Library Card Requirements
Residents living in the city limits of Forrest City are eligible for library cards, free of charge, due to library millage paid through city property taxes.
Residents living outside the city limits of Forrest City are required to pay a yearly user fee of $15.00. Forrest City residents whose street address includes SFC or Hwy may be required to provide proof of residency in the city limits of Forrest City to the satisfaction of the Director.
Library cards are valid for two (2) years for residents living inside the city limits and one (1) year for residents living outside of the city limits. Once a card has expired, cardholders living inside the city limits may be asked to provide proof of continued residency as listed below under category two (2). Information can be updated at any time if residency or information changes.
Anyone under the age of eighteen (18) must have a parent or guardian sign them up for a library card.
Applicants must provide ONE (1) from EACH of the following two sections:
1. Identification:
A. Valid Arkansas driver's license or Arkansas state issued ID
B. Valid out-of-state driver's license
C. Military ID
D. Valid passport (U.S. or foreign)
E. Valid alien registration card
F. Valid School ID
2.Address Verification:
Current home address verification (showing address within Forrest City city limits for residents). Must be dated within the last sixty (60) days and show applicant's name and home address.
A. Utility bill, bank statement, or other billing statement
B. Postmarked mail with visible date
C. Rent receipt or lease, imprinted with owner, property management company, or apartment building information
D. Pay stub imprinted with company name. CHECKBOOKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
E. Current property tax bill or receipt
Board Approved: December 19, 2011
Residents living outside the city limits of Forrest City are required to pay a yearly user fee of $15.00. Forrest City residents whose street address includes SFC or Hwy may be required to provide proof of residency in the city limits of Forrest City to the satisfaction of the Director.
Library cards are valid for two (2) years for residents living inside the city limits and one (1) year for residents living outside of the city limits. Once a card has expired, cardholders living inside the city limits may be asked to provide proof of continued residency as listed below under category two (2). Information can be updated at any time if residency or information changes.
Anyone under the age of eighteen (18) must have a parent or guardian sign them up for a library card.
Applicants must provide ONE (1) from EACH of the following two sections:
1. Identification:
A. Valid Arkansas driver's license or Arkansas state issued ID
B. Valid out-of-state driver's license
C. Military ID
D. Valid passport (U.S. or foreign)
E. Valid alien registration card
F. Valid School ID
2.Address Verification:
Current home address verification (showing address within Forrest City city limits for residents). Must be dated within the last sixty (60) days and show applicant's name and home address.
A. Utility bill, bank statement, or other billing statement
B. Postmarked mail with visible date
C. Rent receipt or lease, imprinted with owner, property management company, or apartment building information
D. Pay stub imprinted with company name. CHECKBOOKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
E. Current property tax bill or receipt
Board Approved: December 19, 2011
Rules of Conduct Policy
1. The defacing or mutilation of any library property or materials is prohibited.
2. Shoes, shirts, and proper attire must be worn at all times.
3. No eating or drinking in the library building except for refreshments that are part of official library programming.
4. No children under the age of thirteen (13) shall be unaccompanied in the library. If parents or guardians cannot be contacted the police department will be called if unaccompanied children are left at the library at closing time.
5. The library is a drug and tobacco free environment. No use of any illegal substance or tobacco product is allowed on the library property.
6. Obscene or profane language, running, climbing, or violent, riotous, or disorderly behavior in the library or on library premises is strictly prohibited.
7. Animals are not permitted, except service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and those used in conjunction with library programming.
8. Failure to follow the rules of conduct after a warning by the staff, or a serious infraction, will result in immediate removal from the library and revocation of library privileges for a period of six(6) months. If it is necessary for the police to be called for assistance, the revocation of library privileges shall be for a period of twelve (12) months or longer if set by a court of law.
2. Shoes, shirts, and proper attire must be worn at all times.
3. No eating or drinking in the library building except for refreshments that are part of official library programming.
4. No children under the age of thirteen (13) shall be unaccompanied in the library. If parents or guardians cannot be contacted the police department will be called if unaccompanied children are left at the library at closing time.
5. The library is a drug and tobacco free environment. No use of any illegal substance or tobacco product is allowed on the library property.
6. Obscene or profane language, running, climbing, or violent, riotous, or disorderly behavior in the library or on library premises is strictly prohibited.
7. Animals are not permitted, except service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and those used in conjunction with library programming.
8. Failure to follow the rules of conduct after a warning by the staff, or a serious infraction, will result in immediate removal from the library and revocation of library privileges for a period of six(6) months. If it is necessary for the police to be called for assistance, the revocation of library privileges shall be for a period of twelve (12) months or longer if set by a court of law.
Guidelines for Use of Library Computers
1. Forrest City Public Library provides free access to the computers and Internet services as part of its mission. Patrons MUST be in good standing to use the computers. (Good standing refers to no fines, fees, etc.) Parents shall be responsible for each child's use of the computers and compliance with the policy.
2. Misuse of the computer or Internet will result in the loss of computer privileges and shall also be governed by the rules of conduct policy.
3. Use of the computer will be on a first come, first serve basis. A time limit of one (1) hour per day will be enforced. If there is no other patron waiting at the completion of the one (1) hour limit, one (1) additional hour may be used by the patron.
4. Under no circumstances may a patron use their personal software on library computers. No software may be downloaded from the internet without prior approval.
5. If users experience any problems with a computer or program, they should notify library staff immediately.
6. Any use of the computers for special projects that may fall outside these policies should be requested in advance to the Library Director and must be approved.
7. Patrons are responsible for paying for all copies made. Copies are .20 cents per page.
Board Approved: May 12, 2008
2. Misuse of the computer or Internet will result in the loss of computer privileges and shall also be governed by the rules of conduct policy.
3. Use of the computer will be on a first come, first serve basis. A time limit of one (1) hour per day will be enforced. If there is no other patron waiting at the completion of the one (1) hour limit, one (1) additional hour may be used by the patron.
4. Under no circumstances may a patron use their personal software on library computers. No software may be downloaded from the internet without prior approval.
5. If users experience any problems with a computer or program, they should notify library staff immediately.
6. Any use of the computers for special projects that may fall outside these policies should be requested in advance to the Library Director and must be approved.
7. Patrons are responsible for paying for all copies made. Copies are .20 cents per page.
Board Approved: May 12, 2008
Weeding Policy and Procedures
1. Policy Overview
The Forrest City Public Library is committed to maintaining a collection that supports the educational and recreations needs of the community. Weeding is an essential aspect of maintaining a relevant and up-to-date collection. It is the policy of the Forrest City Public Library to withdraw materials in accordance with the American Library Association Guide to Review of Library Collections: Preservation, Storage, and Withdrawal.
2. Responsibility For The Collection
Final authority for the determination of the policies in the document is vested in the Forrest City Library Board of Trustees. They have delegated the responsibility of implementing the policy to the Library Director. The Library Director will delegate to staff the responsibility of reviewing specific areas periodically, but recommendations are subject to final review by the Director. Weeding will be done without bias by staff, whose personal preferences or interest will not reflect the weeding criteria.
3. Weeding Criteria
Materials are candidates for weeding if they are: Worn or damaged beyond repair (e.g. mildewed, falling apart, etc.) Duplicate titles no longer in demand. Outdated or factually inaccurate information (technology, health, medical, law, etc.) Unused, based on circulation reports (except classics or books with historical significance). Scratched or incomplete audiovisual materials.
4. Frequency Of Weeding
The American Library Association suggest that 5% of the collection be weeded annually. The following section is intended as broad guidelines only and the Forrest City Public Library recognizes that there will be many exceptions to these rules. Fiction, Young Adult & Juvenile Fiction unpopular titles that have not circulated in five (5) years. Non-Fiction, Adult & Juvenile outdated materials, with exceptions to historical significance. Encyclopedias every five (5) years. Dictionaries every ten (10) years, older copies will not include the latest meaning of words or new words added in the latest editions. Children's Picture Books, worn copies, Audiovisual materials are the same as Fiction. Periodicals are six (6) months to one (1) year, depending on magazine. Newspapers are every two (2) weeks (except Times Herald).
5. Disposal
The Forrest City Public Library reserves the right to determine how materials are disposed of. Staff with attempt to locate family members of books donated in the memory of a loved one. Any materials that are severely damaged will be disposed of immediately. The library will attempt to recycle and dispose of materials through the library's ongoing used book sale or by donating to local organizations. When all other options have been exhausted, disposed materials will be offered to the community free of charge.
Board Approved: May 14, 2007
The Forrest City Public Library is committed to maintaining a collection that supports the educational and recreations needs of the community. Weeding is an essential aspect of maintaining a relevant and up-to-date collection. It is the policy of the Forrest City Public Library to withdraw materials in accordance with the American Library Association Guide to Review of Library Collections: Preservation, Storage, and Withdrawal.
2. Responsibility For The Collection
Final authority for the determination of the policies in the document is vested in the Forrest City Library Board of Trustees. They have delegated the responsibility of implementing the policy to the Library Director. The Library Director will delegate to staff the responsibility of reviewing specific areas periodically, but recommendations are subject to final review by the Director. Weeding will be done without bias by staff, whose personal preferences or interest will not reflect the weeding criteria.
3. Weeding Criteria
Materials are candidates for weeding if they are: Worn or damaged beyond repair (e.g. mildewed, falling apart, etc.) Duplicate titles no longer in demand. Outdated or factually inaccurate information (technology, health, medical, law, etc.) Unused, based on circulation reports (except classics or books with historical significance). Scratched or incomplete audiovisual materials.
4. Frequency Of Weeding
The American Library Association suggest that 5% of the collection be weeded annually. The following section is intended as broad guidelines only and the Forrest City Public Library recognizes that there will be many exceptions to these rules. Fiction, Young Adult & Juvenile Fiction unpopular titles that have not circulated in five (5) years. Non-Fiction, Adult & Juvenile outdated materials, with exceptions to historical significance. Encyclopedias every five (5) years. Dictionaries every ten (10) years, older copies will not include the latest meaning of words or new words added in the latest editions. Children's Picture Books, worn copies, Audiovisual materials are the same as Fiction. Periodicals are six (6) months to one (1) year, depending on magazine. Newspapers are every two (2) weeks (except Times Herald).
5. Disposal
The Forrest City Public Library reserves the right to determine how materials are disposed of. Staff with attempt to locate family members of books donated in the memory of a loved one. Any materials that are severely damaged will be disposed of immediately. The library will attempt to recycle and dispose of materials through the library's ongoing used book sale or by donating to local organizations. When all other options have been exhausted, disposed materials will be offered to the community free of charge.
Board Approved: May 14, 2007
Inclement Weather Policy
It is the policy of the Forrest City Public Library to recognize that, on occasion, inclement weather or other conditions may prevent the library from opening or postpone opening. The primary factor of any decision made will be the safety of staff and library patrons. However, maximum effort will be made to maintain regular library operating hours. The Forrest City Street Department and/or Forrest City Police Department will be called upon for advice concerning impending road conditions.
If hazardous road conditions occur, the Library Director will call the Library Board Chairperson to advise him/her of the situation. In the event of inclement weather, employees will be permitted to leave work early or not report to work in the interest of their safety when approved by the Library Director. All staff members are paid their regularly scheduled hours for any day (or part of a day) where weather conditions prevent them from working. If a decision is made to close or postpone opening, the local radio station will be called to make the necessary announcements.
Board Approved: May 14, 2007
If hazardous road conditions occur, the Library Director will call the Library Board Chairperson to advise him/her of the situation. In the event of inclement weather, employees will be permitted to leave work early or not report to work in the interest of their safety when approved by the Library Director. All staff members are paid their regularly scheduled hours for any day (or part of a day) where weather conditions prevent them from working. If a decision is made to close or postpone opening, the local radio station will be called to make the necessary announcements.
Board Approved: May 14, 2007