Ector County Library Code of Conduct

▸Circulation Policy
Residency & Registration Requirements
• Anyone living in the state of Texas can get an Ector County Library card
• There is no charge for the first card, however there is a $3.00 fee to replace damaged, destroyed, lost, or stolen cards
• Adults wanting to register for a card or replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed card must have picture ID
• If the ID does not have the correct address on it, patron must provide proof of address such as utility bill, mail, checkbook, or voter's registration card
• Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian's signature on application and the parent or legal guardian must show picture ID and show proof of address as described above
• Internet use for minors between the ages of 12-17 must have a parent or legal guardian sign an internet use application in the presence of an Ector County Library Employee
• Children within the ages of 6-12 must have a parent or legal guardian with them at all times to use the internet
• Temporary cards are issued to patrons that are located at a temporary address, did not have proof of address or did not have information for their reference (name, number, etc.)
• Temporary cards have restricted checkouts, but can have internet access
• Computer cards are issued to adults that do not live in the state of TX, and wish to use the computer lab only
• Minors between the ages of 12-17 may also be issued a computer card, as long as the parent or legal guardian fills out internet use application in the presence of an Ector County Library employee
• There are no checkouts on computer cards
• Legally married minors may not get a library card unless their parent or legal guardian signs an application and shows proof of address, or they will have to wait until they turn 18
Fees For Overdues, Lost or Damaged Materials
• Overdue notices are sent out one week after items are due
• Patrons with outstanding fines and/or overdue materials will have library privileges suspended until records are cleared up
• Fees for overdue materials are subject to a daily fee per item
• Fines are .10¢ a day per item not to exceed $15.00
• No fines accrue on days we are closed (Sundays & Holidays)
• Fees for lost items are charged by the price of an item
• This is a lost or damaged fee only not for replacement of book
Circulation Periods for Each Material Type
• First time borrowers are limited to 2 items according to borrow status; after these items are returned, checkout limits are:
               RESERVES                                LENGTH OF CHECKOUT                 #ALLOWED
Books               Y                                              4 weeks                   No limit after 1st checkout
Books on CD    Y                                            4 weeks                                     Unlimited
DVDs                Y                                             4 weeks                                               4
Blu-Ray            Y                                             4 weeks                                               4
Revised September 2024
▸Collection Development Policy
The purpose of this policy is to: 1) serve as a guide for the librarians of the Ector County Public Library in the process of materials selection; and 2) inform the public of the principles upon which selections for the Library are made. Basic to this policy is the Library Bill of Rights as affirmed by the Ector County Library Advisory Board.
Ector County Public Library strives to provide current and factual information to supplement and enrich individual learning and to provide materials for recreational reading and other leisure time activities. This information should be readily available to the total community regardless of gender, age, education, language, religion, ethnic and cultural background, or mental and physical ability.
STANDARDS FOR SELECTION
Ector County Library is a popular materials library and maintains a varied collection. It attempts to acquire materials of both current and lasting value. Since one library cannot afford all the available materials, it must employ a policy of selectivity. The Library Director has the overall responsibility for the selection and development of the materials collection according to the principles established by the Collection Development Policy and other approved policies and procedures. In practice, the responsibility for materials selection is shared with other staff. Materials are selected to meet patron needs and reflect a variety of viewpoints and opinions. Criteria for consideration include popular demand, literary merit, enduring value, accuracy, authoritativeness, local interest, social significance, the importance of the subject matter to the collection, timeliness, cost, scarcity of information on the subject, availability elsewhere, and quality and suitability of format.
Fiction – The Library maintains a representative collection of novels and works of fiction to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Ideas of literary merit vary greatly with individuals. Therefore, the library purchases fiction in many categories.
Non-Fiction – The Library attempts to provide a large general collection of reliable materials embracing the broader fields of knowledge. Legal and medical works will be selected to the extent that they are useful to the lay person.
Children and Young Adult – Materials are selected to encourage children and families to discover the joy of reading. In order to meet the varied abilities and interests of children, the collection includes materials covering a wide range of knowledge and reading levels, both fiction and non-fiction. The illustrations in books for young people are given as much critical attention as the literary quality of fiction.
Media – The Library recognizes its responsibility to provide access to information, cultural enrichment and recreation through as wide a variety of media as possible. Media is evaluated by the same criteria as printed materials. As new technologies are developed, the Library will investigate the appropriateness of new media formats and will acknowledge the need for experimentation.
Digital Materials –Digital items such as eBooks and eAudiobooks shall be selected using the same criteria as printed materials as described above.
Online Databases – The Library makes available a variety of online resources purchased to supplement and enhance the Library’s collection. These resources are evaluated on the basis of
timeliness, ease of use, and ability to meet patrons’ information needs.
Objects: The Library’s collection makes a variety of objects available to patrons, including games and electronic devices.  Objects are typically high-priced items not needed for regular, sustained use and which provide access to technology that is either helpful or enriching. These objects are evaluated based on their benefit to the community, patron demand, and use of library resources, with the goal of increasing access to technology or high-cost items that patrons wouldn’t otherwise have.
Revised March 2023
▸Computer Acceptable Use Policy
The Internet is a worldwide network of computers containing millions of pages of information and many diverse points of view. Because of its global nature, users of the Internet may encounter material that is inappropriate, offensive, and in many instances, illegal. The Ector County Library cannot control the availability of this information or restrict access to it. Library users are notified that they are responsible for the material they review. The Library expects patrons to use computers in a responsible and ethical manner, and to adhere to this Internet Acceptable Use Policy. Children ages 12 through 17 must have a parent or guardian sign the Internet Access for Minors Statement in the presence of a staff member, and those under 12 must have a parent or guardian present when using the computers. Access is limited to current cardholders or patrons with a valid driver's license or Texas identification card. All users must register at the Reference Desk on 1st Floor or the Children's Desk on 3rd Floor before they can supervise up to two children at one computer. Users will be limited to one hour if one others are waiting, otherwise use is unlimited. If a user has started their second hour when another user registers, the 1st user will be given a 15 minute notice to end their session. Computers may be reserved and forfeited.* Failure to use computer stations appropriately and responsibly will result in the loss of Internet privileges and/or Library privileges.
Unacceptable Use is posted next to the computers and at the Reference and Children's Desks. Computers will be available a 1/2 hour after we open subject to change without notice. BY SIGNING UP TO USE A COMPUTER, I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE ABOVE AND POSTED RULES. I ALSO AGREE THAT ECTOR COUNTY LIBRARY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY, AVAILABILITY, LEGALITY, OR OFFENSIVENESS OF ANY INTERNET CONNECTION. I AGREE TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MYSELF AND ANYONE USING THE COMPUTER WITH ME. 
* Users with special needs may make an appointment by telephone for extra assistance when scheduling permits.
UNACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTERS
The computer Internet resources available to the public at the Ector County Library may be used only for legal purposes by the public and staff. Examples of unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to:
• Sending or displaying obscene or disruptive messages, files, or images
• Using obscene language
• Harassing, insulting, or attacking others online
• Use of the library's facilities to gain unauthorized access to the library's network or computer system or to any other network or computer system in any other facility
• Obstruction of other people's work by using the system unreasonably or by deliberately crashing or disrupting any computer system
• Making an attempt to deliberately damage the computer hardware or software, or to deliberately and knowingly introduce a computer virus
• Making an attempt to alter, change, or modify computer configurations, or cause degradation of any system's performance
• Violation of copyright laws or software licensing agreements by the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials
• Engage in tortuous activity, including libel or slander
• Because of export restrictions, programs or files containing encryption technology are not to be placed on the Internet or transmitted in any way outside the U.S.
• Any activity which is prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances
• Offenses against public order and decency such as Texas Penal Code, sections 43.21, 43.22, and 43.24; and Code of Ordinances, City of Odessa, Texas, Sections 15A-42. Copies of these statutes and ordinances are available at the Reference and Children's desks.
• E-mail, Usenet groups, chat room and IRC (Internet Relay Chat) services are not available at this time.
Revised May 2024
▸Device Checkout Policy
Usage of devices checked out through Ector County Library is subject to the Terms and Conditions set forth in this Checkout Agreement. When checking out a device, I state that I understand and accept the following:
• The device(s) can only be checked out by an Adult (18 years or older) with a library card in good standing (no fines, overdue books, etc.)
• In order to check out the device(s), I must show the staff a valid state-issued ID.
• The device(s) is checked out for 2 weeks, with 1 renewal (must renew in person/ over the phone before due date.)
• If I do not return the device(s) on time, service to the device(s) will be suspended and I will be charged $0.10 for each day that the device(s) is late.
• I will be responsible for all costs related to any damage to or loss of the device(s) and its accessories-up to the full cost of said device and its accessories.
• While the device is filtered in accordance with CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act,) I will also adhere to the Service Provider’s Acceptable Use Policy, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Use as well as the library’s Internet Use Policy.
• The library is not responsible for any data or file loss, or any personal information accessed, transmitted, lost, or damaged while accessing the internet through the device(s).
• I will NOT return the device in any of the book drops. Instead, I will return it to the staff at the front desk. I understand that if I place it in the book drop, I will be held liable for any damage that it might sustain.
• I understand that I can only checkout a maximum of one hotspot and any two end-user devices (Chromebooks and/or Tablets.)
▸Homeschooler Checkout Policy
The general checkout policy has moved for homeschooled children and teens in Ector County from three to four weeks, with up to two renewals. This automatically creates a maximum total of 12 weeks for a given item before it needs to be checked back in. This will only apply for adults or adults responsible for those minors enrolled in homeschool. Parents must specify this request at the front desk. It will also be applicable for the following Ector County Library materials; all print books, reference materials that check out, dvds, tablets, chromebooks, hotspots and board games.
▸In-House Device Checkout Policy
Usage of devices checked out through Ector County Library is subject to the Terms and Conditions set forth in this Checkout Agreement. When checking out a device, I state that I understand and accept the following:
• The device can only be checked out by an Adult (18 years or older) with a library card in good standing (no fines, overdue books, etc.)
• When checking a device out in-house, I cannot take the device out of the building, and I will return the device by 6:30 P.M.
• When checking a device out for in-house use, I will leave my Library Card and a valid State-issued Photo ID (Driver’s license, ID, Passport, etc.) These will be returned to me when I return the device to the front desk.
• I will be responsible for all costs related to any damage to or loss of the device(s) and its accessories-up to the full cost of said device and its accessories.
• While the device is filtered in accordance with CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act,) I will also adhere to the Service Provider’s Acceptable Use Policy, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Use as well as the library’s Internet Use Policy.
• The library is not responsible for any data or file loss, or any personal information accessed, transmitted, lost, or damaged while accessing the internet through the device(s).
• I will NOT return the device in any of the book drops. Instead, I will return it to the staff at the front desk. I understand that if I place it in the book drop, I will be held liable for any damage that it might sustain.
• When checking out a device for in-house use, I can only check out one end-user device (Chromebook or Tablet) at a time.
▸Patron Photo Policy
When entering the Ector County Library (ECL), you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recordings may occur. Your entry and presence on the event premises will constitute your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media of your appearance and voice for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with ECL, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising. You release ECL, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs computer images, video and/or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring if such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by ECL or the person or entity designated to do so by ECL. You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. if you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the library or program premises.
▸Problem Patron Policy
Although service to its users is its number one priority, the Ector County Library places high importance on its responsibility to provide proper security and safety for the users of the Library, to safeguard Library property and to keep the Library a pleasant environment. In order to maintain these standards, Library operations must be administered in such a manner as to encourage the mutual understanding and cooperation of all Library employees and patrons. It is the responsibility of every staff member to aid in the protection of Ector County property and its employees and patrons. Therefore, patrons whose behavior is inappropriate in a public place will not be tolerated. Likewise, patrons whose behavior is unusual but who do not disturb others are accepted as Library users.
▸TexShare Library Card Program Policy
**PLEASE NOTE**
• The TexShare card can only be used to check out physical items the library owns and not digital items that it rents.