The following policies may be of interest to Otterbein Public Library patrons. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact us.
For the complete Policy Manual, click the following link:
Policy Manual-2020
Policy Manual Highlights Include but are not limited to:
Mission Statement
The Otterbein Public Library serves our community by providing programs, services, and materials
to patrons of all ages that meet their personal, educational, and professional needs. We honor the
past by preserving, we enrich the present by serving, and we evolve to meet a changing future.
General Library Objectives
1. To assemble, preserve, and administer an organized collection of educational, informational,
historical and recreational resources, by employing a collaborative, creative and positive
staff to assist, guide, stimulate, inform and enrich the lives of those in our community.
2. To actively engage in and be aware of the needs of the community, and ensure that warm
and welcoming programs and materials uplift and complement our community.
3. To employ a staff dedicated to lifelong learning which enables the library to stay informed
and educated about services and methods that
Proctoring Policy
The Library provides certified staff to proctor exams for area residents. Students will be responsible for all costs associated with exam proctoring. The student is also responsible for scheduling exams and timely arrival. The Library holds no responsibility for fees charged, lost information, scheduling unavailability, or ensuring the exam is completed.
Circulation Policy
A patron must present their library card or proper identification to show their account is in good
standing in order to borrow materials. A patron’s account will be blocked if the patron has 25 or
more overdue items, or owes more than $10 in unpaid fines or fees.
A maximum of 100 items may be charged simultaneously on any card. There is a maximum limit of
10 DVDs and/or Blu-rays, and 1 gaming software items per library card.
Books and audiobooks may be checked out for a period of three weeks. All other items, including
DVDs, Blu-ray, electronic games, software and CD-ROMs, periodicals, may be checked out for a
period of one week. These items may be renewed for one additional check out period if there are no
patron requests for the item. Items will be held for patron requests for up to one week.
Items will have a “New Item” status for a period of six months. New books will have a check out
period of two weeks. New DVDs and new Blu-rays will have a check out period of three days. Any
item that has a “New Item” status will not be eligible for renewal and will have a patron request
holding period of three days.
Overdue materials incur fines of 25¢ per day per item with a $10.00 fine cap per item. Overdue
HotSpots will accrue at $1.00 per day until returned. Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy from
the Evergreen Indiana Libraries. Failure to receive notices does not exempt patrons from the
responsibility for payment for Library materials or overdue fines and fees. Patrons who provide an
email address will receive an email notice three days before their materials are due and an email
notice on the day their materials are due. Notices of overdue items will also be sent via email.
A final notice, which declares the items “LOST” and assesses the replacement cost of the overdue
materials and related costs, including collection costs and a $10.00 per item processing fee,
will be sent via U.S. First Class mail 45 days after the due date. A patron may inform Library staff
that an item is “LOST.” The price of the item, plus a processing fee of $10.00 per item, may be assessed
to the patron’s card. If the patron does not return their “LOST” material or pay their fees after receiving
a 45 day overdue notice, they will be sent to the Unique Management for further action should their
account total more than $25.00 in related bills.
No fees will be charged for interlibrary loans unless postage is due or there are charges from
lending institution.
Patrons may have 20 holds in the system.
The Library also follows all Evergreen Indiana policy and rules regarding the circulation of items.
Computer Use
All patrons using library computers must agree to follow the Computer Use Policy:
- Public access computers and wireless Internet access are provided to adult and school age patrons. Patrons younger than 18 years must have a signed guardian’s consent form on file to use the unfiltered Internet.
- Unacceptable use of library computers will lead to disciplinary action, including loss of computer use privileges. Unacceptable use includes, but is not limited to:
— Disrupting other computer users
— Displaying obscene material
— Tampering with computer software or hardware
— Actions which violate federal, state, or local laws
- Patrons who wish to use a computer must request a computer at the service desk. Library staff will assign patrons to a computer. Once assigned a computer, patrons may not switch computers without staff permission and will be limited to one hour of use. Staff may allow patrons to continue use after one hour if no other patrons are waiting.
- The library is not responsible for lost information in the event of power or equipment failure.
