Library Policies & Services
Admission Charges
Non-library sponsored or co-sponsored meetings must be open to the public. No admission charge or other consideration for admission is permitted.
Audio Visual Equipment Loans
Audio Visual Equipment for Public Use is available through BCPL. Pack Memorial has equipment for use in Lord auditorium and slide projectors that check out. Contact other libraries with a meeting room for information on their a-v listing. Audio Visual equipment loans are available throught the Administrative Offices at Pack Memorial (250-4711) on a first-come, first-serve basis for 30 days. There are no computers, cameras, or digital projectors available. All loans are $2.00 per item per day to patrons holding library cards. Patrons are responsible for lost and damaged equipment.
Rules of Behavior
Library users and staff have the right to assume thattheir use of library buildings and grounds will be free from harassment, free from physical danger and free from psychological and emotional stress. Individuals who engage in these behaviors and do not cease to do so after being warned will be asked to leave.
Failure to leave library buildings and grounds when requested may result in the swearing out of a warrant for trespass.
Change of Name or Address
Patrons are asked to report a change of name, address, or telephone number to a staff member at a circulation desk. These changes will be corrected in your patron file information.
Class Visits and Library Tours
The public library is an educational institution and attempts to meet the informational needs of all citizens of Buncombe County from pre-school though adult. Buncombe County Public Libraries encourage teachers and home schoolers to bring classes to the public library. The public library, unlike a school library, does not focus its collection development on curriculum support. The public library can provide supplemental and enrichment materials and staff assistance in research and the effective use of library materials. Reservations are required
for class visits and tours. Please call the branch you wish to visit for further information.
Computers
Word processing and CD-ROM computers are available at all libraries on a first-come basis. Copies or printouts made are charged the standard rate for copies made at that location. Internet access is also available at all libraries.
Donations
Patrons are encouraged to donate books, compact discs and audio tapes to the library. Donated materials are reviewed for possible inclusion in the library collection. Materials not added to the collection will be sold in the book sale and the proceeds from the sale will be dontated to the Library. The donor may request a receipt acknowledging the type and quantity of the donated materials. The Library does not estimate the value of donated items. Donations of magazines, condensed books, and books in very poor or mildewed condition are not accepted. Acknowledgment of donations is governed by the Materials Selection Policy.
Fines
Overdue fines are calculated for each calendar day, except Sundays when the library is closed. There is no grace period. Partial payment arrangements are available only for overdue charges. Payments for lost or damaged items and all other fees must be paid in full.
Internet Access
Internet computers are located at all libraries. Internet access is provided to promote learning and research, use of "chat rooms" are not allowed and email is not supported. Children under the age of twelve may use the Internet only in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
Internet users must sign up to use the computer on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each Internet user is limited to a one hour session per day. Through paper or online sign-in, all users must agree to follow the Internet Access Policy each time access is requested. Downloading of files is allowed only to the computer's "A" drive on a floppy disk provided by the user. Internet users are responsible for payment of printing fees. Use of library Internet terminals to access pornography is a violation of the Library Rules of Behavior Policy.
Inter-library Loans
Interlibrary Loan is a service that borrows materials from other libraries that are not available in Buncombe County Public Libraries. Each ILL request is $5 and a valid BCPL library card is required. No more than 10 requests may be processed at one time. For periodical requests, there are generally extra charges for photocopying. There is a $1 per day charge for overdue items. Books published within the last six months can't be requested. Patrons should allow at least 3 weeks for materials to arrive. For libraries who wish to borrow materials: BCPL is a full member of OCLC and follows all the recommended OCLC guidelines. BCPL does not loan reference or AV materials. For more information on ILL, please contact library@buncombecounty.org or call 250-4700.
Limits on Circulation Items
The maximum number of items that may be checked out per visit is as follows: The maximum number of items that may be checked out per visit is as follows:
- ART PRINTS
- AUDIO CASSETTES
- At Pack Memorial:
- Juvenile Audio cassettes (5)
- Adult audio cassettes (3)
- Unabridged books-on-tape (2)
- Juvenile books-on-tape (5)
- At Branch Libraries:
- Adult audio cassettes (5)
- Unabridged books-on-tape (5)
- Juvenile audio cassettes (3)
- BOOKS
- At Pack Memorial - Non-Fiction per subject (5)
- At all branches - Non-fiction per subject (3)
- COMPACT DISKS (5)
- INTERLIBRARY LOANS -- ordered at one time (4)
- VIDEOS, DVDs, and AUDIO BOOKS (5)
Meeting Rooms
Public meeting rooms for community groups and organizations are available for a fee. Meeting rooms can be found at Pack Memorial, Black Mountain, North Asheville, Buncombe (Skyland), Weaverville, Fairview, Enka-Candler and Leicester. Contact each individual library for size, availability and cost.
Overdues
Overdue notices are sent to patrons as a courtesy via first class mail. The schedule for mailing notices of overdue materials is incorporated into the computer system and may be changed from time to time. Checkout privileges will be denied to patrons having materials that are "Assumed Lost" (49 days overdue). If materials are lost, full value of the materials must be paid. Collection procedures will be implemented against patrons who fail to return overdue materials after being notified by the Library.
Patron Recommendations
Patrons are encouraged to make recommendations for additions to library collections. These suggestions will be evaluated according to the criteria stated in the Materials Selections Policy.
Payments
The cardholder is responsible for paying the replacement charge for all lost, stolen or damaged items that have been checked out to that account. Refunds will be made if an item is found within 30 days. However, if an account has been referred to the Professional Collections Services, no refund is given. Payments for lost, stolen or damaged items must be paid in full Note: NO refunds are given for browsing paperbacks or board books.
Photocopiers
Photocopiers are available for public use at all libraries. Copies cost 25 cents.
Replacement Prices
Replacement charges are considered to be the average price plus the library’s processing cost for each material type.
Tax Forms
Federal Tax Forms are available from mid-January through mid-April at most branches. Supplies of the most commonly used forms are available free of charge. Less frequently used forms can be photocopied for the usual copying charge of $.25 cents per page.
Volunteers
Volunteers are typically recruited through Friends of the Library organizations and are valuable contributors to behind-the-scenes work, special projects and booksales. The Preschool Outreach Program also recruits volunteers to present Storytime programs for children across Buncombe county. The library does not permit the use of volunteers in the provision of direct service to the public.
Voter Registration
Voter Registration forms are available at all locations. The patron is responsible for mailing the completed form to the appropriate Board of Elections Office. The library does NOT keep precinct information of personal records of party affiliation. For that information, call the Board of Elections, 250-4200.