City of Gulfport, Florida

The primary purpose of the Gulfport Public Library is to provide materials, information and services to meet the educational, recreational, cultural and social needs of our diverse community, to support lifelong learning and to enhance services through the sharing of resources with the larger library community.

Our goal is to help people enrich their experiences, expand their cultural horizons; improve their literacy; and improve themselves with family, friends, community and career. We accomplish this by:

The Library affirms that an informed and involved community is a better community. By providing opportunities for citizens to contribute their time, talents and ideas, as well as by providing access to information and knowledge, the public library greatly contributes to the maintenance and strengthening of our Constitutional rights and freedoms.

All citizens are encouraged to use and enjoy the services and resources of the public library. As a traditional and proven component of the best of a community's learning and educational systems, the public library enriches the lives of the people it serves and it contributes significantly to their quality of life.

Gulfport Public Library Internet Use Agreement

Use of Library computers assumes patron agreement with the following terms. Failure to comply with this agreement may result in revocation of computer use privileges.

1. I will not attempt to modify or gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others.

2. I will not seek unauthorized access to any other computer system or damage or alter software components of any network or database.

3. I will observe the copyright law for print and electronic materials.

4. I will not make any changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware.

5. I will not bring in any application software to use on the library's computers, or attempt to download or save any files or applications to the library computers' hard disk.

6. I will pay the established rate for each page I print out.

7. I will allow a library staff member to check for viruses on any diskette I bring in before using it.

Use of the Internet:

1. I will not use the Internet for illegal or unethical purposes.

2. I will not send, receive, display or print sexually explicit or pornographic text or graphics, or any other content which may be reasonably construed as obscene.

3. I will not send, receive, display or print text or graphics which may be reasonably construed as inappropriate for reading, listening or viewing by minor children.

The Gulfport Public Library has established rules of conduct and other policies and procedures in order to protect the rights of all users to a safe, tranquil and pleasant environment conducive to reading and learning. Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian, and not the Library, to determine what his or her own child may view, read or otherwise access on the Internet.

Circulation Policies

Welcome to the Gulfport Public Library! We invite you to visit often and to let us assist you in making full use of nearly 70,000 books, magazines, audios, and videos in our collection, plus access to a wide variety of informational services, including the Internet. Every staff member of the Library strives for excellence in service, through a total commitment to the needs of our customers, and a total commitment to the continuous improvement of all our services and endeavors.Your comments and suggestions for improvement are always welcome.

A library card is required to borrow any material from the Library and may be required to receive certain services. Materials borrowed at Gulfport may be returned at any of the member libraries of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC) , and vice versa.

Borrowers with valid PPLC cards may use them to borrow materials from any PPLC library. Proof of residency is required when applying for a library card, and changes of address or lost cards should be reported as soon as possible.

All permanent residents of member cities and unincorporated areas of Pinellas County may register for a free PPLC card, which is valid for three years from date of registration. A permanent resident is anyone who either owns property in Pinellas County, or lives in Pinellas County for more than six months each year.,

Pinellas County residents who live in non-member cities must pay an annual fee of $100.00 per household for a PPLC card, which is valid for one year from date of registration.

Currently, these non-member cities are: Bellair Beach, Bellair Bluffs, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City and South Pasadena. (The City of South Pasadena currently provides payment of the $100 annual card fee for its residents, providing the individual resident first makes application at the South Pasadena City Hall and pays $25 towards the total payment.)

Borrowers with PPLC cards may be required to register their card numbers at Pinellas County libraries which are not on the same automated system as Gulfport. Holders of valid PPLC cards are eligible for reciprocal borrowing privileges at participating public libraries in Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Manatee, Okeechobee and Pasco counties, and at the campus libraries of St. Petersburg College. The borrower must present his/her PPLC card in person to register as a reciprocal borrower at these libraries.

Temporary (buff paper) cards may be issued to visitors or short-term residents (less than 6 months). There is a $10.00 fee for temporary cards, which are valid for six months or less, depending on length of stay. Temporary cards issued by the Gulfport Public Library are valid only at Gulfport.

Borrowers are expected to handle books and other materials carefully and return them by the due date in reusable condition. The individual in whose name the card is issued is responsible for all materials charged to his/her card. Lost cards and chagnes of address should be reported as soon as possilbe. The Library will attempt to notify borrowers regarding overdue materials. If materials are not returned within 30 days after the due date, the borrower will be issued a bill for the replacement cost of the material.

Damage or loss must be reported as soon as possible. Borrowing privileges may be suspended by the Library if the borrower fails to return materials or clear outstanding delinquent accounts.

Borrowers may request that holds be placed on items litsted in the Library's catalog, but not currently available. There is a maximum of 25 requests at any one time per borrower. Individuals may place their own requests directly, using the automated public catalog terminals or Internet computers in the Library, or through a reference librarian. Requests placed on the automated system remain active for six months or until filled, whichever comes first.

Gulfport Public Library Meeting Room Policy

The Friends Room is the Library's large multi-purpose meeting room, and is intended primarily for programs presented by the library staff and the Friends of the Library. When not in use for library-sponsored programming, the meeting room will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for programs of a cultural or educational nature. The meeting room is not intended for social gatherings, entertainments, commercial sales, business solicitations, fundraising, political or religious purposes, or for an unbalanced presentation of controversial matters.

Application for use of the meeting room should be made 30 days in advance on a form provided by the Library (See appendix A, attached to this document.) A one-time use will be permitted upon request to and approval by the Library Administrator. Use of the room for regular functions can be reserved one year in advance. Groups who want to continue to utilize the facilities on a regular basis must reapply at the beginning of October of each year.

Room reservations may be made by telephone. Such reservations will be penciled in as "tentative" until the signed application is received. In all cases the application must be signed and received before the meeting occurs.

Groups must notify the Library of any cancellation at least 24 hours in advance of their meeting.

All programs must be open to the public at large. They must be free of charge and may not be conducted for commercial gain. No sales or other commercial transactions may be solicited or take place on Library property. No person may be excluded because of race, nationality, age, sex, handicap, or because of social, religious, or political views. The Library reserves the right to pre-empt any meeting due to unforeseen circumstances (minimum 24-hour notice).

The Library reserves the right to publicize any or all programs of community interest. This right does not obligate the Library to provide publicity for any event.

There is no fee for meetings held during regularly scheduled hours of operation. Meetings may be scheduled after hours depending on staff availability. The fee for after-hours meetings is $25.00 per hour of required staff time.

There will be no food or beverages allowed in the meeting room without the approval of the Library Administrator. If permission to serve light refreshments is granted, it is the responsibility of the group to clean the meeting room as well as the kitchenette if used. The group will be liable for custodial maintenance or repair if the facilities are damaged and/or soiled to a degree requiring exceptional services.

The room must be left in an orderly condition. Users must not tamper with, attempt to modify, or otherwise change any electrical, plumbing or heating/air conditioning in the Library. The Library staff will operate the television, VCR and sound system. Groups failing to comply with these provisions will be given notice that a second offense may deny them future use of the room.

The Library is not responsible for providing equipment or supplies such as coffee pots, cups, projectors, extension cords, paper or pencils. Storage space cannot be allotted for equipment or utensils to be left at the facility between meetings.

Doors must be kept closed while the meeting or program is underway to ensure efficient use of the heating and cooling system and to contain noise.

No group may charge admission to a meeting held in this facility nor may it solicit or collect a "free will" offering, nor may it present for sale any item which is conditional for attendance at a meeting or program. Nor may memberships or payment of dues be solicited in the library building without the permission of the Library Administrator.

For the purposes of this policy, the Friends of the Gulfport Library, the Gulfport Library Foundation, all City of Gulfport departments, and all duly constituted City of Gulfport advisory boards may be exempted from any or all of these conditions.

The fact that a group is permitted to meet at the Gulfport Public Library does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group's policies or beliefs.

In the event that circumstances arise which are not covered by the document above, the decisions of the appropriate Library personnel are binding.

Gulfport Public Library Exhibits and Displays Policy

The Gulfport Public Library has limited space available which may be used for temporary displays of art works and other items of interest to the general public. The Library's exhibit space is open to organizations and individuals engaged in intellectual, educational, or cultural activities. Exhibit space may not be used to promote sales or for any other commercial or fundraising purposes.

The Library endeavors to provide access for all age groups to a variety of viewpoints on a broad spectrum of topics, by means of carefully selected and tastefully presented displays and exhibits, as it does with the books and other materials in its collections. Works dealing with controversial topics are not excluded merely because they are controversial. However, because of the unavoidably visual nature of displays and exhibits, common sense, sensitivity and wise judgment must be exercised in choosing which works will be exhibited at the Library, particularly in light of the fact that Library displays and exhibits are accessible to all persons, from young children to older adults. Materials selected for exhibit, therefore, should be non-stereotyped, non-violent, and appropriate for display to all age groups, including children. Works which might be acceptable to an adult audience at a private gallery or show might not be appropriate for a display or exhibit easily accessible to all age groups at the Library.

All displays and exhibits are subject to evaluation and recommendation by an advisory committee appointed by the Friends of the Library, and to existing laws, ordinances, regulations and policies. The decision by the Library, as an official unit of the City of Gulfport, to accept or reject any or all items for display is final.

Persons wishing to exhibit works in the Library should contact the Library Administrator or designated representative and arrange for a preliminary assessment and evaluation. Once the exhibit has been approved, the exhibitor will complete and sign an Exhibit and Display Waiver, included in this document as Appendix A.

Friends Room Policy – Appendix A
Gulfport Public Library
FRIENDS ROOM USE REQUEST / RENTAL AGREEMENT

Date of Request __________________
ACTIVITY DATE(S) ______________________
Group/Individual _______________________________
Contact _______________________________
Address ______________________________________________
Phone _______________________

Please indicate days and hours requested:
MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Please specify the details of your request. Is this a ONE-TIME event? A weekly, bi-weekly, monthly event? Do you wish a certain week of each month (e.g., the third Thursday; the first and last Saturdays)?

Do you wish to serve food/beverages? ________
If yes, describe: ______________________________
Items required (amount): Tables ____ Chairs ____ TV VCR PA system Other___________
Additional information: _________________________________________________________________
FEES: Room rental __________________ for ________hours @ $25.00 per hour.
Sales tax (7%) __________________
TOTAL COST OF RENTAL: __________________ Employee working event _________________

THIS AGREEMENT, entered into between the City of Gulfport, Florida (“City) and the undersigned Lessee (“Lessee), for the use of the Friends Room on the date(s) and time(s) specified, and upon the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree to the following:

1. Lessee shall pay City the sum specified, and any additional charges required, for the use of the Friends Room on the date(s) and time(s) specified.

2. Lessee shall comply with all rules, regulations, ordinances, laws or orders of the City, and its authorized representatives, while using the facility.

3. Lessee shall return the facility to the City in a clean and sanitary condition, and Lessee shall remove any equipment brought into the facility.

4. Lessee and Lessee’s heirs, successors and assigns, for themselves and all persons attending the event provided herefor, shall hold the City harmless and indemnify the City against any claim, loss, demand, damages, cause of action or liability, including attorneys fees incurred by City as a result thereof, through all trial and appellate court proceedings, in any way arising out of or related to Lessee’s use of City property as specified herein.

5. No admission fee may be charged by Lessee for any event for which the facility is used unless approved in advance by the City. All equipment and fixtures of the facility shall be operated solely by the City. No City equipment shall be removed from the facility

By _________________________________ __________________________________
Library Administrator Lessee (signature)

Library Mission Statement:

Gulfport Public Library Internet Use Agreement

Use of Library computers assumes patron agreement with the following terms. Failure to comply with this agreement may result in revocation of computer use privileges.

Circulation Policies

Gulfport Public Library Meeting Room Policy

Gulfport Public Library Exhibits and Displays Policy