Library Policies

• MEETING ROOMS:

Board Room
The Board Room seats 12. Use of this space is booked by calling reference at 224-2539. There is a fee of $5 per hour [three hour minimum].

Mead Auditorium/Kitchen

The Mead Auditorium seats 100 and can be set up with tables or chairs. A kitchen is attached. Use of this space is booked by calling reference at 224-2539. There is a fee of $10 per hour [three hour minimum] for use of the auditorium, and a fee of $15 per use of the kitchen.

• MEETING ROOM POLICY:

The Mead Auditorium (capacity 100) and the Board Room (capacity 12) are primarily for use by groups to conduct meetings and conferences.

1. Meeting room facilities are available for use by non-profit organizations and community groups. Meetings with the chief purpose of the displaying of items for the promotion of services for sale will not be permitted. The rooms are not to be used for private parties or private events of a social nature, such as weddings, receptions, birthday/anniversary parties, etc. They are also not to be used for conducting personal business.
   
   
2. No admission charge can be made, except for meetings or exhibitions sponsored by the library or archives or by an approved nonprofit education group for short-term classes, institutes or forums.
   
   
3. Children’s groups may be scheduled, provided they are supervised by an adequate number of adult sponsors.
   
   
4. Reservations may be made by phone or in person. Scheduling in advance is recommended, but not required. When a group reserves a room, it must indicate what room set-up is required, the anticipated attendance, and what equipment, if any, will be used.
   
   
5. Permanent scheduling is not accepted (e.g. for the third Tuesday of every month) except for library-affiliated organizations.
   
   
6. Notification to the library of cancellation of a meeting is required. It is the group leader’s responsibility to notify its members/audience if meeting is cancelled.
   
   
7. The meeting must be held within the confines of the meeting room and shall not cause a disturbance to those using the library’s public areas.
   
   
8. The person making the reservation will be held responsible for the conduct of those attending the meeting and for any damage to library property by those attending the meeting.
   
   
9. Meeting rooms must be vacated 15 minutes before the library’s posted closing and the premises left in good condition.
   
   
10. The set-up or handling of exhibits or paraphernalia brought in for meetings shall be the responsibility of the group using the meeting room and not the responsibility of the library staff.
    
    
11. Groups using A-V equipment must provide such equipment unless arrangements have been made to use equipment owned by the library. The operation of any A-V equipment is the responsibility of the group using the meeting room and not the responsibility of the library staff.
    
    
12. Food is permitted in the auditorium but not in the Board Room or any other library area. Groups wishing to use the kitchen adjacent to the auditorium should request its use at the time they reserve the auditorium. Kitchen clean up is the responsibility of the group that has used it and should be done in accordance with the checklist posted in the kitchen.
    
    
13. Anyone wishing to use the auditorium for display purposes must sign a form releasing the library from all liability for damage or theft. When it houses an exhibit, the auditorium will be open to the general public except during scheduled meeting times.
    
    
14. Failure to abide by these rules for board room, auditorium and kitchen use may be justification for denying the group further use of these facilities.

• KITCHEN POLICY:

1. Kitchen facilities may be used with advance permission
   
   
2. Each group is responsible for its own supplies, set-up and clean up. They need to provide even basic supplies such as dish soap and paper towels.
   
   
3. Groups are expected to leave the kitchen area clean.
   
   
4. They must remove any leftover food and beverages
   
   
5. Trash must be disposed of in appropriate containers.

• INTERNET:

The library provides free Internet access, as well as Word, Excel, Power Point, Access and Publisher. When using the library’s Internet computers, patrons must comply with the library’s Internet policies. If you do not adhere to our policies, your use of the library’s computers could be limited or denied.

• INTERNET POLICY:

To use the library’s public Internet computers, you must read and sign our Internet policy. If you are 17 or under, a parent or legal guardian must be with you to also sign this agreement.

Library Cards:
Library cards are free to city residents and non-residents. If you are 18 or over, you can submit an application online or come to the library. If you are younger than 18, you must apply in person at the library with your parent or legal guardian who will sign your application. You must show library staff a current photo ID or two items you have received in the mail at your current address.

A card holder is responsible for all materials checked out on his or her library card. Parents are responsible for items checked out by their children. Report loss or theft of a card promptly to avoid its unauthorized use. A card holder is responsible until loss is reported. There is a fee to replace a lost card. Report address or phone number changes immediately by calling 229-9465.

• RENEWING MATERIALS:

Most items can be renewed one time. An item on hold for another patron, videos and DVDs cannot be renewed. There are three easy ways to renew materials: in person with your library card, by phone (again, you will need to tell library staff your card number), or through our Web-access catalog.

• RETURNING MATERIALS:

Items may be returned to the library during operational hours, or to the outside book return when the library is closed. TO prevent damage, please return videos, DVDs, audio cassettes and compact discs to the library desk rather than the book return or put a rubber band around the videos only if you must use the book return. There is a $3.00 fee for each video returned in the book return WITHOUT a rubber band. Late fees for videos and DVDs are $2.00 per day per item.

• HOLDS AND CALL SLIPS:

Patrons are allowed to place 5 call slips or holds at a time. If you are a member of the Friends of the Kingsport Public Library, you can place 10 call slips or holds.

Note: Other libraries will not send us new books (copyright within the past year), books on special circulation restrictions, videos, DVDs, books on tape, books on CD, music CDs, cassettes or reference books.

You will be notified when the item you requested is available for pickup at the circulation desk. You can reserve an item in the library, over the telephone or via the computer.

• DVD/VIDEO POLICY:

1. You must be 18 years or older to check out DVDs/videos.

2. You must use your own card.

3. You may be required to show I.D.

4. Limit of 3 DVDs or 3 videos (or a combination of no more than 3) per household.

5. Fine of $1.00 per day per DVD/video if overdue.

6. Fine of $3.00 if returned in bookdrop without a rubber band around the video to secure the box.

7. All DVD/video loans are for 7 days. NO RENEWALS.

• OVERDUE CHARGES:

* Books, pamphlets, some children’s magazines, books on tape, books on CD, music CDs: 10¢ per day per item.

* Videos, DVDs: $1.00 per day per item. The charge for lost or damaged materials is the value of the item, plus handling fees. Incurring excessive charges for overdue, lost or damaged materials will result in loss of borrowing privileges.