Book Drop
Library Cards
General Loan Policy
Patron Confidentiality
Reference
Internet Access
Reserves, Overdues, Replacement Cards
Inter-Library Loans
Special Collections and Materials

HOURS

Book Drop

A book drop is available at the front of the library. It is closed when the library is open.

Library Cards - Eligibility and Registration

Patrons must present a Social Security number or Driver's License, a picture identification and piece of first class mail, not over one month old, showing current address. Part-time residents may obtain a card if they live in the area for four months or longer and have a local mailing address

There is no fee for this service.

Library card renewal is calculated every four years on the patron's birthdate.
Children under 16 years of age are eligible for library cards when they can sign their first and last name. If a new patron, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian who co-signs the membership application is responsible for the books that are checked out by the child.
No cards are issued to non-residents.

General Loan Policy

Children (16 and under) may check out three (3) books if alone, or ten (10) books when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children may check out one (1) video/DVD only.

Adults may have twenty-five items at one time. Only three (3) titles per patron if the books are part of a series, or by one author or on any particular subject. Ten (10) videos/DVDs may be checked out at one time. Only two (2) per patron if it is part of a series.

Reference books cannot be checked out. Circulating reference can be checked out for one (1) week.

Patrons may check out no more than six (6) magazines for one week. There are some reference magazines that are not available for checkout.

Standard loan period is three (3) weeks.

Best sellers and circulating reference materials may be borrowed for one (1) week only. There is a limit of three (3) titles per patron for any one-week period. Overdue fine is 50 cents per day. 

Three week material can be renewed over the telephone or on the internet. If already overdue, it cannot be renewed on the internet. If the books are overdue, the fine will still have to be paid. This privilege is not extended if the books are overdue one (1) month or more.

Non-registered patrons cannot use a registered patron's card or name.

There will be no circulation of library materials to patrons with outstanding fines or overdue books.

Patron Confidentiality

Benson Library shall not disclose any record or information which identifies a user of library services. (User is defined as anyone in the library, not only a card holder). Confidentiality of records includes the records and other information of library personnel.

Exceptions to the Library Disclosure Policy are as follows:
Records may be disclosed:

1. if necessary for the reasonable operation of the library.

2. upon receipt of a court order.

3. if required by law.

Reference

Librarians at the desk are available to assist patrons in locating the information that they need.

Internet Access

Benson Public Library adheres to the following Arizona Revised Statutes:

1. ARS 41-1354, privacy of user records

2. ARS 13-2316, computer tampering

3. 13-3506,  13-3506.01, furnish harmful items to minors

4. 13-3507, display of sexual material to minors
       (ARS 34-3501, Definitions)

5. ARS 34 - 502 Computer access

6. US Code, Title 17, illegal copying

   Violations of the above statutes will result in a class 3 and/or 4 felony.

What can you do on the Internet: Find information on a large variety of subjects. The Internet is a huge collection of large and small connected computer networks around the world.

Things to know about the Internet:

1. No one controls its contents. Anyone can write anything they like, so you may find information that is offensive to you. Parents and legal guardians (not the Library) are responsible for and must monitor how their children use the Internet.

2. Since people can write whatever they like, information may be wrong, incomplete or not current. Question what you find. If the information is important to you, check it in another source. A librarian can help you do this.

3. Any information that you enter into the Internet can be read by other people. Think before you write. Sending credit card numbers, account numbers, your name, address, or other information is not safe.

4. Benson Library does not support access to explicit sexual materials or fee-based WWW sites.

5. Benson Library is not responsible for information found on the Internet or what is done with it. The library is also not responsible for loss of privacy, damages, or loss of information caused by use of Internet services.

What you may NOT do:

1. The Library's computer equipment and software must be used as installed. You may not add, delete, change, or modify the installed hardware, software, or configurations.

2. You may not use the Internet for illegal activity. For example, it is illegal to use this equipment to harm other users or computer systems.

3. It is unacceptable to misuse library computers.

4. Some material on the Internet may be protected by copyright laws. It is illegal to copy this information without permission of the owner. When in doubt, ask the copyright owner for permission to use their work.

5. Users may not download to the hard drive or to a disk. This precaution is to protect both the library's computers and the patron's computers from acquiring a virus.

Reserves

Benson Library does not reserve Best Sellers.

Overdues

A patron with overdue materials will receive three contacts reminding them of the infraction. If, after one month, the overdues have not been settled, the information will be sent to the local justice court. The patron will be notified of this action and will have three days to contact the library about restitution. If after 3 - 7 days the issue has not been resolved, the account is subject to court action.

Lost library cards

Replacement cards will cost $2.00.  

Inter-library loans

Due to the volume of requests and in order to enable staff to provide equal service for all patrons, the following policy is administered:

1. one request per week/per patron for out of county books, 3 requests for in county books.

2. the library does not keep list of past requests.

3. allow up to six weeks for delivery for out of country books.

4. if applicable, give staff a deadline date when search should terminate.

5. loan period is determined by the lending library.

6. lost or damaged books will be reimbursed at the valuation set by lending library.

7. new books and/or best sellers are not subject to inter-library loan.

8. fine for loss of a book band is $1.00.

9. and, THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE.  

   

   

Special Collections and Materials

Southwest Collection

The private collection of over one hundred books on the Southwest was donated to the Benson Public Library upon the death of Fr. Don Lansing in 1981. Fr. Lansing, a Maryknoll priest, who served many years in Quatamala, had a great love for the Southwest and its people. Upon returning to the United States, he worked in Tucson, Bisbee and Pirtleville.

This collection has grown considerably over the years, now with over 1,800 books. It contains works about the four states, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. It also cover material about the United States and Mexico along the border.

Arizona Revised Statutes

Depository for Local Legal Issues

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