• Getting a Library Card
• Borrowing Material
• Overdues - Fines - Damaged Materials - Lost Materials
• Code of Conduct
• Interlibrary Loan
• Internet Access
• Internet Access Policy
• Wireless Access at The Library
• Board of Trustees
  
  

Getting a Library Card

• Adults must show verification of identification, residency, and current address.
• Children under 15 must have a parent/legal guardian/adult family member over 18 sign for them.
• Non-residents of Lexington County will be charged a $35.00 annual fee to get a card.
• Persons who are staying temporarily in Lexington County may apply for a temporary card. A $35 refundable deposit will be required.
• Persons may check out 3 items, one of which may be a video/DVD, with the first use of their card.
• The person who signs the application form is responsible for all materials checked out on that card.
• A library card is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
• There is a $2.00 fee to replace a library card.

• A person must have a valid library card to check out materials.
• Materials circulate as follows:
  • Adult Fiction: 14 days, two renewals, limit 50.
    
  • Juvenile Fiction: 14 days, two renewals, limit 25.
    
  • Easy Books: 14 days, two renewals, limit 25.
    
  • Adult Non-fiction: 14 days, two renewals, limit 6 on same subject.
    
  • Juvenile Non-fiction: 14 days, two renewals, limit 3 on same subject.
    
  • Audio Books: 14 days, one renewal, limit 5 titles.
    
  • Language Instruction Recordings: 14 days, two renewals, limit 1 title.
    
  • Magazines: 7 days, one renewal, limit 10 (Current issues do not circulate; some magazines may be reference).
    
  • Videos/DVDs: 7 days, one renewal, limit 7 titles, any mix of formats.
    
  Total: A Maximum Of 50 Items May Be Checked Out On A Patron's Card At Any One Time.
  
  
• Individual branches may place additional limits on materials based on seasonal demand.
• Materials may be held on a first come, first served basis. Materials having a hold may not be renewed.

• The fine schedule is as follows:
  • Books, magazines, and audio books: $.20 per day, maximum $6.00 per item.
    
  • Interlibrary Loans: $.50 per day, maximum $20.00 per item.
    
  • Videos/DVDs: $.75 per day, maximum $7.50 per item.
    
    
• Persons who owe $5.00 or more in fines or have material more than 6 weeks overdue will lose borrowing privileges until the fine is paid or the material returned. All unresolved accounts will be turned over to a collection agency and be charged a $10 fee.
• The Library will attempt to notify persons by phone, email or US Mail of overdue materials. Failure to receive a notice will not exempt a person from overdue fines.
• Damage to materials will be judged by the branch librarian, who will assess charges according to a schedule. A person who refuses to pay for damage will lose borrowing privileges until the damage is paid for.
• Material damaged beyond repair and paid for may be kept by the person paying for it.
• Persons who lose materials will be asked to pay replacement costs according to a replacement schedule. A person who refuses to pay for a lost item will lose borrowing privileges until the item is paid for.

A person conducting any of the actions outlined below will, after warning by library personnel or security guards, be asked to leave the library property, and will be subject to being reported to local law enforcement.


• 1. Any behavior which is disruptive, disturbing, or potentially harmful, or violent to others.
• 2. Engaging in loud conversation or other disruptive activity.
• 3. Abuse of library building or property, including equipment, materials, and furniture.
• 4. Unsafe behavior or unauthorized or improper use of any library parking area or any library property.
• 5. Animals in library buildings, except properly identified service animals or animals used in library programming.
• 6. Any conduct or action that violates any library or county policies.
• 7. Unauthorized use of photographic equipment to photograph staff, patrons, or library property.
• 8. Loitering or sleeping, or refusal to leave library at closing.
• 9. Interfering with the free movement and safety of individuals or library operations. Bringing in bulky, cumbersome, or large personal items that impede safe movement.
• 10. Consumption or use of any food, beverage, or tobacco in library buildings. Possession of open food or drink (except bottled water or spillproof beverage containers).
• 11. Inappropriate or inadequate attire (shirt and shoes are required). Having offensive bodily odors.
• 12. Improper use of restrooms. No bathing allowed.
• 13. Solicitation or selling of any kind or posting of unauthorized materials.
• 14. Unauthorized use of meeting areas or any non-public area including unscheduled meetings.
• 15. Use of libraries for child-attending services. All children age 6 and under must be accompanied by a responsible person age 16 or older. No child under age 11 will be left at a library facility for any period of time without a responsible party on the premises.
• 16. Intentionally damaging, destroying, or stealing any library property or a patron’s or employee’s property.
• 17. Sexual activity of any kind, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, exhibitionism, or indecent exposure.
• 18. Refusal to leave library property after being asked to leave, being banned, or after a trespass warrant has been issued.
• 19. Any disorderly conduct, including fighting, challenging to fight, communicating threats, or provoking violence.
• 20. Any harassment, hostile behavior, or use of abusive language towards library staff or patrons.
• 21. Carrying weapons of any type.
• 22. Possession, consumption, or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on library property.
• 23. Any illegal acts or conduct in violation of Federal, State, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.
  
  Unanimously adopted by the Lexington County Library Board at its regular meetings January 26, 1993, July 25, 1995, and July 25, 2011.

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  Interlibrary Loan
  The library will attempt to obtain materials owned by libraries outside the Lexington County Public Library. Please ask staff for details if you are interested in this service.
  
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  Internet Access
  Internet access, including wifi, is available at all library branches. Persons must have a valid library card and sign the Internet Use Agreement before using the Internet. See Below for More Information
  
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  Internet Access Policy

  Access to Internet Resources

  The Library has established this policy to ensure responsible and appropriate use of the Internet within the Library's facilities.

  The Internet is a vast source of information, which enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection, but it may also allow access to some material that may be offensive, inaccurate, disturbing, and/or illegal.
  The Library uses filtering software designed to eliminate or reduce a computer’s access to sites displaying obscene or pornographic pictures or text. The Library reserves the right to monitor public access workstations while in use by the public.
  The Library cannot control or monitor, however, the vast and ever-changing amounts of material accessible via the Internet.  Individual users must accept responsibility for determining the suitability and appropriateness of information and images retrieved via the Internet.  Filtering software can be overridden for individuals over 18, who have a legitimate research request.  The Lexington County Public Library shall have no liability for direct, indirect, or consequential damages related to the content or use of such content from any Internet site.
  CHILDREN’S SAFETY ON THE INTERNET
  As required by the federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), enacted December 21, 2000, in order to remain eligible for certain federal funding the Library has implemented software filtering on all of its Internet-accessible computers.  The software protects against access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and, in the case of persons under the age of 18 years, materials that are harmful to minors.
  In abiding by this legislation, the Library’s Policy:

• 1. Does not allow unauthorized access, including so called “hacking” or bypassing security controls, or other unlawful activities by anyone online.

• 2. Does not allow unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification or information regarding minors unless the Library is presented with a proper judicial order as spelled out in SC Code Sec. 60-4-10.

• 3. Has measures in place designed to restrict access to materials that are harmful to minors by use of an Internet filtering appliance and also age restrictions.
  a.   In order to access the Internet, children 12 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, adult family member over 18, or authorized teacher who has signed the Internet Use Agreement and remains with the child at the computer during the entire time the child is accessing the Internet.
  b.   Children 13 through 17 may access the Internet on their own.  Their parent or legal guardian must have given them signed permission on the Internet Use Agreement. They may use either their own card or the card of a parent, legal guardian, or adult family member 18 years of age or older.  Children who arrive at the Library without a card may have their Internet use permission verified in the patron database.  They must show proper ID.
  In accordance with the Provision for Protecting Children in the 21^st Century Act, the Library has taken certain measures designed to assist in the safe and effective use of these resources by all minors.
  1. To address the issue of access by minors to inappropriate material on the Internet, including material that is harmful to minors, the Library:

• Develops and maintains special web links for children and teens;
• Develops and provides training programs on safe and effective Internet use;
• Encourages staff to guide minors away from materials that may be inappropriate;
• Distributes a publication entitled " Child Internet Safety;Tips for Parents and Children"
• Has implemented filtering software as more fully described above.
  2. The Library provides training programs and also urges minors to keep in mind the following safety guidelines:

• Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number.
• Let parents or guardians decide whether personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information should be revealed.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without parents' or guardians' approval.
• Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make one uncomfortable.
• Have parents or guardians report an incident to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 if one becomes aware of the transmission of child pornography.
• Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
• Remember that everything one reads may not be true.
  3.   The Library offers web links approved for children and teens via its website. The Library also affirms the right and responsibility of parents or guardians to determine and monitor their children's use of the Internet.  Parents are strongly encouraged to supervise their children's use because the Library staff cannot assume this responsibility.
  CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF INTERNET USE IN THE LIBRARY
  The following regulations shall apply:
  1. For full Internet access, users must have a current Lexington County Public Library card. 
  2. Persons without a valid library card who wish to use the Internet should be encouraged to get a card.  If they do not wish to get a card, they will be accorded "Guest" status. They will be allowed a maximum of one hour per day of Internet access in the library system.  Staff should ask for ID of persons without library cards if there is a question of determining if the person is 18 years old or older.
  3. A parent or legal guardian, through signature, is responsible for the Internet access of children under the age of 18.
  4. Children under the age of 18 may use their own library card or the card of their parent, legal guardian, or adult family member over 18 year's old.  Likewise, an adult family member may use the card of a spouse or other adult family member over 18 year's old.
  5. The card being used for Internet access must not have outstanding fines or fees above $5.00 or items long overdue.
  6. To assure parental guidance in children's use of the Internet in the Library:

• a. In order to access the Internet, children 12 years old and under must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, adult family member over 18, or authorized teacher who has signed the Internet Use Agreement and remains with the child at the computer during the entire time the child is accessing the Internet.

• b.  Children 13 through 17 may access the Internet on their own.  Their parent or legal guardian must have given them signed permission on the Internet Use Agreement. Children who arrive at the Library without a card may have their Internet use permission verified in the patron database.  They must show proper ID.

• c. If Internet computers are shared by two or more children 13 through 17 years of age without a parent or legal guardian present, all users must meet one of the following criteria:

• d. They must have their own library card and have had a parent or legal guardian sign an Internet Use Agreement giving them permission to use the Internet.

• e. They must use a card of a parent, legal guardian, or adult family member 18 years old or older.  Their parent or legal guardian must have given them signed permission on the Internet Use Agreement.
  7.  Despite the use of filtering software, there may be Internet resources accessed which are inappropriate to a library setting.  Because the Library is a public place, Library staff has the authority to end an Internet session.
  8. Library staff will assist Internet users in a manner consistent with other Library services. The availability of staff and needs of other Library users will necessarily affect the extent of assistance in Internet use.
  9. All removeable devices must be scanned for viruses by Library staff prior to their use.
  10. There will be a charge for print-outs. Black and white prints are $.10 per page. Color prints are $1.00 per page.
  11. Branches have PC management software which automates assignment of computers to patrons.  Patrons with library cards in good standing may have up to three one-hour sessions per day.
  12. Patrons are advised that they should have no expectation of privacy when using a public computer in the Library.
  13.  It is a violation of the Library's policy for users to:

• Damage or attempt to damage equipment; install or connect any hardware peripheral device and its software to a computer or to the Library's network; alter or attempt to alter any software configurations; change or add files to the network.

• Bypass or disable or instruct or demonstrate to another person how to bypass or disable the Library's web filtering software.

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to or cause disruption of the Library's computer system or any other computer system.

• Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements.

• Display, send, or receive obscene (as defined by S.C. Code 16-15-305) images, messages, or files.

• Violate any state, federal, or local laws or regulations.

• Use their own software or unscanned diskettes or USB devices, or download or install software on the Internet stations.
  
  
  Penalties for Policy Violations
  Failure to abide by the Library's Internet Access Policy and the Internet Use Agreement will result in the loss of Internet use privileges and/or other Library privileges.  Unlawful acts are subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
  
  This policy has been approved by the Lexington County Public Library Board of Trustees, April 29, 1997, and is subject to Board revision.  Revised June 27, 2000; October 31, 2000; September 25, 2001; August 26, 2003; June 30, 2008; September 28, 2009, November 26, 2012.

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  Board of Trustees

  
  The Library Board of Trustees is comprised of individuals appointed by their District Council Representative.
  
  
  District 1 Mrs. D. Joanne Clark, Secretary
  District 2 Mrs. Louise J. Riley
  District 3 Mr. Christopher "Brant" Taylor
  District 4 Mrs. Mary N. Kerr
  District 5 Ms. Mechelle V. Mabry, Vice-Chair
  District 6 Mrs. Sara M. Caldwell
  District 7 Mr. David Fellows
  District 8 Mrs. Sandra J. Harley
  District 9 Mr. Ray Sharpe, Chair
  
  The Library Board meets monthly on the last Monday of the month at the Lexington Main Library at 5440 Augusta Road in Lexington. There is no monthly meeting in December.

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