Policies are developed by the Board of Trustees with the assistance of the Library Director and are reviewed on a regular basis. Policies include guidelines governing patron responsibilities and conduct. Please direct any questions and concerns to Betty Forster, the Winchester Public Library director.
LOAN PERIODS:
New books circulate for 1 week and may be renewed once unless there are holds on them.
All other books and audiobooks circulate for 3 weeks and may be renewed unless there are holds on them.
Current issues of magazines circulate for 7 days and may not be renewed.
Back issues of magazines circulate for 3 weeks and may be renewed unless there are holds on them.
New DVDs circulate for 7 days and may not be renewed.
All other Videos (DVD & VHS) and music CDs circulate for 7 days and may be renewed unless there are holds on them.
FINES:
.25 per day for videos (DVD & VHS) and music CDs
.10 per day for all other materials
The replacement cost for lost and damaged items will include a processing fee to cover time & materials required to replace the lost items.
Purpose
It is a patron's responsibility to maintain necessary and proper behavior standards in order to protect his/her individual rights and the rights and privileges of other patrons. Access to the library may be denied for just cause as determined by the library staff.
Policy
The following behaviors or items are not permitted in the library. Patrons conducting these behaviors will receive a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, the patron will be asked to leave the library property.
- No smoking
- No pets, with the exception of assistance animals
- No food or drink near the computers or in the Library room
- No roller blades, skateboards or bicycles
- No loitering
- Shoes and shirt must be worn
- No running
- No shouting, excessive noise or other public nuisance activities
- Any behavior or actions not listed above will be left to the discretion of the library director.
The library is not responsible for personal items left in the library.
Patrons who participate in the following activities may be denied access to the library immediately:
- Destruction of or tampering with library property.
- Misuse of library privileges, including Internet and computer use.
- Disturbance of other patrons.
- Illegal conduct on library premises.
Adopted by The Library Board of Trustees on 11/10/2016
Purpose
According to its mission statement, The Winchester Public Library strives to provide the community with information in a variety of formats, as well as educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for our patrons.
Policy
Services, such as circulation of materials, will require the presentation of a Merlin member library card or the card of a partnering library according to the Northern Waters Library Service agreement.
The library serves people of all ages, backgrounds and residency.
Service is not denied or abridged because of religious, racial, social, residential, economic or political status.
The Winchester Public Library adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that assures equal access to all library facilities, activities and programs. Every attempt will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities and the library welcomes input from persons with disabilities about ways the library can more completely serve them. Homebound patrons can receive items by home delivery.
All children under the age of ten must be accompanied by a parent or designated, responsible person while in the library. If a child over ten is left unattended the parent will be advised that in the case of an emergency closing the child will be asked to leave. The parent has responsibility to see the child gets home safely and must in advance sign a minor child agreement ( see below). Library staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of any unsupervised children in the library. Also, regarding young children attending a library programs, we require the parent/responsible adult to remain available in the community building or outside gardens throughout the program, unless an exception is made in advance.
Library patrons may access the Winchester Public Library’s computer catalog via the Internet at http://merlin.nwls.lib.wi.us. Patrons may request materials over the Internet; however materials must be picked up at the Winchester Public Library during normal operating hours.
Minor Agreement
I, the parent of _____________________ understand that he/she may be asked to leave if there is emergency closing. I understand that I am responsible to get my child home safely.
Adopted by The Board of Trustees on 11/10/2016
The Trustees of the Winchester Public Library are concerned for the well-being of this community’s children and cannot be held responsible for incidents, accidents, or other liabilities arising from the actions of unattended children.
The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the Library rests with the parent/caregiver and not with Library staff. Library staff cannot be responsible for children who are unattended or demonstrating inappropriate behavior. Children who exhibit inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the Library. If the child is unable to leave the Library without an adult, he/she should not be in the Library without an adult.
All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency. If a child is found to be unattended, Library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the Library and inform him/her of the Unattended Child Policy. If the parent/caregiver cannot be located, Library staff will contact the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department to assist the child.
The following guidelines will be followed concerning the care and behavior of children.
- Children under the age of 8 must have a parent/caregiver in the immediate vicinity of (and in visual contact with) the child. The parent/caregiver must be at least ? years old and must carry personal identification. Children can be left in the care of an older sibling if that sibling is at least 14 years old. A child can attend a Library program without a parent/caregiver in the room as long as the parent/caregiver remains in the Library and immediately joins the child at the end of the program.
- If a child under the age of 8 is found unattended, Library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the Library and inform him/her of the Unattended Child policy. If the parent/caregiver cannot be found, Library staff will contact the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department. If a child under the age of 8 violates the Library’s Code of Conduct, the child and the parent/caregiver will be informed of the policy. If inappropriate behavior continues, the child and parent/caregiver may be asked to leave the Library.
- Children ages 8 to 10 must have a parent/caregiver in the Library or the outside garden. Children who exhibit inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the Library. If a child ages 8 to 10 is not able to leave the Library without an adult, he/she should not be in the Library alone.
- Children ages 11 and up may use the Library unattended. However, the parent/caregiver is still responsible for the behavior and the well-being of the child. The child is expected to follow the Library’s Code of Conduct policy and may be asked to leave the Library if he/she exhibits inappropriate behavior. The Library assumes no responsibility for the whereabouts of an unattended child who has been asked to leave Library property.
- Teenagers are considered adult users. However, they are the legal responsibility of their parent/legal guardian and should have an emergency contact available.
In any situation involving the safety of children, and specifically whenever the parent/caregiver or police are contacted, staff will complete an Incident Report.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, Winchester Public Library, and signed on January 18, 2018
Internet access is available for your laptop via WIFI in the library and community room during library hours and continually in the parking lot.
High Speed Internet access is available on our public access computers during regular library hours. Usage is restricted to 30 minutes if others are waiting for a computer. Users must be 12 years of age or older, and children under age 18 must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. In order to use public access computers, Internet users must have a signed Internet Usage Agreement on file.
The Winchester Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population, so library patrons use it at their own discretion.
All Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library patrons. Therefore, parents or guardians, NOT the library staff or volunteers, are solely responsible for the information their children access through the Internet. Parents and guardians are responsible for monitoring and supervising their children when using the Internet.
The Winchester Public Library assumes NO responsibility for any loss or damage to data files, software files, or computer hardware or for any injury or loss that may result from the use of information, software or data files obtained from the library's computers.
THE INTENTIONAL CREATION OR SPREAD OF A COMPUTER VIRUS, VIOLATION OF COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, LIBEL, SLANDER, OR ANY OTHER LAWS INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHILE USING PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. ANY WINCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY USER WHO ENGAGES IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ACTS WILL IMMEDIATELY LOSE INTERNET PRIVILEGES AND WILL BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES FOR ACTS THAT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF ANY LAW.
Internet usage of public access computers is available during normal library hours to holders of Merlin cards who have signed an Internet User Contract. Usage is restricted to half-hour periods if another person is waiting for the computer. Usage is also restricted to people 12 years of age and older. Children under 18 must have written parental consent. The Winchester Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population, and library patrons use it at the own discretion.
All internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library patrons, Parents or guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information accessed by their children. Parents are encouraged to supervise their children's Internet sessions.
The Winchester Public Library assumes NO responsibility for any loss or damage to data files, software files, or computer hardware or for any injury or loss that may result from the use of information, software or data files obtained from the library's computers.
Patrons may use the printers for a minimal donation to help cover the cost of paper, toner, and printer maintenance.
THE INTENTIONAL CREATION OR SPREAD OF A COMPUTER VIRUS OR THE VIOLATION OF COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, LIBEL, OR SLANDER, OR ANY OTHER LAWS INCLUDING ANOTHER'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHILE USING THE WINCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY'S PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. ANY WINCHESTER LIBRARY USER WHO ENGAGES IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ACTS WILL IMMEDIATELY LOSE HIS/HER INTERNET PRIVILEGES AND WILL BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IF THE ACT(S) CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF LAW.
Photocopies Black and White
- Private Use: .10 per page
- Town Entities: no charge - if more than 25 must go to town hall
- Nonprofit organizations: no charge – if more than 25 must go to town hall
Photocopies Color
- Private Use: .25 per page
- Town Entities: no charge - if more than 25 must go to town hall
- Nonprofit organizations: no charge – if more than 25 must go to town hall
Fax
- Private Use: $1.00 per page
- Town Entities: no charge
- Nonprofit organizations: no charge
Our costs are meant to cover the cost of paper, toner, machine maintenance, and phone charges.
Digital projectors, and other equipment may be loaned to Winchester residents at the discretion of the Library Director. Use of equipment in the library or community room will take precedence over requests to borrow equipment for use at other locations.
Winchester residents must be at least 18 years old and have a valid library card with no overdue items or outstanding fines in order to check out equipment. Only Winchester residents who are patrons of the Winchester Public Library may borrow equipment from the library. All equipment must be returned to the Winchester Public Library during library hours to the library staff at the circulation desk. Patrons must be willing to wait while library staff inspects equipment to be sure it is in working order and that all parts have been returned. Equipment may not be returned to another library or put in the book drop.
All patrons must sign an agreement to pay replacement costs before they check out any equipment from the library. The patron assumes full responsibility for repair or replacement costs incurred due to damage or loss of borrowed equipment.
Contact the Town Clerk for information and to reserve the Community Room at the library.
Phone #: 715-686-2123. Town and Lake organizations can use it for free, others must pay a $100 deposit with $50 to be returned when room is inspected and deemed in good shape after its done being used.
- Librarian will be paid once a month. The librarian will submit a timesheet to the town clerk for each pay period.
- Librarian will receive 40 hours paid sick time annually; may accumulate up to 160 hours hours maximum. Any accumulated hours will be paid out at end of employment regardless of reason.
- The librarian will receive normal hourly rate for holidays that fall on the day the library is normally open; Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.
- Library hours will be as follows and will be changed as deemed necessary by the Library Board of Trustees: Mondays 10-5, Thursdays 10-7, Saturdays 10-2.
- The librarian will not be eligible to participate in the town's retirement program.
- Librarian will make arrangements with the Library Board President when unable to work during normal open hours. If the president is unavailable, the secretary or treasurer will be contacted.
- The librarian job description is attached and outlines the expectations for the position.
- The librarian is subject to the Disciplinary Procedures for the Town of Winchester employees.
- The librarian will have a probationary period of 6 months from date of hire. The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to dismiss the librarian without reason during the probationary period. The librarian will have a written performance review done by the Library Board of Trustees after the six month probationary period and then annually.
updated April 6, 2016
The Winchester Public Library owns one digital projector. The Library circulates this device for 7 days, and there will be a $1.00 per day fine for late returns.
This device must be returned inside the library to staff at the circulation desk. This device may not be returned to any book drop or to any other library.
I also agree to take full responsibility for the cost or repair of this device in the event it is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Emergency egress: Evacuation of the Library should proceed through the
marked exits. - The Library Director or a volunteer is to verbally notify patrons that there
is a need to evacuate the Library and is responsible for evacuating patrons
from the Library. - If there is a second volunteer or a volunteer in addition to the Director,
that person is to secure the cordless phone to dial 911 to report the need to
evacuate the Library. If there is not a second volunteer, then the director
or first volunteer should make the report. - Neighbors may be contacted if needed to assist with calling 911 or in the
event that it is considered necessary to evacuate homes nearby. - Once everyone is outside and accounted for employees should contact the
Library Director, a member of the Library Board, Town liaison member of
the Library Board, Town Chairman or Town Board Supervisor.
Mission Statement:
“The Winchester Public Library strives to provide the community with information in a variety of formats, as well as educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for our patrons.”
Winchester is located in the northwest corner of Vilas County, bounded by Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the north, Iron County to the west, the town of Presque Isle to the east and the town of Manitowish Waters to the south.
Winchester covers over 34,000 acres and is covered by lakes, with 34 named and 29 unnamed. Almost 80% of the town’s area is wooded, and we have more than 6,000 acres of public land as part of the Northern-Highland American Legion State Forest.
Winchester is a small community most of the year, with approximately 400-500 permanent residents (estimated in the year 2012). Like many towns in the Northwoods, we have a larger summer population, with approximately 3000 seasonal residents. Our area is perfect for summer activities like fishing, boating and hiking. Winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are also popular.
View the full Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy For The Winchester Public Library