Library policies to be aware of while using the library.
See the attached PDF for the Library's Meeting Room Policy. Additional information can be found in the "How Do I...Use the Meeting Rooms" section
Please refer to the following attachments for the library's Computer and Internet Use policies.
Used book donations are welcome and will be placed in the Friends of Woodstock Public Library's Used Book Sale Room. Books must be in good condition and suitable for reselling. Please do not donate: magazines, puzzles, games, Reader's Digest Condensed Books, textbooks, or encyclopedias.
Please contact the Library Director regarding monetary gifts, bequests or endowments for the Library.
Rules of Woodstock Public Library
1. Each person wishing to take out materials must have registered with the library and must present his or her own card.
2. Library cards are non-transferable.
3. Library cards are valid only for the address cited when the card is issued. Patrons must notify the library of change of address.
4. All residents of the City of Woodstock (5 years old or older) are entitled to free library cards.
5. Rural Woodstock Public Library District residents are entitled to free Rural Basic Cards, that are restricted. District residents can opt to pay $47 per year per family to obtain full service cards that provide all services available to city residents.
6. Non-residents pay $150 per family per year. Each member of the family may have his or her own card.
7. Reciprocal privileges are extended to persons holding valid cards from other tax supported public libraries in Illinois. Some restrictions apply.
Loan Periods, Material Limits, and Overdue Fines
1. Books, CDs, and books on cassette or CD may be checked out for 21 days and renewed twice with these exceptions:
2. Videos and DVDs may be checked out for 7 days and renewed only once except items with holds and some interlibrary loan items. There is a limit of 5 DVDs per person.
3. Back issues of newspapers and magazines may be checked out for 21 days. Current issues must be used in the library.
4. Overdue fines are 10 cents per day per item. Material is overdue until returned, renewed, or paid for. First overdue notices are sent when materials are 7 days overdue. Additional information regarding overdue or lost materials is available here.
5. Nothing will be checked out to a person whose borrower's card has 5 overdue items or fines of $5 or more.
6. Failure to pay fines and return or pay for items may result in suspension of library privileges for the entire family. Failure to return items is a Class A misdemeanor according to the Illinois Criminal Code, Chapter 38, Article 6B. The Library does use a Collection Agency to retrieve materials.
7. Vacation loans: Persons who will be out of town may check out materials for six weeks but they are not renewable. New books may not be checked out on vacation loans.
8. Library projectors may be rented for use outside the library only by adult resident borrowers using a current card and paying the rental fee. A reciprocal adult borrower may check out projectors for meeting room use only by using a current card and paying the rental fee. Rental fees are charged if the projector has lamps that burn out and must be replaced.
9. All residents and rural residents paying the User Fee are limited to a maximum of
10. Rural residents with Basic Cards are limited to
11. Reciprocal borrowers have the same limits throughout the system
Revised June, 2009
The Woodstock Public Library is dedicated to providing access to knowledge and information through reading, writing, and quiet contemplation, providing patrons the right to use materials and services without being disturbed or impeded, and providing patrons and employees a secure and comfortable environment. The Public Library Act provides the Board of Library Trustees with the general power to carry out the spirit and intent of the Act in establishing and maintaining the library and providing library services and the specific power to “exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully violates an ordinance or regulation prescribed.”
The Board of Library Trustees of the Woodstock Public Library establishes its conduct policy as follows:
1. A patron who engages in any activity which is illegal or which materially disrupts the use of library facilities, collections, or services by patrons or materially disrupts the ability of the staff to perform its duties shall cease such activity immediately upon request by library personnel.
2. If, following a request, the patron fails or refuses to comply or responds to the request in an abusive fashion, he or she will be required to leave the library premises immediately for the balance of that calendar day. If he or she fails to leave, the police will be summoned
3. In instances involving minors, identification will be requested and the incident may be reported to the parent or guardian. The Library Director has the discretion to require a parent or guardian to accompany the child in the library for an agreed upon period of time.
4. Library personnel will record instances in which patrons are required to leave the library by filing an Incident Form. The Library Director shall have the discretion to bar the patron from use of the library premises.
5. In the event a patron barred from the use of the library attempts entry to the library during any such period of exclusion, the police will be summoned and informed of the prior action.
6. In the event the individual challenges the decision of the Library Director, he or she may appeal in writing to the Board of Trustees. In lieu of a specific period of exclusion, an individual must make a written request to the Board of Trustees for reinstatement.
August 2002
Unattended Children Policy
Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children while they are in the library. The Woodstock Public Library staff is committed to help children with activities related to the library. Library staff cannot be, nor is it their responsibility, to serve as baby-sitters or disciplinarians. Violations of this policy are grounds for suspension of library privileges. Whenever advisable, the library will notify the parent of incidents involving an unattended child.
• Children age seven and younger must be accompanied and directly supervised at all times by a parent or responsible caregiver. The minimum age for a caregiver is at least 14.
• Children between the ages of eight and ten must have a parent or responsible caregiver of at least 14 years of age present in the building so that they are available to supervise and remain attentive to the child.
• Children over the age of 10 may use the library unattended by an adult, subject to other library rules and policies concerning behavior, conduct, and demeanor.
When the safety of an unattended child is in doubt, or the parent or responsible caregiver cannot be located, or if the library is closing, library staff is authorized to call the police and stay with the child until the police arrive.
In the event a child 13 years old or younger has not been picked up at the time the library is closing, library staff will attempt to contact the child’s parent or guardian. If 15 minutes after the library closes the parent/guardian has not come to pick up the child, the police will be notified.
Amended November 2009