Teen Laptop Policy

School is officially over. So...we're likely to see more teens at the library. Below is the totally updated teen laptop policy. Give them some slack as they get used to it. If you have problems, please see me.

Teen Laptop Use Policy

You can check out a teen laptop if the following apply:

1. You are going to be in the 9th through 12th grade;
2. You do not have more than $10.00 in overdue library fines, or have made a payment arrangements;
3. You can present your library card; and
4. You are a student at Ephrata Area School District (present student identification) or the library has an internet permission form from your parent or guardian on file.

Laptops should never be left unattended. If library staff observes a laptop you checked out unattended, the laptop will be checked in immediately and your laptop privileges will be suspended for one week.

Do not change computer’s default settings. Doing so will result in loss of computer privileges for one week.

Personal files should not be saved onto the computer. Floppy discs are for sale at the circulation desk if you need to save files.

Time Use:

School Days:
Teens may check out and use computers for a total of two hours. It is at the discretion of the library staff to extend the time period if there is not a waiting list.

Summer, Weekends, and School Holidays:
Teens may check out and use computers for a total of three hours. It is at the discretion of the library staff to extend the time period if there is not a waiting list.

Library staff may ask you to voluntarily check in your computer earlier, and you are expected to do so without protest.


Teens are expected to observe the Internet Use Policy of the Ephrata Public Library.

Public Performance Rights for Films...

The Library System of Lancaster County purchases public performance rights for select studios for each library. However, that only means for films shown on the premises. It is violation of copyright law for patrons to show films to groups, even in their home, without securing public performance rights from the studio FIRST.

The Human Rights Video Project is a special case. We have public performance rights on these films - BUT PATRONS cannot borrow the films and show them to a group. The public performance rights cover the library and our partners, The Nazareth Project and Ten Thousand Villages. If someone wants to have a film shown to their group, I MUST GO AND DO IT - and I will, as an act of outreach. However, this needs to be scheduled with me. For instance, I received an email from a woman today who was told she could show one of the films to her home Bible study group this coming Sunday in the evening. She was told this by staff. Here's the problem:

1) We're not lending out the films, and
2) I already have to hang an art show on Sunday night at the library and am not available to do this outreach.

If you don't know the answer to a question, don't guess. If you do know and are too scared to say no, learn to say no.

You can always refer them to me...just don't make any indication that they can do something if you're not sure.

Thanks!

Polling Places

What do you do when you're talking to someone about the referendum and they don't know where to vote?

Refer them to www.mypollingplace.com.

At this site, they simply need to type in their address and it tells them where they go to vote. Very handy, no?

Penny

New Faces...Say Hello!

FYI. The new intern, Bethany (we'll call her Beth), will be starting on Monday morning. She's full time and will not be working Circulation Desk -- she'll be doing teen work full time. Say HI and help her out as she gets used to the library!

Also, there is a new volunteer - ED - who will be starting this week as well. He'll be working mostly Monday and Tuesday nights and Saturdays, and will be putting in 10-20 hours per week. Please introduce yourself so he feels at home!

Zach will be starting again after Memorial Day.

NONE OF THESE INTERNS WILL BE WORKING THE CIRC DESK, so please don't try to teach them how to check out materials.

Thanks -
Penny

Referendum Information

Here is the link for the System's information on the referendum.

I will include this on the front page of our website, too. Feel free to refer patrons here for further information. Also, there are some forums planned and it might be nice to have friendly faces in the crowd. So if you have one of those dates free, plan on attending!

Penny

Teen Computer Policy for Summer

If anyone has any suggestions about our summer policy for use of the teen laptops, speak now or forever hold your peace! What would be easiest for you people who work the desk all the time? Any ideas on a time limit, or how we would enforce it?

Please post comments here!
Penny