Mission Statement & Policies

Mission Statement

The Monson Free Library is dedicated to serving the residents of Monson as a continually evolving and vital community resource center for all ages focusing on  community priorities, culture and education through diverse collections, services, technology and programming.

Borrowing Policy

Registration:
All borrowers must complete a borrower registration form consisting of name, residence, mailing address and telephone number. Proof of identification including name and address shall be required. If a borrower is under 13, a parent or guardian must sign the registration card.
Adult: Age 14-59
Juvenile: Birth – 12
Senior: 60 and over
In accordance with Chapter 78, section 7 of MGL, borrower records which “reveal the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using” library shall be kept confidential and not released as a public record to law enforcement or other agencies and individuals.

Loan Periods:
Materials circulate for a three week period. One-time renewals for the original loan period are permitted and may be made by telephone, online or in person. Reference materials and current issues of magazines do not circulate.

Loan Period Exceptions:
New Fiction: 14 days, one renewal if no holds
Videos: 7 days, one renewal, 10 videos per family
Periodicals: 7 days, one renewal if no holds
Encyclopedias: 7 days, no renewal
Museum Passes: 3 days, no renewal

Did you know you can renew items on-line? Go to the on-line catalog to view your library record and renew items. Items may not renew if:

  • The item cannot be renewed.
  • The item has been renewed too many times.
  • The patron has “billed” items or owes over $10.00 in fines.
  • There are outstanding “holds” on the item.

Fines:
Fines for overdue materials will be charged at a rate of 10 cents per day per item with a maximum charge of $3.00 per item, excluding videos. Video & Museum Passes fines are $1.00 per day with a maximum charge of $5.00 per item. Overdue notices will be sent after the item is two weeks overdue. An invoice is sent one month after the overdue date. Fines are not charged for the days the library is closed. Senior citizens are not charged fines for overdue items that are owned by Monson Free Library.

Lost Item Charges:
There will be no refund on Billed or Replacement Fees if the item is found later. The Library will not accept replacements for lost or damaged materials. Patrons must pay the fees as they cover not only the cost of the item but processing fees.

Internet Policy

Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all Library patrons. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. Internet users must be discriminating information consumers, always evaluating and questioning the validity of information they discover. The Monson Free Library does not monitor and cannot control the information available on the Internet and cannot be responsible for its content. The Library does not disclose information about its patrons; however, the Library is not responsible for any information patrons choose to make available on the Internet while using the Library’s computers.

While the Internet serves as a vast and growing storehouse of information, its disorganization and the uncertain quality of information does not always recommend it as the first or best source. In some cases, other electronic databases or print sources may prove easier, faster, and more reliable. Using library computers or the library wireless network to copy and distribute copyright protected works may be an infringement of the copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code) and is not permitted.

Electronic Resources Guidelines Responsibility of Users

All users of electronic information resources are expected to use them in a responsible, legal, and ethical manner consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided.

Supervising Children’s Use
The Monson Free Library upholds and affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected materials. The Library also recognizes and affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children’s use of Library materials and resources. Parents should let their children know what materials they do not want them to use. Parents should supervise their child’s Internet sessions; this includes not only browsing the web, but also the use of electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications. The Library does not have this right.

1. Access

Electronic resource users must be current registered patrons in good standing with the Monson Free Library or CW/MARS library network. Transient non-resident users may check E-mail accounts without having a Monson library card.

2. Availability
Computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, during regular Library hours.

To facilitate orderly closing of the building, computers will be shut down 10 minutes before closing the Library.

Use of the computers will be on a first-come, first serve basis. All users must sign in at the terminal. Sessions will be limited to one hour. If, at the end of the session, no one is waiting, users may continue at the discretion of the staff person in charge.

3. Use
The Library does not provide e-mail accounts. The library will not setup, support, or maintain on its servers or computers any e-mail accounts. Patrons may, however, use the public computers to access browser based e-mail accounts that leave no footprint or files on the computer.

Computer users are welcome to download information to a USB drive. Personal game disks and/or software are not permitted in the Library’s equipment.

WARNING: Although the Library has installed anti-virus software on the computers, this will not completely protect you from the chance of getting a computer virus. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and you need to have virus-checking software on your home computer. The Monson Free Library is not responsible for damage to your disks or computer or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the Library’s computers.

Printing cost: 15¢ per page. Payment is made at the Main Circulation Desk.

No more than one person in addition to the user may be present at any workstation unless otherwise allowed by the Library staff.

4. Misuse
Users may NOT:

  • Use another patron’s library card number to sign onto a computer.
  • Download files to drives other than the drive that holds their own disk.
  • Use the Library’s workstations to gather unauthorized access to the Library’s networks or to computer systems of any other network.
  • Obstruct other people’s work by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any library computer system.
  • Make any attempt to alter hardware and software configurations in any way.
  • Make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance.
  • Use any library workstation for any illegal or criminal purpose including violations of copyright and software agreements.
  • Engage in any activity that is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, slanderous, or harassing.
  • Destroy or damage equipment, software, or data belonging to the Library or other users.
  • Violate the computer system security.

Violators of Library policy, including those governing Internet access, may lose Library privileges. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner.

5. Staff Assistance
We will be glad to assist you in accessing the Internet and we will provide you with reference materials to aid you in your search. Library staff, however, cannot provide in-depth training concerning the use of the Internet or other computer related issues. Due to limited staff and scheduling, Internet trained staff may not always be available.

Wireless Internet Access Policy

Monson Free Library offers wireless “WiFi” access to the Library’s Internet service. When you use the Library’s Internet service you are accepting the Library’s Internet Use Policy. Using library computers or the library wireless network to copy and distribute copyright protected works may be an infringement of the copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code) and is not permitted. Please take the time to read the policy before accessing the network.

Advantages:

  • No waiting for an available PC
  • No enforced time limits — connect as long as you like
  • Library card is not required
  • Fast access
  • Download files
  • Save your files permanently on your own device

Limitations:

  • No printing services are available
  • A WiFi network is less secure than a wired network (see “How Safe is WiFi?” below)
  • The WiFi network does not allow for roaming connections

Where can you pick up the wireless signal?:
The entire building is wireless accessible. You should be able to pick up the wireless signal anywhere in the Library.

How Safe is WiFi?:
The Internet is a public communications network, which means that there can be untrustworthy parties between you and anybody you communicate with. WiFi unplugs the Internet and makes personal security risks more visible. WiFi poses the same risks to your personal information that a wired network poses, as well as some new risks. WiFi users need to educate themselves about these risks, and take steps to secure their personal information. Cautious WiFi users may choose not to transmit their credit card information and passwords while using any WiFi “hotspot”, including the Library’s. The Library cannot assure the safety of your data when you use either our wired or wireless Internet access.

What You Will need:

  • Wireless network interface card (NIC)
  • A laptop or PDA configured to use the Library’s Internet connection
  • Your laptop or PDA must conform to the “802.11b/g” standard, commonly known as WiFi. New laptops often come standard with a wireless interface and may be automatically configured to pick up the wireless signal.
  • Compatible headphones if you plan to use audio files

Wireless Technical Information:
Wireless hardware and software varies as to the operating systems you may use on your laptop or PDA, so the same instructions may not work for everyone.

  • The “Service Set Identifier” (SSID) should be set to freelib. Wherever your software asks for a “name” or “wireless area” or “access point name,” insert freelib (all lower case).
  • Network authentications needs to be open and data encryption is WEP. Ask at the circulation desk for the current network key.
  • The network is not configured to support roaming between APs. Once connected to an AP, you will need to stay in the same general area to stay connected. If you desire to move to another location in the library and lose access to the internet, you will then need to wait at least 10 minutes to reconnect

Please note that the library staff cannot assist you with your laptop, PDA, card, or configuration. The Library cannot accept the liability of handling your equipment. The Library shall not be responsible for any loss of data or damage to personal equipment.