About Fremont Public Library
Computer & Internet Use PolicyLibrary Policies & Information
- Circulation Policies
- Courtesy & Safety
- Library Cards
- FPL Friends
- FPL Board
- Services
- Meeting Rooms
- Media Lab
- Computer & Internet Use Policy
LOAN PERIODS:
Videos, Views & Launchpads– 1 week
Magazines & NEW Books– 2 weeks
Books– 3 weeks
Audio Books & Playaway Audio Books– 4 weeks
RENEWALS: No renewal on NEW items, videos, views, launchpads, holiday/display books, or any item on hold for another patron; Two renewals on all other items. For your convenience, items may be renewed at the circulation desk, by phone, or online. All items may be returned in the outside drop box.
LATE FEES PER BUSINESS DAY: $0.05 for books, magazines and audios; $0.25 for videos.
CIRCULATION LIMITS: 25 items total (Adult); 10 total (Juvenile); 5 video; 5 New items; 3 holiday or display items.
LOST ITEMS: Patrons shall be charged the current replacement cost, plus handling when applicable. Charges are refundable less any accumulated overdue fines if the item is returned in undamaged and fully functional shape within ninety (90) calendar days after being declared lost. Refunds will either be paid after the next Board of Trustees meeting or be carried as a credit balance on the patron’s account.
DAMAGED ITEMS: If items are beyond repair, the patron will be charged the current replacement cost. Patrons should not attempt to repair damaged library material themselves. All damaged items shall remain the property of the library whether replaced, repaired or destroyed.
Borrowing privileges may be suspended for fines exceeding $3.00, for overdue and/or lost library materials.
- Children under 8 years of age must have an adult or mature teen caregiver in the library with them. The library does not provide childcare or latchkey care.
- Police and/or Child Protective Services will be contacted when unattended minors unable to get home by themselves are left on library property at closing.
- Any individual being disruptive will be asked to leave the library.
- Cell phone use is restricted to the lower lobby and entrance foyer.
- Computer use is limited to 2 hours.
To be eligible for a library card you must meet one of these criterion:
- Be a resident of Fremont, Jamestown or Clear Lake Townships;
- Pay property taxes in the above townships;
- Have a Fremont Community Schools Identification Card.
Without one of these three qualifications you must either:
- Purchase a nonresident card. Available to residents of Indiana who live outside our taxing district.
- Present a Public Library Access Card from your home library. PLAC borrowers at FPL are restricted to books and audios.
- Present a valid card from our reciprocal library, Carnegie Public Library. Includes use of all collections; no ILL.
Borrowers must be at least five years of age.
Children under 18 will need a parent/legal guardian’s signature.
Adults are asked to present identification (i.e., driver’s license) and proof of eligibility.
Friends of the Library is a non-profit group committed to the promotion and support of the library.
Friends meet every third Wednesday at 5:30pm in the Community Room. Their meetings are open to the public. Browse the Friends shelf in the lower-level lobby year-round for gently-used books on sale. Friends holds an Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale during the first full week of August.
To learn more:
Contact:
Fremont Public Library Board
President – Lon Keyes
Vice President – Anne Abernathey
Secretary – Diane McArdle
Treasurer – Paula Thomas
Member – Susan Mauk
Member – Greta Robinson
Member – Ben Roederer
Member – Mary Sacquitne
2025 BOARD MEETINGS
All regular Board meetings are open to the public and start at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, January 27, 2025* Board of Finance Mtg begins at 6:30 to be immediately followed by Regular Board Mtg
Monday, February 24, 2025
Monday, March 24, 2025
Monday, April 28, 2025
Monday, May 20, 2025*
Monday, June 23, 2025
Monday, July 28, 2025
Monday, August 25, 2025
Monday, September 22, 2025
Monday, October 27, 2025
Monday, November 18, 2025*
Monday, December 16, 2025*
* Varies from the fourth Monday
- Public Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan via IN-SRCS
- Public computers / Internet / Microsoft Office
- Outgoing Fax ($1.75 first page, $1 per each additional page)
- Public copier/scanner (10 cents per page/ free scan to email)
- PLAC cards
- Outdoor drop box for after-hour returns
- Reciprocal agreement with Carnegie Public Library of Steuben County
Please stop by the front desk to fill out a meeting request form.
The FPL board welcomes the use of library meeting rooms to non-profit, non-commercial groups engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, and charitable activities. Due to limited custodial time, rooms are not available for purely social functions.
Library events take precedence over all other scheduled events. The library reserves the right to change or cancel a meeting room reservation if necessary. Meeting rooms are reserved during operating hours and are free of charge. Limited after hours use may be possible depending on staff availability and approval of the director.
Rooms are not reserved on Sundays or dates when the library is closed. Keys to the library are not given out.
Exceptions to policy must be board approved.
Available Rooms:
Program Room (Main Level)
Seating: 4 low tables, 24 chairs, puppet theatre, craft cart
Legal capacity 60
Community Room (Lower Level)
Seating: 9 tables w/locking wheels for ease of setup, additional 9 tables (heavy), 72 chairs
Equipment: screen, projection cart, portable mic, portable whiteboard, easels, podium, refrigerator, sink and microwave
Legal capacity 198
The Media Lab has digital conversion equipment, a sewing machine, a button-maker, Ellison die-cutter and computers. Make an appointment to use the lab or to get computer assistance.
Computer & Internet Use Policy
Board Approved: August 26, 2024
The Fremont Public Library is committed to providing free access to informational, educational, recreational, and cultural resources for library users of all ages and backgrounds. Fremont Public Library’s Technology and Computer Use Policy reflects this mission and indicates the parameters by which the Internet and computer resources are to be used. The FPL Board of Trustees has the right to set and enforce the following rules concerning the use of the library’s Internet and computer resources by persons of all ages.
By using the Fremont Public Library’s public computers and/or Wi-Fi, patrons and visitors of the library are agreeing to comply with the Computer and Internet Use policy’s general computer use and rules of conduct outlined within this policy.
A. DISCLAIMER
- While the Fremont Public Library provides access to the Internet, the Library Board and employees of the Fremont Public Library are not responsible for the information that patrons access and obtain while using the library’s equipment or network connection.
- The Internet is a global entity with highly diverse user populations and information content some of which may be inaccurate, outdated, illegal, obscene, or personally offensive.
- The library reserves the right to filter or limit access to and/or availability of Internet resources. Realizing that filters are not 100% effective, library patrons use the Internet at their own risk.
- Library users are responsible for the access points they reach on the Internet.
- Parents and guardians of minors (under age 18) are responsible for monitoring their children’s Internet use.
- The library does not offer Internet accounts, e-mail accounts, web space, or other related Internet services.
The library assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage, or injury arising from the use of its internet or computing resources, nor for the accuracy, nature, or quality of the Internet access it provides. This includes damage or injury sustained from invasions of the user’s privacy.
B. MINORS
The Children’s Internet Protection Act mandates the filtering of library computers for any library receiving federal communication funds. Fremont Public Library computers are filtered by the Internet provider. Adults may ask the desk staff for a filter override; overrides are limited to 90 minutes.
- It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to determine whether to place restrictions on their own children regarding access to certain areas of the Internet.
- Parents/guardians are responsible for their own children’s behavior while using the library’s Internet connection. Minors who use the internet without a parent or guardian present are responsible for their own decisions and behaviors.
- FPL assumes no liability for inappropriate viewing, conduct, or acts conducted on the Internet by minors.
- FPL reserves the right to deny Internet access to any minor who is found to violate the FPL Internet and Computer Use Policy adopted by the FPL Board of Trustees.
C. PUBLIC COMPUTERS
Main Floor Computers: 12 desktop computers with Internet access and Microsoft Office Suite for users aged 13 and up.
Media Lab Computers: 9 desktop computers available with Internet access, Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual meeting capabilities along with other digital media equipment can be used with a reservation. During the school year, precedence is given to middle-grade library programming.
If the main-level computers are all in use, the lab may be opened at the discretion of library personnel with the exception of after school hours.
Children’s Department Computers: 4 desktop computers with internet access and Microsoft Office Suite and 2 early literacy computers with pre-loaded educational games.
These Children’s computers are intended for use by children; however, adults may use these computers if supervising children utilizing the Children’s Department.
D. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Personal electronic devices are welcome at FPL.
- Individuals using their own equipment remain subject to the terms of this policy.
- Technical support is not available for personal devices.
- Free wireless internet access is available throughout FPL including on the deck, patio, and parking lot.
- The wireless network is not secured, and patrons are encouraged to use their own security programs.
- FPL is not responsible for personal items and equipment on library property.
- Patrons may not connect their devices to the library’s wired internet connection.
E. PRIVACY/CONFIDENTIALITY
- The library cannot guarantee the confidentiality of personal information transmitted over the Internet. Users should closely guard personal information, credit card numbers, passwords, and other types of authorizations when on the internet.
- Parents should instruct their children regarding safety and security when using electronic mail, social networking websites, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communication and to NEVER give out personal information (name, address, phone number, etc.) online.
- Users of Library workstations are asked to use resources appropriately and respect the privacy of others using nearby workstations.
- The Library will never share, sell, or rent individual personal information gathered by the Library, except for the purpose of recovering overdue items and fees or as ordered by subpoena from a valid court or legal authority.
- The Library PC and print management system does not retain information on websites visited by customers.
- Any information stored by a user on the library’s public access computers will be removed periodically.
F. ACCESS
The demand for use of the library’s Internet access may exceed the available supply. The Library reserves the right to limit workstation and printer usage including, but not necessarily limited to sign-in/reservation procedures and established time limits.
G. FEES
The fee for copying or printing with the library’s equipment is $0.10 per page or $0.20 for a double-sided document.
H. RULES OF CONDUCT
- Users of the library’s public computers will check in at the front desk prior to computer use
- Transmission of any material or use of the Internet in violation of any U.S., state, or local regulation is prohibited. Users must comply with all federal and state laws.
- Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to:
- Violation of computer security;
- Vandalism of computer data, software, or hardware;
- The creation and/or distribution of computer viruses;
- Making an attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, including hacking;
- Violation of copyright laws or licensing agreements;
- Harassing, disrupting, or violating the privacy of other users or patrons, including attempting to view or read material being used by others;
- Display and/or distribution of obscenity, child pornography, or (to minors) materials harmful to minors;
- Transmission of libelous, slanderous, or misrepresentative material;
- Produce or transmit materials that incite violence towards people or damage to property;
- Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.
- By mutual agreement, two or three people may share one computer as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb other users or library staff.
- Unacceptable use may result in loss of Internet access. The library’s supervisory staff will deem what is unacceptable use based on the items above and may temporarily suspend a user’s Internet access. The Director of the Fremont Public Library may take further action to deny, revoke, or suspend a user’s Internet access and library privileges as warranted.
- Messages and activities related to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the proper authorities.