Membership Entitlement
Membership in the library is free of charge to any residents of the City of Kenora according to the Public Libraries Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990, chapter p.44.
- Membership is free to those who own, or rent, property within the City limits.
- Children under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian sign on their behalf in order to obtain a library card.
- A City of Kenora Public Library membership application form must be completed and signed for each library membership.
Responsibility Statement
- Personal information contained on this form is collected pursuant to the Municipal Act, and will be used for the purpose of issuing membership cards for the library. Questions about this collection should be directed to: The Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator, City of Kenora Public Library, 24 Main Street South, Kenora, Ontario P9N 1S7
- (807-467-2081)
- Patrons must show 2 pieces of identification verifying name, mailing address, and living address. (Patrons may bring in a postmarked envelope that has been mailed to them at their permanent address for verification).
- It is the responsibility of the patron to prove that they pay taxes or rent within the City of Kenora.
Acceptable forms of identification
- Driver's license
- Social insurance number (may be provided, but cannot be requested)
- Status card (if using a status card for ID, we must have the band name and number, date of birth, and status number all recorded)
Non-resident memberships
- A membership fee will be charged for borrowing privileges for all persons not residing within the City of Kenora, not owning or renting property within the City of Kenora, or not paying taxes to the City of Kenora.
- The following annual non-resident membership fees are available:
- Adult (16-54) - $45.00
- Child (under 16) - $15.00
- Student - $15.00
- Senior (55+) - $30.00
- Family - $85.00
- Summer/Temp (4 mos.) - $35.00
- 1 Month - $20.00
- Family and temporary memberships include immediate family members only. For this purpose, immediate family consists of one set (2) of parents, and their children aged 16 and under residing at the same permanent address.
- Students must prove they are registered in school.
- Family member must have the card for summer/temp cards.
- Senior members are permitted to use the youth area with their grandchildren, etc.
Loan Periods
- The standard loan period for print materials is three weeks from the current date.
- One or two week periods may be set on best-sellers which are in high demand.
- Extended loans may be granted for special circumstances, upon request, and at the discretion of the library staff.
- Patrons may register at the library to borrow DVD's for a seven-day period.
- Patrons are limited to borrowing no more than 4 DVD's at a time from the Kenora Branch or Keewatin Branch.
- Magazines borrowed from the Kenora Branch have a loan period of 3 weeks, with the exception of the latest issues which are available only for use in the library.
- Magazines borrowed from the Keewatin Branch have a loan period of 3 weeks.
- In exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of the senior staff member on duty, reference material may be signed out from the library for time periods during which the library is closed.
Fines
Fines are charged at the following rates:
- Adult Hard Cover & Talking Books - 25¢/day
- Magazines - 25¢/day
- Paperbacks - 25¢/day
- Reserved Books & Interlibrary Loans - 50¢/day
- Video materials - $1.00/day
- Reference material - 50¢/day
- ILLO books not picked up - $2/book
All of the above materials may accumulate fines to a maximum of $15.00 per item. Adult patrons who have accumulated $15.00 or more in fines will have their borrowing privileges suspended until payment is received.
Lost or damaged materials
Patrons will be charged the full cost of lost or damaged material plus the cost of processing and any accumulated fines.
Outstanding bills
Outstanding bills will be sent to the City of Kenora for collections.
Renewals
A book may be renewed a maximum of three times, provided that no reserve request has been placed on it, and it is not reference material.
Reservations
Library material out on loan, or on order, may be reserved for a patron, providing that it normally circulates. Material will be held on reserve for no longer than three days after the patron has been notified of its availability. The library will make every effort to reach the patron for a period of one week after the book has become available to the patron. After one week, it will be returned to the shelves, or made available to the next person on the waiting list. If a patron is unable to collect the book within three days of being notified, and requests an extension, the library staff may grant an extension, providing the waiting list for the book is not extensive, nor the period of extension requested unreasonable.
Interlibrary Loan Policy
- When a library member requires library material which is not included in the library's collection, the library will make every effort to secure the requested material from another library.
- Accurate records shall be kept by library staff of:
- Requests for materials made to other libraries;
- Materials which have been received from other libraries;
- The date on which such materials are due back at the holding library;
- The date on which materials are returned to their holding library.
- The borrowing period for interlibrary loan materials is determined by the holding library.
- All interlibrary loan materials must be returned to the Kenora Public Library and must not be returned to the holding library directly by the borrower.
- Interlibrary loan materials will be subject to the same rules as regular library materials with regards to overdue fees and lost or damaged materials. Money collected in compensation for lost or damaged interlibrary loan materials shall be forwarded to the holding library when requested.
- In the case where a holding library requires a fee for the loan of its material, the requesting library member will be expected to cover the cost and will be informed of the possibility of a fee before the library proceeds with the loan request.
- Any member who shows repeated disregard for the rules concerning the borrowing of interlibrary loan materials may be denied this privilege.
Internet Access Policy
To maximize the availability of this resource and to ensure fair accessibility for everyone, please follow these Internet Access Guidelines. In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Kenora Public Library endeavors to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of Kenora's diverse, multicultural community. It is within this context that the Kenora Public Library offers access to the Internet. The Kenora Public Library does not monitor nor has 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 that Library patrons use at their own risk. All Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all library users. Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. To be more specific: The Kenora Public Library does not censor your access to materials or protect you from information you find offensive. There is sexually explicit material and other information resources which you may find personally controversial or inappropriate. Not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. You need to be a good information consumer, questioning the validity of the information you find. Staff Assistance: For many Library staff, traveling the Internet is a new experience, while others have more experience. Staff will only be able to provide assistance as time allows. Assistance and/or training can only be provided when volunteers or funding is available.
Guidelines for Accessing the Internet at the Kenora Public Library:
- Users must have only one library card, use only their own library card, and must not use other individual's cards or multiple library cards.
- The Library's 5 Internet Access Computers are normally available, subject to programming schedules and periodic maintenance.
- Patron use of the Internet workstations will be limited to 1 hour per day. Enforcement may be implemented through sign-up sheets or other mechanisms as determined by the Library. Various exceptions may be made on an individual basis, as determined by the librarian.
- You may not use your own software programs on the Internet Access computers. This will help prevent viruses that are common on public computers.
- You will need to ask a reference librarian if you wish to save files. Flash drives are available at the front desk for a minimal charge. However, the use of USB keys is permitted on computers equipped with USB ports. Warning: Although we use various spyware, malware, adware, and virus programs on our Internet-Accessible computers, this does not completely protect the user from the chance of getting a virus. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and you need to have some type of Internet security software on your computer. The Kenora Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patrons disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the library's computers.
- You will be charged for printing from the Internet Access computers. (Rates available here). Failure to pay for copies will result in loss of Internet privileges.
- You may not be able to always go to the places on the Internet you want to visit. There are many reasons, among them:
- There are too many Internet visitors and the host computer has closed or limited access from the "outside world".
- The database or resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case you would need to be affiliated with the institution in order to get access.
- The host computer has changed its address or has closed down.
- The Library's Internet connection may be periodically and temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties.
- Misuse of the computer or Internet access will result in loss of your computer privileges.
- Users should not use any KPL workstation for illegal, actionable, or criminal purpose or seek access into any unauthorized areas including "hacking" or harassing other users locally or remotely.
- Users may not use the Internet to access, display, download, upload, print, forward or e-mail material with pornographic (as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada - Section 163), criminal or hate literature content.
- Users are not to install software or run any programs on KPL computer equipment that has not been installed by KPL staff.
- Users should not seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users. Users should not represent themselves as another user.
- KPL is not responsible for any fees incurred by use of the Internet.
- KPL cannot guarantee security and confidentiality of any transaction, particularly e-commerce transactions.
- Non-members are allowed one half hour of free access per day.
- Even though the internet access is free, we charge only to cover our expenses.
Violations
Violation of the Internet Access Policy is defined as Internet abuse, and can include the following:
- using the Internet to access, display, download, upload, print, forward, or e-mail material with pornographic (as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 163), criminal, or hate literature content
- subverting or attempting to subvert any security devices in either software or hardware format which the library has installed on its Internet workstations
- installing or attempting to install viruses or other programs designed to damage or alter software on the workstations, the LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or seeking unauthorized access to any computer system
- using email to send unsolicited commercial material, spamming or mail bomb
- misrepresenting oneself as another user
- attempting to modify workstations in any manner or attempting to gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others
- attempting to modify, vandalize or steal library property
Violations including, but not limited to, the above may result in the following:
- the library reserves the right to request that patrons discontinue use of the Internet
- patrons in violation of the library's Internet use policies will have their Internet privileges revoked or may be banned from using the library
- patrons using the library's Internet workstations for illegal purposes will be subject to prosecution
Accessibility Policy
All citizens of the Kenora Public Library have a right to equitable library and information services.
- Library staff shall treat persons with disabilities with the consideration, dignity and respect to which all patrons are entitled.
- The library shall endeavour to make all library facilities and services accessible to everyone.
- The library shall, on an on-going basis, evaluate its programs, services, and collections to ensure their effectiveness and relevance to the needs of all persons in the community.
- To help achieve its accessibility goals, the library shall cooperate with local, provincial, and national groups representing and serving people with disabilities.
Planning services for people with disabilities shall be integrated into the library's overall planning process.
1.1 Staff Training
- The library shall have in place a training program for existing staff, new employees, and volunteers to heighten awareness and sensitivity and provide information on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities.
- The training program shall include guidelines for appropriate behavior with respect to persons with disabilities and these shall be enforced by supervisors and management.
- Staff shall be trained and available to help patrons with disabilities use equipment and access materials.
- The library has guidelines for appropriate staff behavior when interacting with persons with disabilities.
- Staff are trained in how to help patrons with disabilities use equipment and access materials.
1.2 Accessible Format Materials
- Acquisition of accessible format materials (e.g. videos, large print books, talking books, Braille, etc.) shall be based on the need of the community and local priorities. Materials in accessible formats should appeal to a variety of interests or needs. Accessible format materials shall be shelved with the rest of the collection, clearly identified for patrons who will be using them and accessible.
- Equipment to use accessible format materials shall be available and accessible.
- The library shall participate in networks of local, regional, provincial, and national libraries and other institutions to ensure availability of accessible format materials through interlibrary loan and cooperative programs.
- The library's accessible format collections shall reflect the needs and priorities of persons in the community with disabilities, as determined through the library's planning process.
1.3 Adaptive Technologies
- The library shall make use of technology that helps to adapt regular library materials and services for use by persons with disabilities.
- In planning the acquisition of special equipment the library shall consider :
- Community needs
- Availability of equipment in local disability centres or other libraries
- Cost and reliability of product
- At least one accessible computer workstation shall be available to patrons with visual, hearing and motor impairments.