Using Your Library Card
Getting a Library Card
Using Library Collections
Using Technology
Getting a Library Card
Library cards are free to anyone 5 years old or older who lives in the cities of Staunton, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, and Waynesboro; or the following counties: Albemarle, Augusta, Bath, Greene, Highland, Louisa, Nelson, Rockbridge, and Rockingham. Also, employees of the City of Staunton and the Staunton City Schools may have a card regardless of where they live. A pay stub will be considered verification of their employment.
To register, you must have ID showing your current address. If you are under 12, you must also have your parent or guardian present. Library cards are processed while you wait. The same card may be used in the Augusta County, Staunton, and/or Waynesboro libraries. All three libraries have the same patron list. A new card does not need to be issued to patrons with cards from the Augusta County or Waynesboro libraries.
Protect your card: you are responsible for all items checked out on it no matter who uses your card. Report lost or stolen cards immediately - you are responsible for its use until it is reported. Replacement cards cost $1 and are obtainable with an ID showing your current address.
Checking Out Materials
Most materials can be checked out for 3 weeks with no quantity limits and one renewal. There is a 1 week grace period following the due date when you may return materials without a fine. If you return materials more than 1 week late, you will be fined for the entire overdue period. Exceptions are:
ABE Materials - 3 months
Art Prints - 6 months, limit of 3
Bestsellers - 3 weeks, no renewal
Books on Reserve - 3 weeks, no renewal
Books on CD - 3 weeks, limit 6
DVDs - 1 week, limit 6, 2-day grace period
Equipment - 1 week, limit of 3, no grace period
Puppet Theater - 1 week, limit of 1, no grace period
Videos - 1 week, limit of 6, 2 day grace period
After Library hours, you may return materials (except puppets and Rosetta Stone materials) in the outdoor book drops.
Avoiding Overdue Fines
Fines are $.10 per day for overdue materials with a maximum of $2 per item. The only exception is equipment which is fined at $1 per day with a $5 maximum. If you pay all your fines at once, the most you will pay is $10. If you have fines of $6 or items more than 6 weeks overdue, you may not check out any more items. If you owe more than $25 or have materials more than 60 days overdue, your name will be turned over to a collection agency and a $10 service charge will be added to your account. If you have not returned the overdue Library materials or made payment arrangements within 120 days, your overdue account may be sent to a credit reporting agency.
Returning Damaged Materials
If an item is damaged (torn, chewed, water damaged, etc.) while it is checked out to you, you are responsible for reimbursing the Library for that item. Please return damaged items to the circulation desk in person (don’t leave them in the book drop) and identify the damage for the staff.
Lost Items
If you misplace a Library item, you are responsible for reimbursing the Library for that item after it has been lost for 6 weeks. The staff will tell you the amount due when you report the loss. If you should find the book after you have paid for it, you can get your money back if you return the item and show the receipt of payment, within 12 months.
Freedom to Read
The Staunton Public Library respects the right of all patrons to choose what to read, listen to or view, whether the material is in books, on video or DVD, on audio tape or CD or on the Internet. Parents are responsible for guiding these choices for their own children. Our collections contain materials representing many points of view to ensure full access to information.
Using Library Collections
Reference Collection
The Staunton Public Library has many reference resources. These include online databases, newspapers and census records on microfilm, business directories, maps, local history files, telephone directories and a genealogy and local history collection. Reference assistance is available from Library staff for patrons in the Library, by telephone, or by email. At the Library, go to the Reference Desk on the First Floor or, from home or work, call 540-332-3902 or email questions to Library@ci.staunton.va.us.
Genealogy Collection
The Staunton Public Library’s Genealogy Collection is located on the first floor of the Library in a separate room. To use this collection, patrons must sign a register, present identification, and agree to allow staff to search brief cases, book bags and purses upon leaving. The Genealogy Collection contains family and historical records for Staunton, Augusta County, the surrounding counties and other parts of the State of Virginia. The Library also offers access to the HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library Edition databases of genealogical information. During the month of July, the Library sponsors an annual Genealogy Workshop about the resources available at the Library and in Staunton. For more detailed genealogical information, see the special Genealogy section on this website.
Microfiche and Microfilm
Microfilm files include Augusta County census records from 1810 - 1930 and Staunton newspapers from 1836. Microfiche files contain back issues of selected periodicals. Film and fiche readers and printers are located in the Reference area. Copies print for $.10 a page.
Finding New Books
Fiction and Non-fiction Adult New Books are placed on the first floor to the left of the front entrance facing Augusta Street. Children’s New Books are located on book racks in the Children’s Section of the Library on the Ground Floor.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) Collection
The Adult Basic Education (ABE) Collection is a collection of materials designed to aid adult patrons who are improving their reading skills. Books are available at different reading levels on topics of interest to adults. There are also materials available for improving spelling and math skills, English as a Second Language (ESL), and workbooks that can be used by literacy tutors. The Library can arrange special loan periods for ABE materials. The ABE Collection is located on the First Floor.
For more information on free classes and tutors, call: The Adult Learning Center at (540) 949-6134, or Learn English And Reading Now (LEARN) at (540) 245-5136.
Parent-Teacher (PT) Collection
The Parent-Teacher (PT) Collection contains materials that supplement both public school and home schooling curriculum. Parents and educators will find information on developmental stages, learning disabilities, learning styles, arts and crafts, Bible and Sunday school education, and more. The collection also features materials on preschool-age development, preschool activities, and ideas for the preschool teacher. The PT Collection is located on the Ground Floor.
Talking Book Center
The Talking Book Center is the Library for individuals who cannot read standard print material because of a visual or physical handicap or learning disability and is located on the Second Floor. The Talking Book Center is a program of the Library of Congress and is supported by several area United Ways.
Policy on the Selection of Library Materials
In the adoption of this policy, recognition has been given to the needs of a diverse community. Selection of library materials is the responsibility of the City Librarian and designated members of the staff. The following broad guidelines are provided by the Board to assist, but not limit, the work of the City Librarian and staff:
- Selection of materials will be made on the basis of value to the community. No material will be excluded because of the race, nationality, gender, religion, political or social views of the author or the subject.
- As far as budget, space and availability allow, there will be an effort to provide materials which present to the fullest practical measure all points of view concerning the issues of our times. The presence of resources in the Library does not indicate endorsement of their content by the Library.
- Materials will be acquired using standard professional selection resources as well as requests and other input from the community.
- The Library will resist any pressure to restrict the choices of the users of the Staunton Public Library and does not accept the role of censoring the Library collection on behalf of any group or individual. In seeking to develop a collection which represents many viewpoints, providing information and entertainment to a range of users, the Library does acquire books and other materials which are not acceptable to the beliefs of everyone.
- Access to materials will not be restricted to anyone. The responsibility for children's and adolescents' materials use belongs to the parent or legal guardian.
Using Technology
Computer Center
The Computer Center has 10 PCs dedicated to the Internet. Computer users must have a valid Staunton Public Library card and follow a registration process. To register, users must read and understand the Staunton Public Library Computer Use Policy and the Internet Use Disclaimer and sign an Internet Registration Form, agreeing to abide by the rules of use. Users aged 10 to 17 must have a parent or guardian’s signature on the registration form. Users under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a registered computer user. Computer use is limited to 45 minutes per user per day. Users must present their Library card and sign in each time they wish to use the Internet. Visitors to the Library may fill out the Visitor's Internet Registration Form. The Library will keep your registration form on file for the duration of your visit and you must present identification each time you wish to use the Internet.
Wi-Fi (Wireless) Internet Access
Wi-Fi (Wireless) Internet Access at the Staunton Public Library. Staunton's Wi-Fi connection is available to anyone with a Wi-Fi capable system and will allow broadband Internet access almost anywhere within the Library. The Library's Internet Policy and applicable state and federal laws still apply to Wi-Fi access. There are no time restriction or limits on the number of users on the Library's Wi-Fi network. The Wi-Fi network is shared bandwidth and connection speeds are not guaranteed. Staunton's Wi-Fi network is an 802.11b wireless network. All you need is a Wi-Fi certified 802.11b card and your portable device. A brochure with instructions is available at the Library.
Research Tools
The Library also subscribes to a number of online research tools. Our Online Databases may be accessed from the Internet computers in the Computer Center or from your home or office computer.
Research and Report Workstation
The Research and Report Workstation allows patrons to create documents using Microsoft Office 2007 products, and conduct research using specific databases. Patrons may print their documents for $0.25 per page or save their work to a disk or flash drive. Disks can be purchased at the Library for $1. each. For more information, please consult the rules posted by the computer.
Children's Computer Center
The Children's Computer Center is located on the Ground Floor of the Library. The Center features a filtered Internet station. Sites containing adult content, as well as email and chatrooms, are blocked from this Internet station. In addition, two AWE Early Literacy Stations are available with over 30 programs installed.
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult to use the Children's Computer Center.
