Library Cards: Library cards are free to residents of the city of Hot Springs. Fall River County residents and those from Custer County within the Hot Springs School District will pay $10.00 for an individual card and $20.00 for a family card. Out of state residents will pay the same fees. These fees are renewed on or after January 2nd each year.
Children, age five and under, will use the card of their parent or guardian.
Children 6 –17 years of age need to have a parent or guardian present when applying for a card.
Patrons 18 and over may apply for their own card.
Current photo identification is required to receive a library card and one of the following:
• utility bill with current physical address
• checkbook with current physical address
• piece of mail with typed address to the applicant at current physical address
Please treat the card with the same care as a credit card. The patron is responsible for everything checked out on the card. Overdue, damaged or lost items will be billed accordingly.
Please bring the library card on each visit to the Library to check out materials and/or use a public access computer.
Cards expire one year from date issued. After the expiration date, personal information will be checked for changes and that card will be renewed.
Patrons are responsible for notifying the Library of any change of name, address, phone number or place of employment. This can be done at the circulation desk or by calling the Library.
Agency Cards: Agency library cards may be issued to agencies requesting borrowing privileges. The application must be completed and the card signed by an agency representative. Agencies will then assume all borrower responsibilities for this card.
Agencies will be defined as, but not limited to; care homes, retirement homes, daycares, schools, and group/foster homes.
Agency cards are covered by the same Library Policies as individual cards.
Circulation: Materials may only be borrowed with a library card in good standing.
Borrower fees or fines in excess of $5.00 will block borrowing privileges.
Borrower Responsibilities: Library patrons are responsible for all materials borrowed on their card, including payment of fines or charges incurred.
The responsible adult on a child’s card cannot check out materials if the child’s fines are in excess of $5.00.
Library patrons must present their library card each time they borrow materials or use the internet computers.
Replacement cards are $2.00 each.
Lost and Forgotten Cards: Lost or stolen library cards must be reported to the circulation desk immediately or by calling the Library at 745-3151.
Loan Periods:
Books | 3 weeks |
DVDs | 1 week |
Audio Books | 3 weeks |
Magazines | 1 week |
Current Magazines | Not Checked Out |
Reference Materials | Not Checked Out |
7-Day Books | 1 Week |
Story Bags | 1 Week |
Renewals | Same As Original Loan Period |
DVDs | Not Renewed |
Heritage Room Collection | Not Checked Out |
Overdue Fees:
Books | 25¢ Per Day |
Magazines | 25¢ Per Day |
DVDs | $1.00 Per Day |
Story Bags | $1.00 Per Day |
Audio Books | 25¢ Per Day |
Paperbacks | 25¢ Per Day |
7-Day Books | 25¢ Per Day |
Fees:
Interlibrary Loan | $3.00 Per Title |
Computer Printed Copy | 25¢ Per Page |
Computer Printed Color Copy | 50¢ Per Page |
Replacement Library Card | $2.00 Per Card |
FAX Service | $1.00 Per Page |
Material Returns: During library hours, materials are returned to the foyer in designated Audiovisual and Book drops.
At all times, drop boxes are available on the outside of the building for Audiovisual and Book returns.
Renewals: Material may be renewed. DVD may NOT be renewed.
Items on Hold may not be renewed. Materials may be renewed a second time, but must be brought to the Library.
To renew an item, bring it to the circulation desk, call the Library 745-3151, or create an account here on the library website. From that account, you can view the catalog, renew items, and place holds. If there is a fine or your account is expired, you will not be able to renew.
Reserves: Items may be placed on hold at the circulation desk, by calling the Library 745-3151 or create an account here on the library website. From that account you can view the catalog, renew, and place holds. If there is a fine or your account is expired, you will not be able to place a hold.
DVD may not be reserved.
Items are held for 7 days after the patron has been notified.
Interlibrary Loan: Interlibrary loans are available at a charge of $3.00 per title.
A patron requesting interlibrary loan services must be a Hot Springs Public Library cardholder in good standing.
The patron must fill out the Interlibrary Loan Request Form and payment will be made at the time the material is received at the Hot Springs Public Library.
The lending library determines the loan period.
Interlibrary loan materials will not be renewed.
The lending library determines fees for materials, which are lost or damaged.
The material will be labeled with the return date to the Hot Springs Public Library.
Reference Materials: Materials designated as Reference Materials do not circulate but may be used in the Library. A coin operated copy machine is available for making copies.
Lost and Damaged Materials: A phone call and/or notice will be sent to the patron concerning a lost or damaged item.
This phone call and/or notice will list the cost of replacing or repairing the item.
A note is also written on the patron’s record.
If the patron pays for lost material and later returns the material in good condition, the cost of the material will be refunded.
Confidentiality of Library Records: All public library records containing personally identifiable information are confidential. Any information contained in Library records may not be released except by court order or upon request of the parent or guardian of a child who is under eighteen years of age.
Unattended Children: Children are welcome in the Library, however, parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for the behavior, safety, and supervision of their children at all times while in the Library and on Library property.
An adult must accompany children under the age of 10.
The Library Staff is not responsible for the safety, care, or supervision of children of any age at any time whether in the Library or on Library property.
Should it be determined that a child has been left at the Library without a ride or assistance home at closing time, every attempt will be made to contact an adult or family member. Staff members are not permitted to remain after hours with an unattended child nor give him/her a ride home.
If an adult or family member cannot be reached, the Hot Springs Police will be called to escort the child home or keep the child until parents can be reached. Staff members will then remain with the child until the police have arrived.
The Library Director will be informed whenever this action becomes necessary. The Director will contact the child’s parent or guardian to explain the Library Policy and why the action was required.
Patron Behavior: The Hot Springs Public Library seeks to provide quality library service to all patrons. All persons using the Library are to behave so as to allow others to enjoy the Library safely and without interference. To this end, the following behaviors are examples of those actions which are prohibited:
- Harassment towards Library Staff or other patrons
- Loud talking or other noise
- Physical threats or abuse toward anyone
- Running or loitering in the building
- Abusive or foul language
- Abuse or misuse of Library furnishings, equipment or materials
- Criminal activity
- Being under the influence or using or possessing alcohol or illegal drugs in the Library or on Library Property
Violation of this policy may result in a temporary or permanent revocation of library privileges. At any time, law enforcement officers may be contacted. If the patron is a minor, a parent will be notified of the disciplinary action.
Eating, Drinking, Smoking: Eating and drinking is not allowed in the Library. Smoking is prohibited in the Library.
Pets: Working dogs are allowed in the Library. All other pets are prohibited.
Cell Phones: Patrons must respect other patrons in the use of cell phones. Cell phones should be put on vibrate. Calls need to be received and made in the foyer or meeting rooms.
Public Internet Use: The Hot Springs Public Library provides Internet access for research, educational, and social purposes.
Scope of Internet Access: It is the goal of the Library to provide the greatest possible access to the Internet within the limits of available resources. The Internet offers access to a wealth of information that can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching.
Intellectual Freedom: Content: The Library recognizes the right of individuals to determine what is most appropriate for their needs. Users should be aware that information accessed via the Internet maybe controversial, inaccurate or dated. Because the Internet is a vast and unregulated information network, it also enables access to ideas, information, images and commentary beyond the confines of the Library’s collection, mission, selection criteria and collection development policies. Because of this access and because sites on the Internet change often, rapidly and unpredictably, the Library can not protect users from information and images which they might find offensive or disturbing.
Children’s Use of the Internet: As with other Library materials and services, parents or legal guardians, not the Library or its Staff, are responsible for the information selected or accessed by their children – and only their children. Under South Dakota law, parents or legal guardian are responsible for their children until the age of 18.
Internet Use: Library Rules: The same principles that guide the use of other Library resources apply to the use of the Internet. The Library expects patrons to use the Internet in a responsible manner respecting the rights of others and Library rules of behavior. Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and unacceptable use will result in suspension or cancellation of the privilege. The length of the suspension is at the discretion of the Library Staff. There may be an assessment of charges for damages, system restoration, or unauthorized copying.
The following behaviors include but are not limited to:
- Degrade or disrupt equipment or system performance
- Vandalize the data of another user
- Gain unauthorized access to resources or entities
- Invade the privacy of individuals
- Access, view, or download pornography
- Violate Federal, State, or Local Law regulations
- The use of sounds or visuals which might be disruptive to others
Limitations: Additional Conditions of Use: Time, printing, and downloading limits may be placed depending on volume of use or other conditions.
Assistance/Training: Library Staff is available to introduce Internet access and provide initial instruction on its use (not in-depth training). To ensure the equitable delivery of all library services, the amount of time staff has available to provide Internet instruction is limited.
Liability: The Hot Springs Public Library assumes no responsibility or financial obligation for any damage, direct or indirect, that users or anyone else may suffer through Library access to the Internet. This Public Internet Use policy is posted in the Computer Room.