  2. Access to the wealth of information resources available via the Internet.
  3. Access to general and specialized shared licensed databases available to ILLINET member libraries through regional and statewide cooperative programs.

Relationship to other Library Policies:

The Mt. Morris Public Library’s Internet Use Policy is part of the library’s overall policy structure and should be interpreted in conjunction with other existing policies.The general Computer Rules apply to use of the Internet workstations.

Use of Equipment and Networks:

All users of electronic information resources such as the Internet are expected to use these resources in a responsible and ethical manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided. By using the public Internet workstations at the Mt. Morris Public Library you agree to the following guidelines:
  • Using resources for education, informational and recreational purposes only; not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.
  • Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system.
  • Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.
  • Using resources in a manner, which conforms to federal and/or state law.
The following activities are unacceptable:
  • Destruction of, damage to, or unauthorized alteration of the library’s computer equipment, software, or network security procedures.
  • Use of personal software.
  • Storage of data to anything other than a personal diskette or CD.
  • Use of the library’s institutional electronic mail (e-mail) account.
  • Downloading e-mail attachments without first consulting a library staff person regarding current virus alerts.
  • Use of chat rooms.
  • Sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may be reasonably construed as obscene.
  • Accessing any service which incurs a cost.
  • Use of electronic information network for any purpose which results in the harassment of other users.
  • Use of electronic information network in any way which violates licensing and payment agreements between the Mt. Morris Public Library and network/database providers.
  • Use of any workstation other than a children's workstation by persons under the age of 12 unless a parent or guardian has authorized the use of such workstation by signing that portion of the required permission slip (see below).

Procedures for use of Internet workstations:

See “Computer Rules.”

All Internet users must have an Internet Use Agreement signed and on file. Users under the age of 18 must have a signed parental or guardian permission slip on file. (Exception: See "Email Station") The permission slip must be signed in the library in the presence of library personnel.

Users under the age of 12 will only be allowed to use children's workstations unless a parent or guardian has signed the portion of the permission slip that spcifically allows for the use of all workstations.

Sign-up sheets are available.You may use Internet resources for no longer than one hour per session, one session per day, for a maximum of three sessions per week, unless a workstation is available and not reserved.Reservations may be made by phone or in person.Patrons who reserve the computer must arrive no later than 10 minutes past their scheduled time or the reservation will be canceled and the time made available to another patron.

If the computer is not scheduled, it may be used on a first come, first served basis.

Email Station: This stand-up workstation is available for a maximum of 15 minutes to anyone wishing to check e-mail, obtain a map, etc. A signed Internet Agreement is not required, but a driver's license or other form of identification must be left at the desk.

Start-up and shut-down procedures for the workstations will be done by library staff only.

Only persons who have a signed Internet Agreement on file may be at the Internet workstations, whether using the Internet or observing.

The Library does not offer electronic mail (e-mail) accounts, but patrons may access their e-mail through utilities such as Hot Mail, Yahoo, etc.

The Library staff may provide assistance to patrons (as time permits) in the use of the Internet in the following manner:
  • Demonstrate basic search techniques
  • Assist with informational searches
  • Provide instruction in setting up simple e-mail accounts with Hotmail or Yahoo
Library staff will NOT provide instruction in the use or implementation of specific computer programs or websites.

If there appears to be a problem with the workstation equipment or Internet connection, patrons should immediately consult the staff.

Misuse or abuse of the computer or Internet access will result in disciplinary actions, which may include loss of Internet privileges and loss of Library privileges. Library staff will determine the appropriate consequences.

Filtering:

All of the library's public access workstations are filtered for sexually explicit content.  The children's workstations are more stringently filtered than the adult workstations, and the filter attempts to exclude violence, chat rooms, promotion of illegal drugs and criminal activity, etc.  Filters, however, are imperfect and are no guarantee that sites of this nature will be entirely inaccessible. 

  If an adult (age 18 or older) wishes to access a site that has been blocked, a library staff person will enable the site upon request.  This, however, does not imply permission for anyone to violate any portion of this Internet policy.  If the staff person believes the requested site will do so, s/he may refuse to enable the site.

Warnings:

Internet users must be aware of the following points:
  • Information obtained via the Internet may or may not be reliable.
  • Information obtained via the Internet may or may not be accurate.
  • Information obtained via the Internet may or may not be from a reliable source.
  • Information obtained via the Internet may or may not be current or up-to-date.
  • Links to information on the Internet may not always be valid.
  • Particular information sites on the Internet may be unpredictably unavailable.
  • Certain information obtained via the Internet may be considered controversial by some library patrons.
This Library is not responsible for damages, indirect or direct, arising from a library patron’s use of Internet information resources.

Children’s Access to Electronic Information Networks:

The Mt. Morris Public Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by children. Even with the use of filtering, the Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for children. It is not possible for library staff to control specific information children and youth may locate on the Internet. It is the responsibility of the parent, guardian or caregiver to determine what is appropriate, and to monitor and supervise their children’s use of the Internet.Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children issues of appropriate use and electronic information network safety.

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Meeting Room Policy

The Stengel Room at the Mt. Morris Public Library is to function as a benefit to the community.Since this means the Stengel Room will be open to all types of groups, the Library does not necessarily endorse the philosophies or practices of all those using the meeting room.The facilities will be made available on an equitable basis to all groups in the community subject to compliance with the following regulations, the approval of the Library Board, and according to the guidelines outlined in Article VI of the Library Bill of Rights.

Library related activities, Library Foundation related activities, and Village Board related activities all have priority in the use of the room. No fee will be charged to any of these groups.

Other groups may use the room according to the following regulations.

Reservations

  1. For each quarter (Jan., Apr., July, Oct.) reservations will be made in the order they are received along with a $25 deposit.Beginning with the first Monday of each quarter the Library will make Stengel Room reservations for the rest of that quarter. The deposit will be refunded providing the room was left in good condition. All or a portion of the deposit will be kept if clean-up is required by library staff.
  2. Reservations must be made by completing the application form and submitting the necessary fee.This should be done by the person from the group who will be responsible for seeing that the group involved follows these rules and regulations. An adult must make the reservation for meetings of groups whose members are high school age or younger and the adult must be present at the meeting.
  3. If the library accepts the reservation application and fee for the requested date, the group concerned can consider that the reservation is confirmed.The key to the Stengel Room can be picked up 24 hours before the date of the reservation and must be returned in the mailbox immediately after the meeting. (See the section below concerning Key.)
  4. Not-for-profit groups will be allowed to hold fund raising activities in the Stengel Room if profits are to be used for library related projects. Private groups or individuals may not use the Stengel Room for profit-making activities.

Fees

  1. All community groups, clubs, organizations, and businesses within the Mt. Morris area may reserve the use of the Stengel Room free of charge. All reservations must be made quarterly on a first come, first served basis. If, during any given year, a community group uses the Stengel Room four or more times, a donation to the Library from the group to help defray custodial and maintenance coasts will be appreciated.
  2. Groups have the option of paying a small additional fee for coffee bar supplies. (See section below concerning Coffee Bar.)
  3. Private groups in the community may reserve the use of the room at a rate of $10.00 per hour.Private groups may also have the option of paying an additional fee for coffee bar supplies.

Key

  1. A key to the north (Front St.) door that allows access to the Stengel Room and the adjacent restroom should be picked up during library hours not more than 24 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
  2. The key must be returned in the mailbox at the conclusion of the meeting. Providing the room was left in good condition, the deposit fee will be returned.

Coffee Bar

  1. Refreshments in the Stengel Room should be limited to coffee, tea, cold drinks, and finger food.Special permission from the Library Director must be secured if more elaborate refreshments are to be served.
  2. The coffee bar is equipped with a coffee maker, an electric tea kettle, three beverage servers, two pitchers, and two trays.
  3. Groups will have the option of paying an additional $5.00 for a refreshment package for 12 people that will include pre-measured coffee, assorted tea bags, creamer and sugar packets, paper liners for coffee cup holders, small paper plates, and napkins.

Clean-Up

  1. The group using the room is responsible for clean-up (except vacuuming). The room must be left in the same condition in which it was found.   (See Clean-Up check list.) Clubs or other organizations may not store their equipment at the Library.
  2. Users must pay the cost for repair of damages to the room or any equipment therein.
  3. The Library will not be responsible for materials or equipment left in the building by the users.No equipment or products belonging to specific groups may be stored at the Library.
  4. Once a meeting is over, the users are responsible for turning off the coffee maker, turning off all lights, and locking all doors.

A-V Equipment

Groups using the Stengel Room may use the following A-V equipment:
Overhead Projector
Projection Screen
Presentation Cabinet (with White Board)
36" TV/Monitor
VCR Player
DVD Player

The Mt. Morris Public Library is a tobacco, drug, and alcohol free environment.

Meetings in the Stengel Room must in no way disturb the peace or take away from the normal functioning of the Library.

24 is the maximum number of people that can be accommodated in the Stengel room.

All activities must conclude and the room must be vacated by 11:00 p.m.

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