St. Clair Shores Public Library

Policies and Rules

For information on the library's policies, 
           click on one of the following links:

Library Bill of Rights

St. Clair Shores Public Library Internet Policy

Wireless Internet Frequently Asked Questions

Library Card Policies

General Guidelines and Policies

Material Loan Periods and Fines

The Library Board and staff believe that the right to read is an important part of the intellectual freedom that is basic to democracy, and they support the principles of intellectual freedom inherent in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.  Therefore, the St. Clair Shores Public Library subscribes to the principles expressed in the following documents of the American Library Association:

• Library Bill of Rights

• Diversity in Collection Development: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

• Free Access to Libraries for Minors: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

• Statement of Labeling: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

• Expurgation of Library Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

• Evaluating Library Collections: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

• Challenged Materials: An interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

• Restricted Access to Library Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights 

• Freedom to Read

• Freedom to View
  

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St. Clair Shores Public Library Internet Policy

Free Internet access is available on selected computers for all library users of the St. Clair Shores Public Library.  This service is offered as part of our mission “of providing easily accessible information, materials, services, and programs designed to meet the community’s evolving educational, recreational, cultural, and informational needs.”  Filtered Internet access is provided in the Youth Services Department.  Wireless Internet use is available throughout the library including the Reading Lounge, the Local History Center and the Youth Services Room.  

Patrons are required to log in at an Internet station using their library card number and to read this Internet policy.  Any Suburban Library Cooperative library card may be used.  Patrons not eligible for a Suburban Library Cooperative card or Michicard may purchase an Internet card for $2.00.  

Information on the Internet is unregulated and rapidly changing.  The St. Clair Shores Public Library is not responsible for information found on the Web.  

Failure to comply with the terms of this Internet policy will result in loss of privileges.

1. A 60 minute time limit per Internet session will be enforced if other Internet users are waiting.  All Internet sessions, including printing, will end promptly 15 minutes before the closing of the Library.  
   

2. Internet use is on a first come, first served basis.  When all Internet stations are in use, reservations will be taken for the first available Internet station.  No reservation will be taken the last 30 minutes prior to closing.  
   

3. Internet users may not download information to a disk, use personal software, alter, or attach equipment to any Library computer.  
   

4. No more than two persons may use an Internet computer station at a time.  
   

5. Internet users under age 18 must produce a library card bearing an orange sticker which designates signed permission from a parent or legal guardian to access unfiltered Internet.  These users must have staff assistance to access the unfiltered Internet.  Parents are encouraged to supervise their children’s Internet sessions.  Those legal guardians who have not given their signed permission must use their adult library card and remain seated with their minor child throughout the entire Internet session at an unfiltered station.
   

6. Internet users may not send, receive, or display graphics that are legally defined by State and/or Federal law as obscenity or child pornography, and may be subject to prosecution.  The use of the Internet for illegal activities is prohibited.  
   

7. Staff members may request that patrons remove images or text from an Internet computer screen if a complaint has been made.  The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time.  Violation of this Internet policy may result in suspension of privileges.  
   

8. Security in an electronic environment cannot be guaranteed; therefore, all transactions, files, and communications should be considered public.  
   

9. Due to legal and privacy issues, library staff are unable to assist patrons with educational, personal, business, employment or financial transactions.  
   

10. The Library is not responsible for technical difficulties encountered when using the Internet, including printing.  
    

11. Please notify the Library staff if you have a disability and require assistance.

 The Internet, like all of the library's information sources, 
must be used in a manner which respects the rights of others.

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Library Card Policies

Any St. Clair Shores resident or taxpayer, kindergarten age or older, is eligible to register for a borrower's card.  Proof of residency (e.g. a current driver's license) or taxpayer status (e.g. a current tax receipt) is required.

A library card application for a resident under the age of 18 must be signed by a parent or responsible adult.  A driver's license with the current address of the parent or responsible adult must be presented.  Parents of children under the age of 18 must sign the application regarding permission for access to unfiltered Internet.

Residents of St. Clair Shores are also eligible to borrow materials from any other library within the Library Cooperative of Macomb.  A list of these libraries may be obtained at the circulation desk or by clicking here.

Residents or taxpayers in other areas of the Library Cooperative of Macomb are permitted to borrow materials from the St. Clair Shores Library.

The St. Clair Shores Public Library is also a participant in the MichiCard program, a statewide borrowing program.  For information and a list of participating libraries, please ask at the circulation desk or click here.

Non-residents may purchase a borrower's card for $200.00 per year.

Guidelines and Policies

Library cards are not transferable and may not be used by anyone else.

Each borrower is financially responsible for loss or damage to any materials checked out on his/her card.  Parents and guardians are responsible for all materials checked out on their children's cards.

Lost or stolen library cards should be reported immediately.  Until notification is given, you are responsible for all materials checked out and any charges incurred.

A fee of $2.00 will be charged for the replacement of a lost or stolen card.  Once a card has been replaced by another, it will not be reinstated.

Borrowed materials must be returned within the proper loan period.  Fines will be assessed for materials returned after the loan period.  For a list of loan periods and daily fines, click here.

Books may be renewed one time only, provided there are no reserves on the material.  New fiction and New Non-fiction are excluded.

The reference area is designated as a "quiet study area".  Please be courteous and considerate of patrons in this area who need quiet.  You may be asked to move to another area if you are disturbing others.

Please limit the use of cell phones and other electronic devices to the east and west entrance lobbies of the library. 

Patrons exhibiting disruptive behavior will be asked to leave the library.  Parents are asked that young children not be left unattended in the library.

Patrons will be notified during the final 15 minutes of operating hours.  Children left in the building at closing time will be sent to the St. Clair Shores Police Station for their protection.

Borrowing privileges may be suspended or revoked for violation of library guidelines and policies.

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Please note:  Some videos are free of charge, as indicated on the box.  All items are subject to overdue charges.  If returned late, you will be charged for all days the library is closed.  Items in the book drop are checked in using the last business day's date. unless otherwise marked, items may be returned in the book drop.  The book drop is open when the library is closed.

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Revised:  May 01, 2008